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The expanded and updated 2nd Edition of the Utopia Guide to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar & Vietnam offers a remarkable insider's glimpse at the gay and lesbian scene in 18 cities including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Yangon/Rangoon, Phnom Penh, and Angkor Wat/Siem Reap. Enjoy savvy comments and recommendations from local Utopians, as well as gay travelers. Click here to order
Myanmar, formerly Burma, is still under military rule. Travelers will need to make up there own minds about whether or not they feel its right to visit, given its current political climate. Many positive signals have been welcomed recently, including the release of political detainees. Never-the-less there still seems to be one step back for every two steps forward.
One thing is for certain, the people of Myanmar want you to visit. Money that you spend there goes directly into their hands to improve their lives. Many of the people you encounter have studied English (they have already placed their bets on Myanmar’s brighter future) and they are very happy for any contact with foreign visitors.
Myanmar seems frozen in time, but expect everything to change rapidly once the country fully opens. Until then you can see Asian daily life as it existed more than a century ago. Almost everywhere that tourists are allowed to visit is going to be very safe. You must take shoes off to visit any sacred site, so consider easily removable footwear (and a wet towel to clean feet).
Women and men still wear charming wrap-around longyis (sarong) as standard attire and decorate their faces with pale yellow powder. The farther upcountry you go, the more colorful tribes you will encounter (“Myanmar” describes all of these various peoples, whereas the Burmese are just one of dozens of ethnic groups that comprise the nation).
Whether you decide to visit Myanmar now or not, it should definitely be on your dream itinerary for Southeast Asia.
When you travel to Asia and Burma, you may not be able to find a gay cruise or resort you can visit that will accommodate your needs. If tropical trips aren't your thing, you can take a ski vacation to one of the more mountainous countries in Asia.
Comments from Utopians:
"The largest gay festival in all of Asia is held yearly at Taungbyone, about 20k north of Mandalay, for a whole week! It is held the last part of Aug, the six days up and including the full moon. Thousands of people from all over Myanmar gather to celebrate the Taungbyone nats (spirit mediums). All the gays from all over Myanmar go up. Hundreds of gay Thai cross over to attend, too. Last year a large group of gays from Singapore attended. While Taungbyone is religious by nature, it is in fact largely a gay festival. Almost all nats in Myanmar are gay. Also many fake nats show up just to join in the party! For six days people dance, eat, and drink. The area is covered with food tables and shop stalls. Roving dance groups cover perform all day and night. The atmosphere reflects that of Carnival in Brazil or in the Caribbean. During these days you can do what you feel, not what you have to do during the rest of the year. For this reason many males 'come out' during these six days. Foreigners wishing to attend need to have a local go with you. Many guides or drivers will go. And don't be afraid of telling them that you want to go because of all the gays there. They understand. To read more, google 'Taungbyone'." -- Nikom, Mar 28, 2008
PO Box 37 Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50202 Thailand, E-mail: myomin@cscoms.com. Aung Myo Min serves as director of this committee established in mid-1996. His guiding passion for empowering lesbigay communities manifests in confidential workshops organized with gay Burmese activists who manage to go regularly to Thailand.
Email. Offering gay-friendly travel arrangements exclusively in Myanmar (Burma). Most tours are arranged on a private and individual basis to offer total travel freedom. See the sunset at the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, cruise on the famous Irrawaddy River, visit awesome Bagan and Mandalay, glide across serene Inle Lake, or relax on unspoiled tropical beaches. Utopia Member Discount
Comments from Utopians:
"We used the travel services of Mandalaytravel over the holidays. Most professional, very very friendly and cost-effective service. Our guide and the office staff were fabulous. Exotic Burma has a lot to offer to Utopians." -- ZAR, Jan 6, 2007
119/5-10 Surawong Rd, Bangkok, (662) 238-3227, FAX (662) 634-0292, email. Asia's oldest and largest gay tour company offers hundreds of options using local English-speaking guides throughout Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), India, China, Singapore and Bhutan. Specializes in programs focusing on culture, cuisine, adventure and aesthetic improvement programs. Utopia Member Discount
PO Box 593 Ashmore City, Gold Coast, Australia, (61-7) 3103-2434, (61-4) 2419-5456, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly tours to Myanmar. English speaking team of travel agents and tour guides who organise individual and private tours, custom made tours, group tours, hotel and flight bookings exclusively in Myanmar. Member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. Utopia Member Discount
Yangon is like no other city in Asia. It is the definitive setting for an exotic “far east” movie set; a bustling, dusty, and color-splashed city blending nostalgic influences from India, Tibet and Persia into its ancient cultural fabric. The people are simply amazing to look at. Classic colonial facades give way to diamond and gem-encrusted spires of zedis (temple stupas) around which daily life orbits.
Have high tea at the classic Strand Hotel, wander the shady markets in the afternoon and then head to the glimmering Shwedagon pagoda before sunset. Here, amidst prayer halls, spirit shrines, and monumental bronze bells, take a moment to sit and watch the crowd of families, tourists, pilgrims, school children, monks, nuns, and worshippers as they flow through the golden light.
Yangon has a population of over 5 million (that's more than 200,000 Utopians).
Comments from Utopians:
"I was in Yangon in mid-Dec. It was very quiet. There were no soldiers in the city. The people are still very friendly and, indeed, with eye contact you may meet nice guys." -- Mariner, Jan 10, 2008
There are no gay bars or nightclubs in Yangon. However, the following places should be friendly for gay and lesbian visitors.
BME II (mixed)
Yangon International Hotel, Ahlone Rd. A mixed friendly crowd and the gay men just blend in with them. Some cute Burmese guys go here. Busiest on Fri and Sat nights as early as 10pm (occasional crackdowns order most clubs to close by midnight).
Club Pioneer(mixed)
Yuzana Garden Hotel, Alan Paya Pagoda Rd (opposite La Pyayt Wun Plaza and The Grand Plaza Park Royal Hotel). Busiest on Fri and Sat nights. Mostly a young, trendy crowd, some transgenders, and charming Burmese guys.
Ko Ko's
9 Sayar San Rd (near Mr. Guitar), Bahan Township. The first PLU cafe and bar in Myanmar. Ko Ko is a famous hair-stylist with five hair salons around Yangon.
Lion World (mixed)
Corner of Anawyatar St and Shwedagon Pagoda Rd. It is upstairs on a balcony overlooking the street. Gays gather at the bar although it is not obvious that it is a gay bar at first.
Comments from Utopians:
"The Lion World beer garden is still a meeting place" -- Mariner, Jan 10, 2008
Pioneer (mixed)
Yuzanna Garden Hotel (opposite Sofitel Hotel). Best on Fri and Sat nights with plenty of trendy young people and usually a gay crowd. On other nights the disco is usually empty.
Silver Oak Cafe (mixed)
83/91 Bo Aung Kyaw St, 299-993. The front is a Ko Ko hair salon, the club is in the back. Live music club with very friendly staff. Local food and drinks. Two blocks from The Strand. Busy from 8pm onwards.
The Strand Bar (mixed)
92 Strand Road, Yangon, 243-377. Not gay, but the place to be on Fri nights for trendy locals, expats, and visitors alike. Cozy seating and excellent service. Great range of cocktails, wines and spirits, cigars and snacks. Happy Hour special prices. Pool table.
Cool Cutz
2/F Maha Bandoola Gardenstreet. If you enter the street from the Sakura-tower side, it's about 150m on the left. Man-to-man massage.
Aungsan National Sports Stadium
National team dormitories under stadium and restaurants surrounding. Soldiers, police and athletes. Take someone with you who can speak Burmese.
Fitness area at the Olympic swimming pool is a hangout for local gay people. Facilities are very poor (don't expect a proper shower) and equipment is ancient.
Inya Lake park.
J-Donuts
Shwe Bon Htar St at Dagon Centre is cruisy in the day and early evenings 5-7pm on weekends especially. -- eye contact is crucial. Once you make contact, you'll find a friend. Beware of the hustlers but most times they just want to get to know a foreigner who will help sponsor them and help them get out of a life of tyranny and unemployment.
Lake Kandawgi -- vicinity of Kandawgi Hotel.
Mahabandoola Park area, at night.
Pedestrian overpass at Thein Gyi Zay in the evenings between 7-9pm. If you make a new friend, head to nearby Lion World Beer Garden for a drink.
Comments from Utopians:
"The pedestrian overpass is still an meeting place for gays." -- Mariner, Jan 10, 2008
Rock Heart cafe on top of the FMI center is cruisy.
Scott's Market
There is a small terrace with a coffee corner at the far-right end of the market -- a good place to sit and watch passersby.
Sedona Hotel (Mediteranian, Chinese, Italian)
Silom Village (Thai)
Local branch of this popular Bangkok restaurant.
The Strand Café(Myanmar and international)
92 Strand Road, Yangon, 243-377. Their Myanamar set lunch is a great introduction to local cuisine, including seasonal specialties like a fantastic tomato salad with crunchy peanut dressing, savory butterfish curry, and delicious sweets. Their daily high tea is also a wonderful way to relax during the heat of afternoon while you absorb the ambiance of this classic colonial-era hotel.
The Strand Grill(Myanmar and international)
92 Strand Road, Yangon, 243-377. The cities most elegant fine dining in a refined, exotic interior. Excellent service from charming staff.
Traders Hotel (Chinese, Japanese)
May 2008
What's Up In MYANMAR
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Burma/Myanmar Gay & Lesbian News
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VIROTH'S Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia...
