Myanmar is bordered by the People's Republic of China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, and India on the northwest, with the Bay of Bengal to the southwest. One-third of Burma's total perimeter, 1,930 kilometers (1,199 mi), forms an uninterrupted coastline.
Climate and Weather
Myanmar has three distinctive seasons; namely, hot (March to May with average temperatures 30-35°C), rainy (June to October with average temperatures 25-30°C) and cool (November to February with average temperatures 20-24°C).
Temperatures are generally lower in mountainous regions. The country receives practically all its rainfall between mid-May and October, the period of the Southwest Monsoon. Annual precipitation in most of Upper Burma averages about 890 mm (about 35 in) and in Lower Burma about 5080 mm (about 200 in).
Population
Myanmar has a population of about 55 million. Myanmar is ethnically diverse. The government recognizes 135 distinct ethnic groups. While it is extremely difficult to verify this statement, there are at least 108 different ethnolinguistic groups in Myanmar, consisting mainly of distinct Tibeto-Myanmarn peoples, but with sizable populations of Daic, Hmong-Mien, and Austroasiatic (Mon-Khmer) peoples. The Myanmar form an estimated 68% of the population. 10% of the population are Shan.The Kayin make up 7% of the population. The Rakhine people constitute 4% of the population. Overseas Chinese form approximately 3% of the population. Mon, who form 2% of the population, are ethno-linguistically related to the Khmer. Overseas Indians comprise 2%. The remainder are Kachin, Chin, Anglo-Indians and other ethnic minorities. Included in this group are the Anglo-Burmese.
Transportation
Myanmar is only accessible by air, and the majority of visitors arrive by air at Yangon International Airport. The national carrier is Myanmar Airways, but a handful of other regional airlines also provide limited service in and out of the country. The roads are spotty in places. Travelling by boat is a great way to see another side of the country while moving between riverside towns. Myanmar Railways offer another interesting means of travel. Trains connect Yangon to the rest of the country, with daily runs connecting the capital and Mandalay. Taxis offer the easiest way to get around individual cities. They are unmetered, so you’ll need to settle on the fare before getting in.
Top Attractions
1. Shwedagon Pagoda.
2. Botataung Pagoda.
3. Sule Pagoda.
4. National Museum.
5. Glass Factory.
6. Myanmar Gems Museum and Gems Mart.
7. Scott Market.
8. Mandalay.
Best Travel Time
There are three seasons in Myanmar: the hot season, the Monsoon season, and the cool season. The hot season in Myanmar lasts from early March to late May, the Monsoon season in Myanmar runs from the late May to mid October, and the cool season in Myanmar runs from late October to late February.
The best time to visit Myanmar is the cool season, as temperatures can climb very high in the hot season and the rains can interrupt sightseeing in Myanmar's Monsoon season. In the cool season, temperatures in Yangon hover around 17 degrees Celsius.
Mandalay and Bagan can be visited in the Monsoon season, as those parts of Myanmar only get light showers. Yangon gets much more rain during the Monsoon season in Myanmar, and therefore the best time of year to visit Yangon is the cool season.
The best time of year to visit Myanmar's northern region is during the hot season, as it remains cooler there throughout the year. During the cool season, the northern region averages a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius.
Food and Drink
The regional food is hot and spicy. Fish, rice, noodles and vegetables spiced with onions, ginger, garlic and chillies are the common local ingredients. Local dishes include lethok son (a sort of spicy vegetarian rice salad), mohinga (fish soup with noodles) and oh-no khauk swe (rice noodles, chicken and coconut milk). The avocados by Inle Lake are very good. Delicious fruits are available in the markets and food stalls appear on the corners of most large towns. Chinese and Indian cuisine is offered in many hotels and restaurants.
Tea is a popular drink; the spices which are added to it can make the tongue turn bright red. Locally produced soft drinks are generally of poor quality and rather expensive. Coffee is not common. Locally produced beer, rum, whisky and gin are generally available.
Local Products/Shopping
Souvenirs include handicrafts and jewelry. In Yangon, a good place to shop is Bogyoke Aung San Market, which sells luxury items, handicrafts, food stuffs, clothing, jewelry and consumer goods. It is open from 0800-1800 (except Sunday and public holidays) but the best time to visit is around 1000. Mandalay is a good place for traditional handicrafts which can be purchased at Zegyo Market. Phatahe Bazaar sells Buddhist articles of worship.
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1. Shwedagon Pagoda.
There are three seasons in Myanmar: the hot season, the Monsoon season, and the cool season. The hot season in Myanmar lasts from early March to late May, the Monsoon season in Myanmar runs from the late May to mid October, and the cool season in Myanmar runs from late October to late February.