Silk and Stones Travel

Myanmar Shopping, Restaurants, Reading, Activities

 

Marble Sculpturing in Mandalay

Myanmar Resources

Review the restaurants, hotels, shops, books, articles, and activities to help you find just the right spot on your trip for the perfect dinner, shop, museum, or spa.  The names in bold are Silk and Stones Travel favorites.  Check the Myanmar Country Information for key facts about Myanmar.


NEW:  Myanmar Recipes - this is the start of favorite Silk and Stones Travel cuisine, including our cooking class specialities.


Visa:  The Myanmar Visa on Arrival started this spring is now suspended.  Until that process is reestablished, please fill out the “Pre-Approved Visa” Application Form and return to Silk and Stones Travel allowing at least 10-15 working days.  The “pre-approval”  will be returned to you to be submitted to your airline before boarding and then at the Yangon or Mandalay airports with 2 passport photos and $30 upon arrival.  Any other border crossing requires a visa from the Myanmar Embassy prior to arrival.  Many international visa agencies also provide a service to obtain a Myanmar visa, but require substantial lead time to ensure receipt of the visa. 


Tipping:  At local restaurants, approximately 200 kyats per person, and at international hotels, approximately 500 kyats per person.  For outstanding service, leave a bit more.  For baggage handling, US norms are appropriate, especially in the four and five star hotels.  In smaller hotels and guesthouses, 200 Kyat/bag.   Hotel housekeeping staff is $3 per person per day. An average tip for a van driver is $1.50 per person per day.


Airport Tax:  There is an airport departure tax of $10 per person


US Embassy:  For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Security information can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. To 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  The Embassy is located at 110 University Ave, Kamayut Township, Rangoon.  The Embassy's phone numbers are (95-1) 536-509, 536-756, and 538-038.  The Consular Section’s extension is 4240, and email address is consularrangoon@state.gov.  The Embassy’s after-hours emergency numbers are the same as above, all followed by extension 4014.  The after-hours mobile phone number is 09-512-4330 (calling inside Burma) or 95-9-512-4330 (calling outside Burma).  The Embassy’s hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday (except U.S. federal and Burmese holidays).


Festivals:

  1. • Myanmar Water Festival (April) - the nation’s biggest and most extensive festival, lasts 4-5 days

  2. •Thadingyut Festival (October) - on the full moon day of the lunar month celebrated with lighting candles at pagodas.  In Yangon entire streets are illuminated with electric bulbs for walks around the neighborhood

  3. •Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival - the procession of the royal barge around Inle Lake along with leg rowing competitions between villages on the lake

  4. •Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival - an elephant dance with life size white paper elephants

  5. •Tasaungmone an dTasaungdine festivals in November witth homes, buildings and streets illuminated.

  6. •Kahtein - balloon festival at Taungglyi in November.

  7. •Ananda Pagoda and Karen New Year in December at Ananda Temple in Bagan


Yangon Shopping:

  1. 1.Scott’s Market, also known as Bogyoke Marke, built in 1926, is a colonial gem with inner cobblestone streets with antiques, art, handicrafts and gems.  More than 2000 sthops with Burmese handicrafts, at good prices relative to other Asian countries.

  2. 2.RSD Fine Arts Cottage, U Myint Oo and Daw Than Than in the old market:  3440, 438 West A Block, Bogyoke Aung San Market, 242590, has local art work

  3. 3. Seri Beauty and Health - several locations in Yangon, try 3118, Dhamazedi Rd, Bahan Township, 95-1-527382. 

  4. 4.Myanmar Lacquerware Shop - #7, 13th St, Lanmadaw Township, 95 1 226261, myatkhine@mptmail.net.mm or myatkhine1966@gmail.com

  5. 5. Bonton Handicrafts Shop - #149/150 Central Arcade, Bogyoke aung San Market, 95-1-384573, another stall with art work in the market

  6. 6. King Peacock Art, U Tim Shwe, and another art shop at 10 B-Block, Westwing, Bogyoke Aung San Market, 951-240966, x764

  7. 7. Monalizar Lin Pearl Jewellery, 321 Main Street, Bgyoke Market, 256411, x457

  8. 8. V’s Creations - custom made gold and silver jewelry at the Summit Parkview Hotel, Shop #1 211888, x176

  9. 9. Golden Valley Art Centre - U Myint Lwin 2 Peter, art gallery with several buildings of contemporary Myanmar art at 54/D Golden Valley Art Centre, 95-1-513621

  10. 10. RSD, Fine Arts Cottage, U Myint Oo and Daw Than Than,#440, 438 West A Block at the Bogyoke Aung San market 242590, stalls with Myanmar contemporary paintings

  11. 11. Fine Arts Cottage, Tin Tin Aye, #36, Two Storey Building, Bogyoke Aung Sa Market, 5115159, art in the old market

  12. 12. Gentle Fine Arts Cottage, Htay Hlaing, #48 Two Storey Building, Bogyoke Market, 242235, another arts stall in the old market

  13. 13.New Zero Art Space - features a series of one month residencies throughout 2010 to foster exchange between local and foreign artists at No 54 (1-E), Bo Yar Nyunt St., Dagon Township, (0)1 000802

  14. 14. Love Letter souvenir shop in Summit Park Hotel,

  15. 15. Akha Handicrafts Centre at Scotts Market.  Great Akha ethnic textiles and headdresses:#12 East (A) Block, 01-240966, x312

  16. 16. Mas Gems and Jewelry - small jewelry shop in Bogyoke Aung San (Scotts) Market in downtown Yangon - 3138 Nawarat Hall, 0951 78522, masjewellery99@gmail.com

  17. 17. Tameetaw - for Masala, India spice mixtures in the Indian wholesale market.  #619, A Block, Thein Gyi Zay, 315, Konezaydane Street, Pebedan Township, Yangon, 240600, x 256

  18. 18. Sun Myanmar Elephant House - versatile and high quality furniture and hand crafted accessories make with traditional Burmese materials.


Yangon Restaurants:

  1. 19. Feel Burmese and Shan Dishes - 973-48783

  2. 20. 19th Street, Chinatown - outdoor restaurant//bars for a snack and Myanmar beer

  3. 21.Le Planteur - lovely, tropical garden setting or elegant 19th century building for a taste of French Indochine, 22 Kaba Aye Rd, (0) 541997

  4. 22. The Guitar Cafe - live music, international menu of beers, art installations, and in-house bands, founded by renowned Burmese musician, Nay Myo Say at 22 Saya San Rd, Bahan, (0) 550105

  5. 23. Monsoon Restaurant - wonderful Southeast Asia cuisine at 85-87 Theinbyu Road, Botatoung Township, +95 1-295 224, 765063,.  Manager is Phyu Phyu Tin, monsoon-ygn@myanmar.com.mm

  6. 24. Green Elephant Restaurant - #519(A) Pyay Road, Thirimingalar Lane (Attia Road), Kamayut Township, (95-1) 535 231, greenygn@myanmar.com.mm

  7. 25. Thiripyitsaya Sky Lounge - overlooking panoramic views of Yangon 20th Floor, Sakura Tower, 339, Bogyoke Aung San Road, 255 277

  8. 26. Padonmar Restaurant - set in a renovated colonial house with old world charm, serves great local and unusual British INdian dishes.  78C Inya Rd

  9. 27. House of Memories - Myanmar cuisine in a historic building once home to members of Burma’s independence movement.  Stunning views of Shwedagon Pagoda.  290 U Wizata Rd.

  10. 28. 50th Street Bar and Grill - eye-catching colonial facade, comfortable interior, and extensive beverage selection.  01 397 060

  11. 29. The Music Club - an upscale club in Parkroyal Yangon with a popular Filipino band. 


Yangon Hotel/Guesthouse:

  1. 30. The Governor’s Residence - cool, leafy green former colonial residence with wood decks, fretwork, pool and orchid garden.  Lovely verandah overlooking the pool, 35 Taw Win Rd, Dagon Township (0) 1 229860

  2. 31. The Strand Hotel - traditional hotel with good shops

  3. 32. The Chatrium - across from the lake, Japanese owned and influenced.  Business class, great views across the moat and palace grounds to Mandalay hill.

  4. 33. Kandawgyi Palace Hotel - 208 rooms on the lake, used by OAT

  5. 34. Inya Lake Hotel - escape the crowds of Yangon for Inya Lake.  Elegant Buddhist architecture, teak furniture, and beautiful natural surroundings.

  6. 35. Savoy Hotel Yangon - 129, Dhammazedi Road, Yangon, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Tel: (+95) 1 526289, 526298, 526305, E-Mail: generalmanager@savoyhotel-yangon.com


Yangon Acivities:

  1. 36. Panditarama Meditation Centre, on of a few sites for foreigners to experience meditation practices at 80-A, Than Lwin Rd, Shwe-gon-dine, Bahan

  2. 37. National Museum Yangon - contains rooms with Royal thrones, musical instruments, and old calligraphy.  66/74 Pyay Road,

  3. 38. Myanmar Gems Museum and Mart - top floor has gem museum, but the biggest stones have recently been moved to the new capital

  4. 39. La Source Beauty Spa - some of the city’s best facial and body treatments.


Bagan Shopping:

  1. 40. Ever Stand Lacquerware Workshop, U Maung Maung & Daw San San Win, between Old Bagan and Nyaung Oo, Wet Kyi Inn Village, 95 61 60214

  2. 41. Thanakha Gallery and Internet Cafe - lovely, air conditioned, clean gallery and cafe.  Great internet service, Corner of FIT Road  & Main Road, Tike-kon Quarter, Nyaung Oo, 061-60179

  3. 42. Royal Myanmar Handicrafts Shop - pretty, clean and organized shop.  Ask for Khen Hnyna Aye who speaks fluent English.  On  Main Road and corner of 5th St, Kyansithar Quarter, New BAgan, 95 - 09-502-4169 or 09 - 6831749

  4. 43. Golden Cuckoo - exception, exquisite lacquerware workshop and shop at Myin Ka Pat Village.  Email goldencuckoo@mandalay.net.mm or phone 061-65156

  5. 44. Bagan House Lacquerware Workshop and store run by Maw Maw Aung who speaks fluent English and takes Visa purchases at #9 Jasmine Road, New BAgan, +95 -61-65324, or Mobile 09-50-97211, mamawbagahouse@gmail.com

  6. 45. Shwe War Thein Lacquerware and antiques near the east entrance of Old Bagan, Taung Pe village, 02-67032 or shi@mptmail.net.mm

  7. 46. Royal Myanmar Handicrafts - pretty, well organized shop with air/con at Main road and corner of 5th St, Kyansitthar Quarter, 95 09-502-4169 or call Khen Hnyna Aye at 09-6831749 (has a sister living in US and is fluent in English)

  8. 47. Kaung San Art Gallery at Htilomilo Temple - traditional sand painting, kakungsan.bagan@hotmail.com


Bagan Restaurants:

  1. 48. The Black Bamboo in Nyaung Oo Township has indoor and outdoor seating, traditional Burmese, Thai and Chinese cuisine, and the best coffee in Bagan


Bagan Hotels/Guesthouses:

  1. 49. Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort, Myo Khaing Manager, (95 61) 60048-9, in the BAgan Archeological Zone,

  2. 50. Aye Yar River View Hotel, used by OAT


Mandalay Shopping:

  1. 51. Aung Nan Handicrafts Workshop, at #97 Mandalay Sagaing By Pass Road, Pyitawthar quarter, Chanmyathazi Township

  2. 52. Sun Flower Traditional Arts and Crafts Shop - dealer in rare and antique Myanmar arts.  Wonderful shops at 27th St, between 74 and 75 St.  Email is mariemin@mandalay.net.mm or mdyswan @mptmail.net.mm

  3. 53. Shwe Sin Tai Silk House, U Than kyaw, Daw Tin Tin Lay, silk weaving and dying in traditional style, Maung Dan Quarter, Amarapura, T/S, 200 1596

  4. 54. Silver Ware & Jewellery Shop, U Ba Mhin and Daw Khin Lay, 66th Rd, between 26th and 27th St, 02-60530 on Sagain Hill

  5. 55. King Galon Gold Leaf Workshops and Show Room, U Ohn Maung and Daw Aye Aye Myint, #143 36th, bet 77 and 75, Myet Parr Yart, 02-32135

  6. 56. Pho La pyae Handicrafts workshop and retail shop - owned by U Aye Thwin, on Saging Road, Tampawaddy Pancahn,  02-70619 or 09-5019372 or 09-2022353

  7. 57. Golden Cuckoo - most finely detailed lacquerware workshop in Mandalay.  Go to learn about quality.  Only cash, but can arrange shipping:  Myin Ka Par Village, 061-65156, goldencuckoo@mandalay.net.mm

  8. 58. Shwe War Thein Handicrafts near the east entrance of Old Bagan, Taung Pe Village, 02-67032, shi@mptmail.net.mm


Mandalay Restaurants:

  1. 59. Small River Restaurant, Khin Mg Yi, at Innwa Ancient City, 09-2042399

  2. 60. Green Elephant Restaurant - great traditional cuisine just two blocks from the Sedona Hotel, No 3 (H) Block 801, 27th St between 64 and 65th, Aung Daw Mu Quarter, (95-2) 612 37, greenmdy@mail.mandalay.net.mm


Mandalay Hotels/Guesthouses:

  1. 61. Rupar Mandalar Resort, new all teak hotel in traditional Myanmar style, No A-15, Corner of 53rd and 30th St, ChanAye Thar Zan Township, 952-61 553

  2. 62. Mandalay Hill Resort

  3. 63. The Hotel by the Red Canal, used by OAT


Mandalay Shopping:

  1. 64. Pho La Pyae Handicrafts Workshop - well recognized embroidery shop with an annex with trabal necklaces and items.  Saging Road, Tampawaddy pancahn, 02-70619

  2. 65. U Ba Mhin-Daw Khin Lay Family Silverware Handicraft workshop - Ywa Htaung, Sagaing, No. 2-J, 072-21304 or Corner of 66th and 24th in central Mandalay, near the Sedona Hotel, 095-02 35635

  3. 66. King Galon Gold Workshop - see the gold leaf process, No 143, 36th St between 77 and 78th, Myet-Parr-Yart, 02-32135


Mandalay Activities:

  1. 67. Mintha Theater, classical Myanmar Dance with a full 8 piece orchestra, 27th St, Bet 65 and 66 St, 09-6803607


Inle Lake Shopping:

  1. 68. Khit Sunn Yin, Lotus, silk and cotton dying and hand weaving, Myint Thein Tun (a) Ko Nge, East Quarter, Innpawkhon, Inle Lake

  2. 69. Red Mountain Estate Vineyard, #39, 71/2 Mile Road, Pyay Road, Mayangone Township, Myanmar, +95-1-2035632 (c)

  3. 70. Aung, paper umbrella and fans, Pyitawtha Quarter, Pintaya, Shouthern Shan Sttae


Inle Lake Area Restaurants:

  1. 71. Green Tea Restaurant - wonderful traditional restaurant overlooking the lake at Pintaya Village, Shwe Oo Min Cave Road, Singaung Quarter, Pindaya, 081-66344 (restaurant), 66345 (office and fax), myintzaq-na@myanmar.com.mm


Inle Lake Hotels:

  1. 72. Inle Princess Resort, Yannick & Misuu Borit General Managers, lovely calm resort at the north end of Inle Lake, Magyizin Village, 209-055, 209-364, 209- 365.

  2. 73. Inle Lake View Resort


Inle Lake Activities:

  1. 74. Eleven Inle Travel Desk

  2. 75.Aythaya Wines - Wine Tasting at Myanmar’s 1st Estate Vineyard offering Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Muscat. +95-81 14536.  The property includes a restaurant, guest rooms and swimming pool in the Shan hills about 30 min drive from Inle Lake.

  3. 76. Red Mountain Vineyards - dine in the vineyard and savor the country’s finest cuisines and wines

  4. 77. House Building - Help an underprivileged family in the Inle Lake area.  spend the morning assisting the community’s residents as they build a new house for a local family.  In the afternon, visit a local school where the student’s warm smiles and friendly greetings offer a heart warming experience.


Kengtung

  1. 78. Kengtung offers numerous hilltribe treks.  At an average elevation of 5000 ft, the town surrounds Naung Tung Lake and is surrounded by mountain ranges.  Local tribes include Shan, Burmese, Thai and Chinesee, and distinctive ethnic groups such as Akha, Ann, Wa, Palaung and Lahu.  Allow several days for the full experience, including Hwe Lon Akha village, and an afternoon hike to Ann minority tribe village with a stop at Lone Tree Hill.


Myanmar Reading List:

  1. 79. Finding George Orwell in Burma, Emma Larkin

  2. 80. Everything is Broken:  the Untold Story of Disaster Under Burma’s Military Regime - Emma Larkin

  3. 81. From the Land of Green Ghosts, Pascal Khoo Thwe, HarperCollins, 2002 -- an excellent biography of a young man from the Paduang tribe who escaped, and became an accomplished teacher and author.

  4. 82. The Voice of Hope, Aung San Suu Kyi, A personal reflection on Myanmar by the Noble Peace Prize winner, with collaborator, Allan Clements.

  5. 83. In Buddha’s Land, Moe Min, An essential to the practices of the most Buddhist of all the Southeast Asia countries.

  6. 84. Burmese Days, George Orwell, Reflections from his experiences as a British officer in Burma during the last days of British rule.

  7. 85. The Piano Tuner, Daniel Mason - a captivating tale of a piano tuner in the jungle of northeast Burma in early British colonial days.

  8. 86. The White Umbrella

  9. 87. “End Burma’s System of Impunity, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, New York Times, May 27, 2009--a recent article in the NYT on the human rights abuses in Myanmar

  10. 88. Flavors of Burma: Cuisine and Culture from the Land of Golden Pagodas (Hardcover) - by Susan Chan.

  11. 89. Good Question, Good Answer - S. Dhammika, a simple, small book with answers to frequently asked questions about the practice of Buddhism.

  12. 90. “Myanmar’s Politics and Economy-A New Day Beckons, Sort Of”, The Economist, August 21, 2010, p 34.

  13. 91. The Trouser People-A Story of Burma in the Shadow of the Empire- Andrew Marshall.  Compelling, exciting review of Burma’s exploration during the Brit colonial period, updated with recent study and analysis.

  14. 92. “China’s Relations with Myanamr-Welcome, Neighbor” - The Economist, Sept. 11, 2010, p 52

  15. 93.  Myanmar/Burma-Inside Challenges, Outside Interests, Lex Rieffel, Brookings INstitution Press and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation 2010--an analysis of Myanmar with insights about national reconciliation, relationships with India and China

  16. 94. Than Shwe:  Unmaksing Burma’s Tyrant, Benedict Rogers, Silkworm Books, 2010, 256 pages

  17. 95.“Myanmar’s Than Shwe - A tyrant nobody knows”, The Economist, Sept. 4, 2010, p 90

  18. 96. “Road to the Past”, Robert Turnbull, Southeast Asia Travel and Living, June 2011, p. 120-127

  19. 97.  An interesting video clip: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/2009/03/000000_outlook.shtml

  20. 98.  Where China Meets India:  Burma and the New Crossroads of Asia, Thant Myit-U, Faber and Faber, 2011

  21. 99.  Article on the rise of the Kyat currency in Myanmar:  http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2011/08/myanmars-currency




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