According to Countryaah.com, Burma offers the variations of traditional Asia in one and the same fascinating country. Visit Rangoon and explore its charming colonial architecture and the Sule Pagoda, which according to legend is over 2500 years old. Also visit the city’s eclectic mix of lively markets where you can stroll around and mingle with the locals. The 9th century city of Bagan has many older architectural delights where you can take a step back in time and marvel at over 4,400 temples and pagodas. Visit the Dhammayangyi Pagoda, Bagan’s largest temple. Here you see the sun setting in the pink sky from “The Grand Summit”. For peace and quiet go to Inle Lake and meander through the beautiful floating gardens, built on strips of water hyacinth and clay and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles.
BURMA
Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay
Yangon – The Sule Pagoda, the magnificent Lying Buddha at Chauk Htat Gyi, Karaweik Hall a barge on Kandawgyi Lake, walks through Bogyoke Market with hundreds of shops. A longer visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda
Bagan – Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawratha in the early 12th century, Bu Lei Thee Pagoda and Ananda Temple with four standing Buddha statues. Visit Burmese artisans. Explore the Nanbaya Temple, a unique sandstone monument that is said to be the site of King Manuha’s palace. Visit the Archaeological Museum with countless beautiful Buddha images.
Mandalay – with the Shwe Iinbin Monastery, the Golden Palace Monastery an excellent example of a traditional wooden building and the Kuthodaw Pagoda with the world’s largest marble book. The most revered religious monument in Myanmar, the Mahamuni Pagoda. Mandalay is an important arts and crafts center with i.a. Kalaga’s weaver. Sunset at Mandalay Hill.
Pyin Oo Lwin – Amarapura – Ava
Pyin Oo Lwin – the former British settlement of Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo), a delightful little town with colonial-style buildings, markets and a botanical garden. Peik Khyin Myaung caves. Pwe Kyauk Falls which is the locals’ favorite picnic spot.
Amarapura – Mahagandayon Monastery where more than a thousand monks live and study. the 200-year-old U Bein bridge made of teak, built in 1782. From the beginning, the city was known for its silk and cotton weaving.
Ava – the ancient royal capital Inwa (AVA). Visit the Nanmyint Watchtower, the remains of the ancient palace building, also known as the “Leaning Tower of Ava”, the Mah Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, built of brick and plaster, the Bargayar Monastery known for its impressive ornamented wood carvings and teak marquetry.
Pindaya – Inle Lake
Pindaya – The Pindaya Caves, a unique site that houses thousands of Buddha images placed there by pilgrims and followers for centuries. Kalaw on the edge of the Shan Plateau, a market center for ethnic minorities from surrounding regions
Inle Lake – the famous Inntha leg rowers, the floating gardens, local fishing methods, village life and magnificent scenery. Visit the Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda one of the holiest shrines in Myanmar, Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery famous for its jumping cats, the weaving village of Inpawkhon and one of the local markets in the Inle Lake region. On the lake’s west shore you will find the beginning of a staircase that leads to the well hidden Inn Thein Pagoda.
SANCTUARY
The Sanctuary Retreats portfolio of luxury safari lodges and expedition ships brings the boutique experience to guests with the added promise of authenticity. Located in some of the most stunning locations in the world, each property is completely individual in its design and operated around the philosophy of “Luxury, naturally.”
Sanctuary Retreats was born in Africa with the first of our Sanctuary Lodges, Sanctuary Olonana, in Kenya in 1999. We now own and operate additional lodges and camps in Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and our newest destination, South Africa. Building on our heritage of luxury adventure travel, we also manage and run six spectacular expedition cruise ships in some of the most amazing cultural and ecological sites in the world. Our cruises explore epic rivers – the Yangtze in China, the Nile in Egypt and the Irrawaddy in Myanmar.
BURMA-MYANMAR
Short for BM by AbbreviationFinder.org, Burma, or Myanmar, is located in Southeast Asia with a coast towards the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. The central plain around the rivers Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) and Sittang (Sittaung) is completely surrounded by a horseshoe-like chain of mountains and plateaus that border the country from Bangladesh and India in the northwest and China, Laos and Thailand in the east.
Climate
The climate is mainly tropical and is affected by the southwest monsoon from the Indian Ocean, which gives Burma three seasons: a warm rainy season from late May to late October, a cooler and drier period from October to mid-February and a warm dry season from February to May. .
Visa
Yes – Visas are required for Nordic citizens.
Currency
Myanmar Kyat MMK
100MMK = 0.72SEK
Card payment is not possible anywhere, ATMs are not available – even in Rangoon, it is recommended to bring USD or EUR to change on the spot.
Language
Burmese is the official language, Arakanei, Karen, Karenni, Kachin, Chin, Naga, Mon, Palaung, Wa are major minority languages.
Vaccinations
Mandatory – The yellow fever vaccination is required if you arrive from certain countries in Africa or South America.
Recommended – Malaria prophylaxis. Check with your vaccination center for personal needs.