Real perception of Myanmar (page 2 of 4)

So I’d love to hear your general thoughts. Were you disappointed? Or, on the contrary, did it meet your expectations?

Surprised, delighted, back in 2012... I’m going back tomorrow after all these years...

Tastes and preferences are personal, after all.

Fair enough. But with 600 euros, while you’re at it, you can spend three weeks in Myanmar. Try doing the same in France, Belgium, or Switzerland with hotels, transport, and meals.

600 euros for three weeks in Switzerland? Never... or you’d be sleeping on benches. An Ibis hotel in Switzerland (for reference) averages 130 CHF. More expensive than Hong Kong. A meal averages 20 CHF. 😉 But I think you were talking about Europe in general.

If you can afford a flight ticket costing several hundred euros to go to Asia, you shouldn’t quibble over 15 or 20 euros for a hotel room.

Totally agree... travelers who arrive in Myanmar from Thailand and complain that a Coke costs $1 or that accommodation is too expensive are either clueless or have serious money issues. I’ve seen quite a few like that in Myanmar who can’t accept that it’s pricier than the rest of Southeast Asia...

I can’t help but think that some Burmese must see us as total idiots when a grubby backpacker haggles hard over $3 or $5 off a room or a few cents off a street skewer (I saw this in 2012 in the country... yes...).

As for the rest of the topic, having traveled a lot in Asia—especially Southeast Asia—I’d say Myanmar is the most beautiful country I’ve visited in the region. The people are friendly, and there’s so much to see everywhere....

the more we risk losing authenticity

Hi there, Could you share your definition of authenticity and what "loss" means to you?

minglabar

I just got back from Myanmar, and after spending 34 days there, I can say that hotels are definitely the biggest part of the budget. I opted for dorms, which are really nice and decent. Next up were bus trips, then meals, which aren’t too expensive—a dish costs between 1,000 and 2,500 kyat depending on the region, which works out to about $0.70 to $1.70. In total, I spent just under 740 €, including $18 for the extra 6 days and the visa.

That seems reasonable to me, since I’m not familiar with other Southeast Asian countries.

chrystelle

Hi Christelle, I’m writing because I’m planning a trip to Myanmar in October for 26 days, but I’ve started looking into it and it seems like the travel times are pretty long. I was thinking of arriving in Bangkok, then taking a flight to Yangon for 2 days, heading up to Mandalay, visiting Inle Lake and Bagan over 10 days, then making my way down to Hpa-An and crossing back over the Thai land border. I usually get around by bus or even train. I stay in guesthouses, and if you’ve got any cool recommendations, I’d love to hear them! I eat street food or at local restaurants. I’m traveling without any preconceptions and just going with the flow of the people I meet. Looking forward to hearing back! Cheers, Marie-Jo

I did this exact route at the end of February. I’d recommend flying from Bangkok to Mandalay and then heading south. I visited Yangon between Inle Lake and Hpa-an. To avoid long bus rides—and given my age—I took domestic flights twice. 😏Obviously, it’s more expensive.

hi

I’m going to post a message about my itinerary and the addresses of the hotels I stayed at.

That’s what sharing on the forum is all about—I got my ideas and more or less my whole route from here.

I flew from Nice to Bangkok, then the same day to Yangon. I went back up to Mandalay for my return flight to Bangkok.

It’s better to fly Bangkok to Mandalay and then work your way down, visiting Bagan, Inle Lake, and Hpa-An before heading to the Thai border. chrystelle

Thanks so much for the reply! I’m also in the "senior" age group, but I prefer public transport. I’m going to start preparing my trip. marie-jo

Hello, thank you so much—this confirms my idea of taking a flight from Bangkok to Mandalay and then heading down from there. I’m wondering about returning via the land border—are there any issues crossing through northern Thailand? I was thinking of going further south, around Sangkhlaburi on the Thai side.

Another question about the visa: I’ll get it done in France, but since my flight will be coming from Bangkok? I also plan to book my flight to Mandalay from France.

Sorry to bother you, but I’ve been to India twice, Thailand once, then Cambodia and Sri Lanka last October, and I never had any trouble planning things. This time, I’m completely lost... I only started traveling at 61, and I love it! I plan things roughly because I go with my gut and follow my whims. For example, in Cambodia, I only had time to do the Tonlé Sap lake tour, which I loved, along with Siem Reap. In Sri Lanka, in a month, I didn’t even have time to go north. I can’t wait to hear your recommendations—if they’re not too expensive, I’m happy to stay in dorms. A month always feels too short, but it’s better than nothing. I have a small pension, and I do night shifts on the side to pay for my trips. Some might say that since I’m paying 700 € or even 480 € for my ticket by going through Bangkok, I could spend more there. My on-the-ground budget will be 800 €—is that doable? Thanks for the answers!

Hi,

Those who do the classic circuit are often disappointed. Those who venture off the beaten path are really happy.

"Officially, there were 4.5 million visitors to Myanmar."

This figure is official, but in reality, half of them are business visas reclassified as tourist visas, which are easier to obtain.

I totally agree with you. Yes, places like Nyaungshwe, Bagan, or Mandalay have lost some of their charm in my eyes, unlike spots such as Mrauk U, Phekon, Khamti, Hpa An, Kaleta, Mindat... and many more. And I think there are still other wonderful places in Myanmar, far from the classic tourist sites. I already have a little idea for my next trip in October.

It also depends on how you visit so-called tourist spots.

I haven’t been to Myanmar yet, but we spent 10 days in Siem Reap. Out of those, 5 were at the Angkor site—by waking up a little early or going in the opposite direction of the tourist buses, we were often alone in the temples. When I look at my photos, there’s often not a single tourist in sight (okay, fine, at Bayon I waited a while for there to be no one 🙂).

Being alone in Bagan must be possible too

Yes, it's possible in Bagan—the site is so vast, and there are fewer tourists because of the earthquake.

Avoid March and October—lots of Chinese tourists.

hi

I got my visa from France via e-visa with my flight from Nice to Bangkok then Yangon—no issues entering Myanmar.

chrystelle

Hi there,

Of course, there are more and more tourists in Myanmar. It's up to you to get closer to the locals to discover the real Myanmar. Try cycling around Bagan among the temples while exploring the countryside, opt for small family-run restaurants, and stay in small hotels instead of 5-star ones... Don’t hesitate to wander through the colorful markets and, most importantly, share smiles with the Burmese people. Enjoy Inle Lake, but also take walks in the surrounding countryside to discover villages and their inhabitants...

I spent 5 weeks alone in Myanmar, organizing my trip myself without any agency. I have excellent memories of it, and above all, I always felt safe. I also made great connections with both locals and travelers from all over the world. Have a great trip!

Hi there, Two years ago, I spent 26 days in Cambodia, which I loved. The Cambodians are very welcoming. Accommodation is cheap and good quality. I visited Siem Reap twice—once on the way there and once on the way back (I was coming from Thailand). I only did the lake tour, and I really enjoyed it. Okay, it’s true that the landscape is flat and might not interest everyone, but the Cambodians are so welcoming (I’m repeating myself…). Getting around by bus isn’t expensive, but if you want to go off the beaten path, you can take motorbikes or tuk-tuks. I spent 800 € total for 26 days, all included. I attended two weddings (apparently, March is wedding season). In March, the rice fields are dried up, but there are so many people to meet, and quite a few Cambodians speak French. Good luck with the preparations! marie_jo

Hi there, I might be jumping in a bit late to the discussion, sorry about that! I’ve taken two long trips to Myanmar, so if you check out my blog, you’ll find quite a bit of info and photos. It’s true that there’s less demand to go there now, and hotel prices have really gone up. The Burmese people are lovely and super helpful—venture a little off the beaten path, and you won’t be disappointed. Just look it up online: dobledou travel in myanmar If you’ve got any questions, don’t hesitate! Safe travels

Thanks so much, Marie José—I was already sold, but you’ve just confirmed my choice. It’d be for next March, so perfect for wedding season, and too bad about the rice paddies 😉. Have a great evening, Christelle

Hi Marie-Jo, I’ve written quite a few articles about Myanmar, a country I really loved. Feel free to check them out on my blog and ask me any questions you might have. Hope you have an amazing trip in this incredibly welcoming country...

http://maglobetrotteuse.com/carnets-de-voyage/asie/birmanie

hi

did you see I posted my itinerary on the site?

chrystelle