Myanmar – “THE LAND OF PAGODAS”
Burma or also known as Myanmar is the largest country in the mainland of South Asia.
Burma is a sovereign state, bordered by India, Bangladesh, china, Laos and Thailand, has a coastline of about 1,930 km sq on the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. This is 40t largest country of the world and 20th most populous country. It is a resource rich country and is an active tourist spot, which holds a place among the tourists which is yet to be explored.
Initially the country was not such an attraction for the tourists but gradually the government started working on the tourism of the country and hence has gained popularity and has earned the name of “The land of Pagodas” i.e. the place is known for its Asian style temples.
The country is known for having NO ATMS AND NO ACCEPTANCE TO CREDIT CARDS hence the visitors should keep this in mind.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Naypyidaw is the capital city of Burma, which lies 9° and 29° N latitudinaly and 92° 102°E longitudinally, and has 14 states with 67 districts. The lower Burma is covered with tropical forests i.e. with 49% of the total land is covered with forests.
The country gained its independence on January 1948 with Thein Sein s its first president.
The climate of the country on the Northern Burma is generally cool, with a temperature of 21°C, and the rest i.e. Coastal and delta regions having a temperature of 32°C.
The best time to visit the country is after the rains that are after end of October till early March, the country is at its best and warmly welcomes the tourists with its blessed nature’s beauty.
CULTURE
The culture of the country is vibrant and indigenous, well inspired from its neighbouring country. The indigenous culture of the country reflects in its Arts, Dance, Cuisine, literature and language. The culture is inspired from Theravada Buddhism, which means “Teachings of Elders”, it the oldest and he most conservative branch of Buddhism. It is a predominant religion of most of the South East Asian countries i.e. Burma, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and many more.
The country speaks the Burmese language and has many local regional Burmese dialects.
Myanmar Cuisine
The Burmese cuisine is a famous cuisine throughout the world; the flavors are inspired from its neighbouring countries. The burmese cuisine eating tradition is to sit on a bamboo mat and et on a low table, rice as their main ingredient and other primary dishes revolving around fish influenced meal.
Sea food plays an important role in the Burmese cuisine, fish sauce, ngapi (fermneted fish)is used in almost all dishes.
Mohinga- A perfect breakfast meal, rice noodles covered with fish sauce.
Burmese Biryani, Rice and Burmese curry, Garnished Salads are some of the most prominent dishes of the country.
Below is lit of famous restraunts in the different regions of Burma like LePlanteur, Kosan 19th St. Snack & bar and Strand Grill are some of the fmous restraunt in Yangoon.
Star Beam, Moon Vegetarian Restraunt are some great restraunts in Bagaan.
ATTRACTIONS
SHWEDAGON PAYA
“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, the golden dome said: “This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about.“
These were the words of Rudyard Kipling in 1887 when he first visited Shwedagon Paya, Burma’s holiest shrine. The temple is the oldest pagoda and its been almost 25000yers now, it is the holiest and t he most religious place in Burma.
Botahtaung Pagoda
Botahtaung mean “one thousand soldiers”, during world war I, the original pagoda was bombed which was rebuilt in 1956 with a height of 48m. The road to the shrine is a colourful aisle with shops of fruits and flowers and offering items.
It opens from 06:00 to 20:00 Hours daily, Located on corner of Strand Road and Botahtaung Pagoda Road. Ticket charges: US$2/person, camera fee US$1, camcorder fee US$2
For those budget minded shoppers the burman local market are the best place to shop and have some great deal of stuff be it antiques or modernized accessories.
Burma is known for its gem production, gems like sapphire, rubies are the best purchased from here. Yangoo is the place to but some good quality of gem and with reasonable prices. Below are some shops on which you can rely and carefreely go and purchase some beautiful gems.
Bogyoke Aung San Market,
Timings : 09:00 – 17:00 Hours Location : Bogyoke Aung San Road, between Shwe Dagon Pagoda Rd. & Shwe Bontha St., Latha Township
Yuzana Plaza,
Timings : 08:30 – 17:00 Hours, Location: Banyar Dala Street, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township.
Blazon Shopping Centre,
Timings : 09:00 – 21:00 Hours, Location: 72 U Wisara Road (north of People’s Park), Kamaryut Township.
Another handicraft product for which Burmese market is famous world wide is the Lacqueware products which are exquisite!
Below listed are some markets which have the best of the lacqueware products available-
Moe Moe Family Lacquerware Shop,
Timings : 09:00-21:00 hours, Location : Main Road, Ywar Thit Quarter, New Bagan.
Shwe War Thein Handicrafts Shop,
Timings : 07:00-21:00 Hours, Location : East of Tharabar Gate, Taung Be Village, Old Bagan.
Tun Handcrafted Lacquerware,
Location : 6/1 Khan Laung Quarter.
NIGHT LIFE
Burma is a holy city having countless number of temples and shrines, the late night partying and boozing is not much of in the scene for this place. Moreover this place is meant for cleansing of the soul, focusing spirituality and engaging oneself into religion and inspiring oneself from the natures beauty. The country in the evening have some great welcoming sea side restraints and lounges which gives you a very pleasant environment to refresh and rejuvenate yourself. Night Life without Casinos cannot be thought of, before the start of Songkran holidays more and more holidaymakers are visiting the casinos in Myanmar. Tourist visit the casinos to try their luck in gambling. To get more info about the casinos, where fun is on the rock, you can visit at 3do
To name places with great food and divine ambience-
Pavilion Lounge in Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort,
Location: Bagan Archaeological Zone, Old Bagan.
Asia Plaza Disco,
Opening Hours: 19:00 – 01:00, Location: 277 Bogyoke Aung San Road, Kyauktada Township, Yangon.
Club Pioneer,
Location: 44 Alan Pya Pagoda Street, Yangon.
STAYING IN BURMA
From Luxury hotels to cheap motels, the country has a wide range of accommodation variants which will fulfil the needs and comforts of each visitor.
To list some hotels according to there tariff plans-
- Popa Mountain resort in the ancient city of again tariff plan starts from $ 75 USD
- Kandawgyi Hill Resort Pyin Oo Lwin hotel, located 69 km away from Mandalay, tariff plan starts from $ 79 USD
- Alfa Hotel, Yangoon $ 83 USD
- Traders Hotel, Yangoon $ 146 USD
- Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, a luxurious 5star hotel, located on the Royal lake, Yangoon, tariff plan starting from $198 USD
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