Burma

Burma - Myanmar has suffered internal strife from a smorgasbord of dictators, rebels and guerrillas, and is now synonymous from the West of the suppression of democracy and also the use of slave labour. The refusal by the country's junta to enable an elected government to take power and its imprisonment of pro-democracy leader (and subsequent Nobel Peace Prize winner) Aung San Suu Kyi earned it international condemnation. Myanmar is now cementing economic bonds with South-East Asian nations, who believe `constructive engagement' is really a much better type of diplomacy than sanctions. Meanwhile, ceasefire accords were signed with nine groups of anti-government rebels, the Karen guerrillas have nearly been demolished and an unholy deal with drug lord Khun Sa looks to have quietened affairs during the no-go zone of the Golden Triangle.

Myanmar is far inside the easiest or most comfortable nation in Asia to visit, but it has some magical sights, extremely friendly men and women and offers a look of the bizarre, inept Orwellian society that has withdrawn from contact from the late 20th century. As a result of the government's clampdown on outside influences it's a single of the least Western-influenced nations in the world. Many folks mistake this for quaintness, but do not allow this blind you on the political realities which created this situation.

Environment - Myanmar shares borders with Thailand, Laos, China, India and Bangladesh. Southern Myanmar borders the Bay of Bengal and also the Andaman Sea. The central component on the country is characterised by wide rivers and expansive plains. The major river, the Ayeyarwady (formerly spelt Irrawaddy) is navigable for 1600 km of its length and its flood plains type the country's main agricultural centre. Mountains rise towards the east along the Thai border and on the north to meet the eastern end from the Himalayan range. The greatest peak, Hkakabo Razi (5881 metres), is on a Myanmar-Tibet border. It is the highest peak in South-East Asia.

Almost half of Myanmar is covered by forest, but if timber concessions (and smuggling) to Thailand and other Asian countries continue at current rates, frequent deforestation is inevitable. About 15% of total land is cultivated, mainly with rice. Burma utilized to become the world's largest exporter of rice but exports have diminished considerably. A couple of thirds of the population is used in agriculture and a smaller amount than 10% in manufacturing. Based on UN standards, Myanmar is now one of the 10 poorest countries in the world.

There are three diverse seasons: the cool, dry winter from November to February; the unpleasantly hot summer from March to May; and also the wet, humid monsoon from May to October. November to February will be the very best time to visit, though the range of site visitors in December can overwhelm Myanmar's developing tourist infrastructure.

Culture - Art has been closely intertwined with religion and royalty in Burman history. Temples, pagodas and palaces displayed the artistic skills of painters, wood carvers and sculptures. Temples and pagodas have been traditionally made of brick and quite a few are still standing. The good palaces, however, had been created of wood, and only a single badly-deteriorating illustration of these beautiful carved structures remains today. Art and architecture, which relied on royal support, faded after the last royal kingdom collapsed.

Although court culture has been extinguished, popular street-level culture is vibrant and thriving. Drama will be the mainstay of this culture, and just about any celebration is often a good excuse to your pwe (show). Performances may possibly recount Buddhist legends, or be additional light-hearted entertainments involving slapstick comedy, dance, ensemble singing or giant puppets. Burman music is an integral component of a pwe; it originates from Siam and emphasises rhythm and melody. Instruments are predominantly percussive and include drums, boat-shaped harps, gongs and bamboo flutes.

Over 85% of Burman are Theravada Buddhist, even though it's not the official country religion and mainly because the Ne Win federal government takeover, it has truly officially occupied a a smaller amount central role in Burman life. Within the Rakhine region, towards the Bangladesh, there are numerous Muslims. Christian missionaries have had some achievement in between hill tribes but several remain staunch animists.

Events - Festivals are drawn-out, enjoyable affairs and generally take place or culminate on full-moon days. There's often a nation fair atmosphere about these celebrations, and they may possibly feature stalls, pwes, music and boxing bouts. Independence Day on 4 January is marked by a seven-day fair in Yangon. Within the middle of April, the three-day Thingyan (water festival) starts the Burman new year. This can be the height in the hot season, and it is sensibly celebrated by throwing buckets of cold water at any person who dares venture into the streets. Girls chase boys through the streets, covering their bound victims in soot and parading them about; later, cows and fish are dressed up, adorned and set free by processions of dancing drummers. In October, the sober three-month Buddhist `Lent' ends as well as the Festival of Light celebrates Buddha's return from heaven. For 3 days Myanmar is lit up by fire balloons and paper lanterns and families make offerings at the local pagoda.

Warning - The Thai border area contains smugglers, rebel armies and refugees and stands out as the scene of occasional military stoushes. Travellers should steer well clear on the border or contact their embassy to receive the newest reports on a security situation. The `Golden Triangle', north-east of Mandalay, along the Thai border, is an definitely no-go area. The relationship between the SLORC and Khun Sa's opium-sodden 15,000- strong private army has come to be really cosy but the case for travellers remains incredibly dangerous.

The xenophobic federal government does its greatest to retain tabs on visitors, and should you ask to go to other areas outside the Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake, Taunggyi quadrangle, you'll either need a enable and/or a guide, or receive a organization `no'. The list of permutations is endless and confusing, and the rules can be bent, changed or ignored depending on luck and circumstances. Should you wish to get to somewhere off the usual tourist route, learn the modern day regulations within the authorities in advance, ask other travellers if the regulations are actually enforced, make it up as you go along, and be prepared being disappointed if your luck runs out.

Attractions:

Mandalay - This sprawling cultural centre will be the most Burman of Myanmar's cities. It was the last capital of Myanmar previous to the British took more than and may be the country's second-largest city. Highlights of Mandalay include Shwenandaw Kyaung, the sole remaining building from the once extravagant moated palace, Mandalay Hill with its spiralling stairways, temples and sweeping views as well as the ancient Rakhine Buddha image at Mahamuni Paya. Bustling markets with produce and handicrafts from all more than Upper Myanmar are another feature of Mandalay. You will find four `deserted cities' nearby: Amarapura, Sagaing, Ava and Mingun. Mingun will be the most appealing in the four. Not only are there some good monuments in many states of disrepair, but just owning there is half the fun. Mingun is only accessible by river, and the boat ride from Mandalay is really a treat.

Bagan - This bewildering, deserted city of fabulous pagodas and temples over a banks from the Ayeyarwady is 1 of the wonders of Asia. Bagan's period of grandeur stretched during the 11th to the 13th century, and an enormous amount of magnificent buildings were constructed here. The city was sacked by Kublai Khan in 1287 and in no way rebuilt. You can find some 5000 temples, probably the most useful of that are Ananda, Thatbyinnyu and Gawdawpalin.

Bago (Pega) - During the Mon dynasty, Bago was a fabulous city, a major seaport and capital of lower Myanmar. The city was destroyed by the Burman in 1757 but partially restored inside early 19th century. Once the Bago River changed its course and cut the city off within the sea, Bago failed to return to its previous grandeur. Sights include the Shwemawdaw Pagoda which dominates the town, the Hintha Gone Pagoda as well as the 55-metre long, reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha.

The refreshingly mild, old British hill station Pyin U Lwin (formerly Maymyo), 50 km east of Mandalay, has a botanical garden, a golf course, a Chinese temple and pleasant views. The Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, north-east of Yangon, is a 5-metre high pagoda delicately balanced atop a massive gold-leafed boulder on a edge of a cliff. Inle Lake is an extraordinarily beautiful, long, narrow lake. Ngapali and nearby Thandwe, on a Bay of Bengal, are 2 of Myanmar's very best beach resorts.

Getting There & Away - While Myanmar essentially remains a `fly in, fly out' destination, some road border crossings have opened recently. Foreign travellers are now able to enter Myanmar overland via Yunnan province in China, and day trips is also made into Myanmar from Thailand at Three Pagodas Pass, Mae Sot and Mae Sai. Tourists are still not permitted to occur by ship. You can find standard flights to Yangon from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and a smaller amount regular flights inside capitals of other neighbouring countries.

Getting Close to - Travel in Myanmar tends to be uncertain and uncomfortable. Quite a few targeted visitors are tempted to consume internal flights due to the restricted 28-day stay regulation, but the terrible safety record and `flexible' notion of schedules of Myanma Airways and, to a lesser extent, Air Mandalay is really a deterrent. Not numerous traffic use buses for long-distance travelling simply because they tend to be really crowded as well as the federal government bus line is so slack it refuses to eat a stab at the arrival times of its buses. Pick-up trucks with benches have recently begun to appear, and even though they are able to be each uncomfortable after crowded, you'll be able to charter them. There is a daily express train among Yangon and Mandalay; forget the ordinary-class trains which are dirty, slow and unreliable.

The delightfully ancient buses in Yangon and Mandalay are really cheap and convenient, although you can end up hanging out the side. You will find horse carts in Mandalay and trishaws just about everywhere; negotiate fares in advance.