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Myanmar is unlike any other place you have ever known.
The magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda is dazzling, and 4,000 sacred pagodas are spread across the Bagan plains.
Walking between temples and countryside, you will find simple and clear happiness. - Lonely Planet
Seeking Bagan amidst thousands of pagodas and dreamy sunrises;
A fisherman on Inle Lake paddling a small boat with one foot;
The world's longest teak bridge awaits a sunset.
A man chewing betel nut and wrapped in longji;
a woman with a basket of vegetables on her head and powdered face;
A monk wearing a robe and holding an alms bowl.
From the southern foothills of the Himalayas to the depths of the Andaman Sea,
From the rainforests of Karen State to the banks of the Irrawaddy River,
Myanmar, the last mysterious Buddhist country and pure paradise in Southeast Asia.
Myanmar covers an area of 678,500 square kilometers, bordering India and Bangladesh to the northwest, the People's Republic of China to the northeast, and Thailand and Laos to the southeast. Its 1,929-kilometer coastline borders the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Mount Kailash, located on the border with Tibet, China, stands at 5,881 meters, the highest peak in Southeast Asia and the only snow-capped mountain in the region.
This sacred land, known as the "Land of Buddhism," boasts a rich history and splendid culture. Buddhism has a history of over 2,500 years in Myanmar. Buddhists revere the construction of pagodas, and stupas abound throughout the country. Consequently, Myanmar is known as the "Land of Pagodas." The pagodas, gleaming in the sunlight, constantly bless this beautiful country and its people. Whether in Yangon, the largest city, Mandalay, the ancient capital, or Bagan, the sacred Buddhist city, Myanmar's peaceful and welcoming atmosphere is evident. Ride a bicycle to watch the sunrise from a pagoda or the sunset from U Bein Bridge, quietly admiring the perfect fusion of majestic architecture and nature. Wander along the shores of Inle Lake, forget the mundane world and savor the tranquility that is uniquely Myanmar!
Coordinates: U Bein Bridge-Mandalay
Tourists' special experience : In-depth tour, high-end champagne and sunset, photography tour, three visits without regrets
U Bein's Bridge, built in 1851, is 1,200 meters long and made of 1,086 solid teak logs. It is the longest teak bridge in the world. The best time to visit U Bein Bridge is at dusk, when it is the best place to watch the sunset.
China-TravelNote specially arranged a complimentary bottle of premium champagne. Watching the distant sky gradually change from a light pink to a deep crimson, with the last rays of sunset slowly disappearing into the horizon, we felt the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. For our photography group, U Bein Bridge is an absolutely must-see landmark, so we specially arranged three photoshoots there this year, capturing the peaceful sunrise and bustling sunset, the dynamic and the still, capturing its distinct beauty.
Coordinates: Mahaganayan Monastery-Mandalay
Tourists' special experience :In-depth tour to experience Buddhist alms giving, advanced special line adds pink nunnery
Mahaganayan Monastery, located at the head of the U Bein Bridge, is the largest monastery in Myanmar. Every morning at 10 a.m., you can capture the spectacular sight of the thousand monks of the monastery sharing a meal together. Living in harmony, speaking in harmony, sharing the same mind, and upholding the same virtues.
In Myanmar, giving alms is more than just a tradition; it's a fundamental part of Buddhist practice. For centuries, a simple piece of biscuit or pastry has connected believers, monks, and the Buddha. This moment feels profoundly solemn and sacred. It's a direct exchange, a dialogue, and a fusion between heaven and earth, between humans and gods, and between believers and monks. Our Myanmar Advanced Photography Special will also visit a nunnery dedicated to the pink faith, a unique photo opportunity.
Location: Monywa, Sagaing Region
Tourists' special experience : Myanmar photography advanced line exclusive photography spots, explore the world of Buddhist faith
The 129.2-meter-high Buddha statue - Bothethorn Pagoda is the tallest standing Buddha in Myanmar and also the tallest standing Buddha statue in the world. Not far from the standing Buddha is a reclining Buddha statue with a total length of 95.1 meters. The combination of this series of Buddha statues can be said to be extremely spectacular.
The fairytale temple, known as the Tianbodi Pagoda, is home to millions of Buddha statues. Its true name is Tianbodi Pagoda, named for its dreamlike shape and vibrant colors. Inside, you'll be amazed by the over 5 million Buddha statues of all sizes. Burma's Lesser Mogao Caves, the Phuwentong Caves, boast 492 niches and 446,444 Buddha statues, dating from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Many of the caves are remarkably well-preserved, showcasing intricately painted murals and exquisite Buddha statues. For travelers fascinated by culture, this is a prime photo spot in the Monywa region.
Location: Ngapali Beach, Rakhine State
Tourists special experience : enjoy a luxurious holiday in Myanmar, enjoy a secluded beach, and embrace the emerald waters of the Bay of Bengal
According to the results of a poll of more than 300 beaches in Asia by TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel review website, Ngapali Beach, hidden deep in Myanmar's Rakhine State, emerged as a dark horse and became the number one beach of choice for travelers in Asia.
The pristine white sand beaches of the rural idyll are as soft and smooth as flour; the dreamy emerald waters of the Bay of Bengal are the Creator's most generous gift. Strolling along the nearly deserted stretch of beach stretching for dozens of kilometers, you feel like the master of this land, amidst the coconut trees and shadows, satisfying all your beach cravings.
If your impression of Myanmar is limited to poverty and backwardness, then the luxurious resorts at Ngapali Beach will leave you speechless. Ngapali Beach boasts only two dozen hotels, yet nearly every one is a boutique, putting even the renowned Hilton at a premium. Enjoy the Myanmar Express with a special two-night stay at a five-star beachfront pool hotel, a truly unique escape for you.
Location: Bagan, Mandalay Province
Tourists special experience :in-depth tour with half a day of free activities; photography tour of Bagan pagoda night view starry sky photography teaching
"Wherever you look, there's a stupa." The once-glorious Pagan Dynasty built millions of Buddhist temples and pagodas. Even after a millennium of vicissitudes, over 2,000 remain within a 40-square-kilometer area, each with its own story. China-TravelNote will arrange a trip to the highest point of the Bagan Plain, offering a breathtaking aerial view of Bagan at sunrise. Thousands of pagodas are shrouded in morning mist. As the first rays of light break the stillness, a slew of hot air balloons drift slowly across the sky above Bagan. The scene is breathtaking and breathtaking.
In response to last year's requests for more free time on our in-depth tours, we've optimized the itinerary to allow ample space for you to discover your own unique pagoda. And for photography groups, this year's new photography workshop will include instruction in nighttime starry sky photography in Bagan. The combination of pagodas and the starry sky represents the eternal cycle of time.
Location: Kalaw, Shan State
Tourists special experience :in-depth tour of the countryside golf swing practice experience, exclusive line exclusive mountain forest luxury LODGE
The small colonial town of Kalaw is dotted with tall, fragrant pine forests. Shaded by these tall trees, amidst the bright sunshine and air of a foreign land, the most captivating sight is the scattered, brightly painted colonial-era houses and gardens.
For exclusive travelers, we've specially selected a cabin in a wild forest surrounded by mountains. Enjoy an early morning hike through the hotel's own organic farm and countryside, try milking a cow, ride an ox cart, and savor organic, environmentally friendly food, completely escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. This year, we've also added a country golf course, allowing travelers to experience the thrill of swinging a golf club in the countryside meadows and reminisce about the charm of bygone England amidst the breathtaking scenery of the forested mountains.
Location: Inle Lake, Shan State
Special experience for tourists :Enjoy exclusive Myanmar luxury holiday line, Inle Lake luxury five-star resort enjoy the lake and mountain scenery
Inle Lake, located in the Nyaungshwe Basin of the Shan Plateau in northern Myanmar, is Myanmar's second largest lake, rising over 970 meters above sea level and covering nearly 116 square kilometers. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the lake's waters are crystal clear, with sunlight streaming down to the lake's depths. We will visit a unique weaving village on Inle Lake, where villagers extract extremely fine silk from lotus roots growing at the lake's bottom, twisting it into thread and dyeing it for weaving.
The Indae Pagoda complex is a cluster of pagoda ruins on the outskirts of Inle Lake. Because trees sprout from the ruins, it's also known as the Pagoda Forest. Sunset is the most beautiful time of day on Inle Lake, with fishermen paddling on one leg forming stunning silhouettes against the setting sun. It's easy to understand why Inle Lake's culture, customs, and natural scenery are a favorite for photographers.
This time, our Myanmar team was invited to attend the opening ceremony of Sofitel Inle Lake. The highly stylish design and luxurious room decoration left a deep impression on people. With more and more international brands settling in, Myanmar's tourism is also developing rapidly.
Location: Yangon, Yangon Region
Tourists' special experience :China-TravelNote Myanmar Station plans local activities - Yangon CITY WALK, find the city lights
I had a wonderful plan, an ideal hiking route, starting from the lush Mahabandola Park and heading towards the Shwedagon Pagoda. First, around 30th Street, there was the territory of Bangladeshi Muslims, where you could drink lassi with a strange taste and salt. Continue to the left, where there was another Indian gathering place, with naan bread dipped in curry and brightly colored Hindu temples.
Next, we walked to 26th Street, an open-air market that overflows with color from morning to night, displaying vegetables, fish, flowers, fruits, and Burmese women in colorful dresses. To this day, Yangon remains one of the best-preserved colonial cityscapes in the world. China-TravelNote Myanmar has curated a new Yangon City Walk, showcasing the colonial charm of the Golden City and the lingering taste of Burmese milk tea.
Location: Myeik Archipelago, Taninthayi Province
Tourists' special experience : Explore the ultimate niche secret of Buddhist vacation, Southeast Asia's last sea paradise
The Mergui Archipelago, one of the world's most endangered attractions, is the largest archipelago off the coast of Indochina. Comprising over 800 islands covering approximately 3,500 square kilometers, it is home to over 2,000 Moken people. Recognized by National Geographic as a top off-the-beaten-path destination, the Mergui Archipelago is one of the world's last remaining pristine ecological archipelagos and a seldom-visited virgin land in Southeast Asia. Only 1% of the world's population knows of its existence.
According to the British Daily Mail, Myanmar's Mergui Archipelago is known as the "Lost World" because of its thousands of undeveloped white sand beaches, lush primeval jungles and the mysterious "sea gypsies" of the Moken indigenous people.
Thirty hotels and resorts will be built on this quiet land, which is expected to become Asia's next seaside resort, comparable to Phuket, Thailand.
Original passport: A passport valid for at least 7 months (calculated from the time of entry into Myanmar), with 3 or more blank pages of 6 or more completely connected sides;
2-inch ID photos: Two 2-inch color ID photos with a size of 35×45mm, with a white background (no light-colored clothing; no accessories such as scarves or necklaces; ears and full face exposed; no heavy makeup in the ID photos; appearance must match the photo when crossing the border);
ID card copy: 1 (front and back printed on the same paper, please do not write on it, and the main personal information must be clear)
Visa delivery: Customer service will contact you to provide the delivery address after successful registration (for the safety and timeliness of your passport, we recommend using SF Express). Please send your documents at least 15 days in advance of your departure date, and the Kunming Visa Service Office will deliver them.
Visa Issuance: Visa processing generally takes at least three business days (excluding holidays). Unless otherwise requested, we will hold your visas for you and hand them over to you by your tour leader on the day of assembly. If you require your visa to be returned in advance, please send your address and relevant information to our customer service email address. After receiving your visa, please verify that the validity period, length of stay, and personal information are correct. If you find any errors, please contact the embassy or consulate immediately (we will check them in advance).
Myanmar e-visa: The processing time is about 3 working days (holidays are postponed). Myanmar opens e-visa to China.
However, the policies of various ports in China are different, so it is recommended to contact the border inspection in advance to confirm. (For those with a blank passport and no visa record, it is recommended to apply for a traditional sticker visa)
Electronic visa application website: http://www.evisa.moip.gov.mm Kunming Changshui Airport Border Inspection: 0871-67094000
Tips: Starting from October 1, 2018, Myanmar will implement a visa-on-arrival policy for Chinese tourists. Tourists will no longer need to carry complicated documents such as the Myanmar invitation letter. They only need a Chinese passport to apply for a visa on arrival and enter the country after arriving at Myanmar International Airport.
The Myanmar Kyat unit is KYAT, abbreviated as "K" and pronounced as (JIA). The exchange rate is approximately 1 USD = 1400 Myanmar Kyats and 1 RMB = 200 Myanmar Kyats (as of June 2018).
Currency Exchange: Since you can't directly exchange Myanmar Kyat in China, it's recommended to exchange US dollars or bring RMB. Myanmar Kyat is the primary currency used locally, but US dollars are also accepted, and small denominations are more convenient. Note: Myanmar has strict requirements for US dollars. When exchanging US dollars at a bank, tell the bank staff so they can exchange them for new dollars, as locals require them to be clean, without creases or markings.
UnionPay: ATMs at banks like AYA, CB, and KBZ in Myanmar all accept UnionPay, and most have simplified Chinese menus. However, Myanmar charges a 5,000K handling fee for each withdrawal.
Credit card: Myanmar's banking system is underdeveloped and the use of bank cards is not yet popular. Whether it is a shopping mall, restaurant or hotel, credit cards are basically not accepted and you need to pay directly in cash.
Cost: Myanmar is generally affordable, and most meals are included. Besides buying some drinks, snacks, and fruit, there's little to no other expenses. If you don't have any shopping plans, bringing $100-200 USD is sufficient.
Local SIM cards: It's easy to buy local SIM cards in Myanmar. The most common carriers are Ooredoo, Telenor, and MPT. Each card costs around 3,000 KRW. It's recommended to purchase it at an official branch, bringing a copy of your passport. After purchasing the card, you can top up your account with a top-up card. Common top-up cards are 3,000 KRW and 5,000 KRW. A 5% tax is applied to top-up, so the actual amount you receive may be less than the card's face value. 3G coverage is available in some areas of Myanmar, but the signal is weak.
Data package: For the convenience of tourists, our tour guides can provide a phone card package (local SIM phone card + 5000K recharge card fee = 50 RMB). The phone SIM card is a three-in-one size. After recharging, you can use 1.5G-3.7G of data according to the package selection.
Note: Some telecom contract phones may not be able to use local phone cards. Please confirm with our staff in advance.
Wi-Fi: Myanmar lacks mobile Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is generally only available in hotels and some restaurants, and the speed is generally average, sufficient for browsing WeChat Moments and Weibo. The signal is better near the lobby, but worse in the room.
International roaming: Since local phone cards in Myanmar cannot make international calls, it is strongly recommended to activate international roaming to maintain normal communication in emergencies. To avoid high overseas traffic charges, please turn off mobile data traffic when activating international roaming.
Myanmar has a tropical climate, with average temperatures ranging from 25°C to 32°C. Short-sleeved T-shirts and shorts are recommended, but a light jacket or sun protection clothing is also recommended. Air conditioning is available on planes and buses, and areas like Inle Lake, situated on a plateau, can be cooler in the mornings and evenings, as can Bagan before sunrise. A jacket is essential. However, please note that when entering temples and pagodas, revealing clothing is strictly prohibited. Men should avoid tank tops, and women should avoid tank tops. Pants or skirts that reach below the knee are recommended. For convenience, a short-sleeved T-shirt and light pants or a skirt that reaches below the knee are recommended. Shoes must be removed when entering and exiting temples and pagodas, so wearing slippers or sandals is recommended.
Myanmar has a tropical monsoon climate. Mountains and plateaus surrounding the country on its east, north, and west act as barriers, blocking the southward advance of cold air from the Asian continent during winter. Myanmar enjoys a favorable ecological environment and is relatively free of natural disasters. Myanmar's year is divided into three seasons: winter, summer, and green (rainy) seasons.
From November to February of the following year, Myanmar is in winter, but the temperature is not very low, which is very suitable for travel. This season is also the peak season with the most tourists in Myanmar. From July to October each year, it is the rainy season in the general sense. Although the probability of rain increases in this season, it is mainly concentrated along the Andaman Sea coast. The areas of Bagan, Mandalay and Shan State where we traveled did not receive much rain. Heavy rains usually come and go quickly. In addition, the air is clear and fresh after the rain, and there are often more beautiful sunrises and sunsets. In addition, the rain makes the crops and plants throughout the season appear green, so the locals also like to call this season the Green Season. Because most travelers have misunderstandings about the summer or rainy season in July and August, there are fewer tourists in Myanmar during the Green Season because it is more peaceful and you can experience more throughout the journey.
Myanmar is very safe, and you can travel there with confidence. Why? First, Myanmar is almost universally Buddhist, and its people are peaceful, kind, and simple, with good public security. Secondly, armed conflict does occur occasionally in a few areas of Myanmar, primarily along the China-Myanmar border. Although we in China often hear about armed conflict in Myanmar, this is primarily due to the proximity of the conflict areas to China. As an ordinary Chinese tourist, you cannot visit these remote areas of Myanmar's armed conflict, and any areas experiencing armed conflict are off-limits. China-TravelNote has established its own branch in Myanmar. As a fully licensed international travel agency, unlike some privately run small clubs, we offer 100% original itineraries and 100% travel safety guarantees.
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