- The military dictatorship "protect" against Burma influences of the outside world

- Illicit drug production

- Making jewelry with precious stones

- Countless pagodas (Buddhist temples) and stupas

Burma is located in a tropical monsoon climate zone. In most of the climate is very humid, differentiated due to varied terrain. The rainy season occurs from May to October. The average January temperature ranges from 13 - 15 ° C in the north to 25 ° C in the south, and in April from 29 to 32 °.

Preferably in the period from November to March (small rainfall, temperature tolerable)

Influence of western culture

In many areas, are visible in Burma, influence of western culture (the impact of British colonial rule). For example, the educational system is based on the English model. In larger cities, m.in. in Rangoon, are also visible influences of European architecture.

The result of missionary work in Burma is the fact that many ethnic minorities professes Christianity.

Literature

On the literature of this country dużyw flow was religion - Buddhism. (Primarily Tales Jataka stories). British colonization of introduced many new literary genres, which still are popular. Especially poetry is respected, there are even a few species characteristic of poetic literature only for the Burmese

Music

Traditional music is melodic, but without harmony. A mixture of influences of Chinese, Indian and Thai. Typical instrument is the 'saung' (also known as saung-gauk). It is a kind of harp, made of sixteen silk strings and a resonator in the shape of the boat.

Ethnic Structure

In Burma noticeable is a large population of ethnic diversity. The government makes 135 ethnic groups, but their reality is far less. 68% of the population of the country are Burmese, 10% Szanowie, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%. Other people of Burma are immigrants from China and India, Czinowie, Monowie and Kajowie.

Strongly dominated by Buddhism (Theravada school) professed by 89% of the population (particularly the Burmese, Rakhine, monovalent and Chinese). 4% of the population professes Christianity, Islam is the same. Few also practice Hinduism or animism.

Buddhist rules apply labels. The head is the highest and most important (holy), part of the body.

Each Buddha statue is considered sacred. Do not like. climb on the statue to take a picture, or otherwise show disrespect. Blasphemy is even pointing a finger at the images of Buddha. You should not touch anything, interest rates, or pay them in the direction of Buddha statues. Women are not allowed to touch monks, or anything given to them.

The feet are considered unclean parts of the body, which should serve only to move. During the meal should sit so that both feet adjacent to the floor, do not show the soles of shoes.

Before entering the house or temple, you must remove shoes.

Burma is also customary to walk around a pagoda in the direction of clockwise.

When you visit any place of worship must be adequately clothed (no exposed shoulders, shorts or flip).

Very dangerous to discuss the socio-political issues and the attaching of local women by men.

Failure to comply with existing standards often conflicts with local people.

English

English is used in major tourist destinations.  

89.9%

Polish citizens are valid visas: tourist residence (up to 28 days) or transit (up to 24 hours). Can be obtained only in the diplomatic and consular representations of Myanmar. The Myanmar can only enter the sea border crossing points and international airport of the capital Yangon Airport. Land border crossings are closed to tourists. Children over 7 years entered in the passport of a parent visa is issued separately (in the parent's passport are then pasted stickers 2 visa). When entering valid passport can not be shorter than three months from the date of expiry of visa. Possession of valid return ticket or to another country. There is no obligation to hold a certain amount of money per day of stay. Airport charge at the outlet is $ 10.

Foreign currency exceeding U.S. $ 2,000, jewelry, electronic equipment and photo must be included in the customs declaration.

Valid ban on imports of playing cards, gambling items, antiques, objects of archaeological and pornography.

Myanmar Embassy

Zimmer Strasse 56, 6th floor,

D-10117 Berlin

tel. (0-0 49 30) 206 15 70

Fax: (0-0 49 30) 206 757 1949

There is no Polish diplomatic. Polish Ambassador to Thailand is also accredited in Myanmar. Consular Affairs on the territory of the country remain the responsibility of the Polish consul in Bangkok.

Polish Embassy in Bangkok

100/81-82, Vongvanij Building B, 25th Floor,

Rama 9 Road, Huaykwang District, Bangkok 10310, Thailand.

tel. (66) 2645 0367 -9

Fax:. (66) 2645 0365

E-mail: ampolbkk@polemb.or.th (general affairs)

Valid ban on imports of playing cards, gambling items, antiques, objects of archaeological and pornography.

There is no obligation meldunkowego, but tourists staying at the hotel are required to complete a detailed registration card.

Spaces export of local currency. It can be mentioned only in paying bills (Marks). When leaving only the vouchers redeemed at an amount higher than $ 300 may be re-converted into freely convertible currencies. Exports of Buddha images requires the prior consent of the authorities of Myanmar (not applicable to craft products). There is no possibility of a VAT refund.

Although Myanmar is known for illicit drug production, trafficking and smuggling are punished very severely, including the death penalty.

Djd `X% j redeemed at an amount higher than $ 300 may be re-converted into freely convertible currencies. Exports of Buddha images requires the prior consent of the authorities of Myanmar (not applicable to craft products). There is no possibility of a VAT refund.

Medical care is generally available. A visit to a doctor in a hospital, the state is practically free (not applicable to drugs). A day in hospital costs about $ 40 a visit to a private doctor around $ 20. The level of medical services usually do not correspond to European standards.

There is no obligation to take out personal insurance and communications. Polish policy

insurance companies are not honored.

Yangon General Hospital: 192

Ambulance: 192

You do not need vaccinations (unless passed less than six days after leaving the area affected by an epidemic of yellow fever). Due to the risk of avian influenza are indicated, however, as throughout the region, vaccination przeciwgrypowe indicated by your doctor.

Myanmar is a safe country for tourists. There is no specific crime threats. In some areas there

tensions and ethnic conflicts of varying intensity (also armed).

In larger cities there are thefts.

Burma is ruled by a military junta, which closes the country to the outside world can say that keeps its citizens in captivity. Leaders of the opposition are being killed or arrested. The generals controlling almost the entire tourism industry.

Police: 199

Access to many regions of the country is limited due to the unstable situation of ethnic. Most attractive places for tourists, can be visited only in groups with a local guide and after prior approval by the Department of Tourism Regulation. Tourists, who set the slope of the hiking trails, are exposed to the retention by the number of police patrols.

Border crossings from China - Myanmar:

Kyukoke

Namkhan

Mu-se, it

Border crossing Thailand - Myanmar:

Tachileik / Mae Sai

Myawaddy / Mae Sot

Three pagodas Pass (Payathonzu / Sangkhlaburi)

Kawthoung / Ranong

Some of them are open on one side only (eg,. only from Thailand to Burma)

Borders with Bangladesh, India and Laos are closed to tourist traffic.

Myanmar is a closed country, virtually the only way to get to it is the arrival of a flight to Yangon.

From Europe to Burma, you can fly via Singapore or Bangkok. From Bangkok, Thai daily run airplanes and myanmarskich airlines.

The most popular and cheapest are connected to the Bangkok (Thailand), Calcutta (India) and Dhaka (Bangladesh).

Domestic airlines are Myanmar Airways International.

The main domestic airport is Yangon (RGN) - 19 km from the city. From the airport to the center of Yangon buses and taxis.

There are no rail links.

Officially there is no possibility of crossing the border by bus.

It is assumed that the land borders are closed to tourist traffic.

There are no other possibilities.

Theoretically, you can get to Myanmar from China through one of the access land, but you must have a 28 - day tourist visa.

Can be reached by road also from Thailand, but under strict conditions: a passport to leave the border and in Burma we spend only one day.

Often, however, entry is allowed only for tours. We must also reckon with the possibility of periodic closure of all borders. For these reasons shall be simply that the land borders are inaccessible to tourists, much more safe and secure is air transport.

The best and fastest way to get around the country and only available for independent travelers.

Airlines offering domestic flights:

Myanmar Airways International

Air Mandalay

Yangon Airways

Daily flights are available to the majority of Burmese cities.

Myanmar Railways offers several routes in the country, which is the most poopularnym Yangon - Mandalay. Time travel on the route is ok. 12 - 14 hours. Tickets are available only for organized groups.

Rarely chosen means of transport due to long journeys.

National carrier is the Road Transport Enterprise. Buses run frequently irregular, and ride comfort leaves much to be desired.

There are several private bus lines will be happy to be chosen by the tourists (air conditioning, ability to pay in local currency, support for the local population).

The main route to Rangoon - Meiktila, Yangon - Pyay, Yangon - Mandalay, Rangoon - Taunggyi.

There is no legal possibility to rent a car or other vehicle without a driver. Valid driving on the right.

Organized tours can travel by ship. A popular route is: Bhamo-Mandalay-Pagan and Mandalay.

In cities you can rent bicycles, rickshaws and run.

In towns you can find a few internet cafes, but you must be aware that Internet use is monitored by the government and very expensive. Access to multiple sites is blocked.

Shipments arrive from Burma to Europe after about. week.

It should personally go to the post office and for a small fee to obtain proof of shipment of the consignment.

During the rainy season, some roads may be impassable.

Across the country do not operate mobile phones.

Currency: Kyat (MMK), 1 MMK = 100 pia

In some places (most hotels, railways, airlines, ticket) fee is accepted only in U.S. dollars (U.S. banknotes are accepted only in perfect condition).

Within Burma credit cards are not accepted, no ATMs.

Lungi (men's "skirt") - about $ 1.5

store shoes in temples around 50 MMK

Mandalay beer bottle 0.5 l 1000 MMK

put dough 600-900 MMK

Bottled water 1l 250 MMK

1 Cigarillo 20 MMK

There does not meet supermarket, shopping online, or known global brands. Access to many goods is limited.

Best buy souvenirs at the stands before the temples in Bagan, or the market at Inle Lake.

In Rangoon and Mandalay are a few shops with European goods, but the selection is small.

- Goods made of silk

- Jewelry with rubies, sapphires, etc.

- Antiques

- Tapestries

- Lacquer objects

- Lungi

Record numbers of Burmese is different from Europe, so you should ask to write numerals on a sheet - this will facilitate bargaining and declare that we possess the denomination.

It is widely practiced in the exchange rate on the black market. This is not a threat to the tourist, provided that the exchange does not take place at night, in a dark street.

Dollars exchanged only after a good course in Yangon (supposedly the best odds on Sam Bogyoke Aung San Market) and Mandalay.

In other places zancznie rate is lower (by up to 30%).

Exchange kyatów into dollars before you leave is very lossy.

Since the introduction of privatization in the hotel industry after 1990 created many new hoteli.Większość of them is divided into classes:

luxury, first class, lower.

Most five-star hotel is run by drug traffickers or people linked to the Government. Tourists aware of the political situation in Burma to bypass this type of distance. urys: o / `(e, that the exchange does not take place at night, in a dark street.

Dollars exchanged only after a good course in Yangon (supposedly the best odds on Sam Bogyoke Aung San Market) and Mandalay.

In other places zancznie rate is lower (by up to 30%).

Exchange kyatów into dollars before you leave is very lossy.

Throughout Burma, especially in larger cities, youth hostels exist, but because of the low prices of accommodation in hotels differences between these types of housing are often hard to detect.

Everywhere outside of Rangoon, you can find accommodations for less than $ 10 per person per night in a room with private bathroom.

2-person room in the center of Rangoon with a bathroom, window and air conditioning - $ 18

A room without windows - $ 10

Prices often include breakfast.

Places in the hotels we booked in advance, especially during the period from November to March.

In addition to Mandalay and Rangoon, you can haggle on the price of peace.

In many places, meet with limited access to electricity (eg. several hours per day)

You want to be like this issue looks at the hotel in which we intend to stay.

Burmese cuisine draws its inspiration from the northwest (from India and Bangladesh) and South-East (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam). Just as in the entire South East Asian cuisine is mostly based on rice or noodles (soy or rice).

Cuisine of Burma is very diverse. The typical dishes will meet Oceania and the Malay Peninsula coconuts and seafood, but also many kinds of meat, m.in.drób, mutton, lamb and goat meat. Most of the people on religious grounds avoids beef. Many dishes are composed of beans, peas, lentils and fruit - borrowing from the Indian cuisine.

The most popular dishes include chicken with noodles, rice with vegetables and tampura (vegetables fried in batter).

Traditional dishes:

- Mohinga

- Onnokauswe

- Laphet thot

- Mee swan

- Palata

- Green tea Yenwejan

- Alcohol:

Toddy juice

Shwe maw le

There are plenty of Chinese restaurants, Indian, Thai and European cuisine offering.

The streets are often met with traditional stand birmańskimi snacks.

Characteristic of Burmese dishes, you can also get in the shops.

In restaurants, there is no fixed value of tips, but it's worth it to leave, and although in this way support the Burmese people.

In most restaurants the food gets all the free green tea.

YANGON / Yangon - called the "dragon city" was the capital of Burma and a great starting point for exploring the country. Yangon is famous for its beautiful, 98-meter pagoda-Sule Pagoda (Shwedagon). For its construction were used 60 tonnes of gold, thousands of diamonds and other precious stones. According to the beliefs of the church are the relics of the Buddha (more hair), so it is a popular place of pilgrimage buddystów.W Rangoon also worth seeing resting Buddha Monument (Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha) in Chaukhtatkyi pagoda, one of the greatest figures of the Buddha (ca. 70 meters in height)

Kyaiktiyo - one of the holiest places in Burma, known for its large gold-plated boulder standing on the edge of the cliff at the top Kyaiktiyo. According to legend, the stone remained there through accurate placement in the hair afterwards, it stupie Buddha.

MANDALAY - was the capital and main center of Buddhism in Burma, many valuable temples and monasteries. It is worth to climb the hill of Mandalay, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city, especially at sunset.

Ancient cities INWA / Sagaing / AMARAPURA / MINGUN - cities around Mandalay. Amarapura is famous for its U-Bein - the longest teak bridge in the world, Mingun is famous for its magnificent pagodas unfinished.

Bagan - amazing place, considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, placed on UNESCO World Heritage Site. The landscape is built into 2200 Bagan pagodas, temples, remains of 13,000!

RIVER CRUISES Ayeyarwady - luxury cruises in the route stateczkami Bagan - Mandalay, an ideal opportunity to observe the daily life of inhabitants of small villages

Inle Lake - shallow, picturesque lake covered with lotus flowers and gardens, which is home to many villages of the people inthe. In its waters was built schools, churches, hotels, restaurants, and the only means of transport between them are flat-bottomed boats.

MRAUK-U - a small historic town

ON THE BEACHES Bay of Bengal - long sandy beaches, while there are some hotels and golf courses.

Throughout the country there is a lot of monuments, mostly these are places of worship. The most popular are:

MANDALAY

Mahamuni Paya Temple

Paya temple Kuthodaw

Monastery Shwenandaw Kyaung

Rangoon

Shwedagon pagoda

Sule Pagoda

pagoda Kyaukhtatgy

Temple Maha Wizaya

Anglican and Catholic cathedral

Bagan

Ananda Temple

Temple Thatbyinnyu

Temple Shwegugyi

Temple Gawdapalin

Temple Gubyakgyi

Temple Htilominlo

Pagoda Shwezigon

Worth seeing Moustache Brothers show in Mandalay - the type of cabaret officially prohibited by the Burmese government (in the performances, there is criticism the government and the situation in the country). The admission ticket costs $ 8, to reach the best to ask taxi drivers and rikszarzy.

Inle Lake - shallow, picturesque lake covered with lotus flowers and gardens, which were built in the village.

Most of the tourists trying to avoid the obligation to pay, would not support dictatorship. Often, they exchange information among themselves on the rear entrances to the premises, the hours during which there is no guardian, etc.

When visiting pagodas, be sure to dress appropriate and removing shoes before entering.

- Independence Day (4.01.)

- Unification Day (12.02)

- Farmers' Day (2.03)

- The full moon day Tabaung (13.03)

- Armed Forces Day (27.03)

- Burmese New Year (April)

- Kason full moon day (11.05.)

- Post a Buddhist (9.07.)

- Martyrs Day (19.07.)

- Eid al-Fitr (September)

- National Day (November)

- Kareński New Year (December)

- Eid al-Adha (December)

Burma is called "the land of festivals" because they occur at least once each month.

Some of them are:

Ananda Pagoda Festival (Bagan)

Naga New Year Festival (Leshi, Sagaing Division, northwest of Myanmar)

Shwedagon Pagoda Festival (Yangon)

Pindaya Shwe Oo Min Pagoda Festival (Pindaya, Shan State)

Kakku Pagoda Festival (Kakku Pagoda, Shan State)

Water Festival (Thingyan Festival) and Myanmar New Year (nationwide)

Kason Fullmoon Day (nationwide)

Popa Nat Festival (Popa Nat EuP Mt.Popa)

Shit-Thaung Pagoda Festival (Mrauk U, Rakhine State)

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival (Inle Lake, Shan State)

Taung Pyone Nat Festival (Pyone Taung, Mandalay Division)

Elephant Dance Festival (Kyaukse, Mandalay Division)

Shwe Zi Gon Pagoda Festival (Nyaung U, Bagan)

Tasaungdaing Festival (nationwide)

Hot Air Balloon Festival (Taunggyi, Shan State)

Divali festival (nationwide)

Night life takes place primarily in clubs hotels online.

- Supply of needed medicines

- A light, cotton clothing and warmer in the winter months

- Measure insect

- Sunglasses

- Protective filter

- A hat for sun protection

- U.S. dollars, preferably small denominations

Much of the money from tourism, supports the prevailing system, which often deters tourists to visit this country. Looking, however, on the other hand, for most Burmese contact with foreigners is the only window to the world. Golden measure in this situation may be the avoidance of facilities offered by the State and private use only hotels, restaurants, transport, etc.