Joanna James
If you haven't heard about the joys of travelling to Myanmar, you are probably in the majority as this fantastic destination hasn't still reached the mainstream for all the wonders and experiences it offers. If you plan to visit here are the top five reasons you should do so as soon as possible.
Inle Lake itself is a magical destination. It is the second largest in the country and part of the infrastructure that holds Myanmar up. One of the most fascinating things about this lake though is the humans who fish in it. Burmese fishermen have developed a technique of paddling the boat with one leg, so their hands are free to fish, and it is a sight to behold. It is a tradition that has been with the fishermen for decades and this powerful image which is called Inthar – or sons of the lake, has become one that represents Myanmar to the rest of the world.
The Bagan temples jutting out of the forests in all their majesty are something out of this world, especially around sunrise and sunset. The best way to see it is on a hot air balloon ride. The thousands of pagodas will reveal themselves one by one amidst a sea of green the higher and higher you go. There are balloon flights available from October to the end of March annually, so make sure that you time your visit to Myanmar to coincide with this. Balloon riding over Bagan is considered one of the top 100 things on many people's bucket lists so why not add it to yours? You won't regret it.
An iconic structure located 11 km south of the city of Mandalay, U Bein Bridge is made up of 1000 wooden posts and 4 platforms settled on top of them. It is said to be the oldest and longest teak bridge in the world, spanning over 1.2 km and over 150 years. It is considered one of the most iconic photo-op sites in Myanmar.
Did you know that Myanmar is home to the biggest book in the world? Situated within the Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay, Tipitaka is made up of 729 marble tablets and tells the story of Theravada Buddhism. The tablets were decorated in precious stones which were unfortunately stolen by the invading British hordes. The inscriptions were named into the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2013.
Wherever you are, out on the streets in Mandalay or in a hotel in Yangon, you won't miss the spectacular Myanmar sunsets that have coined the country, the moniker, Golden Land. The sunsets are just the right colour of gold and casts a gilded glow on everything it touches, an almost magical phenomenon. Make sure that if you are in a hotel the likes of PARKROYAL Yangon, you come out to your balcony or the pool in the evening to watch the sun as it dips into the ocean. It will be a fitting end to your trip.
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