“Beauty is meaningless until it is shared.”
― George Orwell, Burmese Days
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Myanmar
Myanmar was formerly called Burma. Myanmar is one of the most unusual places around the world. It holds natural beauties and a living historical heritage that is unique. The open doors gained in the last civil war left the door open for globalization too.
Before more times passes, we’ve prepared for you the 10 reasons why you should visit Myanmar right now. If you want to discover a different place, and recreate living from 100 years ago, this is the place to visit. Take a look at our 10 top list.
10. Visit Myanmar Before These Reasons Are Gone!
The first and last reason to go to Myanmar is to see it while it is a virgin place. You can still see how an Asian country was 100 years ago. This isolated country keeps mystical Buddhists; villages are still peaceful places; there is no eager of money; traditional dressings and thinking are still in place. Economic investment in Myanmar will change all this enchantment to what the world is now: a globalized place where people are used to tourists; nature has lost importance, menus, signs are written in English and money talks.
9. Buddhism
Buddhism is more than just a religion. It is a way of living. Myanmar still holds some of Buddhism’s first and eldest traditions. Spiritual practices are there to amaze tourists. Like the ritual is seen every day from the U Bein Bridge. But the most important thing is to be able to live among real practitioners who have not been contaminated by the practices of the West.
8. Virgin Islands
There are plenty of islands not yet inhabited. They have astonishing virgin beaches, comparable to any other beach around the world, either in the Greek islands or around the Caribbean. These islands are a unique opportunity to enjoy a peaceful place to rest. Away from everything, there are no efficient means of communication or competent services allowing you an excellent opportunity for you to disconnect from the daily world. There are plenty of places appropriate for scuba diving, and under the sea, there are more wonders to discover.
7. Cave Temples
Cave temples are not rare. They are mostly active sites of prayer, and you can find some astonishing places. One of the most famous is the Pindaya Cave, holding more than eight thousand Buddha statues. Some other places have Buddha rows and other ornaments like the one we are showing in the photo. There are dedicated monks to each temple-cave, and they are kept in excellent conditions.
6. Exotic Cuisine
Myanmar’s cuisine has not yet expanded over the world. I would define it as a mixture of Indian, Thai and Chinese dishes, taking bits of each to create something unique. Fruit shakes are made out of avocado like in Brazil, and traditional bananas are also used around the Inle Lake zone. Dabauk is a sort of curry with mango, green chili, and fresh mint. Shan Tofu is a variant coming from the Shan highlands, still homemade. For main dishes, I strongly recommend the Kat Kyi Hnyat which is a coastal dish, based on rice noodles, including seafood, raw beans, fried eggs, and meat. For dietary meals, there is also a tasty ginger salad that also has sesame seeds called Gyin Thohk.
5. Hiking
Hiking through apparently uninhabited paths can be rewarding. Walking through Myanmar is probably now the best way to get to know the place. You can get in touch with nature and temples around the country. The landscapes can be rewarding. Some agencies are offering packages departing from the city, but getting a real experience you need to do it on your own. It requires some gut, but it is the best way to get involved with locals and find unexplored and surprising places.
4. Unexplored Temples
Temples are part of everyday life in Myanmar. Having a 1% monk population in Myanmar, most temples remain active. Children are educated in temples as well, and many kids spent their childhood with monks. Not all of them grow up to continue a monk’s life, but they bare respect to traditions. Temples in Myanmar are not cataloged and remain current. Respect towards this culture is a must to keep them sharing their culture with strangers.
3. Outstanding People
The consumerism virus does not yet infect people at Myanmar. They receive visitors willing to share experiences and practice a foreign language. Service is good, not because there is a service culture, but because locals are polite and well educated. Locals are willing to share they way of life rather than adopt others. But they remain curious, and modernization is a peril to their way of living.
2. Air Balloons!
A ride in an air balloon is a worth living experience. To do it in Myanmar is unique. Air balloon tours departure every day early in the morning. It is recommended to take a thin sweater or jacket and plenty memory and battery to take photos. The sight views are unbelievable. To overlook the Bagan Temple is just one of the many views that can only be achieved through the air. You can watch details from an angle that is not accessible anywhere else. The slow motion of the balloon lets you enjoy the views.
1. Myanmar is a Virgin Touristic Destination
Myanmar was had civil war after gaining independence from England. The democratically elected government chose a socialist way of ruling, causing a general lack of support. Recently, in 2010, the government changed, and Myanmar was officially named the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. This was just the beginning of a series of healthy shifts in the country. The most important for our curious eyes is that it was finally opened to tourists around the world. The elimination of economic sanctions still in place by the European Union and the USA positively impacted tourism. As an unexplored destination, you can be one of the firsts to visit Myanmar and get dazzled by all the wonders of the country.