Tamu

Tamu is a town of 44,000 people (2014) in Northern Myanmar near the border with the eastern Indian state of Manipur. Tamu is something of a transport hub for cross-border traffic to India, being just across the border from Moreh. It is also an important commercial town serving Moreh.

Understand

Tamu is the border town and gateway to India's Manipur state, opposite of Moreh on the Indian side. It is also a hub for smuggled goods from Thailand and China which are transported to India. The town is mainly populated by the Burmese, Chin ethnic people, and many others from throughout the country.

It is on the alignment of a proposed railway connecting the two countries.

Get in

India to Myanmar / PersSumo - Dimapur to Imphal - Bus Imphal to Moreh - Crossing to Tamu / No MTT permitted needed (personal report, May 2019) It is possible to go Imphal to Moreh to Tamu and depending on availability, get a bus or minivan going to Kaley or Mandalay the same day. From the No. 1 train platform at Dimapur, walk towards and cross over the pedestrian overpass which is situated at one end of the platform. Once over, go to the bottom of the steps which leads to the platform exit. Turn around and walk towards the vehicle overpass. You can also cross the street at this point and walk along the covered footpath which parallels this street. Just pass the vehicle overpass can be found the shared taxis, sumos, etc., that go to Imphal. (From the No 1 platform, it’s about a 10-min walk). There will be at least one tout that will come to you for your business. I do not know when the first sumo departs each day, but they seem to stop running at about midday. There is also a night service which departs from here at approximately 20:30—arriving Imphal at around 07:00 (not 100% sure). I was the last person needed to fill a vehicle. I paid ₹700 for the last seat, which was the front passenger window seat. The sumo departed Dimapur at 11:45. The sumo goes via Kohima. A stop is made at the border crossing of Nagaland and Manipur states for passport formalities. The sumo arrived in Imphal at 20:00. The final stop for this sumo was at the T-Junction of the AH2 and NH2 roads. (Indo-Myanmar Road and Dam Road). It’s near the Raj Medicity building), and about 750 m west of the YHA. I got a tuk-tuk to Hotel Mayor on Old Assembly Road. Distance approximately 1.5 km. Cost for tuk-tuk was ₹100. Price for a single room was ₹550. Basic but OK for the night. Next morning, at 05:45, I got a tuk-tuk to the shared Moreh Taxi Stand. Distance about 1.5 km from Hotel Mayor. Cost is ₹80-100. The Moreh Taxi Stand is 100 m from and diagonally opposite the Manipur State Road Bus Terminal. Before the tuk-tuk had come to a complete halt, the taxi drivers were all over me like an unwanted rash, all trying to carry my backpack, all saying that I was the last passenger needed, and all were saying that their vehicle would be leaving immediately, even though every vehicle was completely empty of passengers. This annoyed me to the extent, that after putting my backpack on my shoulders, I crossed the street and went to the Manipur State Bus Terminal. Ended up being the better option. (No Bus service on Sunday and public holidays). The bus was scheduled to depart 06:30, but departed at 07:00. Cost is ₹230. Three military checkpoints along the way for passport/visa checks etc. Arrived at the Moreh bus yard/terminal/ final stop at about 10:45. To get to the No. 1 border checkpoint. Exit the gate of the bus terminal, turn right and walk about 350 m to the first military checkpoint for a passport check. Then walk about another 300 m to the point where an iron bridge crosses the river. DO NOT CROSS THE BRIDGE, but continue to walk straight ahead for about 150 m, where a large white building with a large blue sign is reached. Walk through the gates, and 100 m up the hill to the Indian passport/custom office. After these formalities are done, go back to the bridge, walk across, and the Myanmar immigration office is found 30 m further along the road on the right. For me, this was the most painless border crossing I have done for a long time. Friendly and helpful. No MTT permit was required, only a valid visa. Because of the heat and the distance to be covered, I got a tuk-tuk to the Power Guesthouse (Tamu Power Hotel) on Bogyoke Street, Tamu. Tuk-tuk cost was ₹200 (did not bargain because the price seemed about right for the distance). Power Guesthouse price for a single room was ₹525 (10,500 kyat). Room is OK and clean.

By bus

• 1 Buses and minivans terminal, Bo Gyoke Road (right outside of Tamu Market). (updated May 2019)

As of May 2019, there are several daily connections by minivan and bus between Tamu and Mandalay. Between Tamu and Yangon there are at least two daily buses. Also, Kalay has several daily connections to/from Tamu.

To Moreh

State buses from the Manipur State Transport Bus Terminal in Imphal depart at 06:30, at 07:00 and at 13:00 to Moreh.

Get around

On foot

The center of Tamu is walkable.

By tuk-tuk

A trip between the border and the center seems about 2,000-3,000 kyat, but probably cheaper depending on your negotiation skills.

By bicycle

You might be able to rent a bicycle at the 1 bicycle shop.

Buy

Money

ATMs at:

• 1 KBZ Bank, Bo Gyoke Road. (updated May 2019)
• 2 AYA Bank, Bo Gyoke Road. (updated May 2019)

Shopping

• 3 Tamu Market (တမူစျေး), Bo Gyoke Road (near the bus station). The town market is centrally located. (updated May 2019)

Eat

• 1 Lam Ma Taw 3, Bo Gyoke Road (behind Bo Gyoke Park). (updated May 2019)
• 2 Water Park Restaurant, Bo Gyoke Road. (updated May 2019)

Drink

There are several local beer shops around town where men hang out and watch TV.

Sleep

• 1 Power Guesthouse (Power Hotel), Bo Gyoke Road. Seems to have a permit for foreigners. Room is OK and clean. ₹525 (10,500 kyat). (updated May 2019)
• 2 Shesker Motel. (updated May 2019)

Go next

Regular buses exist to:

• Mandalay
• Yangon
• Kalay – About 130 km south of Tamu. Minivans for Kalay leave around 07:00, 10:00, 13:00 and 15:00, for 4,000-5,000 kyat.