Land of fascinating temples and rich cultural heritage, and a country of undiscovered but attractive tropical beaches, Myanmar has plenty of things to please the eye of an adventurous tourist. However, much of the beauty of this Southeast Asian country formerly known as Burma remains hidden behind the curtain drawn by the turbulent situation inside the country, making visiting Myanmar challenging and controversial.
The most famous temples in Myanmar are found in the ruined city of Bagan, which is a suitable day-trip distance away from the former capital of Myanmar, Yangon. This city of six million inhabitants that was recently ravaged by a cyclone is home to Myanmar's most attractive cultural sight, a 98 meters high Shwedagon Pagoda which is said to have spiritual powers. Underlining the religious and cultural importance of Yangon, it hosts also other important Buddhist religious sites.
Nature and culture wonders. The attractions of Myanmar do not end with those found in Yangon and its surroundings. There is also the developing beach resort of Ngapali by the Bay of Bengal, not to mention the culturally interesting Inle Lake, which offers you not only beautiful tropical lake scenery and colorful festivals celebrated on the shores, but also a glimpse of the traditional lifestyle of Myanmar in the fascinating floating villages on the Lake Inle.
Moving around. There is a strict administrative control for moving around in Myanmar. Many areas have restricted access to foreigners, which is why you might not be allowed to visit the destination you would like to see. Adding the challenge, traffic in Myanmar is chaotic and roads are generally in bad condition, especially after the cyclone Nargis destroyed a large part of the infrastructure of Myanmar in 2008.
Weather of Myanmar is hot and humid with steady 30-35 degrees Celsius high temperatures available all year round. Rainy season in Myanmar lasts from June to October and usually contains heavy rain. The best time to visit Myanmar is directly after this period when it is dry, but the heat is not yet at its worst.
Myanmar, Land of temples and of rich cultural heritage
Seen through the eyes of the international tourism, Myanmar is best known for its interesting local culture and fascinating temples, which are available in amazing number and color in this less visited Southeast Asian country.The most famous temples in Myanmar are found in the ruined city of Bagan, which is a suitable day-trip distance away from the former capital of Myanmar, Yangon. This city of six million inhabitants that was recently ravaged by a cyclone is home to Myanmar's most attractive cultural sight, a 98 meters high Shwedagon Pagoda which is said to have spiritual powers. Underlining the religious and cultural importance of Yangon, it hosts also other important Buddhist religious sites.
Nature and culture wonders. The attractions of Myanmar do not end with those found in Yangon and its surroundings. There is also the developing beach resort of Ngapali by the Bay of Bengal, not to mention the culturally interesting Inle Lake, which offers you not only beautiful tropical lake scenery and colorful festivals celebrated on the shores, but also a glimpse of the traditional lifestyle of Myanmar in the fascinating floating villages on the Lake Inle.
The challenge of getting to Myanmar and practical tips
With Myanmar it goes to say it is not alone the pleasure of being there, but also the challenge of getting there that makes this destination unique. Visa is obligatory to all visitors flying to Myanmar, and your passport should be valid for the minimum of six months after your arrival. If you arrive in Myanmar by land from for instance Thailand, purchasing a visa in advance is not obligatory.Moving around. There is a strict administrative control for moving around in Myanmar. Many areas have restricted access to foreigners, which is why you might not be allowed to visit the destination you would like to see. Adding the challenge, traffic in Myanmar is chaotic and roads are generally in bad condition, especially after the cyclone Nargis destroyed a large part of the infrastructure of Myanmar in 2008.
Weather of Myanmar is hot and humid with steady 30-35 degrees Celsius high temperatures available all year round. Rainy season in Myanmar lasts from June to October and usually contains heavy rain. The best time to visit Myanmar is directly after this period when it is dry, but the heat is not yet at its worst.
Photo: Jmhullot, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Also of importance, the hurricane Nargis has lately caused problems in Myanmar, leaving the country in the middle of a long process of recovery and reconstruction.
Flights to Myanmar's old capital Yangon are best available in major airports of Asia, in addition to which you can also travel to Myanmar by road from the neighboring countries. However, as public traffic in Myanmar is not one of the most efficient in the world, and as there are restrictions for foreign travel in the country, be prepared to have patience when traveling to Myanmar by public transport. Taxis are the most comfortable way of moving around in the Burmese cities, and there are also extremely crowded buses available. Rental cars are in most cases not available to foreigners in Myanmar.
Safety. Although Myanmar is not one of the safest places on earth, you should be quite safe if you follow normal caution procedures when staying in Myanmar. Tourism infrastructure in Myanmar is still developing, but big cities such as Yangon offer relatively comfortable services, as well as proper facilities for nightlife and good possibilities for affordable shopping.
From Pagan's kingdom through Burmese times to the Myanmar Era
Myanmar's history is a story of changeable times, and a marching row of kings and emperors gone by. The written history of the county starts in the 9th century from the times of Pagan Kingdom, which was built around what today is one of the most remarkable historical sights of the country. During later years Myanmar, which was then known as Burma, was ruled by the British and as a part of the British Indian Empire until the year 1937, when Burma became a self governing area. Gaining independence in 1948, Burma has been ruled by the military since the 1960s, and the country was renamed Myanmar in 1988.hint See also these nearby destinations: Bagan
