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 INFRASTRUCTURE:
Myanmar’s infrastructure cannot be compared with her more developed
neighbors like Thailand or Malaysia. Although remarkable improvements in
this respect have been achieved during the last 10 years, traveling in
Myanmar can still be rather adventurous and smooth sailing cannot be taken for
granted. However, Bo-Tree Travel's clients can rely on our commitment to
solve any problem that might occur. |
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a.) Road transport:
During the last 10 years extensive construction efforts led to dramatically
improved roads and bridges. An example might illustrate that: Until the mid
90s' there was only one bridge across the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River, Myanmar’s
principal stream - it had been built under the British in the 1930s(!). During
the last few years, four new bridges across the Ayeyarwaddy have been opened
for traffic or are nearing completion. Simultaneously existing roads have been
broadened and long stretches have been asphalted. The total length of asphalt
roads in the country at the end of the 20th century exceeded 6,000 miles.
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The number of cars and buses increased dramatically; generally the quality of
the vehicles also improved. Nowadays it doesn’t constitute a problem to
travel the country by bus or car on fairly good roads - except in some remote
areas, as, for example, Rakhine state. The 'rattletraps' of old of the of
former monopolist Myanmar Tours and Travels have been replaced by modern buses
with air-condition, sometimes even including toilets.
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Another rather welcome development is the availability of taxis that were quite
a rarity not too long ago - especially in Yangon foreigners nowadays can
be quite sure to find a taxi at any time of the day. The density of
traffic has increased considerably - however, compared to neighboring
countries Myanmar is still a 'driver’s paradise', as a Burmese friend
of mine pointed out not too long ago. By the way, right-hand traffic has
been introduced in the 1960s but more than 30 years later most of the
vehicles still have the steering wheel on the 'wrong' side, so to say...
b.)
Air traffic:
Until the early 1990s all domestic air transport was handled by the
government-owned Myanmar Airways of ill repute. Since then two private
airlines, Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways, have entered the market and
have introduced a hitherto unknown degree of punctuality, reliability
and service to the local air traffic. |
Contrary to the formerly inevitable delays, which were more the rule than the
exception, these two private companies have achieved amazing punctuality
statistics. They are operating with modern ATR airplanes from France which have
to regularly undergo safety checks. Besides the major destinations Yangon,
Mandalay, Bagan and Heho these airlines also regularly call at more remote
airports like Sittwe (Rakhine State) and Kyaingtong (eastern Shan State).
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Whenever possible, Bo-Tree Travel uses those two airlines and tries to
avoid the state airline. However, some out-of-the-way airports are only served
by the state-owned airline - in this case we have to swallow the bitter pill...
International air traffic has improved as well. In former times the only way to
go to Yangon was via Bangkok (except using 'exotic' airlines like Aeroflot or
Bangla Desh's Biman).
Nowadays Yangon is connected to several destinations in
neighboring countries. Apart from the national carrier of Myanmar several well-known
carriers from neighboring countries such as Thai Airways or Malaysian Airways
are serving the nation’s capital, Yangon, directly. Air Mandalay also serves
some airports in Thailand. However, an intercontinental air link is still on
the 'wish list'... |
c.) Railways:
Rail journeys in Myanmar
are tiresome and time-consuming. Therefore most
of the visitors leave rail transport out of their considerations. However, even
on this sector improvements can be recorded: Sleeper cars are available,
cleanliness has taken great strides and - yes! - there is even a private
railway company offering an improved service. Unfortunately, delays are still
the rule. The main line from Yangon to Mandalay is the backbone of Myanmar
Railways' extensive network. Two switch-lines to the Shan Plateau (Thazi -
Shwenyaung
and Mandalay - Lashio) bear some importance for tourists. The latter line crosses
the famous Gokteik Viaduct, reputed to be the second highest in the world. |
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Most of the traffic is covered by diesel engines, but steam engines still are a
regular sight on some branch lines. Myanmar Railways operates network of more
than 2,600 miles that is steadily being extended.
Recently, with the
inauguration of the last leg between Pyay and Satthwa, the Yoma Beltway was
completed, enabling travelers to circle this central mountain range.
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However,
it will most probably still take some time until the railway can get its share
of tourist traffic.
d.) River traffic:
What has been said about the railways is true as well for river
travel.
The state-owned Inland Water Corp. (IWC) maintains an extensive network
of routes; however, river travel is rather slow. Except for the route
Mandalay - Bagan the IWC's ships are not very popular with tourists.
A few years ago various private companies launched a number of ships of
different sizes and standards that are now mainly used by tourists. Among those
ships the 'Road to Mandalay' (RTM), which had plied the Rhine River for several
decades under the name of 'Nederland', is the most luxurious.
This air-conditioned luxury cruiser offers an
international cuisine of high standard and - hardly to believe in a country like Myanmar - a swimming pool on the
upper deck. In short, the RTM’s passengers can feel at home aboard the
ship.As most of the other private ships the RTM mainly plies the sector Mandalay
- Bagan. Unfortunately, the RTM’s sightseeing program is rather short. |
Those who want to have a closer look at the life near the
Ayeyarwaddy River are well advised to book a land-based
extension.
Another shipping company is the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company (IFC)
of old-time glory: Their 'Pandaw I' and 'Pandaw II' offer good
standards, as well as the 'Irrawaddy Princess'. Thanks to their
low draught IFC’s ships are also able to travel beyond
Mandalay and up the Chindwin River. |
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Recently another line has been added: the Delta Princess sails from Yangon to Pathein regularly. The boat trip in the Ayeyarwady delta is rather different from the boat trip Mandalay - Bagan. The river is not so wide in the delta and there is more to see during the trip.
From Pathein travelers can continue by car to the beaches at Chaungtha or the newly developed beach resort at Ngwesaung. |
e.) Further means of transport - the bicycle:
Yes, Myanmar can be explored by bicycle as well! However, to avoid
difficulties the route should be discussed with the local authorities
well ahead of the trip as quite a few roads are off limits for
foreigners and road conditions are sometimes not encouraging as well. |
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