Myanmar Travel Guide

Kipling wrote “It is quite unlike any place you know about” when he spoke of Myanmar, otherwise known as Burma. And what he said more than a century ago still holds true today. Situated in the Bay of Bengal with borders along Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand, Myanmar is the largest country in Southeast Asia, and also one of the most difficult to experience. An archaeological paradise with literally hundreds, if not thousands, of ancient Pyu ruins and lush, tropical destinations, Myanmar has become increasingly difficult in recent years for Westerners to access. While it's true … read morethat getting into the country is relatively easy, visas must be obtained in advance, and due to the nature of the country large portions of Myanmar are off-limits to visitors, and require special visas in order to enter. And while technically those visas are obtainable by anyone, the time it takes generally means that you'll realistically never see those sections.

However, travelers should not be daunted by this. The central heartland of the country is generally open to travel, although the country is best restricted to adventuresome travelers who are familiar with a backpack, a pair of hiking boots, and questionable accommodations and transportation. A poor country in terms of economic stability, Myanmar is nevertheless a treasure trove of beauty well worth seeing if you don't mind dealing with a little bit of underdeveloped infrastructure. Also, there are very few ATMs in the country, so you will need to bring enough cash with you to last your entire journey.

One of the most amazing sights in Myanmar is Inle Lake, with its floating villages gardens. However, equally amazing is Mandalay, the former capital of Burma, with its famous bridge and amazing views, or Yangon, the current capital of the country, where the Shwedagon Paya dazzles viewers with its gold plating. Outside of the cities, sights such as the sacred rock of Kyaikitiyo or the village of Kalaw, headquarters for backpackers, offer a unique glimpse into a culture that has largely remained the same for the past few hundred years.