AIR Mandalay 41

AIR Mandalay
41
the pagoda is
always crowded
with visitors coming
to pay homage to
the Buddha as well
as those attracted
by the pleasant
atmosphere of the
waterfront.
the ancient artefacts that
were sealed inside the original pagoda. There are also a
number of alcoves along the
corridor where monks and laypeople can often be found
meditating.
Above this fascinating interior,
the golden pagoda spire rises
to 40 metres (132 feet). At the
entrance is a small hall hung
with paintings showing the history of the pagoda. The pagoda compound is surrounded
by another unusual feature: a
seven-foot-high wall topped
by a pair of green dragons
with long bodies, their heads
nearly coming together and
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the compound.
Like the mirrored maze, most
pilgrims prefer to tour the pagoda compound in a clockwise direction, so that their last
stop is Botahtaung Pagoda
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this direction is Naung Dawgyi
(big brother) Pagoda and a
small bell for pilgrims to ring
and share their merit with anyone who hears it. Adjacent is a
one-storey building put up by
the pagoda board of trustees
as a memorial for good deeds
aimed at gaining merit for the
next life.
Next along the circuit is a tree
with eight Buddha statues
42 AIR Mandalay
around the base, situated before the compound’s leikkan
(a pond with tortoises and
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the water to a small building
with four rooms, each containing a shrine to a different spirit or celestial being:
Botahtaung Bo Bo Gyi, a spirit
who is believed to guard the
pagoda precincts; the king of
celestial beings; a Hindu goddess named Thurathetee; and
Chinese goddess Quan Yin.
Across the pond is Mahabodhi
Temple. Inside is a room with
a dozen or so silver cups set in
a circle. Each cup is reserved
for a particular wish, such as
passing exams or winning the
lottery. Pilgrims come here to
make solemn wishes for good
luck and then try to throw
money into the cups. If they
can get their money into the
cup that matches their wish, it
is believed that the wish will be
granted.
Beyond this is a one-storey
building with shrines to faOQWU OQPMU 6JG ſTUV KU Shin U
Pagutta, a monk who is believed to live in the sea and is
thought to save people from
water-based hazards. Most
of his worshippers are sailors.
Attached to this hall is a room
containing statues of monks
and laymen believed to have
gained mystical powers. On
the left side is an image of
Shin Thi Wali, a monk who is
thought to bring good luck to
those who pay homage. At
the back of the Botahtaung
Pagoda compound is a sepaTCVG DWKNFKPI ſNNGF YKVJ UVCPFing Buddha images, as well
as a line of statues of monks,
nuns and laypeople who were
honoured by the Buddha for
having special attributes, such
as great knowledge or exceptionally high moral standards.
At the end of the line is the
scene of a woman offering
milk rice to Buddha.
The last building before reaching Botahtaung Pagoda is
home to the Royal Palace
Bronze Buddha Image. The
statue was originally cast by
King Mindon in 1859 from a
mixture of gold, silver, bronze,
iron and lead, and was
placed inside the Royal Glass
Palace in Mandalay so the
royal family could pay homage. However, when the British
annexed upper Myanmar in
1885, they shipped the statue
to their homeland and displayed it at the Victoria and
the Albert Museum in London
for nearly 66 years. At the request of the government of
Myanmar, which gained independence from Britain in 1948,
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returned to Yangon in 1951.
Other notable features of the
compound include a small
building where tooth relics
of the Buddha are kept – it is
usually locked so people must
worship from outside – and the
Ahthi Tadi (knowledge and
mindfulness) shrine containing
a new bronze Buddha donated by Myanmar actor Kyaw
Hein in 2007.
After a visit to the pagoda,
many pilgrims wander down
to the end of the Botahtaung
Jetty to enjoy the fresh breeze
from the Yangon River. For a
beautiful birds-eye view of the
compound, many visitors walk
across Strand Road to FJV
Commercial Centre. The Level
10 Restaurant in the centre
serves Singapore cuisine.
AIR Mandalay
43
Restaurants
SA
PI
BI
LA?
(Have you eaten?)
With India and Bangladesh to the west and northwest, China to the north and northeast, and Laos and Thailand to the east, Myanmar is a crossroads of Asian cultures.
This mixture is most apparent in Yangon, which hosts a diverse population of about 4
million people and serves as the gateway to Myanmar through which nearly all visitors pass.
Because all people must eat, cuisine is one of the most visible (and tasty) expressions
of local tradition and culture. The Yangon dining experience is becoming increasingly
diverse, as a growing number of restaurants are added to the already long list of local, Asian and international eateries around town. Below is a small sampling of restaurants that have opened in the city recently, offering everything from Korean takeout
to European specialties.
Coffee Circles
COFFEE CIRCLES
The thick, heavily illustrated menu at Coffee
Circles (107A Dhammazedi Road, in the compound of Guest Care Hotel) looks sturdy enough
to survive a nuclear war, and indeed the
Western and Asian food offered therein seems
chosen to provide plenty of solace in times of
distress. Starting with a variety of salads (K2450K3950) and soups (K1800-K2650), the menu
quickly moves on to a range of comfort foods
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(K3550). There are club sandwiches with fries
(K3550), tandoori chicken in pita bread (K2450),
pizzas medium and large (medium, K4750-7850)
and imaginative pastas (K3450-K4350). Western
specialties include beef tenderloin steak with
mashed potatoes and veggies (K5500), and
44 AIR Mandalay
spiced Cajun chicken with sautéed veggies
(K4350), while offerings on the Asian side of the
menu include sesame chicken with rice (K3650)
and red curry prawn with rice (K3950). With a
name like Coffee Circles, it’s not surprising that
this restaurant’s separate drinks menu includes
a full range of caffeine-based refreshment, from
café latte (K2000), café Vienna (K2400) and
cappuccino (K2000), to iced espresso (K1600)
and frappes (K2600-K2900). Top it all off with a
fruit smoothie (K2200-K2900) or a banana split
(K3500). Throughout all this indulgence, the dining room’s glass walls ensure that you won’t
miss a moment of action on busy Dhammazedi
Road out front, if you’re not to busy scoping
the rich and famous locals at the table next to
yours.
Happy cafe’ and noodle
HAPPY CAFÉ AND NOODLE
Everything at Happy Café and Noodle on Inya Road seems designed to
evoke the concept of happiness, including the big yellow smiley faces
on the signboard, the T-shirts of the wait staff, the placemats, and even
the stickers holding the chopsticks together. The interior is small and cosy,
complete with plants, tasteful lighting and big windows providing views to
the outdoor veranda and a small lawn. The veranda is furnished with lowslung chairs that are quite comfortable for sipping drinks from the long list
of cocktails (average price K3000) or non-alcoholic cappuccinos, lattes,
espressos and iced coffees. But for dining it’s best to sit inside, where the
chairs are upright and therefore more conducive to slurping noodles. The
menu features a number of noodle and rice dishes from Myanmar and
beyond, including Bamaw myishei with chicken, soy beans and garlic
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-CPF
colourful noodle (K2000), consisting of linguini, chicken, tomato sauce, basil and soybean powder.
SAI’S TACOS
Shan Mexican food comes to Myanmar! Sai’s Tacos (32A Inya Myaing Road)
corrects a longstanding absence of South of the Border cuisine in Yangon.
Located on a narrow byway in Golden Valley and with modest signage,
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low-key atmosphere (it’s like having dinner in someone’s living room), not
to mention the food itself. The menu is quite limited: Soft tacos (K2500) can
be ordered with chicken,
pork or ground beef, plus
rice, salsa, peppers and
onions if desired. Cheese
and sour cream cost extra
(K400). Another lip-smacking choice are the quesadillas with meat, or with
cheese only (K2900). The
chips (K3000) are served
freshly fried and toastyhot. Dine-in specials are
also available, such as the
green chilli chicken enchilada plate (K5500 for one
enchilada, K8000 for two).
Dessert choices include
brownies (K500) and tortillas
with honey (K400). Open
Monday through Saturday
11am-9pm. Viva la Shan tacos!
Sai’s Tacos
AIR Mandalay
45
CIAO
CIAO
With the exception of the big hotels, Ciao (No
262, Pansodan Road, Upper Block, Kyauktada
township) is one of a handful of Western-style
restaurants in the downtown area. And while
their pizzas and pasta might not be the same
as what your mum used to make, they certainly aren’t half bad. Ciao’s pizzas are generally
a safer bet than their pastas. The toppings are
used sparingly, and the pizzas more resemble
the Italian style than examples found in the US
or Australia, which are so laden with toppings
they often look like birthday cakes. Prices are
also reasonable: K5000 to K7000 for pizzas and
about K4000 for pastas.
THE GARDEN BISTRO
Another venue that offers a veranda for outdoor indulgence is Garden Bistro, which is attached to Signature Restaurant (corner of Kaba
Aye Pagoda and Kan Yeik Thar roads on the
edge of Kandawgyi Park). The menu offers a mix of
Asian and Western cuisine, with appetisers ranging
in price from $3 to $7 for choices such as satay, fried
chicken wings and prawn tempura. Soups like wonton
and cream of pumpkin and coriander run from $3 to
$4. There are also Western favourites like pizza, beef
burgers, triple-decker club sandwiches, carbonara
RCUVC ſUJ CPF EJKRU CPF ITKNNGF NCOD EJQRU to $12). Asian choices include fried hokkein rice, mee
goreng and beef rendang ($2 to $7), with Japanese
cuisine meriting its own separate section of the menu:
Chicken and salmon teriyaki, udon noodles and tempura soba range from $5 to $12. Room for dessert? Try
chocolate mousse, tiramisu or an ice cream sundae
($1 to $3), and wash it down with coffee, cappuccino, espresso or English breakfast tea. Wine, beer and
cocktails are also sold. If you demand that your food
be served in a dining room lined with white columns
and accompanied by Muzak versions of 1970s pop
hits, head inside to Signature, which features a somewhat more expensive, European-only menu.
The Garden Bistro
46 AIR Mandalay
365 CAFÉ
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Thamada Hotel is “eclectic”. Austere Japanese-style
seating shares space in the dining room with small tables
surrounded by plush chairs covered with gaudy metallic fabric. Even the big picture windows that provide a
view of real life on the streets of Yangon are offset on
the opposite wall by bright murals of scenes out of the
artist’s psychedelic fantasies. The menu follows suit with
this eclecticism. Actually, there are two menus – one
for food, one for liquid refreshment – both quite thick
as each listing is accompanied by a photograph to illustrate the item in question. Western, Japanese, Thai,
Korean and other types of cuisine are offered. Western
choices include spaghetti with beef or pork (K3600),
ſUJ CPF EJKRU - CPF VJCV INWVVQPŏU CNNVKOG HCXQWrite, the double meat and cheese beef or pork burger
(K4200). The drinks menu includes everything from plain
old coffee, to caramel cappuccino (K2650), Irish coffee (K3800) and gelato espresso (K2950). Fruit smoothies
come with a dollop of cream on top in case the natural sweetness is not enough. What’s even sweeter is the
fact that 365 Café is open 24 hours a day, salvation for
anyone who needs to answer to a craving for sushi and
Asahi beer at 3am.
HER’S
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Hotel) is new to the Yangon food scene, though it would
be a bit misleading to call this Korean place a restau-
rant. With half a dozen metal tables and only 13 items
on the menu (including, bizarrely, spaghetti), it certainly
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a bomb: The spicy kimchi comes in at K1800, while the
slightly too-dry kimbap is only K2500. The pick of the
bunch is the pork cutlet with honey-style gravy – a bargain at only K3000. Other365
Korean
Cafe’ dishes on the menu include kimchi fried rice and bi bim bap.
HER’S
AIR Mandalay
47
The Seoul
THE SEOUL
There’s a new option in town for upscale
Korean cuisine, and it’s called The Seoul at
Traders Hotel (223 Sule Pagoda Road). Meals
range from US$10 for a choice of three different lunch meals – served daily until 3pm – up to
US$38 for a large plate of braised chicken and
vegetables. Drink prices start at $5 for a bottle
of Myanmar Beer and extend up to $400 for a
bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. The venue
is constrained, while the staff are polite, well
spoken and waiting to take your order.
ENN JAPANESE SUSHI BAR
One of the newest additions to Yangon’s dining
scene, Enn Japanese Sushi Bar (10, Shwe Taung
Kyar 2nd Ward, Bahan township) has certainly
taken things up a notch both in style and taste
since opening in September 2008. The interior
is lit to accentuate the red and white décor,
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Drinking options range in price from a $2.50 bottle of Myanmar Beer to a $400 bottle of sochyu
– something to suit all budgets. With all ingredients imported from Japan, this is about as authentic as it gets but the prices are still reasonable and the menu is diverse enough to keep
most people happy. There are sushi ($2 to $20),
sashimi ($7 to $30) and a la carte menus, as
well as the rotating lunch special, but our pick
is the seven-course set. For $30, you get an appetiser, sashimi, salad, tempura, nigiri, miso and
48 AIR Mandalay
Enn Japanese Sushi Bar
Cafe’ Jasper
overlooks a sports ground near Shwedagon
Pagoda, with a downstairs area that combines
a number of intimate and comfortable booths.
The walkways, meanwhile, are large pieces of
slate set amidst a sea of pebbles. Upstairs there
are smaller chairs set around chairs inside – with
karaoke in a backroom – and there’s a balcony
as well, which is perfect for enjoying a late afternoon smoothie. The menu is predominantly Thai
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rice dishes that range from K2500 up to about
K8000 in price.
dessert. The Wagyu steak ($18), imported from
Kagoshima, is one of the most popular options,
along with the udon ($5) and beef croquette
($6). Bottom line – if you want to impress someone, Enn is the place to bring them.
CAFÉ JASPER
Reasonably priced drinks, a wide-ranging
food menu, cool location and intriguing ambiance are what set Café Jasper (behind M3
Food Centre on West Shwegondine 5th Street)
apart from the rest. It’s a twin-level venue that
Restaurant Information
Coffee Circles
107A Dhammazedi Road, Kamaryut. Tel: 01-525157
Happy Café and Noodle
Inya Road. Tel: 01-525112, 705620, 09-9928083
Sai’s Tacos
32A Inya Myaing Road.
Her’s
7 Inya Road. Tel: 01-504161, 720572
Ciao
No 262, Pansodan Road, Upper Block,
Kyauktada township. Tel: 01-249992, 385553
The Garden Bistro
corner of Kaba Aye Pagoda and Kan Yeik Thar roads
on the edge of Kandawgyi Park. Tel: 01-546487
365 Café
No.5, Signal Pagoda Rd, Dagon Township.
Tel: 01-243047, 243639-43
The Seoul
223 Sule Pagoda Road. Tel: 01-242828 Ext: 6448
Enn Japanese Sushi Bar
10, Shwe Taung Kyar 2nd Ward, Bahan township.
Tel: 01-503199
Café Jasper
behind M3 Food Centre on West Shwegondine
5th Street. Tel: 01-516505
AIR Mandalay
49
Folk tale
LITTLE
MISS
FROG
in your hair,” and showed the
MGTPGNQHVJGſIYJKEJNQQMGF
like a cluster of louse eggs. The
Ogress was very pleased, and
said that Little Miss Frog was an
industrious little girl.
ittle Miss frog was clever
and industrious, but her
neighbour Big Miss Frog
was stupid and lazy.
Everybody loved Little Miss
Frog, and so Big Miss Frog was
very jealous of her.
Little Miss Frog's mother said to
her, “Child, take this bamboo
tube and fetch me some water from the river.” Little Miss
Frog went down to the river,
DWV CU UJG UVQQRGF VQ ſNN VJG
bamboo tube the current carried it away from her hand.
Little Miss Frog jumped into the
river to recover her bamboo
tube, and she also was carried
away by the current. Luckily for
her, however, she was able to
reach the bamboo tube. She
clung to it, and thus saved herself from drowning.
An old Ogress, some miles
down the river, was in the habit
of capturing human beings
and animals, for she lived to
GCV ƀGUJ 9JGP UJG UCY .KVVNG
/KUU(TQIEQOGƀQCVKPIFQYP
50 AIR Mandalay
the river, clinging to the bamboo tube, the Ogress swam out
to her and brought her ashore.
But as Little Miss Frog was so
small, the Ogress thought that
it was not worth eating her up,
and so she decided to employ
her as her servant.
The Ogress
took Little Miss
Frog to her house, and said,
"Little Miss Frog, rid my hair of
lice.” Little Miss Frog looked in
the Ogress's hair, but it was as
clean as it could be. However,
she guessed that the Ogress
would think her lazy if she said
UJG EQWNF ſPF PQ NKEG KP JGT
hair. So she said to the Ogress,
“Please, may I go into the kitchen to wash my hands before I
handle your beautiful hair?”
"What a clean little girl!" exclaimed the Ogress. Little Miss
Frog slipped out of the back
FQQT CPF ENKODGF WR VJG ſI
tree which was growing nearby, and brought back the kerPGN QH C ſI #HVGT YCUJKPI JGT
hands in the kitchen, she went
back to the Ogress. After pretending to search among the
hair, she said, "Oh Mistress, what
a lot of louse eggs there are
The next day the Ogress had
to go out on some business,
and she asked Little Miss Frog
to mind the house in her absence. “But don't you be inquisitive and peep into my
bedroom,” the Ogress warned
with a frown. Little Miss Frog
waited until the Ogress was
lost from view, and then she
peeped into the bedroom. She
saw bones and skulls and halfeaten bodies of human beings
and animals. But she kept her
nerve, and after carefully shutting the bedroom door again,
she sat down quietly as if she
had seen nothing. The Ogress
came back, and she said to
Little Miss Frog, "You are a good
little girl. Will you stay with me in
this house for many months?”
“I would love to, Mistress,” replied Little Miss Frog, “but I am
always wondering who is looking after my old mother, now
that her only child is away from
her.”
“Are you afraid of me?" asked
VJG1ITGUUYCPVKPIVQſPFQWV
whether Little Miss Frog had
disobeyed her and discovered
the secret of her bedroom.
"I respect you, Mistress,” said
Little Miss Frog sweetly, “and
I love you. But I am not afraid
of you.” The Ogress was so
pleased with Little Miss Frog's
answer that she gave her seven bars of gold, and allowed
her to walk back along the river bank to her own village.
All the frogs in the village
praised Little Miss Frog when
they heard her story, and Big
Miss Frog became very jealous.
She went down to the river in
a huff, taking a bamboo tube,
CPF ƀQCVGF FQYP UVTGCO
astride the bamboo tube. The
Ogress, as expected, swam out
to Big Miss Frog. Although Big
Miss Frog was big for a frog, she
was too small for the Ogress to
eat her, and so the Ogress decided to employ her as her servant. The Ogress took the frog
to her house and said, "Big Miss
Frog, rid my hair of lice.” Big
Miss Frog gave the hair a glace, and told her mistress that
there were no lice in her hair.
“What a lazy girl,” thought the
Ogress. “She is telling me a lie
just because she is too lazy to
look for the lice.” The next day
the Ogress had to go out on
The moment
the Ogress left
the house,
Big Miss Frog
opened the
bedroom
door, and
seeing the
bones and
skull and the
half-eaten
bodies, she
cried out in
fear.
some
business
and she asked
Big Miss Frog to mind
the house. "But don't you be
inquisitive and peep into my
bedroom.” She warned with a
frown. The moment the Ogress
left the house, Big Miss Frog
opened the bedroom door,
and seeing the bones and skull
and the half-eaten bodies, she
cried out in fear, “I want to go
home!” The Ogress, who had
gone only a short distance,
heard her cries and came
rushing back. Finding Big Miss
Frog crying, with the bedroom
door wide open, she at once
knew that Big Miss Frog had disobeyed her. So she ate up Big
Miss Frog.
AIR Mandalay
51
Route Map
52 AIR Mandalay
AIR Mandalay’s
1
DESTINATIONS
YANGON
Yangon is a city with old world charms and modern amenities. It is the major commercial
hub of the nation as well as the main gateway to the rest of Myanmar.
2
MANDALAY
Mandalay was founded in 1857 and said to be the last royal capital of
Myanmar. It is the centre of Buddhism studies in Myanmar and the heart of
handicrafts like gold-leaf beating, silk weaving, tapestries, marble and wood
carving.
NYAUNG U (BAGAN)
Bagan is one of the richest and most accessible archaeological sites in the
world. Located alongside the Ayeyarwaddy River, Bagan is home to over
2,000 temples and pagodas, and the centre of Myanmar’s lacquerware
industry.
4
SITTWAY (MRAUK U)
Sittway is the capital of Rakhine State, bordering India and Bangladesh.
Accessible by boat from Sittway is Mrauk U, an ancient city and
archaeological complex with many interesting buildings and temples.
KYAING TONG
Kyaing Tong is situated in the eastern-most part of Shan State near the
Chinese and Thai borders. Kyaing Tong is the center for the Wa, Shan,
Akha, Anh, Akhu and Lahu hill tribes. (01 April – 30 September)
6
5
TACHILEIK
Tachileik is an important border trade outlet near Thailand and Laos. Near
Tachileik is Mai Lah where various interesting tribes can be seen.
(01 April – 30 September)
HEHO (INLE LAKE)
Heho is the gateway to the scenic Inle Lake and southern Shan State. The
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8
3
7
THANDWE (NGAPALI BEACH)
The beautiful and pristine Ngapali beach is located here. Ngapali is home to
unspoiled white sandy beaches with crystal clear water suitable for snorkeling,
UCKNKPIQTYKPFUWTſPI
CHIANG MAI (THAILAND)
Chiang Mai was founded 700 years ago as the capital of the ancient Lanna
Kingdom. Thailand's second city, set within a two sq km moat, has retained
many of its traditional wooden houses and has interesting night markets.
%JKCPI/CKKUCNUQVJGOCKPEGPVTGHQTJKNNVTKDGVTGMMKPI#KT/CPFCNC[ƀKGU
from Chiang Mai to Yangon and Mandalay.
9
Myanmar
MUSINGS
Getting There
#XCKNCDNGƀKIJVUKPENWFG/[CPOCT#KTYC[U+PVGTPCVKQPCN6JCK#KTYC[U
International, Silk Air, Air China, Biman Airlines, Indian Airlines, Eva
Airlines, Mandarin Airlines and Malaysian Airlines. Air Mandalay links
Yangon and Mandalay with Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Entry formalities
Visas: Tourist and business visas are valid for 28 days. Tourist visas are non-extendable;
business visas may be extended for 28 days. Transit visas are valid for 24 hours. Apply to a
Myanmar embassy or consulate, with four photos and your passport. The cost of a tourist visa
is approximately US$20; the cost of a business visa is approximately US$40.
Customs: Besides personal effects visitors are allowed 400 cigarettes (100 cigars or 250g of
unrolled tobacco), two quarts of liquor and 500ml of cologne or perfume. Cameras, radios,
cassette players, calculators etc must be declared at Customs on arrival and taken out on
departure. Foreign currency in excess of US$2000 must be declared. Retain a copy of the
Customs declaration form to be presented when you leave Myanmar.
Airport Tax: Airport tax is US$10 per head to be paid on departure.
Vaccinations: None are required.
Airport Transfers: Taxis from the Yangon International Airport to downtown will cost about
US$8 to US$10 depending on the destination. Taxi travel within Yangon will cost about 2000
kyats depending on distance travelled. One must negotiate before boarding a taxi.
Currency: The US$ is widely used and preferred. Generally credit cards are not accepted.
The national currency is kyat (pronounced chat) and is divided into 100 pyas. At present
the following kyat bank notes are in general use: K5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000.
1HſEG*QWTU
Government and business – 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Shops – 10 am to 9 pm, usually Monday to Saturday.
Domestic Travel
By Air: #KT /CPFCNC[ ƀKGU DGVYGGP ;CPIQP CPF $CICP 0[CWPI 7 /CPFCNC[
Heho (Inlay), Tachileik, Kyaingtong, Thandwe (Ngapali Beach Resort), Sittway and
Monywa.
By Train: Many Myanmar Railway destinations are open to foreign tourists. The
Yangon-Mandalay trip is the most popular. For ticket information consult the
tourist counter at the station; or consult a travel agent.
By Bus: Buses are operated by the state-owned Road Transport Enterprise. Airconditioned express buses link Yangon to Myeiktila,
Pyay, Mandalay and Taunggyi, with more routes
planned. Express buses also depart Yangon for
Mandalay.
54 AIR Mandalay
Post & Telecommunications
6JG%GPVTCN2QUV1HſEGNQECVGFCVVJGEQTPGTQH$Q#WPI-[CY5VTGGV
and Strand Road, opens from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
You can make international calls, and send telexes and faxes at the
%GPVTCN 6GNGITCRJ 1HſEG 2CPUQFCP 5VTGGV ;CPIQP +&& VGNGRJQPGU
CTGCXCKNCDNGCVUQOGIQXGTPOGPVQHſEGUDWUKPGUUGUCPFJQVGNU
Health
The same precautions are the same as anywhere else – drink only bottled water
and do not eat raw vegetables, only eat fruits that you can peel or cut yourself. Be
wary of eating food from street stalls. Use insect repellent when necessary and use
sunscreen liberally when exposed to the intense, tropical sun.
Dress
Cotton clothing and a light wrap for the evenings during the
cool season are recommended. Do not wear shorts, tanktops or
sleeveless blouses when visiting temples. Dress modestly at all times
– revealing clothing is frowned upon in Myanmar. Footwear must be
removed before entering a temple.
Driving
An International Driving Permit is required. This must be presented to the Police for
endorsement, or in the case of a visitor’s licence, for insurance.
Business/Social Tips
Appointments should be made in advance. Punctuality is appreciated. For business
meetings men should wear a lightweight suit and tie. Women should wear modest clothes.
It is customary to shake hands on meeting and saying goodbye. When addressing people
CNYC[UWUGVJGCRRTQRTKCVGRTGſZCPFHCOKN[PCOG/CP[RGQRNGFQPQVJCXGCſTUVPCOG+V
is useful, but not essential, to have some business cards in Myanmar script. Business cards are
exchanged after introduction. Many executives speak English. Visitors should be receptive to
local customs and conventions. When sitting cross-legged on sofas or cushions, soles of the
feet must not be shown. Footwear is strictly prohibited in pagodas and monasteries. Tips in
restaurants and hotels are around 5 per cent to 10 per cent. Tips for taxis are not necessary.
On social occasions, for example an invitation to a restaurant, be punctual and dress as for
business meetings unless otherwise indicated.
Climate
Myanmar has three seasons. The cold season is from October to
February with average temperatures of between 20-24•Celcius.
The hot season is from March to May with average temperatures
of between 30-35•Celcius. The wet season occurs from June to
September with average temperatures of between 25-30•Celcius
– Yangon normally receives early morning and afternoon showers
while rainfall in Bagan and Mandalay is very low. The weather around
Inle Lake and Shan State is pleasant year round, but cold at night
from December to February with average temperature of between
8-12• Celcius.
Time
Myanmar Standard Time (MST) is six hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/
UTC).
AIR Mandalay
55
Food
FISH
CURRY IN
It’s not surprising that a country as ethnically diverse as
Myanmar has a host of interesting and delicious foods.
Here, we recommend Kachin food.
Kachin foods are rich in herbs and spices and the tribal people believe their dishes are particularly good for
health. In most of their recipes, Kachin use either kyauk gin
(a type of ginger), magrant (a kind of bark), thittone kat
hmo (a type of mushroom that grows on logs) or ngarhnyiyweik (a kind of plant that is good for blood circulation)
as seasoning. Most of the curries are spicy and hot but it’s
not surprising given Kachin live near icy mountains.
Fish curry is very popular dish,as it is baked in hot ash.
INGREDIENTS
zſUJ
MI
zlemon grass (1)
zgreen chillies (2)
zlime (1)
zphat phae leaves (3)
zmagaran and makhar
zKachin spicy powder (1/2 tablespoon)
zshalap leaves (10)
5NKEGVJGſUJKPVQUOCNNEWDGUCPFOKZYKVJQVJGTKPITGFK
GPVU9TCRſUJKPDCPCPCNGCXGUCPFRNCEGQPJQVCUJGU
for about 30 minutes. Remove, unwrap from leaves and
enjoy!
56 AIR Mandalay
Map of Yangon
AIR Mandalay
57
Map of Mandalay
Map of Bagan
58 AIR Mandalay
AIR MANDALAY LIMITED
PASSENGER SALES AGENTS IN YANGON, MYANMAR
ASIAN TRAILS LTD.
No.73, Pyay Road., Dagon Township
Tel: (+95.1) 211 212, 727 422, 223 262
Fax: (+95.1) 211670
Email: [email protected]
AUTO NET TRAVELS LIMITED
No. 28, Sinohdan St., Latha Township
Tel: (+95.1) 226 428, 383 996, 385 710
Fax: (+95.1) 382 372
Email: [email protected]
ADVENTURE MYANMAR TRAVELS & TOURS
No. 27, Inya Myaing Road
Bahan Township
Tel: (+95.1) 502901 to 5
Fax: (+95.1) 502906, 502907
E-mail: [email protected]
ASIA GLOBAL TRAVELS & TOURS
No. 66, Ground Floor , 16th Street
Lanmadaw Township
Tel: (+95.1) 221 173, 228 753, 226 338
Fax: (+95.1) 220 354
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
BANDOOLA TOURS & TRAVELS LTD.
No. 1st Fl., 77, Shwebonthar St.
Pabedan Township
Tel: (+95.1) 253 601, 245 327 Ext: 112
Fax: (+95.1) 248 174
Email: [email protected]
COLUMBUS TRAVELS & TOURS
No. 586, Strand Road
Corner of 7th St., Lanmadaw Township
Tel: (+95.1) 229 245, 229 243, 221 881
Fax: (+95.1) 222 790
Email: [email protected]
CARAVAN TRAVELS & TOURS
Junction of Ngapali & Airport Road
Ngapali, Thandwe, Myanmar
Tel: 043-44044, 043-44111
DIETHELM TRAVEL LTD.
3rd Fl., The Dusit Inya Lake Resort
Mayangone Township
Tel: (+95.1) 652 898, 652 905, 652 906
Fax: (+95.1) 653 182
Email: [email protected]
EPG TRAVEL
Rm no. 702 , La Pyayt Wun Plaza
No. 37, Signal Pagoda Road
Dagon Township
Tel: (+95.1) 371 383-4, 371 935-6
Fax: (+95.1) 370 835
Email: [email protected]
EXOTISSIMO TRAVEL CO., LTD.
#0303, 3rd Fl., Sakura Tower
No. 339, Bogyoke Aung San Street
Kyauktada Twonship, Yangon
Tel: (+95.1) 255 266/427/120/388
Fax: (+95.1) 255 428
Email: [email protected]
FAIRNESS TRAVELS & TOURS
No. 45, Bo La Yaung Street
Bo Sein Hman Qr, East Shwe Gon Daing
Bahan Township, Yangon
Tel: (+95.1) 545576, 545601 Ext:104/105
Fax: (+95.1) 545119
Email: [email protected]
GULF TRAVEL & TOUR
No. 69, Sulae Pagoda Road, Near Central
Point Tower, Kyauktada Township
Tel: (+95.1) 383 468, 249 187, 374 316
Fax: (+95.1) 374 316
Email: [email protected]
GOLDEN EXPRESS TOURS & HOTEL
97-B, Wadan St., Lanmadaw Township
Tel: (+95.1) 226 779, 225 569, 705 876
Fax: (+95.1) 227 636, 225 569
Email: [email protected]
HTOO TRAVELS CO., LTD.
1st Fl., 209C, Shwegondine Rd.
Bahan Township
Tel: (+95.1) 548 554, 548 039, 558 416
Fax: (+95.1) 548 039
Email: [email protected]
INDOCHINA SERVICES TRAVEL LTD.
No.8 A, West May Kha Lane (2)
Mayangone Township
Tel: (+95.1) 650 982, 661 724
Fax: (+95.1) 651 002, 664 014
Email: [email protected]
MYANMAR NARA-APEX TRAVEL & TOURS
No. 64(B), Rm. B-4L, Shwe Gon Plaza
Bahan Township
Tel: (+95.1) 540 096 or 7 Fax: (+95.1) 543 789
Email: [email protected]
MYA TRAVELS & TOURS
No. 93, 32nd Street, Pabedan Township
Tel (+95.1) 384 299, 371 668, 254 463
Fax:(+95.1) 254 463
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
NICE FARE TRAVEL CO., LTD
No. 33 Ground Floor, Chindwin Yeikthar
38 th Street, Kyauktada Township
Tel: (+95.1) 441 2578, 384 273-4, 701476
Fax: (+95.1) 384 274, 385 525, 393 151
Email: [email protected]
ORCHESTRA TRAVEL LTD.
No. 201, Bo Myat Htun Road
Botataung Township
Tel: (+95.1) 294 612, 200 883, 201 271
Fax: (95.1) 201 115
Email: [email protected]
SHAN YOMA TRAVELS & TOURS CO., LTD
No. 124/126, 50th Street
Pazundaung Township
Tel: (+95.1) 295 510, 204 152
Fax: (+95.1) 299 389
Email: [email protected]
SHINING STAR TOURS EXPRESS LTD.
No. 53, Kon Zay Dan Steet
Pabedan Township
Tel: (+95.1) 240 996, 240 113, 246 147
Fax: (+95.1) 240 080
Email: [email protected]
SEVEN DIAMOND EXPRESS TRAVELS CO., LTD.
No. 65, Thein Phyu Road (Lower Block)
Botataung Township
Tel: (+95.1) 203 398, 297 154
Fax: (+95.1) 299040
Email: [email protected]
SUN FAR TRAVEL CO., LTD.
No.25,27,31 Ground Floor
38th St., Kyauktada Township
Tel: (+95.1) 243 992-3, 380 888, 701 428
Fax: (+95.1) 254 599, 246 318
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
TOUR MANDALAY CO., LTD.
Rm. 02/03 , 2nd Floor
Pearl Condominium 1
Pearl Centre, Bahan Township
Tel: (+95.1) 540 475, 541 428, 543 801
Fax: (+95.1) 541 098, 548 014
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
MYANMAR TRAVELS & TOURS
77-91, Sule Pagoda Rd., Kyauktada Township
Tel: (+95.1) 252 859, 371 910, 374 281
Fax: (+95.1) 254 417
Email: [email protected]
AIR Mandalay
59
AIR MANDALAY LIMITED
PASSENGER SALES AGENTS ABROAD
PSA IN FRANCE
PSA IN JAPAN
Blue Jade
Heron Building, 5th Fl.
10, Rue de la Paix - 75002 Paris
Tel: (+33.1) 428 666 52
Fax: (+33.1) 490 307 20
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Apex International Inc. Co., Ltd.
Hosoi Bldg, 6F No.4-1, Yotsuya
Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan 160
Tel: (+81.3) 3350 8866
Fax: (+81.3 ) 3357 0384
PSA IN GERMANY
PSA IN SINGAPORE
Antares International GmbH
Travel & Trading
Grosse Bleichen 16
20354 Hamburg, Germany
Tel: (+49.40) 3571 5668
Fax: (+49.40) 352 399
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Myanmar Travels & Tours Pte. Ltd.
78, South Bridge Rd., #06-02
Singapore 058708
Tel:(+656) 5353 870
Fax:(+656) 534 0451
'OCKNOVV"RCEKſEPGVUI
UGC"RCEKſEPGVUI
PSA IN ISRAEL
The Vered Group of Companies
4 Ben Gurion St.
Ness Ziona 70400, Israel
Tel: (+972.8) 940 2224, 940 4676
Fax: (+972.8) 930 1769, 930 1246
Email: [email protected]
PSA IN SWEDEN
INTREP
Kungsgatan 50, Box 3410
SE-103 68 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel: (+46.8) 247863
Celluar: +46 708 648 249
Fax: (+46.8) 210211
Email: [email protected]
PSA IN POLAND
INTREP
Ul. Pilchowicka 9/11
PL-02-175 Warszawa, Poland
Tel: (+48.22) 868 1328
Cell: +48 508 39 874
Fax: (+48.22) 868 1329
Email: [email protected]
60 AIR Mandalay
Yadanar Travel Pte Ltd.
111, North Bridge Road
# 03-05, Paninsula ,
Singapore 179098
Tel: (+656) 6334 9353, 6337 3011
Fax: (+656) 6338 7018, 6337 1451
'OCKNRJQGVJCI[CT"RCEKſEPGVUI
PSA IN HONG KONG
Rover Travel Services
Room M206, 14/F, Haleson Building
No.1, Jubilee St., Central, Hong Kong
Tel: (+85.2) 2845 4545
Fax: (+85.2) 2868 5824
Email: [email protected]
PSA IN KOREA
Wooree Agency Corporation
Soon Hwa Building,
10th Floor, 5-2
Soon Hwa Dong, Chung Gu,
Seoul, Korea
Tel: (+82.02) 775 7666
Fax: (+82.02) 774 7765
Email: [email protected]
PSA IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
Blue Jade (Bangkok)
ECCR, 253 Asoke, 10th Fl.
253 Sukhumvit Soi 21 (Asoke)
Klongtoey Nua, Wattana,
Bangkok 10110
Tel: (+66.2) 664 0661-2
Fax: (+66.2) 664 0663
Email: [email protected]
Friendly Star Travel Service & Tour
52/3 Pun Rd., Silom, Bangrak
Bangkok 10500
Tel: (+66.2) 233 3052 / 236 3562
Fax: (+66.2) 236 9476
Jakk Travel Co., Ltd.
Room 104, S&B Tower, 68-68/6 Pan Rd.
Silom, Bangruk, Bangkok 10500
Tel: (+66.2) 637 7321-2
Fax: (+66.2) 637 7323
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
PSA IN CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
Charal Business Chiangmai
123 Changmoi Rd.
Chiang Mai 50300
Tel: (+66.53) 252 050 (10 lines)
Fax: (+66.53) 232 447
Email: [email protected]
Chiang Mai B.I.S Travel Ltd., Part.
No. 132 Sithiwong Road,
T. Chanmoi
A.Muang, Chiang Mai 50300
Tel: (+66.53) 233 962/7, 234 225/6
Fax: (+66.53) 233 966
Email: [email protected]
Friendly Star Travel Service & Tour
420/23 Chiang Mai Land Vilage
Changklan Road, Muang,
Chiang Mai 50100
Tel: (+66.53) 275 100,
204 770, 204 772
Fax: (+66.53) 275 098
Email: [email protected]
Lanna View Travel
48 Chaiyapoom Rd.,
Tambon Changmoi
Muang District, Chiang Mai 53000
Tel: (+66.53) 874508-10
Fax: (+66.53) 874495
Email: [email protected]
Nara Tour Co., Ltd.
100/27 Moo 3, Rajsamakee Rd.
T.Nong-Hoi, A.Muang,
Chiang Mai 50000
Tel: (+66.53) 800 441-2
Fax: (+66.53) 800 443
Email: [email protected]
Standard Tour Co., Ltd.
414/20-21 Chang Klan Rd.
Chiang Mai 50100
Tel: (+66.53) 204 520-4
Fax: (+66.53) 272 455, 204 218
Email: [email protected]
Useful NUMBERS
EMERGENCY
Police
Police Headquarters,Yangon
Fire
Ambulance
Ambulance (Red Cross,Yangon)
Yangon General Hospital (Emergency)
Traffic Investigation
Customs
Immigration
199
282541/284764
191/192
295133
682368/683225
286863-4/ 256112-31
201779
253046/285607
286434/651113
INFORMATION
Tourist Information
Tourist Information (Airport)
Ministry of Hotels & Tourism
282075
662652
254098/ 282075
EMBASSIES
Australia
People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
People’s Republic of China
Arab Republic of Egypt
France
Federal Republic of Germany
Republic of Indonesia
India
Israel
Italy
Japan
Republic of Korea
Laos People’s Democratic Republic
Malaysia
Royal Nepalese
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Philippines
Republic of Singapore
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Russian Federation
Royal Thai
United Kingdom
United States of America
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
251809
526144
526985
549609
221280-81
222886
212523
548951
254465
243972
515115
527100-1
549644-8
527142-44
222482
220248
545880
222881
558149-151
559001
222812
241955
226721
256438
536509
548905
536655
DIRECTORIES
Enquiry
Booking (inland)
Booking (Overseas)
Complaint
Cellular, enquiry & complaints
100
101
131/667444/657555
102
282788/665942/282788
(Fax: 246159)
(Fax: 515273)
(Fax: 512854)
(Fax: 541462)
(Fax: 227019)
(Fax: 222865)
(Fax: 212527)
(Fax: 548899)
(Fax: 254468)
(Fax: 388414)
(Fax: 512116)
(Fax: 514565)
(Fax: 549643)
(Fax: 513286)
(Fax: 227446)
(Fax: 221840)
(Fax: 549803)
(Fax: 221147)
(Fax: 558154)
(Fax: 559921)
(Fax: 221509)
(Fax: 241953)
(Fax: 221713)
(Fax: 380321)
(Fax: 650306)
(Fax: 549302)
Telegraphs, enquiry & complaints
Telex (international) booking
Telex complaints
AIRLINES
Air Mandalay (6T)
Aeroflot
Air China (CA)
Air France (AF)
All Nippon Airways (NH)
Asiana Airlines (OZ)
Austrian Airlines (OS)
Bangkok Airways (PG)
Biman Bangaldesh (BG)
China Airlines (CI)
Druk Airlines (KB)
Eva Airways (BR)
Indian Airlines (IC)
Japan/JAL Airlines (JL)
Korean Air (KE)
Lao Airlines (QV)
Lufthansa (LH)
Mandarin Airlines (AE)
Malaysia Airlines (MH)
Myanmar Airways Int’l (8M)
Pakistan Int’l Airlines (PK)
Phuket Airlines Co Ltd (9R)
273579
274195
280431
Qatar Airways (QR)
Royal Brunei Airlines (BI)
Silk Air (MI) / Singapore Airlines (SQ)
Thai Airways International (TG)
Yangon Airways (HK)
501520, 525488 (Fax: 525937)
294006
(Fax: 245092)
500054
(Fax: 505023)
255430
(Fax: 255303)
255412
371382
(Fax: 549872)
(02) 2670873
255122/255265 (Fax: 255119)
240922/242 997
245484
(Fax: 246330)
524904
(Fax: 525948)
298001
(Fax: 296272)
253598
(Fax: 248175)
243030
Ext 101
667410
(Fax: 662355)
534852
(Fax: 513432)
527110
(Fax: 527135)
245484
(Fax: 246330)
241007
Ext: 703/704
255260
(Fax: 255305)
245069
(+66.2) 2855038-9
(Fax: (+66.2) 6798236)
255030-2
(Fax: 255033)
243024
255287-289 (Fax: 255290)
255499
(Fax: 255490)
383100-7
RAILWAY
Enquires
Dagon – Mandalay
Malikha – Mandalay
San Thaw Tar
274024/274027
249024
(02) 21385
221460
BUS SERVICES
Highway Bus Terminal, Sin-ma-lite
Highway Bus Terminal, Saw Bwa Gyi Gon
AKM Express
Hnin Thu Wai
Leo Express,Yangon
Leo Express, Mandalay
New Bagan Express,Yangon
New Bagan Express, Bagan
Rainbow Express
Sun Moon Express
286588
665545
636441
246283
249512
(02) 33899
642463
(062) 70005
272250
642903
EVENTS CALENDAR
Month
Festival
Location
Duration
APRIL
Thingyan Water Festival - Myanmar New Year
Throughout the country 5 days
APRIL
Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda Festival
Pago
7 days
MAY
Full moon of Kason (pouring water on the Bodhi tree)
The whole country
1 days
JUNE
Pakokku Thiho Shin Pagoda Festival
Pakokku
15 days
JULY
Waso Festival
Throughout the country 12 days
AUGUST
Taungbyone and Yadana Gu Sprit (Nat) Festival
Near Mandalay
12 days
SEPTEMBER
Shwezigon and Manuha Pagoda Festival
Bagan
15, 2 days
AIR Mandalay
61