Southeast Asia is booming. Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia are in some respects much more developed than we here in central Europe. However, should you like to experience the "true", unglobalized Asia then travel to Myanmar, Cambodia or - as we in this short video - to Myanmar, the country you might know as Burma.
You must have seen the photos of sunrise taken from within the huge shrine compound Bagan where dozens of hot air balloons take off into the air. Perhaps you have seen even photos of fishermen on Inle Lake with their wicker nets or pictures of old trains on mountain tracks - which are very adventurous. Myanmar gives you more. Some places are still hard to get to. Therefore, many places are "unspoiled" by tourism. Moreover, the infrastructure has vastly improved over last several years. I believe, that travelling across Myanmara will become as easy as travelling across Vietnam. For now, be patient. Make enough time for your travelling – two weeks are minimum. Four weeks is the just right. You won't get bored.
Myanmar is a country with unbelievable variety. There are amazing sights, nature, culture, and people. There are over thousand years old Buddhist pagodas and Birish colonnial architecture. You can see amazing beaches in the south, beaches with no people on them (no tourists either), vast plains and rice fields, jungles covering mountains, many still live in villages remote to the other world, and you can see snow caped peaks of the Himalayas in the north.
You will encounter Indiands, or Chinese in Yangon and in Mandalay, which is the second largest city. You will find many villages where ethnic minorities live. It is the very ethnic diversity which brings many problems inside the country and the tension sometimes grows into armed violence. Don't worry though. Tourist areas as safe and Burmese are very kind and hospitable people.
If you are interested in travelling to Myanmar go there as soon as possible. Globalization is crawling into the country and tourists crowds with it. Fortunately, the country huge enough that it will take long time before bamboo houses and dirt roads will be replaced by Eruopean style homes, wide asphalt roads, and people adopting to "the developed West's" lifestyle. Today, it can easily happen that you will be the very first European to see some villages.
Do you like ancient monuments, temples and learn about new cultures? Then there is probably no better place in the world than Myanmar, a country that opened its borders in 2012 to the western world. The Republic of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is the youngest country in Southeast Asia. The westernmost country of Indochina is located on the peninsula of India's back along the Bay of Bengal. It borders Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand. Since 2005, it is its new capital, Neipyijto. Burma is a Buddhist country, with less than 90% of the population reporting this religion. The official currency is the buzz, but some hotels and local travel agencies accept US dollars.
They call Myanmar the gate between India, China, and southeast Asia. In country's largest city - Yangon - you quickly realize why it is so. There, influences of all cultures of the region meet as well as people - Indians, Chinese, Burmese... Let's quickly see the center and the suburbs of the city.
Burma's second largest city sometimes gives you the feeling as it doesn't fint into the country. To be honest, I loved it more than any other city in the country yet it was unimpressive at first. Let's make a quick look at the city.
One of the most popular place in Myanmar is Inle Lake. There are couple of interesting things about it. First, there are traditional fishermen. But also, there are unique floating gardens, and many villages built on water - on lake, or the river streaming from the lake.
Myanmar is its most beautiful side in the Shan State and around the tourist magnet, Inle Lake. You can easily reach it by bus, but how about a two-day to three-day adventure trip from Kalaw? You will experience a journey from village to village, between different ethnic groups. You will sleep in a Buddhist monastery, you will have the opportunity to get closer to the local culture and life in the countryside, and finally you will reach the aforementioned Inle Lake. The lake is one of the most popular and at the same time the most beautiful tourist destinations in Myanmar.
A town where is a water canal, banana trees, remains of wooden cloisters. Curious looks of Burmese children, and a pleasant encounter with farmer Uman.
While travelling across Burma, we travel to Hsipaw in Shan State in the north of the country. Full moon is about to come. In this time a large celebration takes place in Bawgyo. Many Burmese delicacies are sold during this time, and you can experience also some fair rides and fire works.
Whistling train comes on time. The rails squeak. We looked down into the mouth of the canyon up form the Gokteik viaduct. What should we see first? The view over scarily deep canyon or slow moving of the train? Welcome to the one of the most famous railroad viaducts in the world.
Colonial structures, an English-style tower, railway stop, orchid park, bamboo bushland, the view over a botanical garden, motorbike ride, waterfalls and rainbow and a great melon at the end. This is Pwin U Lwin. A town with a hidden face of fresh Burmese beauty.
Monumental pagodas over 250 years old are glitter under sun shine. Pointy cactuses rise among temples made of red bricks. There are also bushes with red and rose blossoms. You can hear a clapping sound made by shepherd’s clogs.
Let's climb up the second highest mountain of Myanmar. Nice weather means beautiful vista over mountains in India and to Bangladesh. There is a complicated road to the base camp. On the other hand, the climb is easy and takes you up to 3053 meters above sea level.
The last stop in Burma is devoted to recreation on beach and a motorbike trip. A banana shake for breakfast, sea fruits for dinner. Peace, quiet, swashing of the waves during the sunrise and the sunset. Paradise or reality?