Planning a trip to Myanmar or simply want to learn more about this unique country? We’ve put together a list of top 15 interesting things about Myanmar that we learned while exploring the Golden Land – an exotic and unspoiled travel destination that can leave a long-lasting impression on any visitor.
1. Burma or Myanmar?
Many of us might still remember old geography books where Myanmar was referred to as Burma. That is how the country was called during the British rule which lasted from 1824 to 1948 when Burma gained independence from the United Kingdom. After gaining independence, the nation was ruled by a harsh regime under the military junta. In 1989 Burma changed its name to Myanmar and the name of the capital from Rangoon to Yangon. Many democratic governments didn’t recognise the junta’s rule or its authority to rename the country and therefore didn’t recognise the country’s new name. For example, the United States government continues to use the name “Burma.” To put it simple – Burma is the old name, Myanmar is the new name of the country.
Click here to find out the best photography spots in Myanmar?
2. Everyone wears longyi
As soon as you walk out of the airport building after arriving to Myanmar the first thing you notice is that Burmese men wear skirts wrapped around their waists in a way similar to wearing a sarong. Very soon you learn that this is a Burmese traditional piece of clothing called longyi which is actually worn both by men and women. People here wear it everywhere and for any occasion. We were later told that women skirts are called “longyi”, those for men are called “pasu”, but the name longyi is used in general.
3. Betel leaves
One of the first unusual things we noticed after arriving in Myanmar were red stains on the streets. Then you notice that many Burmese men have red teeth too. Naturally, we were wondering what is the cause of it but very soon we solved the mystery and found out that those red stains are nothing else but betel leaves – a mild stimulant that the locals like to chew. The leaves cause their mouths to water, which in turn is mixed with the red dye of the substance. People then spit this out onto the floor causing red stains along the street.
4. Thanaka
another interesting thing that every tourist will inevitably notice while visiting Myanmar are thanaka-smeared smiling faces. That is exactly the picture that first comes to our minds when we think about Burmese people. Thanaka is Myanmar’s beauty product, a special mixture of powdered bark that comes from a particular tree, which is used mainly by women and children as sun screen. Many believe that this wooden paste has also antibacterial and anti-aging properties. So why not give it a try when you visit the country?
5. License plates
an easy way to find out who sits behind the wheel on Myanmar streets are license plates. Cars in Myanmar have licence plates with different colours: red is for taxis, yellow for monks and black for all other cars. An interesting thing is that yellow plate cars don’t pay any road or bridge tolls.
6. Imperial measuring system
Myanmar is one of the three countries never to adapt the metric measuring system. Alongside the United States and Liberia, height and distances in Myanmar are still measured in inches, feet and miles and weight is measured in pounds.
7. Non-standard time zone
Unlike other countries where time zones are adjusted to gain or loose whole hours, Myanmar has a non-standard half an hour time zone – GMT +6.30. If you for example arrive from Bangkok you will need to subtract 30 minutes to get the correct local time in Myanmar. Not many countries in the world have half an hour time zones. The only two countries to share Myanmar’s odd time zone are India and Cocos island.
8. Getting the waiters attention
One of the unusual things about traditional restaurants in Myanmar is that waiters may not respond unless you make a kissing sound at them. This might be unacceptable and very rude in your country but it is completely normal in Myanmar.
9. The capital of Myanmar
Mandalay is not the capital of Myanmar. Neither it is Yangon. The capital of Myanmar is actually Naypyidaw. The biggest city in Myanmar – Yangon served as the country capital until 2006, when the military government relocated the administrative functions to the purpose-built city of Naypyidaw in central Myanmar.
10. People and languages
Myanmar is home to more than 135 different ethnicities and more than 100 native languages. From Kachin and Chin languages in the north, Burmese, Shan, Padaung, Rakhine in the central part, and Mon and Karen in the south, some languages have dozens of sub-languages and dialects.
11. Ban for motorbikes
There is a ban for motorbikes in Yangon. Hard to imagine this one in Asia but it’s true – there are no motorbikes in this city, which makes Yangon downtown overly congested with buses and taxis. Only government officials and police are allowed to ride motorbikes. Officially the reason for the ban is traffic safety, however according to an urban legend – a military official was upset by a gang of motorcyclists who either insulted the official or damaged his car.
12. The oldest stupa in the world
Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is believed to be founded 2600 year ago which would make it the oldest stupa in the world. Today it is one of the most important places of worship in Myanmar and attracts pilgrims from around the country. The 99 meter high structure made of solid gold plates tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies contaiting eight strands of Buddha’s hair in its foundation and a 75 carat (or 15 gram) diamond on its top is truly an incredible place to visit.
13. The extraordinarily Burmese alphabet
For us as Europeans, an incredibly interesting thing we found about travelling in Myanmar was their beautiful writing system. It is a Brahmin script, which is a family of writing systems used throughout the Indian subcontinent, South East Asia and parts of East Asia. A letter in the Burmese script is a consonant or a consonant cluster that occurs before the vowel or syllable. Burmese alphabet has 33 letters and it uses segmental writing where consonant vowel sequences are written as a unit. An interesting thing is that Burmese alphabet is also used for the liturgical language of Sanskrit.
14. Lacquerware in Bagan
If you are in Bagan make sure to check out the beautiful lacquerware sold by the locals. Lacquerware is traditional crafts for this area and you will be amazed by how these products are actually made. Bamboo strips, wood or even horse hair are used to shape the frame of the final products, then coated with 7-16 layers of lacquer and decorated with natural colours. Producing a good quality lacquer piece requires considerable skill and detailing and it can take 3-6 months for a single piece to be finished.
15. UNESCO World Heritage
24 years after the first nomination for listing, on 6 July 2019 Myanmar’s ancient capital of Bagan was officially inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Dating back to the 11th century, the site consists of more than 2500 Buddhist monuments which attract growing number of tourists every year.
We hope that you enjoyed this list of 15 interesting things about Myanmar but we believe there is so much more to learn about this country. If you have already visited or if you plan to visit in the future, feel free to share with us what you have discovered!
Planning a trip to Myanmar? Then make sure to check out our article: Things you should know before you go to Myanmar.
And make sure to get your travel Insurance before you go to Myanmar. We highly recommend World Nomads for adventurous travellers.
With Love,
Jelena and Luke
Like this post? Then make sure to pin it!
Note: this post may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through them we will get a small percentage fee which comes at no extra cost to you, but will help us maintain this blog and deliver you free quality content.