Weather: April is the hottest month of the year, with searing heat and arid climate. The average maximum daytime temperature in Mandalay in April is a very hot 38°C (100°F). There are usually 8 hours of bright sunshine each day; about 63% of the 13 hours of daylight.
Expect only about 37 mm (1.5 inches) of rainfall throughout the whole of April, with only about 3 days when it rains. Maximum UV levels will be extreme (11+ UV index) at midday, when the skies are clear. The average night-time temperatures are a warm 24°C (75°F).
Clothing:During the day, especially at high noon, the temperature is burning hot. You can wear a T-shirt, shorts or thin skirt, and wear a long-sleeved shirt to protect from sunburn if you go out at midday. The Water Festival takes place during this month. If you want to join in, please wear dark-colored clothes.
Other tips:
1. As rainfall is rare and temperatures are high, you are recommended not to go out at midday, when temperatures are highest.
2. April is dry and hot, so you should drink lots of water to stay hydrated and keep out of the sun to avoid heatstroke.
3. Ultra-violet radiation is strong by day. Do remember to protect yourself well against the sun.
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Excellent planned and executed Myanmar excursion
Asia Highlights and their local Myanmar partner "mAsia" did an excellent job in planning and execution of a one week trip to Myanmar.The various tour guides and drivers had good knowledge and good command over English. More
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Fantastic tour of Angkor Wat and Siem Reap
We had a fantastic time here in Siem Reap with our guide Chhong and our driver Nikol. We had some issues with pouring rain for our sunrise tour and he quickly pivoted to rescheduling the following day and still getting it fit into our three day stay. Super informative and very gracious. Would definitely recommend this tour company for your visit! More
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2 Days in Siem Reap
Mr. Vimol Chhin is a superb tour guide; his knowledge base regarding Angkor Wat was truly amazing. He made sure that we were in a good spot to view the sunrise! Mr. Vimol is a good communicator, he's fun, he's very punctual, is tuned into what his clients want to see. The added bonus was that he is a spectacular photographer. More
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Things to Do
This month is the hottest in the year, with low precipitation, so it's better to do indoor rather than outdoor activities.
Hot as it is, there is a festival which could cool you down, Thingyan. The Burmese are extremely friendly and are genuinely happy to see foreigners visit. They appear to especially appreciate tourists taking part in their national festival. So, just join in and have fun!
Water Splashing Festival
Thingyan is essentially a celebration of the rice harvest, marking the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season. Traditionally, it falls in the middle of April, the driest time of the year. It lasts four days and ends with welcoming in the Burmese New Year.
The first three days comprise the Water Splashing Festival. During these days, people throw water at each other, since the people of Myanmar believe that Thingyan water has power to cleanse the evil and sins of the old year.
In Mandalay the streets are lined with 'water stations' and people wait for passers-by in order to drench them. Buckets, pots, bowls, water pistols and hoses are used to soak pedestrians.
Almost the whole population is in a happy mood; they roam around the city in cars or on foot, throwing and splashing water at each other. Tourists appear to be a prime target and their drenching generates a lot of laughter.
Official stages are set up in cities and towns all over the country; usually near the Irrawaddy River and lakes, to ensure a steady stream of water. Each stage has around a hundred hoses for paying guests to aim at the revelers dancing below and the steady stream of trucks slowly driving by.
Bands and DJs blare out music. Special Thingyan songs play all the time. Some pavilions have raised platforms for traditional dance performances.
Tips:
1.Remember to put your belongings into waterproof bags when you join in this festival.
2. If you would like a totally crazy festival, you could possibly rent an open-topped truck armed with several barrels of water for joining in.
3. Remember to wear dark clothes.
Burmese New Year
The last day of Thingyan is Burmese New Year. On this day, people put on their new or best clothes, then assemble at the local Buddhist temples, such as Mahamuni Buddha Temple and Shwenandaw Monastery, where the monks chant Buddhist scriptures.
Afterwards, a symbolic water-splashing ritual is enacted whereby a Buddhist statue is brought out with pomp and ceremony. Water is then coaxed out of the temple into the courtyard. Finally, the statue is splashed with water. This important ritual is called 'Bathing the Buddha'.
In any case, it is a special time of year for all Burmese – an occasion of much playful fun and partying, but also a time for spiritual reflection. You shouldn't miss it.
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