Why Burma? Why now?

Ever since reading the novel, The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason, I have wanted to visit Burma (now known as Myanmar).  Set in the late 19th century, the story vividly painted a picture in my mind of an exotic land of lush jungles and glittering temples  – the same colonial Burma that Rudyard Kipling fell in love with, inspiring the poem Mandalay.

Now is another pivotal moment in Burma’s history. When the country again opened its doors to tourists following 50 years of military rule, an initial surge in visitors sent hotel prices sky high as demand overwhelmed supply. With political reform a period of change was inevitable but thankfully things have now settled down and prices have reduced as the country strives to slowly grow its burgeoning tourism industry in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Could there be a better time to visit Burma, while the country still retains its air of mystery?

 

My Top 10 Places to Visit in Burma

Here are my top ten places I long to visit along the road to Mandalay
(starting in the far south before heading north).

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1. Macleod Island

In the far south of Burma, Macleod Island is one of some 800 untouched islands in the Andaman Sea with a rich and diverse flora and fauna that I would dearly love to see  – a tropical paradise waiting to be discovered beneath the waves, as well as on dry land.

 

2.  Mawlamyine

Discover the city that inspired Kipling to write his poem Mandalay (surprisingly Kipling never actually set foot in Mandalay) and visit the Kyaik Than Lan Paya, the stupa he writes about in his famous poem. George Orwell also featured Mawlamyine (formerly known as Moulmein) in his writing having lived in Burma for five years.

 

3.  Kyauk Ka Lat Pagoda, near Hpa An

A sight that surely has to be seen to be believed, this limestone tower with the Kyauk Ka Lat Pagoda balanced atop, is surrounded by the lush green karst scenery whose characteristic natural caves have Buddhist grottoes carved into them. For now it is still far enough south to be largely off the radar of most tourists.

 

4. Yangon

Here in the economic heart of the country lies the most revered Buddhist temple in Burma, the Shwedagon Pagoda, a magnificent 325 foot gilded stupa. My first sight of a Buddhist stupa, earlier this year in Thailand, brought a tear to my eye but it was just a fraction of the size of the Shwedagon Pagoda which promises to be equally breathtaking. I’m told that there is no end of fabulous things to see and things to do in Yangon.

 

5. Golden Rock on Mount Kyaiktiyo

The exciting journey in open-top trucks hurtling around corners along the twisting road, leading ever skyward up Mount Kyaiktiyo, is rewarded by a spectacular panoramic view over the mountain tops and one of Burma’s three most sacred Buddhist sites, the Golden Rock, perpetually perched on the edge of a precipice, seemingly in defiance of gravity.

 

6. Ngapali Beach

Said to be named after Italy’s Napels, Ngapali Beach (pronounced Napally) is an idyllic stretch of palm tree-backed, white sand beach on the Bay of Bengal, dotted with traditional fishing villages and tourist resorts.

 

7. Loikaw

This little-known town is a fabulous base for exploring the hills, waterfalls, lakes and caves of Kayah State. In the centre of the Loikaw, the Taung Kwe Pagoda is an impressive complex built on a rocky hilltop offering wonderful views over the town and the surrounding mountains. It’s particularly beautiful when lit up at night.

 

8.  Inle Lake

This vast freshwater lake with a backdrop of mountains is edged by marshes and floating gardens, with stilted houses and temples rising up out of the waters. Its reputation as one of the country’s most scenic locations makes it a popular destination that’s unlikely to disappoint. Read about life on the lake and the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival in Inside Burma’s blog post, A Day on Inle Lake.

 

9. Bagan

On the plains of Bagan lies over 2,000 temples and pagodas dating from the 11th to 13th century. Just imagine what a spectacular sight they must be!

 

10. Mandalay

The former capital of Burma, Mandalay lies on the banks of the Irrawaddy River in the heart of this huge country. I long to take a glimpse beneath the city’s hectic chaos and discover a myriad of monasteries, pagodas, and teahouses. Read more about Burma’s teahouses on the blog, The Funnelogy Channel.

 

Researching Burma

There’s no doubt that there are many wonderful places to visit in this large country which is roughly equivalent to the size of France. It is well worth doing your homework while deciding where you’d like to visit and what you’d like to see and experience. The Inside Burma blog has a wealth of information that I have found invaluable. Part of Inside Asia Tours, their website has some beautiful interactive maps that enable you to explore the destinations they offer via your laptop, plus they publish a fascinating travel magazine three times a year that is free to download  or, if you live in the U.K. or the USA, it’s free to subscribe to. You’ll also find some interesting travel tips for Myanmar here.

 

Experience Burma

As a destination specialist, Inside Burma know the country really well and are firm believers in getting beneath the surface of a destination. They offer small group tours, timed to coincide with local festivals and events as well as the best time of year to travel. Alternatively, they can provide fully tailored itineraries to match your specific needs.  They also offer a great range of Burma experiences from cooking classes to high tea at the historic Strand Hotel.

 

What better way to discover Burma?

Featured photo credit: dmitrysumin via Visualhunt / CC BY-ND

Disclosure: The article was brought to you in association with Inside Burma.