Myanmar: What to Know Before You Go

Cuisine Highlights

• Mohinga, thin rice noodles in fish broth with lemongrass and banana stem; the unofficial national breakfast dish
• Shan noodles, rice noodles with minced pork, tomato, sesame oil, and pickled vegetables from the Shan Plateau
• Tea leaf salad (lahpet thoke), fermented green tea leaves mixed with fried garlic, peanuts, sesame, and lime; uniquely Burmese
• Htamin jin, sour fermented rice mixed with tomatoes and potato; a tangy Burmese street staple
• Toddy palm sugar, used in desserts; harvested from palm trees and tastes of caramel with a floral note

Traditions & Festivals

• Thingyan (Water Festival, April), Myanmar's New Year celebration; streets become days-long water fights across the country
• Thadingyut (Festival of Lights), celebrates Buddha's return from heaven; homes and pagodas are lit with oil lamps and LEDs
• Ananda Temple Festival (January), thousands of pilgrims gather at Bagan's famous pagoda for one of Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist events
• Balloon Festival in Taunggyi, massive lantern balloons are launched into the night sky; a breathtaking spectacle

Language & Communication

Burmese (Myanmar language) is official. English proficiency is limited outside major cities like Yangon and Mandalay but improving in the tourism sector.

"Mingalaba" (မင်္ဂလာပါ) is a warm greeting meaning "auspiciousness to you." Locals are exceptionally warm and patient with foreign visitors.

Cultural Etiquette

• Remove shoes before entering pagodas, temples, and many homes, socks are also removed at religious sites
• Dress very conservatively at religious sites, long pants or longyis (sarongs) and covered shoulders required
• Use both hands or the right hand when giving or receiving items; the left hand alone is considered unclean
• Monks hold the highest social status, stand aside and give them priority seating on public transport