Visitors to Myanmar’s former capital of Yangon can now rediscover the cultural heritage and colonial-era charm of the Governor’s Residence. The historic 1920s mansion closed three years ago due to the pandemic but re-opened earlier this month under new management.

Now part of the Memories Group, the property has been given a new lease of life, ensuring the legacy of this historic landmark is preserved for future generations.

Nestled in a leafy area of Yangon’s diplomatic quarter, the Governor’s Residence has been meticulously restored to reflect its original character. In addition to luxury accommodation, the hotel offers fine dining options and a sophisticated bar surrounded by lavish gardens. For more information and bookings, contact: Asian Trails Myanmar.

After a three-year hiatus, the Yangon Excelsior will once again open its doors on 1 December 2023. The luxury hotel, famed for its modern design and refined services, is the only boutique five-star accommodation option in the heart of the former capital. The property remains in excellent condition, having been maintained by staff who have been with the property since its 2018 opening.

A fusion of colonial and modern style, the hotel is housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building that once belonged to the Steel Brothers Company, a former mining and agricultural conglomerate.

Featuring a sophisticated restaurant and bar, spa facilities and a private space for up to 100 guests, the Yangon Excelsior is located within easy reach of Sule Pagoda and other historical landmarks in the colonial heritage district.

For the re-opening, 35 of the hotel’s 114 rooms will be available for booking. For more information, contact our team at: Asian Trails Myanmar.

Myanmar has introduced visas on arrival for Chinese and Indian tourists. This new visa option will ease the process of entry for nationals of the two Asian nations who intend to visit Myanmar for the purpose of tourism only.

Allowing stays of up to 30 days, the visa on arrival will allow tourists from China and India to travel freely within parts of the country that are open for foreigners, but some areas are restricted for security reasons. Travellers must enter/exit Myanmar via the international entry/exit gates at an international airport to obtain a visa on arrival. Visa extensions will not be permitted and fines will be levied to those who overstay.

Chinese and Indian tourists should prepare the following documents to obtain a visa on arrival:

• A completed Visa on Arrival form (to be obtained at the airport on arrival);
• Two colour photos (1.2 x 1.5 inches);
• Visa on Arrival fee of USD $50 per person.

While in the country, travellers must respect and comply with Myanmar’s existing laws and procedures.

The country’s tourism ministry is also working to attract travellers from Russia through improved aviation links.

Our Myanmar team remains on hand to help with any enquiries.

Asian Trails’ CEO Laurent Kuenzle and our Myanmar managers recently enjoyed an exceptional lunch prepared by a unique group of talented young people in our Yangon office. Myanmar Deaf Chefs (MDC) cooked up a feast of delicious dishes which went down well with those who attended.

MDC is a non-profit NGO founded by former Asian Trails’ customer relations manager Maurizio Mandl, who sadly passed away in 2019. Maurizio’s spirit lives on through our existing and former staff who have driven the expansion of this life-changing development initiative which gives deaf youth the opportunity to secure jobs with a living wage and integrate successfully into society.

Started in 2013 by Maurizio and co-founded by Nilar Tun with only six trainees, 150 students have since completed apprenticeships and secured positions at restaurants and hotels, with many award winners. Additional to full-time duties keeping our Myanmar office fully operational, our staff are engaged in supporting other charitable causes.

Laurent said: “It is truly inspiring to see the expansion of this excellent project. It will continue to provide opportunities that better the lives of deaf young people.”

Please contact us if you want to help with donations and our Myanmar country team will facilitate the aid.

A small village near the temples of Bagan in Myanmar continues to get important health care through an Asian Trails’ CSR activity. For 10 years, we have sponsored the visit of a doctor, four times a month on Saturdays, to rural Zee O so locals can get vital treatment and prescription drugs. Most residents of the agricultural community do not have health insurance and the nearest clinic is 28 km away along a predominantly unpaved road.

Asian Trails’ CEO Laurent Kuenzle who recently visited Zee O said: “The doctor’s visit significantly improves medical provision for residents of this remote district, especially the weak and elderly. Asian Trails is pleased to sponsor this ongoing health intervention.”

Please contact us if you want to help with donations and our Myanmar country team will facilitate the aid.

Asian Trails’ CEO Laurent Kuenzle recently attended a water donation near the temples of Bagan in one of Myanmar’s most drought-prone regions. Although residents in Zee O village can access well water, the quality is poor, so as part of our CSR activities we regularly supply potable water from a tanker. This raises the quality of life as locals face a long trip by ox cart to source reservoir supplies.

The donation is overseen by our Bagan branch office manager Sai Wunna. Rural Zee O lies on a dusty, arid plain, with perennial water shortages outside of the monsoon season from mid-May to late October.

Laurent said: “Most people take water for granted and just turn on a tap. Being part of a water donation and seeing villagers taking care and thanking us for this precious commodity humbles me.”

Please contact us if you want to help with donations and our Myanmar country team will facilitate the aid.

Myanmar has lifted all COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements for foreign visitors, effective 1 July 2023. Travellers just need to submit a health declaration form, as well as proof of medical insurance upon arrival at a port of entry. Those without insurance will be required to pay for a policy with a Myanmar insurance company. Arrivals will also be subject to thermal screening on entry to the country.

These entry requirements are subject to change. We recommend contacting your nearest embassy or consulate for the most up to date entry requirements. For general enquiries, our team at Asian Trails Myanmar is happy to assist.

As part of our corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in Myanmar, Asian Trails has supported the Mary Chapman School for the Deaf in Yangon for over 20 years. One of the most recent CSR projects to benefit this institution was conducted by Pamela McCourt Francescone’s organisation, Link for Aid. The initiative involved giving eight deaf children smartphones, followed by training from an Italian professional photographer on how to capture the best images.

The children then spent a week taking photographs of ‘Their Yangon’ – an exercise to see how they perceived their home city. Collectively, they took an impressive 18,000 images. This creative output resulted in a book called ‘Silent Yangon’ and a movie entitled ‘The Sound of Images’. This can be accessed at: https://bit.ly/3Cuj82t Link for Aid is a non-profit NGO that helps to improve the lives of marginalised children in Cambodia and Myanmar. To make a contribution to the Mary Chapman School for the Deaf, please access: https://lnkd.in/gR-rh-dU 

Myanmar is a country that has become a role model for our ‘giving back’ initiatives. Asian Trails’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes play a major role in this nation as we work to repay the hospitality of our hosts and help local people through sustainable endeavours that benefit the less fortunate.

Two particular CSRs of note are a care home for the elderly in Yangon and a water donation project in Zee O near Bagan.

Situated near Yangon’s iconic Kandawgyi Lake, the Little Sisters of The Poor Home for The Aged is a care home for over 140 elderly residents unable to care for themselves. It is run by a devoted group of catholic nuns who bring comfort into the lives of their aged compatriots.

Asian Trails helps this non-profit, faith-based organisation, with food and medicine supplies. Christmas is a highlight date when our Myanmar team delivers Christmas cheer with song performances and seasonal gifts.

Another Asian Trails’ CSR activity helps a village near the temples of Bagan with the essential source of life. Rural Zee O lies on a dusty and arid plain that encounters perennial water shortages outside of the monsoon season from mid-May to late October. This area receives just 30 per cent of Yangon’s average yearly rainfall.

To help combat this microclimate drought, our team accompany a tanker truck filled with potable water to supply residents’ drinking water needs during the dry months.

Asian Trails is pleased to support communities in Myanmar during these difficult times. Please contact us if you want to help with donations and our country team will facilitate all aid provision.

Dear colleagues and friends

Several weeks have passed since the lives of all of us in Myanmar have been turned upside down. Since 1 February 2021, nothing is as it was before.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported us during these challenging times whether it was by email, phone etc. Your thoughts and words are helping to cope with a very trying situation. We hope that a mutual solution can be found for the betterment of all of us but especially the wonderful people of Myanmar.

My team in Myanmar really hope that we can soon talk again about more positive things and that guests will eventually return to the Golden Land and experience once again one of the most enchanting destinations Asia has on offer.

Kind regards

Thomas Carnevale
Managing Director
Asian Trails Myanmar