Myanmar - Burma
Union of Myanmar also well known by the name Burma is embraced by China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Laos. Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal shapes the coastline for the country. The mountain ranges, plateaus, rivers including Myanmar’s longest river - Ayeyarwady, valleys and fertile lands are the nature’s gifted beauty for the country. Other important natural resources are teak, betel palm, coconut, bamboo, mangrove, ironwood, rubber, acacia, oak, pine and tropical fruits. The country also has a wide variety of birds and other fauna.
Travel to Burma: Myanmar Airways International is the public airline of the country. The other international names that fly to reach Myanmar are Air China, Bangkok Airways, Indian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Thai AirAsia, Yangon Airways, Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Jetstar Asia, Malaysian Airlines, Air Asia and Qatar Airways.
Yangon International Airport which is about 19 km from the city is the main airport catering to global flights. Services such as Duty-free shops, snack bar, restaurant, bar, bank and helpful tourist information are at hand at the airport. Buses are accessible from the aerodrome and the time they consume to take the city would be half an hour. Taxis are also available.
Attractions:
Ananda Temple: This is one of the finest examples of Mon architecture. Named after Ananda – Buddha’s cousin the temple has a rich culture. Being built in about 1105 this has put up with an earthquake and re-established. The standing Buddhas in the east and the west follow the Mandalay or Konbaung style. The temple festival comes in between December and January in which about a thousand of monks chant religious slogans during the days the festival the lasts. Terracotta tiles depicting scenes from Jataka tales are a speciality.
National Museum: This National Museum is situated in Yangon. Rare art works, precious cultural and historical pieces with the ancient script and Lion throne room adorn the museum. Myanmar’s literary pieces, pre-historic exhibits, ornamented royal artefacts, ancient jewellery and ornaments, musical instruments, paintings, Buddha images and lovely carvings can be admired here.
Language: Burmese is the official language of Myanmar. It is the native language of the Bamar which is resembles Chinese and Tibetan dialects. Burmese is an analytical and tonal language in which phonemic differences is characterised by the tone of a vowel. Strangely enough Myanmar has more than a hundred regional dialects and languages spoken throughout the country. English is also a language well received and widespread among the younger generation.
Shopping: Myanmar is famous for its lacquer ware, particularly in Bagan – its manufacturing place. The bowls, boxes, vases, plates, cups and the other products that are made from it are also famous among shoppers. The price range varies according to the intricate work and meticulousness embodied on the products. The other worthy things that tourists go for are wooden carvings, marionettes, precious stones like jade, emerald and ruby, tapestries, jewellery, Buddhist articles of worship, painted umbrella, handicrafts, longyi garments, When procuring at the open and outdoor markets you may find the prices a lot cheaper that the products arranged in posh stores. Zegyo market in Mandalay is the place to do for time-honoured handcrafted artefacts. Bogyoke Aung San in Yangon is a fine market for art work, jewellery and luxury goods.
Kyat is the official currency. FECs is the second official which Bank of Myanmar provides to tourists. You can pay for these in US Dollars. Then these FECs are exchanged at banks, exchange counters, tourism offices and hotels. Euros are also accepted for exchange nowadays. Credit cards and Traveller’s cheques are not very well received so it is better to consult with your credit card company.
Destinations:
Mandalay: Poets and writers have loved this city and praised it in their writings. This is the second largest city in Myanmar. Located at 716 km from the capital it is wrapped by the Ayeyarwady River. Bamboo, teak, pottery, rice and cooking oil are yielded here. It also has a great part in the industrial development and it is a major communication centre. Gem polishing, jade shaping, wood carving, sculpting marble and bronze statuettes, Stone carving, gold and silver leaves, making of matches, silk weaving and more form a part in the business sector. Mandalay beer is quite famous too. Having Atumashi Monastery, Kuthodaw Temple, Mandalay Hill, Mandalay Fort to add to its credit Mandalay is also the religious and heritage site of Buddhism. It safeguards numerous monasteries and over 700 pagodas.
Bagan: This is an ancient and beautiful city located at about 145 km from Mandalay and takes up the eastern shore of Ayeyarwady River. Amazing places like Ananda temple, Nanpaya temple, Tharabha Gate, Mahabodhi Temple, Bupaya Pagoda, Manuha temple and much more displays Bagan as a divine site..
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