Travel by Katrin

Myanmar

The Formerly Burma

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bagan

Formerly Burma, a country in Southeast Asia bordering Thailand, Laos, China, India and Bangladesh. The country has so much history to offer. Landscapes and everything still a little untouched. That's why I decided to travel to this country in 2019.

In February 2011 the country became democratic and tourists could travel the country without any problems. The military coup on February 1, 2021 ended democracy and the main politicians were imprisoned.

Since May 2022 it has been possible to apply for a tourist visa again after Corona.

The proximity to Thailand and Laos also makes the country very interesting for a combination. You can easily combine e.g. Chiang Mai or Bangkok with a visit to Mandalay.

The landscape of Myanmar with its fertile soil along the Irrawaddy. High mountains in the north, Kachin Highlands and foothills of the Himalayas and the Hkakabo Pazi. The Hkakabo Razi with its 5881 m is the largest in Southeast Asia.

The main rivers are the Irrawaddy, Thanlwin, Sittaung, Chindwin and the Mekong.

I thought the capital of Myanmar was Ragun-Yangon but I was wrong because the capital is Naypidaw.

Faith and religion

Myanmar is a very Buddhist country and is home to many of Buddhism's most important monuments. That is why Myanmar is also popular with many Chinese and Japanese Buddhist pilgrims.

-  88% of the population is Buddhist

-  6.2% Christians

-  4.3% Islam

-  0.5% Hinduism

- And the rest without religion

A little bit of history

King Anawrahta established the first Burmese empire in the 11th century.

The British colonial power also waged several wars in Burma and in 1886 Burma became part of British India. The then king was exiled to India.

Although Myanmar became independent in 1948, there were and still are military regimes that suppress the government and seize power in the country through the respective putsch.

2010 was re-elected for the first time in 20 years and 2011 became the prime minister.

In 2016, the party of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi took over the government. The party was re-elected in both 2020 elections and the army suddenly had only a quarter of the seats in parliament. Result on February 1st, 2021 military coup on the grounds that electoral fraud is said to have taken place.

I certainly disagree with a lot of things happening in Myanmar, but nonetheless it is a beautiful country and worth a visit!!!

How to get to Myanmar

Best by plane. To make it easy for you to search for the various airports, I will write down the respective areas with the associated airport and IATA code here:

- Yangon International Airport – RGN

- Mandalay International Airport – MDL

- Bagan Airport - NYU

- Heho Airport Inle Lake – HEH

bagan

What to do in Myanmar

Myanmar has a lot of history to offer, especially related to Buddhism. Other cultures and their friendly people, as well as landscapes and their originality, simply make Myanmar an unpolished jewel.

- Yangon sightseeing

- Mandalay so many different choices Amarapura, Sagaing, Mingun,

  Innwa

- Nyaung Shwe Inle Lake - Floating Villages - Kakku

- Bagan – take a tour to learn a bit of history and grab yourself

   the rest of the time a bike or moped, it's worth it

- Simply a dream with the hot air balloon Bagan

Where to sleep

Because of the climate, I always booked accommodation with a pool and usually a roof terrace or river or lake location. The individual tips will come with the respective areas.
Booked via  Booking.com


Country destinations already described:

Kakku– Energy and the car breakdown


Coming soon to my page:

  • - Ragun - was the capital of Myanmar until 2006 with many markets right next to modern shopping malls.
  • - Shwedagon Pagoda - Visit one of the most important Buddhist temple complexes
  • - Lake Kandawgyi - recreational area
  • - Ministers offices -Part of the resistance and political history of the country.
  • - Bagan - Ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, a hot air balloon ride over the temples in the morning is highly recommended, breathtaking.
  • - Nan Hpaya Temple
  • - Thein Taung Monastery
  • - Inle Lake Life on the Water - Rent a small boat and explore the floating gardens, markets and village. Watch the fishermen row their legs, a very special way of the fishermen at Inle Lake.
  • - Mandalay – a city with so many attractions, also easily combined with Thailand.
  • - Mandalay Palace – the last royal palace of the Burmese monarchy.
  • - Hsinbyume /Myatheindan pagoda – for me the most beautiful and magical of all pagodas. This beautiful pagoda is located about 10 km from Mandalay. The white paint and the small statues make them my number one sight in Myanmar.
  • Please, give me some time
 

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My favorite travel destinations