Tours in Myanmar - Asia's Best Kept Secret
by: Tony Jones
Of the Southeast Asian nations, Myanmar attracts fewer tourists
than the more ‘trendy’ spots such as Thailand, Malaysia and
recently Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. But a country that is known
by two names evokes its own cloud of mystery and is sure to pique
the interest of adventure seekers and the more intrepid traveler.
Burma was a British colony until independence was granted in
1948. In 1990 the country’s name was changed to Myanmar (which
means all national races) to better reflect all the diversity of ethnic
groups. It has affectionately been called the ‘Land of Ten Thousand
Pagodas’ and the ‘Golden Land’: both names are apt. In some
cities temples can be found on nearly every corner and – while this
may not differ from nearby countries – many of these highlight the
extraordinary relationship that the Burmese have between their
beliefs and the land.
Myanmar has approximately 45 million people who are divided into
over 165 recognised ethnic groups. It shares its borders with
Bangladesh, Laos, China, Thailand and the Bay of Bengal. The
country is rich in natural resources – it has lovely pearls, rubies and
gems – and its landscape includes pristine beaches, lowland
plains and snow –capped mountains.
Unlike other neighboring nations, Myanmar has had little foreign
investment: it is one of a handful of countries that remain unscarred
by globalised food chains. As a result, traveling in this land induces
images of ancient Asia and provides an opportunity for complete
immersion in a culture untainted by westernisation.
MYANMAR ATTRACTIONS
No trip to Myanmar is complete without visiting some of the
following: Mt Popa, the Pindaya Caves, Kyaiktiyo, Bagan, The
Thanbode Temple, Mandalay, Inle Lake and the capital Yangon.
Mt Popa in the eastern part of the country is an amazing
geographical and man-made spectacle. The mountain is an extinct
volcano that because of its sheer-sidedness resembles an inverted
bowl; however, it is the Monastery built on the plateau that catches
the eye. At 1518 metres it can be seen from all directions and its
white walls and golden trimmings resemble a fairytale castle.
Nearby the Pindaya Caves are another example of a remarkable
union between nature and mankind. Situated behind the main
attraction (the Shweu {Golden Cave} pagoda) tunnel-like limestone
caves snake into the mountain. Within this maze, 6000 Buddha
images flicker in the candlelight creating a surreal effect that will be
sure to leave the visitor more enlightened.
Not to be outdone by these two attractions is the remarkable
Kyaikhtiyo pagoda. It sits upon a golden rock that balances atop Mt
Kyaiktiyo. The large golden boulder can actually be rocked back and
forth and is said to balance because of a precisely placed Buddha
hair. The legend is that 2500 years ago a hermit was given a hair by
the Buddha and sought an appropriate place for such a sacred
object. He found a rock that resembled the Buddha’s head and
secured the hair in a pagoda on top. Many villagers make the
pilgrimage to the 1100 metre high site, which, having survived
several earthquakes, is truly one of the world’s wonders.
Also in the eastern mountains at 700 metres above seas level is
Inle Lake, a gentle body of water bound by reeds and canals. Two
hundred villages surround the lake and many houses rise out of the
water on stilts. The lake is an important resource of the 150,000
people of the Shan state, providing for their main activities: fishing
and weaving. It also serves as a marketplace where canoes are
used as stalls and people paddle through the flotilla browsing and
buying all types of wares.
The Ayeyarwady River splits Myanmar down the middle, running
from China to the Bay of Bengal through Mandalay and alongside
the capital Yangon. Both these cities are dotted with temples and
pagodas, most notable are; the Kuthodaw pagoda in Mandalay,
famous for its marble writings from the Buddha cannon; and the
pristine, 2500 year old Shwedagon in Yangon with a spire that
towers 100 metres.
The Mandalay region was the last Kingdom of the Myanmar dynasty
before the English took control. Now the city remains the cultural
center of Myanmar and offers tourists a trip back in time…….. by the
river water buffalo teams can still be seen bringing in logs! A boat
trip up the Ayeyarwady also reveals an insightful look into village life
and an opportunity to mix with the hardworking and friendly locals. If
you are still interested in pagodas, they line the banks!
Myanmar is also home to two of the largest abandoned cities in the
world: Bagan and Mrak U. An ancient capital between 1044 and
1287 AD, Bagan is thought to be the birthplace of the Myanmar
civilization. Today it’s a very popular tourist destination; the city is
clean and spacious and provides a base to visit the 2000 or so
temples built on the 16 square kilometer site. In contrast, Mrak U is
only accessible by a five-hour boat ride out of the small village of
Sittwe and at present many of its temples are being restored.
The giant temple of Thanbode is one temple that must be visited.
Situated just outside of Monywa it was built between 1939 and 1952
and is home to 582,257 Buddha images: possibly the largest single
collection of Buddha statues in the world. Two white elephants, that
symbolize fertility and knowledge, guard the collection.
The Burmese people are very friendly and almost tribal in nature.
Their family and friends are extremely important in their life and they
extend this friendship to foreigners: often seeking them out and
initiating conversations. With such a fusion of cultures this makes
for an exceptional travel experience unlikely to be replicated
elsewhere.
In 1898 Rudyard Kipling wrote, “this is Burma, and it will be quite
unlike any land you will know.” This statement rings true today as
Myanmar remains a rare gem; the people, culture and scenery
combining to make it a unique experience in an ever-shrinking world.
by: Tony Jones
Of the Southeast Asian nations, Myanmar attracts fewer tourists
than the more ‘trendy’ spots such as Thailand, Malaysia and
recently Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. But a country that is known
by two names evokes its own cloud of mystery and is sure to pique
the interest of adventure seekers and the more intrepid traveler.
Burma was a British colony until independence was granted in
1948. In 1990 the country’s name was changed to Myanmar (which
means all national races) to better reflect all the diversity of ethnic
groups. It has affectionately been called the ‘Land of Ten Thousand
Pagodas’ and the ‘Golden Land’: both names are apt. In some
cities temples can be found on nearly every corner and – while this
may not differ from nearby countries – many of these highlight the
extraordinary relationship that the Burmese have between their
beliefs and the land.
Myanmar has approximately 45 million people who are divided into
over 165 recognised ethnic groups. It shares its borders with
Bangladesh, Laos, China, Thailand and the Bay of Bengal. The
country is rich in natural resources – it has lovely pearls, rubies and
gems – and its landscape includes pristine beaches, lowland
plains and snow –capped mountains.
Unlike other neighboring nations, Myanmar has had little foreign
investment: it is one of a handful of countries that remain unscarred
by globalised food chains. As a result, traveling in this land induces
images of ancient Asia and provides an opportunity for complete
immersion in a culture untainted by westernisation.
MYANMAR ATTRACTIONS
No trip to Myanmar is complete without visiting some of the
following: Mt Popa, the Pindaya Caves, Kyaiktiyo, Bagan, The
Thanbode Temple, Mandalay, Inle Lake and the capital Yangon.
Mt Popa in the eastern part of the country is an amazing
geographical and man-made spectacle. The mountain is an extinct
volcano that because of its sheer-sidedness resembles an inverted
bowl; however, it is the Monastery built on the plateau that catches
the eye. At 1518 metres it can be seen from all directions and its
white walls and golden trimmings resemble a fairytale castle.
Nearby the Pindaya Caves are another example of a remarkable
union between nature and mankind. Situated behind the main
attraction (the Shweu {Golden Cave} pagoda) tunnel-like limestone
caves snake into the mountain. Within this maze, 6000 Buddha
images flicker in the candlelight creating a surreal effect that will be
sure to leave the visitor more enlightened.
Not to be outdone by these two attractions is the remarkable
Kyaikhtiyo pagoda. It sits upon a golden rock that balances atop Mt
Kyaiktiyo. The large golden boulder can actually be rocked back and
forth and is said to balance because of a precisely placed Buddha
hair. The legend is that 2500 years ago a hermit was given a hair by
the Buddha and sought an appropriate place for such a sacred
object. He found a rock that resembled the Buddha’s head and
secured the hair in a pagoda on top. Many villagers make the
pilgrimage to the 1100 metre high site, which, having survived
several earthquakes, is truly one of the world’s wonders.
Also in the eastern mountains at 700 metres above seas level is
Inle Lake, a gentle body of water bound by reeds and canals. Two
hundred villages surround the lake and many houses rise out of the
water on stilts. The lake is an important resource of the 150,000
people of the Shan state, providing for their main activities: fishing
and weaving. It also serves as a marketplace where canoes are
used as stalls and people paddle through the flotilla browsing and
buying all types of wares.
The Ayeyarwady River splits Myanmar down the middle, running
from China to the Bay of Bengal through Mandalay and alongside
the capital Yangon. Both these cities are dotted with temples and
pagodas, most notable are; the Kuthodaw pagoda in Mandalay,
famous for its marble writings from the Buddha cannon; and the
pristine, 2500 year old Shwedagon in Yangon with a spire that
towers 100 metres.
The Mandalay region was the last Kingdom of the Myanmar dynasty
before the English took control. Now the city remains the cultural
center of Myanmar and offers tourists a trip back in time…….. by the
river water buffalo teams can still be seen bringing in logs! A boat
trip up the Ayeyarwady also reveals an insightful look into village life
and an opportunity to mix with the hardworking and friendly locals. If
you are still interested in pagodas, they line the banks!
Myanmar is also home to two of the largest abandoned cities in the
world: Bagan and Mrak U. An ancient capital between 1044 and
1287 AD, Bagan is thought to be the birthplace of the Myanmar
civilization. Today it’s a very popular tourist destination; the city is
clean and spacious and provides a base to visit the 2000 or so
temples built on the 16 square kilometer site. In contrast, Mrak U is
only accessible by a five-hour boat ride out of the small village of
Sittwe and at present many of its temples are being restored.
The giant temple of Thanbode is one temple that must be visited.
Situated just outside of Monywa it was built between 1939 and 1952
and is home to 582,257 Buddha images: possibly the largest single
collection of Buddha statues in the world. Two white elephants, that
symbolize fertility and knowledge, guard the collection.
The Burmese people are very friendly and almost tribal in nature.
Their family and friends are extremely important in their life and they
extend this friendship to foreigners: often seeking them out and
initiating conversations. With such a fusion of cultures this makes
for an exceptional travel experience unlikely to be replicated
elsewhere.
In 1898 Rudyard Kipling wrote, “this is Burma, and it will be quite
unlike any land you will know.” This statement rings true today as
Myanmar remains a rare gem; the people, culture and scenery
combining to make it a unique experience in an ever-shrinking world.
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