Myanmar

A Country with Ancient Temples, Rich History and Various Culture

Myanmar, earlier called Burma, is a nation in the Southeastern part of Asia with China, India, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand as the neighbours and the Bay of Bengal coast. Myanmar is known as the country of ancient temples, wonderful landscapes, and various cultures that make traveling to this destination quite an extraordinary experience. Myanmar is a place of history, natural beauty and untold secrets; the golden Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon to the rolling plains of temple fields in Bagan.

In this extensive guide, we shall discover Myanmar in all its geography, history, culture, economy, and places we must all see, and this will give you the information you need to get the full package of what Myanmar is all about.

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Geographical Location

Myanmar is situated in the center of the Southeast Asian region and borders China on the north, India and Bangladesh on the west and Laos and Thailand on the east. The land is located along Bay of Bengal to the southwest which avails the country with a rich selection of natural settings, including mountainous areas in the north and well cultivated deltas and plains in the south.

Myanmar has a total area of 676578 square km which includes it among the 40th largest nations of the world. It has a variety of landscapes that consist of forests, rivers, mountains and coastal areas and this provides different agricultural, tourism and wildlife settings.

For an in-depth travel guide, visit the Official tourism guide for Myanmar

Natural Features Landforms

Myanmar is a hilly country that mostly has mountains and plateaus. The Himalayas stretch to Northern Myanmar with the mountain of Hkakabo Razi (5,881 meters) being the highest mountain in Myanmar. On the contrary, the nation is also blessed with fertile river valleys, including Irrawaddy river valley, which is vital to the farming sector and acts as the source of livelihood to the people of the nation.

The southern region of Myanmar is a coastal region which features coastal plain terrains and islands and some of these terrains are the Myeik Archipelago and the Rakhine Coast which boost spectacular beaches and biodiversity of the sea. The country of Myanmar has other precincts as well, which includes national parks such as Hlawga National Park and Mergui Archipelago where viewing of wildlife can be done as well as eco-tourism activities.

Ancient History and Primitive Kingdoms

Myanmar has a history of more than 2,000 years and among its early civilizations include Pyu and Mon cultures. Among the earliest kingdoms in Myanmar were the Pyus that set up trade routes and shared Buddhism in Southeast Asia. The Man who also had had a significant impact on the early history of Burma founded the kingdom of Thaton which was a cultured one that could not be ignored because of its inclusion of Buddhism.

Myanmar was with the rise of the Burmese Kingdoms in the 9 th century and more so the Pagan Kingdom (849-1287), the golden age of the country. The Pagan Empire was another great center of Buddhist culture and administration and the largest Bagan Temple Complex remains the memorial of its greatness now. Burmese style of architecture as well as dominance of Buddhism is attributed to the Pagan Kingdom.

British Rule and Colonialism

A number of wars led to the annexation of Myanmar by the British Empire in the 19 th century. It found itself in British India and was under British rule till 1948. At this point the infrastructure of Myanmar had been developed, however the country was exploited and the local traditions crushed.

The Indian laborers who migrated to Myanmar were promoted by the British and this brought new cultures and communities especially in the emerging trade and agricultural industries. Nevertheless, the colonial system left a mark of political tension and division that later influenced Myanmar even after ruling the country on its own.

Militarism and Anti Suffrage

On January 4, 1948 Myanmar was freed of the British rule and was renamed the Union of Burma. After independence the nation experienced ethnic tensions, political instability and economic challenges. Tatmadaw, the Burmese military, started to play a leading role in the national politics, and in 1962 a military coup took place that became decades of military rule.

In the military years, Myanmar was experiencing high cases of economic crises and political isolation in the country as well as the abuse of human rights. The late 20 th century saw the emergence of a pro-democracy movement under the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi and in 2011 the military government steered reforms making the country open to democracy. Aung San Suu Kyi has ascended to power after her National League of Democracy (NLD) won elections in 2015 and made her the State Counsellor.

New Problems and Political Uncertainty

In February 2021, the military implemented another coup and overthrew the government of Aung San Suu Kyi bringing the country back to the state of political instability and unrest. The coup resulted in numerous protests, violence and international condemnation. Up to date, the country is still experiencing political instability but there are active attempts by the civil society and international community that are seeking to bring sanity and democracy in the country.

Religious and Polyethic Diversity

Myanmar is a multiethnic state owning to more than 100 ethnic groups. Bamar is the majority ethnic group, comprising approximately 70 per cent of the women and men, other ethnicities comprise of Shan, Karen, Rakhine, Kachin and Mon women and men. These ethnic groups possess their unique languages and traditions as well as customs.

The main religion is Buddhism and the vast majority of Myanmar population (around 90 percent) follows Theravada Buddhism that affects almost every sphere of life of Myanmar people including their way of life, festivals and other celebrations. Smaller smaller percentages of the population also practice Christianity, Islam and Animism.

Traditional United States Culture

The Buddhist culture has highly shaped the cultural practices in Myanmar. The most legendary sign of the religious devotion of Myanmar people is the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and a person coming to the pagoda can offer his prayer to the God and make some rituals their representatives. Significant Buddhist holidays are observed as well in the country, and one of them is Thingyan (the New Year Festival in Burma), which is associated with the water festivals, parades, and rituals.

The traditional crafts in Myanmar are lacquer-ware, silk-weaving and wood carving. The art forms Burmese classical dance and puppet theatre play important role in the artistic tradition of the country.

Cuisine

The Myanmar cuisine is a multicultural cuisine that depicts the location of Myanmar and being close to India, China, and Southeast Asia. The staple food is rice, with the common foods being a fish soup called Mohinga, Shan noodles and Lahpet (fermented tea leaves salad). Fried foods, curries and other fresh, herb-based meals are also common in Myanmar. Tea belongs to the beverages, green tea is regularly used as a refreshment to meet guests.

Agriculture

The economy of Myanmar depends mainly on farming, with a significant number of the population engaging in the sector. The nation majorly produces rice, beans, corn, tobacco and oilseeds. The delta in Irrawaddy river is especially significant in the production of rice, whereas the hilly areas yield tea, coffee, and spices.

Industry and Manufacturing

Myanmar is an emerging center of manufacturing industry especially clothing manufacturing industry, mining industries, and construction industries. Oil and natural gas industries are also quite crucial to the economy of the nation. The export station of textiles and footwear goes to countries such as China, India, and Thailand.

Tourism and Commerce

Another important part of the Myanmar economy is tourism as millions of tourists are attracted to both historical sites, beaches, and cultural festivals of the country. Some of the main tourist destinations include Bagan, Inle Lake, and Yangon and they are characterized by their ancient temples, beauty, and culture.

Myanmar is also strategically situated between India and China; the ports in the Bay of Bengal gives Myanmar an economic partner of importance. Myanmar also belongs into Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN making the country more connected into the global economy.

Cultural and Historical Monuments

Bagan – One of the UNESCO World heritage site comprising of the largest number of ancient temples and pogodas dating back to the 11th and 12 century.

Shwedagon Pagoda – The most well known Buddhists place in Myanmar and one found in Yangon and an image of the cultural heritage of Myanmar.

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda /, commonly called Golden Rock, is a holy land situated on a giant rock with exemplary views of the area.

Inle Lake the beautiful fresh water lake situated on the Shan state is renowned with its floating villages, stilt houses and traditional boat rides.

Natural Attractions

Ngapali Beach The names: A clean beach in the Bay of Bengal with its calm waters and relaxed surroundings.

Mount popa- It is an extinct volcano that boasts of an ancient temple on top that allows viewing of the plains that surround it through panorama.

Kakadu National Park – Being a well known park of diverse flora and fauna suited to nature tourism and nature lovers.

Healthcare System

The issues that Myanmar has to contend with regarding the healthcare system include infrastructure and accessibility as well as resource scarcity, especially in wildlife. Nevertheless, the government has tried to enhance healthcare facilities and services especially in big cities such as Yangon and Mandalay.

Education System

The education of Myanmar is free and obligatory up to 14 years old. Literacy level has been increasing continuously and increasingly more schools and universities are providing education to people in countryside and cities. The state is still doing on the way of increasing access to education and quality.

Ideal Seasons

Myanmar can be best visited during the dry months between November and February as their climate is cool during these months and sightseeing is really good during this period. The monsoon rains that occur between June and October can make travelling a challenge because of heavy rains.

Festivals and Events

Visit in April and do not miss the Thingyan Festival or Burmese New Year, the water splashing season, street carnivals and cultural events.

Independent conclusion: 

Myanmar is a very beautiful, culturally and historically prominent nation. The country has its disadvantages but once you experience its ancient temples and pagodas, its beautiful sceneries and colorful culture, you would accrue a unique experience. Myanmar is a diverse, politically conservative country that develops its own religious traditions, natural and historical wonders, and inaccessible to the tourist world of Asia.

Often Neglected Questions Misra, V. E. (2009). Detecting the enemies of iron. In Journal of the ADHE Quality Project (pp. 19-30). Sudbury, MA (ADHE).

When should I visit Myanmar?

To visit Myanmar at the most appropriate time of the year, you need to come to this country during the dry season that is November to February because weather is so pleasant and cooler.

Which are the best sites in Myanmar?

The best places to visit are Bagan, Shwedagon Pagoda, Inle Lake and Kyaiktiyo Pagoda.

Which are the languages that are spoken in Myanmar?

The official lingo is Burmese, and English is commonly known in the main urban places and tourist destinations.

Is Myanmar a safe touristic country?

Myanmar as a touristic destination is broadly safe, yet travel advisory should be observed and local circumstances must be monitored.

What are the cultural festivals in Myanmar to be experienced?

Myanmar is a cultural bliss with things like Thingyan Festival (Burmese New Year) and Loy Krathong happening.