Weather and Seasons in Myanmar (Burma)

The country Myanmar formerly known as Burma is located in the Indo-china peninsula. It is a land locked country but the lower part is connected with Andaman Sea. It is one of the ASEAN countries. In the 1960s Yangon (Rangoon) city received the most beautiful city in South East Asia. It is naturally rich country. The neighboring countries are Bangladesh and India in the west, China in the south East, Laos and Thailand in the East. The northern part of the country is adjacent to Himalaya mountain range. Therefore the northern part of the country there is snow yearly.

For tourist interest there are also beautiful beaches in the lower part of the country namely Ngapali, Chaungtha, and Nwesaung beach are the most popular ones. The government had opened the country to Tourism. In 1996, the country opened as “Visit Myanmar year.” A good number of Tourists often visit Burma yearly. The national Major income also depends on Tourism. There are ancient cities and Pagodas which attract more tourists. And in relation to religious studies, the Theravada Buddhism has opened a religious school in Yangon which offers Post graduate studies in Buddhism. There are Westerners, religious seekers studying in the country.

There are three seasons in Burma. They are rainy season (June – September), cold season (October- February), and hot season (March –May).

In rainy season, the country receives various amount of rain depending on the part of the country. In Danintharyi, Mon, and Kayin State, annually they receive 120 inches and above. Therefore, the most plantations are rice and Rubber. In Yangon and Ayeyawaday Divisions they receive about 100 inches annually. But in the middle part of the country as Mandalay, Pegu, Magwe divisions receive only less than 40 inches annually. The remainder states such Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Shan, and Kaya receive about 80 inches rainfall annually in average.

In cold season, the country receives cold and pleasant weather. In Mandalay which is known as one of the hottest city in Burma is 30 degree Celsius in average through the whole year. But in the mountain provinces like in Chin state and Kachin state in the month of December and January, sometimes it reach 0 degree Celsius. Basically throughout the year, the weather is pleasant in mountain provinces.

But in the hot season, particularly in the low land summer (hot) season is too hot. To the worst, there is no 24/7 current supply except in the hotel and business offices, so it is quite hard to persevere the summer heat of Burma.

Therefore if you would like to visit Burma someday and would be able to arrange your own schedule, try to visit in the season of cold. You will find it fantastically great. The weather during that period is just perfect. Wearing slippers is also common. Especially if you got a plan to visit Buddhist pagodas, you had better wear slippers (flip-flop) because you are required to put off your shoes as you enter the campus of Pagodas. And one thing you should take note is that during the cold season which is called hi-season in hotel terms, hotel rates used to get higher so it is good to book long beforehand if you are sure to visit Burma.