Myanmar

The place to be for ultimate peace, awe-inspiring architecture and Andaman Sea adventure

With its golden skylines, gilded pagodas, and colonial architecture, Myanmar is a place where culture shines. For most, your time in Myanmar will begin in Yangon. Here you’ll find religious and historic sites, with plenty of buildings still standing from the colonial British rule. But you’ll also want to explore Bagan, famous for hot air balloons and its 2,000 ancient monuments. Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar and a buzzing international trade centre. And the heavenly jungle-fringed shores of the Myeik archipelago.

Practical Information

Capital city 
Naypyidaw

Currency 
Myanmar Kyat

Cuisine 
One traditional dish is the mohinga, a herb-based lemongrass and rice noodle soup regularly enjoyed for breakfast. As you walk the streets be sure to pick up a kyaw (fried snack) or two. Try anything from urad dal or tofu fritters to sweets and breads – always light, crunchy and grease free. But perhaps the most famous Myanmarese food is lephet – fermented tea leaves usually eaten for dessert. 

Tipping etiquette
While gratuities aren’t customary in Myanmar, tips will be appreciated by the locals. In higher-end hotels and resorts, you could tip up to 10% if you feel the service was excellent. For guides, it’s suggested to tip 10,000 kyat per day (working out at about £3.95). But you’ll never be frowned upon if you don’t tip.

Saying hello
There are a couple of ways to greet people in Myanmar. To simply say hello, it’s “maingalarpar” (ming-gah-lah-par). It’s also customary to greet someone by bowing while placing both your hands on your stomach. If you’re greeting someone older, they might not bow back, instead nodding in recognition. 

When To Go

The best time to visit Myanmar is during the dry season, from October to May. That said, if you’re not into the heat, avoid April – it’s the hottest month of the year and temperatures can soar to 40°C. Visit in November for the chance to experience the magical Taunggyi Balloon festival. 

Top Tip from SLH

Try your ‘feet’ at fishing with the locals – a traditional Myanmarese technique which involves the fisherman using their feet to hold the net, coax the shoal and make their catch.