Country Facts
Thousands of ancient temples, sacred stupas, Buddhist monks, pristine lakes, night markets and political prisoners. Travelling to strife-torn, poverty-stricken Myanmar (Burma) presents a dilemma. The international community shuns the human-rights abusing military regime, but its people are friendly, gentle, eager to learn and undeserving of their plight.To get under the skin of Myanmar read, Paul Theroux's 'The Great Railway Bazaar', watch 'The Burmese Harp' by Kon Ichikawa and listen to the sounds of Zaw Win Htut.
- Capital: Nay Pyi Taw
- Official Languages: Burmese
- Government: Military state
- Currency: Kyat
- Time Zone: +6:30 GMT (1 hrs ahead of India)
- Telephone Calling Code: 0095
When To Go
Best time to visit: November to February. The average temperature in Myanmaris 27°C with an average high of 38°C in April and average low of 13°C in January.
What To Do
Burmese cuisine is heavily influenced by China, Thailand and India. Steamed rice is the main dish with a fish, meat or poultry curry or dried/salted fish dish, soup, and fresh or boiled vegetables to go with a salty dish. Fritters or crackers accompany the mains.
What to eat and drink
- Thouq : Spicy salad
- Peh-hin-ye : Lentil soup
- Mohinga: The unofficial national dish of rice vermicelli in fish broth with onions, garlic, ginger, lemon grass and banana-stem, served with boiled eggs, fried fish cake and fritters
- Khauk swè thohk: Wheat noodle salad with dried shrimps, shredded cabbage, carrots, fried peanut oil, fish sauce and lime
- Htan ye: Fermented palm juice
- Mandalay beer
Shopping
Sand-paintings, puppets, Burmese textiles, sandals, jewellery, bronze and wooden crafts, longyi (a sarong-wrap for men, like the lungi), antiques, silk weaves.
