Myanmar, still often referred to as Burma, encompasses diverse landscapes – from its Andaman Sea coastline to the snowy peaks of the Eastern Himalayas located on its north shoulder.

One of Southeast Asia’s largest countries, Myanmar was once the center of a great empire that swept as far north as Tibet and south to Bangkok. The commanding Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River with its vast delta is one of the main rice-growing regions of the world. The center encompassed the now sleepy town of Bagan, where as many as 13,000 temples and pagodas are said to have existed. Today’s landscape remains dotted with thousands of temple ruins. The country’s rich ethnic diversity is represented in the more than 100 languages spoken by its ethnic minorities such as those in the villages of Inle Lake, where travelers witness a way of life that is rapidly vanishing elsewhere. The country’s culture is primarily based on Theravada Buddhism. Myanmar is just beginning to come into its own as an international destination with outstanding five-star properties, boutique hotels, and mountain and beach resorts. The many fascinating facets of Myanmar combine to create a complex and thoroughly captivating destination.

 From Big Five Tours