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Myanmar (Burma) – The golden Land
Myanmar (Burma) is an incredibly beautiful country and until
now almost undiscovered by tourists. It is one of the only
original destinations which are left in this much over travelled
world. Decades of social and physical isolation has maintained
the cultural inheritance which is lost in so many countries all
over the world. English are spoken by many and especially in the
cities and by elder persons, which went to school before 1962.
Until the present government took over in 1988 the English
education has been neglected. After those many years of
negligence they have intensified the English education, as they
have recognized that English is the international language of
communication.
In addition there has been built many educational institutions
such as Schools, High Schools and Universities all over the
country. The present government at the time in 1988 took over a
bankruptcy and they have although in spite of especially western
international blockades and sanctions managed to develop the
country. In addition the infrastructure has been improved
considerably all over the country.
The early civilization in Myanmar can be dated back to years
before and reached its peak around 11th to 15th centuries. The
country is from nature blessed with a lot of diversity with
scenarios varying from agriculture areas to snow clad mountain
in the northern Myanmar. The Shan State is chilly in the summer
heat, while the long coastline offers endless golden beaches
still unexplored by tourists. From the far north to the south
flows the Majestic Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) one of the world’s
longest rivers and a source to agricultural wealth for millions.
Potentially is Myanmar one of the regions richest economies with
allsorts of natural resources.
Tourism is considered to be one of the biggest possibilities for
development.
Daw Aung San Su Kyi call for the tourist and investors come to
Myanmar, in order to vreate jobs and employment for the
population
The country is proceeding democracy with an election for
parliament held in 2010. As the situation is now, it will be
possible to maintain the peace in the country, as the
stabilizing peacekeeping system will be maintained as hitherto.
Think of the history after the liberation from the English in
the period from 1948 to 1962, where there was armed fighting
between the trivializing ethnic groups. The democracy was not
functioning at all and it was a necessity that the armed forces
took over in order to establish peace.
Many of the country’s attractions lie in its history and
artistic culture. Myanmar is situated in a focal point between
two of the world’s greatest and oldest civilizations China and
India, and it mixes the influence from both with its own very
special characteristics. The populations have maintained the
traditional values and are deeply faithful concerning the
Buddhism, with tight family ties and deep respect for the elder.
Myanmar population are very fun loving and not without humor.
There is a festival every month, centered on the social life and
Buddhist celebrations. The Myanmar populations are also known
for its hospitality and friendliness towards visitors.
Myanmar is one of the few countries where you can walk around
without being attached at all times of the day and night.
Without exaggeration it for sure one of the most safe countries
in the world.
For tourists there are countless possibilities such as diving,
trekking, culture, Beach holidays, Meditation in Meditation
centers, cycling, balloon tours, ecotourism, elephant camps,
globetrotter tours, river cruises, cruises in the Andaman Sea,
golf, history, Archeology, bird watching, train excursions,
cross country by car and rafting.
The main tourist places in Myanmar are Yangon, Bago, Bagan,
Mandalay, Inlay, Mrauk OO and Myitkyina in the north, Pyin Oo
Lwin and Ngapali (Napoli) beach.
In Myanmar there are 3 seasons: Summer, raining season/Monsoon
and winter. Summer starts not like in the western world in July,
but in February until mid May, thereafter the raining season
until end September and the so-called winter from October until
end February. The winter season is more like a high summer
period in Europe. Concerning the temperatures there are not the
big difference, although it can be quite hot in the middle of
the day in the summer period. Just now mid July there are about
35 degrees Celsius in the shade outside. There are of course
differences of the regions; in the mountain areas there are
lower temperatures than in the lower parts all dependent of the
topography. There are mountain areas, flat surface terrain and
hilly terrain. Apart from that there is the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy)
delta along Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) river and which in beginning
of May 2008 was extremely hard hit by the Nargis Cyclone.
Unfortunately with loss of too many lives and the structure in
the delta area was almost destroyed by the cyclone Nargis. But
it is fantastic to see how they rebuild the area. The majority
of the population has their living by fishery and agriculture.
They are already at the present strongly working on the
development, which means, the farmers are setting paddy for the
next harvest, the fishermen are getting new boats, the old ones
was almost all smashed by the cyclone. They have already built a
lot and are buildings, countless new houses as replacement for
the houses smashed under the Nargis. Luckily there is an
enormous relief work as well from the locals as international
organizations, with as well economical support as with
professional assistance. It will take a couple of years before
the rebuilding is finalized even though the efforts are very
intensive from all parties include the surviving inhabitants
from the area.
Yangon is situated in the lower Myanmar at the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy)
river near the sea about 30 km, from the Andaman Sea. Yangon get
in the raining season quite a lot of rain although mostly in
showers, the whole area is green and luxuriant all year round.
There are still a lot of old trees although quite a lot was
destroyed by the cyclone Nargis.
The Myanmar golf players are playing all year round in Yangon
like on the courses in Europe. Yangon (Rangoon) is the biggest city in Myanmar and was until
2005 capital in the country. Now the capital is Nay Pyi Taw
situated ca. 400 km north of Yangon. Yangon is still the biggest
business center and access to Myanmar.
 In
the middle of Yangon we find the Sule Pagoda which is about 2000
years old (left) and with the beautiful town hall in the
background. There are also a lot of colonial style buildings in
the town.It was originally a little town surrounded by wooden
palisades at the river bank with steps leading down to the river
for access to the ships. In 1885 the British colonialists made
the city capitol, until then the capital had been Mandalay.
Being a city with 8 million people, way of moving around is very
slow, very different from other big cities. If you move around
the streets between the more or less neglected buildings, you
will discover that the population has a very relaxed relation
ship to the traffic rules. If you will cross the street; you
walk just along between the traffic no matter red light or not.
Very often you can not use the sidewalks, well – then you just
walk on the street.
Yangon (Rangoon) has also the world famous Shwedagon Pagoda, dominating
the city from a hilltop. The myth will know that the original
stupa was built to shelter one of the Buddha’s hairs. Shwedagon
was called a beautiful twinkling wonder by Kipling and is really
a magical place. Other attractions includes the colony
architecture and implicit the legendary Strand hotel which is
one of the Worlds top 3 five star hotels. In addition there are
the enormous reclining Buddha and the peaceful Kandawgyi and
Inya lakes. The original name of Yangon was Dagon. Therefore the
name Shwedagon (Shwe = gold)
 Mandalay is situated in upper Myanmar in the dry region
(pleasant all year round). The city contains a lot of
attractions. It was the last royal capital. The city is rich on
Buddhist monasteries, pagodas and handicrafts as example ivory,
gemstones, silk, silverware, wood carvings, silk, hand weavers,
gem stones and gold needlework. In the neighborhood of Mandalay
there are a lot of attractions
 Pyin Oo Lwin is situated 67 kilometers from Mandalay and in a
mountainous area 1070 meters above sea level. Without doubt one
of the most beautiful places in Myanmar if not in the world.
Temperatures relatively lower than the lowland the year round.
There is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the
world, above the town there is a beautiful unforgettable
waterfall and unusual pagoda in a mountain cave. During the
British occupation the town was summer residence for the British
colony masters and their followers.
 Bagan
is an ancient town dated back to the 10th century. It was an old
capital from the time of king Anawratha. It is a very important
place to visit in Myanmar and one of the richest archaeological
sites in Asia, containing more than 2000 edifices. This old city
with its pagodas offers a rich architecture built at the bank of
the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) river. Also there are some
interesting lacquer ware factories. Some of the fairways are
made in among the old pagodas.
Nearby the beautiful and interesting Mount Popa.
 Bago
(Pegu) During the Mon dynasty, Bago was a fabulous city, a big
harbor and capital in lower Myanmar. The torn was destroyed by
the Burmese in 1757 and partly restored in the 19th century.
When the Bago river changed its direction and cut of the city
from the sea, it never managed for Bago to regain the former
magnificence. The edifices of Bago include the Shwetmawdaw
pagoda which dominates the city, the Hinthe Pagoda, the royal
palace and the 55 meter long reclining Buddha.
Yemon is among others an international standard golf
course.Yemon Island golf resort is situated about 1 hours drive
from Yangon in direction Bago. The resort is located in
wonderful nature surroundings at the Yemon Lake and dam. The
place is absolute worth a call as well for entertainment as for
golf playing. On the entrance to the Yemon Golf resort you find
a beautiful pagoda with lakes full of lotus flowers. There are
suites and bungalows placed at the seaside with all modern
facilities.The recreation possibilities are manifold so as:
golf, fishing, sailing, sightseeing, picnic, entertainment and
not at least reasonable prices.
 Inlay is a big lake situated in the southern Shan State
placed on a plateau. Thousands meter high mountains surrounds
Inlay. One of the happenings is the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
festival celebrated in the Tha Din Gyut lighting Festival .
Other attractions including a floating boat market, hand weaving
and floating agriculture. Another attraction are the locals
paddling their long boats with one leg in the water. Tanggyi is
the capital in the Southern Shan State situated 1430 meters
above sea levet. Kalaw once british holiday resort 1320 meters
above sea level is another highlight in the Shan State. Another
attraction is the Pindays Cave.
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