Travel quotes
Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen. Benjamin Disraeli
In America there are two classes of travel - first class, and with children. Robert Benchley
Travelers never think that they are the foreigners. Mason Cooley
The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes "sight-seeing." Daniel J. Boorstin
There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror. Orson Welles
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Burma (Myanmar) : When and where to go ?
Click on a city for complete climate and weather tables
| Town | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Yangon (Rangoon) |  | | |  | |  | | | | |  | |
| Mandalay | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
Burma (Myanmar) : Maps and Facts
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The year is separated into three seasons in Burma: The monsoon season starts at the end of May/beginning of June bringing heavy rains; the dry season starts in November with lower temperatures and then the heat returns in February until May reaching the highest temperatures of the year of up to over 40°C. |
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What to do in Burma (Myanmar)Burma is nowadays called Myanmar, a fascinating area despite the military dictatorship that controls the country so reducing its appeal to outsiders. Rangoon, the Capital, in the heart of the jungle, is open to discovery on foot with its jewel, the Paya Shwedagon, a Buddhist sanctuary with a golden dome of nearly 100m high, or the gardens of Mahabandoola. Another great place to visit is Mandalay with its monasteries and animated streets, climb the hill that dominates the plain and see what is left of the Royal Palace. Don’t forget to visit the site of Pagan that regroups over two thousand ruined monuments, temples and stupas, interwoven with paths leading through and around the area which you can tour in a horse driven cart. In the north east, discover the splendid Lake Inle in the State of Shan together with the villages in the middle of the floating gardens. Pindaya, situated in its own valley, should not be missed, especially its grotto of 8000 Buddha’s. Little by little you will be seduced by this strange country, even if its marvels do not completely make you forget the implacability of its political regime that is so little in harmony with the magical beauty which makes this county such a unique destination. |
Burma (Myanmar) : The basics
You can get to Burma by plane.
A tourist visa is necessary, valid for 28 days, requested from the consulate less than three months before your departure. The currency in circulation is the kyat. You can eat well for €3 if you request a Burman style meal (curry, rice, vegetable dishes washed down with plenty of tea) and find a hotel room for around €20 in hotels or guesthouses. Concerning health precautions, the main risk is from diarrhoea so be careful of the water which should be boiled before drinking unless you use bottled mineral water. You should also take precautions against mosquitoes, very aggressive here and carriers also of malaria and dengue fever. You should carry a basic first aid kit with antibiotics, anti-diarrhoea treatment, analgesics and disinfectant as Burman pharmacies have very basic stocks. To move around inside the country, you can choose between the cycle porter, taxi scooter or, in certain places, a horse drawn cart in town. For long distances, bus and trains are long but uncomfortable alternatives to the collective taxis although there are local flights available connecting the major cities. One major point to remember: Before travelling to a certain area, confirm first that you are authorised access by the government. |
Towns in Burma (Myanmar)
Capital of Burma (Myanmar), Yangon has a little more than 4 million inhabitants. Founded in the 6th century, the city was colonized by the British in the 19th, then partially destroyed by an earthquake and tsunami in the 20th.
Located south of the country, it has beautiful parkland, lakes, splendid temples and many colonial vestiges. You will notice among other Shwedagon pagoda, perched on a hill overlooking the city, with its golden stupa.
But tourists will also find many historic sights, museums, markets pleasant stroll. Do not miss the park and museum Bogyoke Aung San, Botahtaung Pagoda with its maze of mirrors, Buddha Chauk Htat Kyee and Hlawgar the zoo with 70 species of animals.
Take the train Circular is also an excellent way to discover the daily life of the city and its surrounding villages. Regarding your accommodation, a range of hotels, modest or luxurious, dot the city, and many restaurants where you can sample cuisine Burmese, Chinese, Korean and Thai.
You can go to Rangoon by air through its international airport, which serves several Asian countries.
Burma's second city, Mandalay, has about one million inhabitants. A former royal capital, it is now populated with 50% of Chinese, and Mandarin is almost as played as Burmese.
Served by an international airport, it is also an important railway junction. The method of transport in the urban remains the bicycle or motorcycle, but there are also bus lines.
You can visit Mandalay some remarkable monuments, like the Fort, which once housed the royal palace destroyed during the Second World War, the Monastery Shwenandaw, superb teak construction, the pagoda surrounded by her Kuthodaw 729 small stupas immaculate, and the Buddha Mahamuni , among other wonders.
Do not miss a visit to the market with its 6000 exhibitors Zegyo. Cultural and religious center, the city has 700 monasteries and pagodas, and you undoubtedly come across the monks clad in their saffron-colored coat.
You'll have no trouble finding accommodation among hotel offering varied.
