ABOUT Myanmar

We are happy to facilitate and organize necessary services for you, your family and friends to experience our Myanmar traditional culture, arts, crafts and the true nature of our Myanmar people and society especially in Upper Myanmar, Mandalay as a central part of Myanmar.


Myanmar, known as Suvanna Bhumi (the Golden Earth) in the olden days for its fertile land and rich natural resources, is the largest country in the South-east Asia Peninsula sharing borders area of 676,577sq.km, and has a coastline measuring 1,275 miles (2051km). The country stretches over 2090 km from north to south and over 925 km east to west. Over 50 percent of the total land area is covered with forests. The terrain ranges from arid plains to cool, sprawling hills, ice-capped mountains, white-sand beaches, lush farmland and hidden valleys.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Early civilization in Myanmar dates back to the 1st century with archaeological evidences of the Pyu kingdoms of Theyekhittaya (Sriketra), Beikthano (Visnu) and Hanlin. Myanmar entered a period of greatness in the early 11th century when King Anawrahta unified the country and created the first Myanmar Empire with its capital in Bagan. The Empire, which lasted until the end of the 13th century, produced a glorious civilization whose monuments still endure. The second Myanmar Empire with its capital in Bago was created in the middle of the 16th century by King Bayinnaung. The third and last Myanmar Empire was founded by King Alaungpaya in 1752 and had a number of capitals, the last being Mandalay. In the later years of the Empire, Myanmar was annexed by the British in three stages, in 1825, 1852, 1885 and became a British colony. Myanmar was occupied by the Japanese during World War II, and in the postwar period the independence movement, which had begun in the early 20th century, came to a climax and Myanmar attained independence on 4 January 1948.

THE PEOPLE

Myanmar is a Union of over 135 ethnic groups with the name Myanmar embracing all the ethnic groups. The major ethnic groups are Bamar, Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan.

POPULATION

Myanmar has a population of 59 million and the Bamar make about 69%. Yangon, the capital and gateway to Myanmar, has a population of nearly 6 million.

RELIGION

Over 80% of Myanmar embraces Theravada Buddhism and the rest practice Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, or Animism..

LANGUAGE

The official language is Myanmar, the spoken language differs slightly from region and the minority ethnic groups have their own languages and dialects. English is spoken by many and is widely understood.

CULTURE

Buddhism has a great influence on the daily lives of the Myanmar people. The people have preserved the traditions of close family ties, respect for elders, devotion to Buddhist teachings and wearing the simple native dress. They are a people easily contented and cheerful in the face of adversity. Myanmar people are known for their friendliness and simple hospitality. The wealth of natural resources may be impressive but the great fascination of Myanmar lies in its people.

CLIMATE

Myanmar enjoys a tropical with three distinct seasons: namely winter, summer and the rainy season. The winter, the best time of visit, is from mid February to mid May, when the humidity builds up before the rain begins. The rainy season commences with the Southwest Monsoon, which lasts from middle of May to the middle of October.

CURRENCY

Myanmar currency is the Kyat, made up of 100 pyas. Currency notes come in the following denominations: K 1000, K 500, K 200, K 100, K 50, K 20, K 15, K 5, K 1. Visitors are not allowed to bring in or take out Kyats.