About Myanmar

Myanmar is an enchanting country filled with history and culture. Formally known as Burma, Myanmar hosts one of the most diverse countryside’s in all of Southeast Asia. You can go from beaches to towering mountains, and in-between lies thousands of temples and untouched dense jungles. Myanmar is situated between India, China, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand. This nearly 700,000 km square county has one of the most unique and diverse landscapes in the region.

The deep rooted culture is unchanged, and the people of Myanmar are very in touch with the Buddhist religion. Nearly 90% of the population is Theravada Buddhist. You will quickly see realize this as you enter the capital city of Yangon and see the massive gold stupa of Shwedagon Pagoda piercing the skyline. Every city in the country hosts hundreds if not thousands of religious monuments ranging from temples, monasteries, pagodas, and figures of Buddha. Myanmar is home to over 135 different ethnic groups each with their own traditions, language differences, and lifestyles.

The landscape of Myanmar varies from region to region. In the south you can enjoy pristine beaches and tropical jungles. Along the southwestern coast there is the Myeik Archipelago which has thousands of untouched islands, and this area is also known for is remarkable diving sites. To the north lie the foot hills of the Himalaya Mountains. The snow capped mountains in the north provide an excellent escape from the warm weather in the south. One of the main geographical features of Myanmar is the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. This river spans most of the country, originating in the north and flowing south all the way to Yangon where it dumps into the Andaman Sea. The river is both a commercial trade route as well as a hydroelectric powerhouse that supplies electricity to Myanmar and surrounding countries.

After a day in the country you will quickly see that the people are some of the most friendly and charming people in all of Asia. Everything from their traditional longyi wearing to chewing betel nut has been unchanged for hundreds of years. You will be greeted by smiles and hospitality everywhere you go within the country. It is not just at fancy hotels and restaurants where you will receive this treatment, it is everywhere. You will see smiling children playing football in the street, women balancing trays of snacks on their head, men sitting at street side tea shops discussing the days business, and bamboo scaffolding towering above your head, but this is just normal day to day life, expect so see much more interesting things throughout your journey through this magical land.