If ‘Myanmar’ doesn’t ring a bell with you, it’s okay – you probably knew it as Burma growing up.
Burma has been going through a lot of changes in recent years, far beyond just changing its name to Myanmar (officially the Union of Myanmar) in 1989. For years it was closed to visitors, as it struggled to achieve true independence from its British colonial past, while simultaneously dealing with internal conflicts between its military/government and some of its 135 ethnic groups.
In 2015 the country enjoyed a brief period of hope with upcoming democratic elections on the horizon and a feeling of optimism both in the country and around the world. This was the time during which the articles below were written, but sadly since that time, Myranmar has sunk back into a time of turmoil and inner conflict.
This is particularly sad because this country’s gifts are many: whether it’s the incredible archaeological ruins of Bagan’s 11th and 12th century temples and pagodas scattered over a 104-square km plain that looks like something out of Tolkein’s Middle Earth, the glittering 2600-year old Shwedagon Pagoda in downtown Yangon, or ‘lake living’ taken to an extreme by the water-dwellers of Inle Lake, Myanmar’s riches rival anything on UNESCO’S famous list.
Want vine-strangled ruins? Visit Inn Dein with over 1050 stupas in various states of disrepair and restoration near Inle Lake. Want incalculable wealth in the form of gold-plated Buddhist shrines and pilgrimage sites? Visit Golden Rock, where gold leaf is literally piled inch-thick onto the surface of the sacred rock as a gesture of devotion by its visitors. Want high-altitude vistas and spectacular geography that will test your trekking stamina? Take a hike into the northern part of the country where you can explore the eastern end of the Himalayas.
But beyond its geographic or cultural treasures, it will be the beautiful people who call this country home that impress you the most. Always ready with a smile, generous (beyond their means, even), the people of Myanmar whom we met couldn’t have been more welcoming. Hopefully they will get to welcome more visitors in the future.
READ MORE ARTICLES ON WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN MYANMAR:
7 Tips to Help Plan a ‘Bucket List Trip’
It's been a little while since Henk and I have planned a 'Grownup Trip', as we like to call them – you know, the kind that takes you somewhere super-special, and will probably cost you that bit extra since you figure you'll 'only do it once' (think safari in Africa,...
