IMPORTANT NOTESMoney ExchangeUSD and Kyat are the main currencies accepted in Myanmar. We noticed that price tags in USD will cost more after conversion, so we made payment in Kyat all the time.
MYR to Kyat is around RM2.70 to 1000 Kyat (as of Dec19). Money changers in Malaysia will not exchange for Myanmar Kyat (MMK), so we had to exchange MYR to USD, then change to Kyat when we reached Myanmar. Alternatively, we can also withdraw Kyat from ATM machines in Myanmar (all ATM have CIRRUS network). Please make sure you call you banks to activated International Withdrawal and ensure POS enabled.
Credit cards are widely accepted in major town like Yangon and Mandalay, but not smaller towns like Bagan & Inle.
AttireWeather in Myanmar is similar to Malaysia, however, make sure to adhere to dress code imposed by temples before entering. These temples usually don’t allow short pants, spaghetti strap top and hot pants. Please bring along a scarf/sarong a.k.a Longyi to cover yourselves when visiting temples. Otherwise, you are required to rent Longyi from them.
Besides, shoes are not allowed in temples, so you need to take off your shoes and leave it outside the temples. To avoid your shoes being stollen, you can bring plastic bag to carry your shoes along (some local kids will approach you to sell plastic bags).
WeatherEven though the weather in most areas are similar to Malaysia, but Bagan and Inle is colder due to it’s geographical locations. When we rode our bike out to watch sunrise/sunset in Bagan, then chilly wind could easily get into your bones, literally. As for Inle, the humongous lake chills the average temperature for the surroundings. Temperature in Inle is approximately 20 degree, similar with our Genting highland.
TransportationOvernight Bus - We travelled between towns mostly by overnight buses - time & cost saving.
We booked overnight bus from JJ Express, a bus company inspires to offer airlines alike services with onboard “cabin crews” who serve snack, drinks, comforter, etc. From the crews’ uniform to public announcement, they put a lot of efforts in giving airlines like experience.
These buses are really comfortable that you could recline your seat almost flat, but their aircon is way too cold so make sure to wear extra layers of clothes for a good sleep. They will stop at R&R for toilet break too.
When we arrived at destination, we got surrounded by taxi drivers offering hotel transfer. So make sure you know how far away is your hotel to avoid being offered “cut throat” price.
e-Hailing - Grab is widely available in Yangon and Mandalay, but not in Bagan and Inle. However, e-bike is cheaply available in Bagan & Inle, it cost USD5.00 for full day (7.00AM to 7.00PM).
Horse Cart and Tuktuk are available in Bagan, if you have extra budget, private rental cars are also available. But we stick to e-bike because we get to take our own sweet time and have the freedom of going out/coming back as and when we like.
e-Bike - battery operated motorbike that could go as fast as 40km/h. There are e-Bike renting tent in almost every street in Bagan. No deposits required, just choose your bike and go (pay when you return the bike). if you need the bike for following day for sunrise watching, just exchange a new bike so that they can re-charge the used one.
Fee is USD5.00 for 12 hours - 7.00AM to 7.00PM
We asked the owner: "are there any cases where customers took their bikes and never returned it?" he said he has been in the business for 4 years but no such cases happened before - people visiting Bagan are all nice people
LanguagePeople in Myanmar (Burmese) can speak simple English. Everyone is so friendly!
Mingalabar means Hello.
FoodWe tried to be adventurous in trying Burmese food, like Shan Sticky Noodle that we tried on 1st day, we didn’t like it. So we didn’t try local dishes thereafter. i guess it was the way they merinate the meats, the taste is weird XD
Generally their food is oily and too salty/sweet than our liking.
Due to the dusty environment, we did not try any roadside food at all.
Food is generally similar to Malaysia taste in proper restaurants. Prices are reasonable too even in touristy locations. Each meal cost an average of aRM10+ per person.
Avocado juice is cheap! We had it almost every meal
Beer is cheap too
Entrance FeeBagan, Inle and Mingun are archeological areas, so the government imposed entrance fee when entering these areas.
Bagan zone - 25,000MMK per person (approx. MYR75).
Inle zone - 15,000MMK per person.
Mingun zone - 5000MMK per person.
Bus drivers will stopped at entrance of these areas, then a conductor will collect the fee from everyone, so get ready your cash (payment in cash only).
VerdictWe immediately felt in love in Bagan and Inle, we like the peacefulness and authenticity of these towns. We felt sad when leaving these towns
Hence it is highly recommended to visit Myanmar before it gets too commercialised.
I am sure I’ll visit this lovely country again soon.
This post has been edited by brian3455: Apr 4 2020, 09:21 PM 
Apr 4 2020, 06:38 PM
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