Myanmar Travel Information - What To Wear

Travelling to Myanmar is not quite the same as planning a beach vacation in Thailand. Myanmar, sometimes known as Burma, has been out of the mainstream of SE Asian tourism for long time. In 2011 there was a huge increase in arrivals with about around 300,000 visitors - but in comparison to Thailand's 14 MILLION arrivals - this is a sleepy backwater. 

What does this mean for the tourist? You're a bit unusual if you stick to the tourist spots of Yangoon, Mandalay, Inle Lake and Bagan. If you venture outside of these you are a lot unusual and you will be stared at and commented on anyways. 

If you happen to European, blond, tall or have a beard or curly hair you will garner even more interest - as the locals are none of these. 

Arguably Myanmar is one of the world's most Buddhist countries, with over 85% of the population claiming allegiance to the ancient religion.  Buddhist tend to dress modestly, and Myanmar is one of the few countries in the world where you will see the majority of the population, still wearing the traditional long sarong-like garment known as the longyi, which looks similar to a sarong or dhoti worn in other countries in Asia. 

For a tourist - this means that the Burmese don't walk around half naked.

What does half naked mean? Basically male or female you should be walking around topless - even menwith shoulders and upper arms exposed (no shoe string tops) bare midrift - no hipsters or cut off tops 

Most local women will wear long skirts, longyis (which are ankle length) or trousers. Men will wear trousers or longyis. 

Yes I know its hot - and you can probably get away with wearing shorts - but bring long ones: to the knee or below. 

Every time you visit a building, pagoda, stupa, or home, you need to remove your shoes. And your socks if you are wearing them. You do NOT want to be wearing shoes if you are sightseeing - instead you need slip off sandals, tevas or similar, which you can easily remove and either take with you or leave at the temple entrance. 

There is however no prohbition about covering you head in religious areas, or indeed a requirement to do so. 

For Myanmar for a month long trip I'd pack something like 

• 3 shirts, short sleeve  
• one warmer top for a/c buses and the northern hills  
• 2 pairs of mid-calf 3/4 length pants  - 
• sarong - or buy a longyi in Yangoon. I always have a sarong with me because its so useful as a cover up on the way to the bathroom, a sheet, a towel or even a bag 
• one pair of tevas or other lightweight shoes (I personally can't wear thongs all day walking)  - 
• one pair of light weight walking shoes  -
• two pairs of socks, 3-4 pairs of underwear  -
• one swim suit - 2 piece tankini for women - can double as underwear 
• sun hat