Myanmar - Brief Travel Guide & Summary of My 7D6N Travelogue

Flying In Myanmar

Malaysia Airlines only serves a direct route from Kuala Lumpur to Yangon International Airport (RGN) whereas AirAsia is flying into two different airports, Yangon International Airport (two flights daily) and Mandalay International Airport (with a stopover in Don Mueang International Airport of Bangkok). The flight duration from Kuala Lumpur to Yangon takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes. Time difference wise, Myanmar is 1 hour behind Malaysia.

Visa Required For Malaysian

An advance 28-days tourist visa is required before entering into Myanmar. In Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), visa can be applied at Ever Fine Services (M) Sdn Bhd located in Masjid Jamek LRT Station area (between 7-Eleven and Burger King). Total visa cost  is RM141.80, which included RM110 for visa and RM31.80 for service fee. Remember to bring along two passport photos with white background, a photocopy of valid passport and return ticket for visa application.

For more info about visa application, check out from these two of my favourite Malaysian travel bloggers - Kaki Berangan: Myanmar Visa Application and Supermeng Malaya: Tourist Visa Myanmar Di Kuala Lumpur (blog in Malay language)

Alternatively, you can apply through E-Visa which cost US$50 for a single-entry tourist visa.

Currency Exchange 

Myanmar/Burma's currency is known as Kyat. As it's not commonly found in any Malaysia's local money changer, hence it is advisable be prepared with US dollar. But then, ensure that your USD dollar is extremely clean with no marks, stamps or any ink, undamaged, fresh, crisps and as close to brand new as possible. There are number of times whereby our US dollar were being rejected.

US$1 (approx. to RM3.30) = 978 kyat

Here is the summary of my Myanmar Travelogue covering three different cities - Yangon, Bagan and Inle Lake. 

Day 1: Arrived Yangon and Took Overnight Bus To Bagan
Mingalar Yangon & Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda
Opening Hours: 6.30am to 10.00pm
Entrance Fee for Foreigner: US$8 or 8,000 kyat

From Yangon, we took overnight air-conditioner VIP bus to Bagan for 18,000 kyats.

Day 2: Arrived Bagan
Awe-Inspiring & Magical Sunrise View of Bagan


Temples & Pagodas Hopping in Bagan (Part 1)


On the second day, we visited these following:

• Thatbyinnyu Phaya
• Shwezigon Paya
• Gu Byauk Gyi Temple
• Phya That Gyi Pagoda
• Nyaung U Market

Stay: Thiri Marlar Hotel (Currently known as Thurizza Hotel)

Day 3: Bagan
Temples & Pagodas Hopping in Bagan (Part 2)


As for the third day, we went and visited these:

• Soemingyi Pagoda
• Nanpaya Temple
• Manuha Phaya
• MahaBodhi Temple
• Ananda Temple
• Dhammayangyi Temple

How To Get Around Bagan: 

1) Rental of horse chart with a driver cost us 25,000 kyats for a full day (approx. to US$26 or RM100). It's not the ideal way to travel with as it is tends to be slower, shaky, bumpy and uncomfortable with. However, passengers are sheltered away from both sun and rain as Myanmar's weather can be scorching hot.
2) As for rented bikes, it cost us 2,500 kyats each (approx. to US$2.50 or RM10). Don't forget to wear mask as the roads were relatively dusty.

Day 4: From Bagan to Inle Lake 
We bought the 7.30 am bus tickets and the journey from Bagan to Nyaung Shwe of Inle Lake took more than eight hours bus ride. It cost as low as 11,000 kip only (approx. to US$11 or RM45). Overnight bus is available but my friends and I opted the morning one so that we able to enjoy the awesome scenery and landscape.




Stay: Inle Star Motel


Day 5: Inle Lake Boat Tour and Overnight Bus Back To Yangon 
Impressive Inle Lake Boat Tour

We managed to bargain at the agreed price of 25,000 kyats for the six of us on a wooden longtail boat with padded chairs (approx. to US$25 or RM100) and we're requested to pay upfront fee of 5,000 kyats first whereas the remaining can be paid at the end of the trip. Our boat tour started as early as 7 am 

Day 6: Back to Yangon Again 
From Inle Lake to Yangon 

In order to get back to Yangon, we took the overnight bus which depart around 6.30 pm at Nyaungshwe Bus Station. The journey from Inle Lake to Yangon took more than 11 hours and one bus ride cost 22,000 kyats (approx. to US$23 or RM90). The bus journey was extremely one stomach-churning bus ride. My friend who sat next to me keep throwing up throughout the expedition. Therefore, remember to take motion sickness medication before embarking on this long journey.

Stay: Myint Myat Guest House

Day 7: Goodbye Myanmar 


And the following are the details of travel expenses breakdown my friends and I spent throughout our 7 days and 6 nights in Myanmar. As for the group, there are six of us. For this time around, I excluded my return airfares from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur cause I want to keep track and mainly focus on Myanmar spending. 

PARTICULARS	NOTE	AMOUNT
		Per Group	Per Pax	RM
Air Fares KL-Yangon-KL via AirAsia Add: Luggage allowance Hotel Thiri Marlar Hotel, Bagan (2 nights) Inle Star Motel, Inle Lake (1 night) Myint Myat Guest House, Yangon (1 night) Transportation VIP bus Yangon to Bagan Public bus Bagan to Inle Lake VIP bus Inle Lake to Yangon Taxi around Yangon & to airport Admission Fee Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon Inle Zone Entrance Fee Ground Tour Half day tour around Yangon Bagan – Mini Van Bagan – Horse cart & bicycle Boat tour in Inle Lake Foods & Beverages Foods & Beverages Others Tourist Visa Souvenirs, postcards & stamps Tips	1 2 2 2 3	- - US$350 - - - - - 24,000 kyats - - US$66 50,000 kyats 32,500 kyats 25,000 kyats - - - -	- - - - - 18,000 kyats 11,000 kyats 22,000 kyats - US$8 US$10 - - - - 49,770 kyats - 52,500 kyats US$7	138 44 193 90 82 61 37 74 13 26 33 36 28 18 14 168 142 177 23
		TOTAL:		1,397

Exchange Rate:
US$1 = RM3.30
US$1 = 978 kyats

Note:
1. 20kg baggage allowance shared among 4 of us.
2. For more details, you can check out here.
3. Souvenirs including T-shirts, painting, postcards, stamps, fridge magnets and lacquerwear.

If you plan to buy lacquerwear, it is advisable to buy in Bagan cause it's cheaper.

With this blogspot, I am officially completed my travelogue of the majestic and prestigious "Golden Land". 

Mystical Myanmar (2014) Day 6 & 7: From Inle Lake to Yangon & Goodbye Myanmar!

I think we left our hearts in Inle Lake...

and it's really hard for us to bid goodbye to this pristine and wonderful watery world. We really wish we could spend more times here but because our trip to Myanmar was pretty short, no choice but to make our way back to Yangon again before taking flight back to our sweet homeland. 

#1: Bus from Inle Lake to Yangon details 

To Yangon, we took overnight bus which depart around 6.30 pm at Nyaungshwe Bus Station. Among all the bus ride we experienced; the journey from Inle Lake to Yangon is not just the longest ride we had which took more than 11 hours, it's also extremely one stomach-churning bus ride. My friend who sat next to me keep throwing up throughout the expedition. Therefore, remember to take motion sickness medication before embarking on this long journey. 

VIP overnight bus from Inle Lake to Yangon = 22,000 kyats (approx. to US$23 or RM75)

We arrived Aung Mingalar Bus Terminal of Yangon on the next morning. Since Yangon bus terminal is situated out of the town, we took taxi to the guest house which cost 7,000 kyats for 6 of us. To be exact, it wasn't taxi at all. It was actually light truck used to carry some heavy stuffs and we're trying our best to fit in seeing that they accepted the bargain price we offered. We're not sure whether it's legal or not but glad that we reach our guest house safe and sound. 

The guest house that we stayed for a night were so kind and thoughtful, that they allowed us to have breakfast and early check-in. The only downside, the location wasn't that great like most of the reviews I read from Agoda and Tripadvisor. 

#2: Little monks on the street 

#3: Went post office to send postcards but somehow we never received it until now

We spent half our day wandering around Bogyoke Aung San Market, a 70 years old spawling market. It consists more than 2,000 shops and the largest selection of Myanmar handicrafts under several roods. 

#4: Boygoke Aung San Market, sometimes called by its old British name, Scott Market

#5: This is the place if you are looking for touristy knick-knacks such as jades, traditional longyis, puppets and etc. We bought few fridge magnets here as well, ranging from 1,000 kyats to 1,500 kyats (approx. to RM4 to RM6) per piece. 

Because our flight was scheduled to be in early morning, we booked taxi from our guest house directly. The ride from our guest house to the airport wasn't that long, it's like less than 20 minutes to Yangon International Airport sign. 

#6: The huge mural of Kandawgyi Lake that cause every visitors attention

#7: Myanmar National Airlines 

With the final visit of Myanmar, I officially unlocked all the 10 ASEAN countries – including Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar but not completely South East Asia (SEA) countries yet cause one more left, which is Timor Leste and now I’m waiting for AirAsia to commerce new route to there.

"As with any journey, who you travel with can be more important than your destination."

Mystical Myanmar (2014) Day 2: Awe-Inspiring & Magical Sunrise View of Bagan

Date Visited: 10th January 2014

It was cold and dark. We were awoke at ungodly hour by the bus driver as we were almost approaching the Bagan Ngaung U Station right after more than 8 hours long bus distance from Yangon. I still remember vividly, it was almost 5 am at that particular moment. 

Once we stepped down from the JJ Express bus, we were surrounded by few bunch of men approaching us to provide shuttle service to our hotel. Some even offered to provide day tour excursion. After negotiated in such a hurry as it was relatively chilly and cold while we were in our normal hoodie, we came to agreed price of 50,000 kyats (approx. to US$51 or RM168) for the 6 of us. 

Before the driver decided to drop us at our hotel, he politely suggested to bring us to a temple for sunrise viewing. Unclear the name of that particular temple we went cause there is no signboard or maybe I wasn't too aware of it, but I think it wasn't that far away from the bus station we arrived. 

We're required to climb up the staircases with limited of lights, or should I say we were fully dependent on our smartphones' light cause there is no street lights around. I was so worried I might tripped off but for the sake just to view the legendary Bagan sunrise, I glad I managed to climb safely with the rest of my friends.

After waited for almost an hour, finally the huge and bright golden ball arose beautifully with plenty hot balloon. Armed with our camera around, we were never stop from keep pressing our camera button.

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Frankly speaking, I have seen plenty of sunrise and sunset throughout my travel adventures and up to date, Bagan is one of the most mesmerising and awe-inspiring sunrise view I ever witness. I barely remember the rest of the sunrise I ever witnessed but Bagan sunrise truly amazed me with the layer of the mist and hot balloons flying over abundant of small and medium temples - it's so magical!

P/S: Notice I changed my blog header? I try to keep it simple and basic. 

Mystical Myanmar (2014) Day 1: Mingalabar Yangon & Shwedagon Pagoda

Right after we did mini college gathering to Siem Reap, Cambodia last two years, my friends decided we should go and explore Myanmar. Myanmar is very mysterious to me cause what I know about this isolated country is Aung San Suu Kyi only. Luck was on our side when we managed to grab the best deal which cost as low as RM138 for return flight to Yangon, Myanmar eventhough it was consider the peak season. Amazingly a great deal and how we could ever resist that, right?

With the visit of Myanmar, I unofficially unlocked all the 10 Asean countries - Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and last but not least, Myanmar itself.



There are few things to take note before one enter Myanmar:

Visa Required For Malaysian
Unlike the rest of the ASEAN countries whereby visa is exempted, an advance tourist visa is required before entering into Myanmar. In Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), this visa can be applied at Ever Fine Services (M) Sdn Bhd located in Masjid Jamek LRT Station area (between 7-Eleven and Burger King). Total visa cost  is RM141.80, which included RM110 for visa and RM31.80 for service fee. Don't forget to bring along two passport photos with white background, a photocopy of valid passport and return ticket for visa application.

For more info about visa application, check out from one of my favourite Malaysian travel blogger - Kaki Berangan: Myanmar Visa Application (blog in Malay language)

Alternatively, you can apply through E-Visa which cost US$50 for a single-entry tourist visa.

Currency Exchange 
Myanmar/Burma's currency is known as Kyat. It's not commonly found in any Malaysia's local money changer, hence it is advisable be prepared with US dollar. But then, ensure that your USD dollar is extremely clean with no marks, stamps or any ink, undamaged, fresh, crisps and as close to brand new as possible. There are number of times whereby our US dollar were being rejected.

US$1 (approx. to RM3.30) = 978 kyat

Wear Slippers or Sandals Rather Than Shoes
Of course in terms of dressing, decent wearing is required whereby miniskirts, sleeveless shirts and shorts is not allowed in religious places like pagodas, temples and monasteries. However before entering into any of these religious places, one is required to remove footwear entirely including stockings, which I found to be irritating and annoying somehow. I totally lost count of how many times I need to remove both of my shoe and socks especially temples hopping in Bagan. Hence it is highly recommended to bring and wear those footwear that can easily be slipped on and off such as slippers, flip-flops or sandals.

Flying In Myanmar
Malaysia Airlines only serves direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Yangon International Airport whereas AirAsia is flying into two different airports, Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport. We flew with our favourite budget carrier and we chosen to fly into the first one, Yangon International Airport .

Once we arrived in the airport, my friends and I decided to change some of our US dollar into kyatt as we worried that we unable to find any money changer in the downtown. Right after we got out from the arrival hall, we were surrounded by numerous of taxi and van driver until a decent and young looking guy approached us to bring us around Yangon which a charge of US$10 each. After discussed among my friends, finally we agreed and he will bring to the places we want to venture upon.

We took a risk by not reserved any accommodation on the first day arriving as we had decided to take overnight bus for a long journey to Bagan. Therefore, the first place we assigned the local driver to bring us was to the bus ticketing office to purchase the bus tickets. I couldn't remember the exact location for the bus ticketing office but it's situated right in the city center whereas for the bus terminal, Aung Mingalar Bus Terminal is located out of the town.

The bus ticketing office. We bought the JJ Express VIP bus tickets.

We had traditional Myanmar cuisines in Aung Thukha 

Food wise, we found out most of their food tend to be oily and salty. As Myanmar has been isolated for almost half of the century and only recently opened up to the tourists, foreign investment and development aid, it makes sense there were limited of choices when come to food cuisines. Don't expect for any sushi or kimchi to be found there.

No matter how rush we were, one of the famous landmarks must visit in Yangon is Shwedagon Pagoda. This impressive gold plated pagoda contained the relics of the four Buddha who had attained enlightenment, hence it was known as Shwedagon, which means the Reliquary of the Four.

With my favourite group of travelmates 

We were so surprised to find out that there is a free WiFi connection within pagoda. Without waiting a second, all of us instantly connected it to our smartphone for check-in, Instagram, Whatsapp and so on. The whole area of the pagoda is vast, complex and pretty huge too and ended up, we spent almost two hours here just to take thousand of photos at almost each and every corner.

Opening Hours: 6.30am to 10.00pm
Entrance Fee for Foreigner: US$8 or 8,000 kyat

Our local driver also brought us to few places but I personally think these can be skipped literally. The only thing we ashamed off was we couldn't made any visit to the Karaweik Hall which is well-known for its impressive and amazing modern architecture because we're eventually rushing out of times.

Time flies like in the blink of eyes and it's time to get board on the bus for a long journey to Bagan, a city is known to have more than 2,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries. But what we're looking forward from Bagan was to catch the most beautiful and mesmerising sunrise. Will we able to make it? So, do stay tune for the upcoming post.

This is how their bus looks like - It's pretty cool!

A single trip from Yangon to Bagan (Ngaung-U) with air-conditioned VIP bus cost 18,000 kyat (approx. to US$18 or RM60) and the journey takes about 8-9 hours long. The bus fare including some small snacks such as cakes and biscuits, a bottle of drinking water, toothbrush and toothpaste. How attentive they were?  

Mingalabar from Myanmar 2014 (Sneak Peek)

Starting off my brand new year trip for the year 2014 by visiting Myanmar.  After we did the mini college gathering trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia last year, this year we did again by going to Myanmar.  We choose Myanmar cause we managed grab the best deal which cost as low as RM138 for return flight eventhough it was during peak season. What a steal! Plus by visiting Myanmar, I officially unlocked all the 10 ASEAN countries – Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar but not SEA countries yet cause one more left – Timor Leste and now I’m waiting for AirAsia to commerce new route to there.

After decade of isolation, Myanmar which also known as the “Golden Land” is now on everyone’s travel bucket list, offering an intriguing history, magnificent natural beauty and the edginess that comes with a country still in transition.

 #1:Visited Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon right after we reach Myanmar. Got free Wireless Internet!

#2: Watching sunrise with hot air ballooning over Bagan is one of the most breathtaking things to do in Bagan.

#3: With more than 2,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries still standing, Bagan is one of South East Asia’s most awe-inspiring man-made spectacles. It is Myanmar’s very own Angkor Wat.

#4: Only can be seen in Inle Lake and I personally love this town. 

#5: One of the floating villages in Inle Lake. It has been known as Venice of the East cause the local here only use boat as their mode of transportation. 

#6: One thing for sure travel around Indo-China countries was totally lost count on how many hours for the bus ride. Bus ride from Yangon to Bagan took almost 9 hours, Bagan to Inle Lake for more than 9 hours and Inle Lake back to Yangon for almost 11 hours. Totally another #butthurt case again.

#7: My college friends which brought lots of laughter and fun throughout the trip. Now we are discussion where will be our next trip.

Although I done visited all the 10 ASEAN countries, I still love to return few of the above countries to visit number of cities or places which I haven't go such as Hue, Hoi An, Halong Bay in Vietnam; Phnom Penh in Cambodia; Chiangmai, Chiang Rai and Hua Hin in Thailand; Medan, Yogyakarta in Indonesia and more. Too many of my travel bucket lists that I'm not sure when I able to accomplish them but one thing for sure, I indeed had a great time with different people I travelled with. 

Last but not least, I would like to extend my gratitude to Lily Riani from Globetrotter, Rusli from Ramble &Wander and also Jeff Chuah from Jeff’s Travel for the helpful advice and guideline for this Myanmar trip.