Myanmar

MYANMAR

Being famous to the world as ''The Golden Land'' for its fertile land, wealth of minerals, distinctive culture and 2,600 years of Buddhist civilization, Myanmar possesses too many ''golden'' treasures to combine in just one visit.

WHY
MYANMAR

Nature

There are nine national parks throughout Myanmar with Alaungdaw Kathapap National Park in Sagaing Region - the largest at 160,500 hectares. This is home to a large population of wild elephants and other rare species like the Clouded Leopard, jungle cats, the Himalayan Brown Bear and the Sun Bear among others.

History

Early civilization in Myanmar dates back to the 5th century and reached its peak of power in the 11th - 15th century. There were two Myanmar empires founded: the First Myanmar Empire in Bagan and The Second Myanmar Empire was founded in the mid-16th Century. After more than 100 years under the colonial administration of Japan & England, Myanmar has become a sovereign independent state since 1948.

Culture

With 135 different ethnic groups with rich history and panoply of cultural and religious traditions. The Burmese have preserved traditional values with a close-knit family system and respect for elders still powerfully observed. Myanmar people are fun-loving and festivals form the center of Myanmar social life, with each month having its own festive occasion. Myanmar people are also known for their sense of hospitality and friendliness to visitors.

Architecture

A (massive) exception to the architecture are the Buddhist temples and pagodas that can be found in every corner of Myanmar. The sheer number of them – leading Myanmar to be called ‘the land of a million pagodas’.

Food

Myanmar food reflects many different neighbor nationalities. The cuisine is less spicy than you usually find in Southeast Asia though it is influenced by neighboring countries: Thailand, India and China – particularly in the north. Local cuisine has a quite strong flavor but if you are used to Indian and Chinese food, you will find your enjoyment here.

Weather / Quick facts / Useful FAQs

BAGAN

Most tourists will plan to visit both of these treasures of Myanmar, and the connection between the two cities is easy and convenient now not only by air. Stretching over 41,000sq km with 4,000 thousand relics, BAGAN is an irresistible attraction, where every temple or stupa is a unique piece of art and belongs to a different time, so the masters had made them diverse with their own creativeness. At sunrises and sunsets, visitors can contemplate the sun hanging over a horizon, prolonging above thousands of stupas and temples; many tourists will also wait for the high season to book an expensive balloon to get the best view here.

Using bikes or horse-carts instead of vehicles in order to keep the area clean, quiet and not to scare the locals’ cattle.

Staying at a hotel near the river, enjoying local food with the locals, strolling around Nyang-U and visiting Swezigon pagoda at sunset time.

Giving jobs to the locals by traveling to/from Mandalay via night deluxe bus, or riverway when possible, instead of flights.

Great place for meditation, religious tours, education tours and theme tours about fine-arts.

MYANMAR