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 Category :: Travel |
Author :: Tony Jones  |
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| Article Title :: Tours in Myanmar - Asia's best kept secret |
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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.
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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