Myanmar – Burma – Birmanie – Birma or - the Golden Land

Article for E-Turbo News from UNITEAM T&T Head Office, Yangon, Myanmar; 09-Feb-2004

“There is the old Shwedagon”, said my Companion. The golden Dome said “This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about.” R. Kipling 1889, Letters from the East

Mystical Myanmar – a phrase chosen by the Myanmar Tourism and Promotion Board, a Committee of different private companies of the tourism sector, to promote the country is definitely the perfect short description of a destination, which is to most world travelers still a big white spot.

Myanmar, neighboring state to Thailand is surrounded by the big Asian Nations India and China and looks out of the Indian Ocean. Myanmar with the size of France and England together has around 52 Mio inhabitants and is one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most diverse countries. It stretches from the blue crystal clear waters of the Andaman Sea in the south to the Eastern corners of the Himalaya. Thick jungles, snowcapped mountains and incomparable beaches all combined with a 2000year old history. Ancient cities with spectacular monuments tell stories of old heroic cultures. Still today exist around 135 different ethnic groups. 92% of the population are Bhuddist, while 4% are Christian and 3% Muslim. Most religious holidays are recognized and respected.

To visit Myanmar is to step into another world of spellbinding aromas, sights and sensations, with a truly unique atmosphere. Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, is a melting pot of the traditional and the contemporary, true Burmese culture melding with a colonial legacy still present decades after the departure of the British. The city’s pulse beats to the rhythm of its streets, bustling with what makes the country so special: its people.

Let yourself be inspired by stately processions of monks robed in saffron and purple, shaven headed nuns seeking alms, and elegant Burmese ladies adorned with yellow thanaka paste. Young and old linger gossiping in teashops smoking traditional fragrant Burmese cheroots, dressed as they have been for centuries in their traditional longyis or htameins. The beaches are almost uniquely unspoilt for this part of the world, and Ngapali beach is perhaps the most typical of all. You can relax in the shade of palm trees, wander on the silver sand, watch the fisherman at their daily catch or just let the breezes from the Bay of Bengal clear your mind.

Wherever you go you will catch glimpses of times past, real or imagined, but it is the hospitality and friendliness of the people of this “golden land” which is most striking – their tolerance of different religions and cultures, respect for each other and heartfelt smiles. It is this perhaps more than anything else which makes Myanmar the unique and fascinating country it is.

The main highlights to mention are:

BAGAN : Myanmar’s greatest wonder, this ancient deserted city alongside the Ayeyarwaddy River is home to over 2000 temples and pagodas covering an area of around 40 square km. This world-heritage site is one of the most important and remarkable archaeological sites in Asia, and represents the spiritual heritage of ancient Burma.

MOUNT POPA : Otherwise know as the "flower mountain". Steep stairs lead up the 737m high extinct volcano with pagodas and small temples perching at the summit. This, the abode of Myanmar's most powerful nats (sacred spirits) provides an entrancing view across the plains of upper Myanmar.

MANDALAY : The last capital of the Burmese kingdom and Myanmar’s second largest city. It is considered the country’s cultural heartland and is an important trade center. It is home to some of Myanmar’s most important pagodas as well as its finest handicraft workshops. Three ancient capital cities, Ava, Sagaing and Amarapura, are within easy reach of Mandalay and well worth a sidetrip. Just across the Ayeyarwaddy River and a short but fascinating boat ride away is Mingun, home to the worlds' largest bell and the earthquake-ravaged base of an unfinished pagoda, which would have been the tallest in the world.

PYIN U LWIN : Formerly a British hill station located in the Shan hills east of Mandalay at 1070 m above sea level. It features many examples of colonial architecture, transport in traditional stagecoaches and a beautiful botanical garden. It is also called the "city of flowers" as flowers bloom here all the year around, and its forested country lanes provide a welcome respite from the heat of the plains.

INLE LAKE : A very shallow lake, only 2 to 3 m deep, surrounded by high plateaus and overlooked by the misty Shan mountains. The lake is home to the Intha people, among others, who have adapted to their watery environment by building whole villages rising in stilts from the shallow waters. Lake dwellers have become famed for their unique leg rowing technique, and grow an array of flowers and vegetables in picturesque floating gardens and fields, tended by workers in canoes. Inle Lake is 22km long, about 11 km wide and lies a comfortable 875m above sea level.

YANGON (Rangoon) : The capital of Myanmar since 1885 when Mandalay's short period as the center of the last Burmese Kingdom ended. The city, today with a population of over five million, is lined by the Yangon River on the west and the Bago River on the south. Yangon gives a different impression from other Asian cities of similar size and it seems full of green and trees over which tops the shimmering stupas float. The most famous and most reverted monument in Yangon is the glittering Shwe Dagon Pagoda and a must for every visit to Myanmar. The Downtown area features still a lot of old and large colonial buildings left over from the former British times.

KYAIKTIYO : Is one of the most interesting and sacred Buddhist sites of Myanmar. The sacred boulder, covered in gold leaf, is balanced precariously on the very edge of a cliff. The legend says that the rock maintains its balance due to a precisely placed Buddha hair in the 7.3m high stupa that caps it.

MRAUK U : Once the capital of the powerful Rakhine Kingdom with a 3000-year history. In the 16th century it was an important free trade port, and is now an archaeological complex with several very interesting buildings and temples. The most impressive is the massive Shittaung temple that shrines 80.000 images. Its interior walls are engraved with over 1.000 Buddhist figures.

Myanmar has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons: the cool season from October to February which is dry and with temperatures ranging from 21C to 28C; the hot season from March through May with average temperatures in the 30s and occasionally over 40C; the rainy season from end of May to the beginning of October with frequent short rainstorms and humidity.

Two very reliable Airlines both fly throughout Myanmar to various destinations. While flying is for sure the easiest way to travel between the highlights of this country, the railway or overland buses, running through the country, are a cheap way to get around and to know people and country for those who bring some more time. The best way to travel Myanmar is with a well organized tour by one of the many tour-operators, who are based mainly in Yangon. They are able to arrange everything from a regular tour, visiting the main highlights of Myanmar up to wild water rafting or sailing and diving cruises.

You can obtain a tourist visa for Myanmar from any Myanmar Embassy or Consulate world-wide. Travelers arriving via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Hong Kong might be able to obtain their tourist visa within one day at the local Embassy of the Union of Myanmar. Visas are valid for 28 days.

Myanmar is a country of breathtaking beauty, which is slowly opening towards the modern world. The country has seen a lot of improvement in its basic infrastructure, as well as in health and education during the last years. The infrastructure of the tourism offers five star premises, small Boutique-hotels and friendly guest houses in all main destinations, but you will find also excellent mountain and beach resorts.

Generally the people of Myanmar are happy to help and assist foreign visitors, and it is a country with probably the world’s lowest crime rate, which allows each traveler to have a relaxing and worriless traveling. There has been even a Tourist Safety Unit established as per October 1st 2003 to secure safety of foreign visitors. There are different posts, which phone numbers are shown prominently at airports, seaports, jetties and road junctions as well as important sights. The 3 month long special training of the police officers includes, beside police work, first aid, custom procedures, immigration laws, facts on archaeological sights, etc. The trainees are also so send to the University for Foreign Language to enhance their English.