Myanmar

Yangon
With its wide streets, parks and lakes Yangon has the sleepy charm of a provincial town. Crumbling British colonial mansions stand beside glittering pagodas, including one of the most remarkable religious shrines in all of Asia – the magical Shwedagon Pagoda. Much of Yangon’s allure stems from its colourful street life: peddlers hawk stones on the sidewalk in the gem market; rickshaw drivers in striped longyis (sarongs) pedal lazily through tree-lined streets; and people drink endless cups of sweet, milky tea at roadside tea stalls.

Inle Lake
The people who live around this serene 22km-long lake are known for their peculiar style of rowing: standing on one leg they use the other leg to row. Floating vegetable gardens dot the lake’s surface and there are colourful morning markets on the lake shores. In addition, Inle Lake is home to silk and lotus weaving craft shops located on stilts on the lake. A wide range of bird species also inhabits the lake and its grasslands, adding to the beauty of this fascinating water world.

Mandalay
As the last royal capital of the Burmese Kingdom, Mandalay today is the religious heart of the country possessing some of Myanmar’s most beautiful pagodas, including the highly revered Mahamuni Paya, which holds a famous Buddha-image covered in gold leaf. Those interested in Buddhist religion will appreciate the Mahagandayone Monastery where more than a thousand monks and novices live and study the doctrine of Buddha. Famous for its arts and crafts, Mandalay is a good place to buy everything from traditional wooden puppets to hand-woven fabrics.

Mt Popa
An extinct volcano 1518 meters above sea level located in central Myanmar in the region of Mandalay, it is considered to be the sacred home of the spirits.

Plain of Bagan
On par with Angkor Wat, Bagan ranks as one of the great wonders of the world with over 2,000 awe-inspiring pagodas. Situated on the plains next to the Ayeyarwady River, this ancient city is dotted with thousands of ancient stupas and temples from different eras making it one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia. The breathtaking view of the brick temples, against the backdrop of an expansive plain of dust is unforgettable.

Myanmar has three distinctive seasons. Hot (March to May – average temp 25-38 degrees, Rainy (June to October – average temp 23-33 degrees) and Cool (November to February – average temp 18-24 degrees).

The Northern Highlands tend to be cooler while the delta area can be warm and muggy. During the rainy season, many days dawn clear and bright while the landscape is green and lush. It can even get down to near freezing at night around Inle Lake.

Known in British colonial times as Burma, this country is an enigma. Gracious and friendly people are controlled by a government not famous for their humanity. My thoughts before visiting were mixed. Should I support such a regime by spending time there? Once I arrived I was so glad I decided to go as it became clear that by being there I was able to provide work and much needed foreign exchange to the local people. Some of the city names like Rangoon (Yangon) and Mandalay make one think of Kipling. They are a blend of old British colonial charm in the architecture and layout and modern Asian centres. Wandering the broad tree lined avenues in Yangon and taking tea in one of the cafes in the Scott Market district is fun. The food is brilliant and the Buddhist culture rich throughout the country.

In Mandalay make sure you visit the Royal Palace which is surrounded by a moat. Probably my favourite experience in Myanmar however was a tossup. Bagan, with temples dotted across a broad plain for as far as the eye can see is a remarkable sight and the lovely lake at Inle is a gem. The various villages around the lake have colourful market days throughout the week selling all manner of local produce. To wander among the bartering and transactions taking place in these markets offers a timeless scene in a beautiful setting. Eating and drinking out are very cheap here. But remember that credit cards are not much use. Carry US Dollars cash with you and you will be amazed at how far it will take you and what you can buy in terms of local handicraft, some of the weavings are especially good. Precious stones are an excellent purchase in Myanmar. If you are looking for an experience that will surprise you for all the right reasons, visit Myanmar.
Chris

Currency Myanmar kyat (take US$)

Language Burmese

Why we love it ‘Then, a golden mystery upheaved itself on the horizon, a beautiful winking wonder that blazed in the sun, of a shape that was neither Muslim dome nor Hindu temple spire.’ Well yes, OK, fanciful enough for Rudyard Kipling but he was right – not only of Shwedagon, the golden pagoda in Yangon but really he is describing Myanmar itself. Four thousand pagodas and stupas built on the Plain of Bagan with the temple mountain Mt Popa at its edge, the languid flow of the Irrawaddy River, romantic imagery conjured by the mere name – Mandalay and the industrious Intha people who live on floating islands anchored by bamboo poles on Inle Lake combine to create an experience that is wholly unique and memorable. Myanmar will remain with you long after you have left.

Weather Myanmar has three distinctive seasons: hot (March to May), rainy (June to October) and cool (November to February). The northern highlands tend to be cooler while the delta area can be warm and muggy. You should note that even during the rainy season, many days dawn clear and bright while the landscape is green and lush.

Social customs & quirks Despite the steady onslaught of the modern world, lifestyles and activities for the different ethnic groups in Myanmar have been preserved much as they have for centuries. Many rituals are unique to these gentle, religious people including Shin Pyu which allows a young boy to experience a monastic lifestyle, albeit temporarily. This religious practice is virtually non-existent elsewhere in the world.

Festivals & events As with most Asian cultures, festivals are an important part of life in Myanmar. The New Year Water festival has been celebrated in the second week of April for over 500 years and is oddly marked by people throwing water at each other – supposedly in a ritualistic cleansing of all sin. The locals find this a very uplifting time as they feel spiritually and physically purified for the coming year. Another unusual part of the festival is the purchase of live fish or cows which are then released into sanctuaries, rivers or lakes. This follows Theravada Buddhist beliefs that forbid killing any living creature (so no swatting at mosquitoes)and you should also be prepared to get wet as visitors are enthusiastically splashed as well as the locals. Diwali is a popular festival, as is the Regatta Festival in late September, Thadingyut at the end of the rainy season sees houses and streets brilliantly illuminated with thousands of lights and it is a time for paying homage to your teachers and elders. Tazaungdine (offering of monks robes) follows almost immediately after as well as the release of fire balloons into the sky and pagoda festivals occur regularly throughout the year.

Travel to Myanmar from Australia may require a visa – to check current requirements go to https://visalink.com.au/visa-quick-check

Health* If coming from an infected area, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required. Malarial prevention is recommended for visitors to rural areas. Please contact your health practitioner for full and current details.