Myanmar is truly the land that time forgot. After three decades of self-imposed isolation, the unspoiled beauty and tranquility of Myanmar is to be treasured. The larger cities are bustling centers. In the countryside, however, time seems to have stood still. Here hundreds of pagodas dot the landscape, farmers dressed to their traditional garb tend to their emerald green rice paddies the way their ancestors have for centuries before and the pace of life seems perfectly in tune with the slow changing of the seasons. Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world. A land of breathtaking beauty and charm yet only recently emerging into the modern world.

Myanmar, situated between Asia’s great civilisations of India and China, and looks out onto the vast Indian Ocean bordering Thailand. One of South East Asia’s largest and most diverse countries, Myanmar stretches from the sparkling islands of the Andaman Sea in the south right up into the Eastern Himalayan mountain range. Myanmar has a land area of 678,033 square kilometres with a coastline that runs 2832 km. The majority of the land has paddy fields, rugged mountain ranges, ice-capped peaks, virgin forests, deep jungles, arid plains, rivers wide and placid or twisting and rocky, and remote villages of nationalities and bustling towns where friendly people live in harmony and peace.

The country’s tourism infrastructure boasts five star properties, intimate boutique hotels and family guest houses in all the major centers, as well as stunning mountain and beach resorts. Myanmar also boasts one of the lowest tourist crime records in the world, so visitors can rest assured their holiday will be carefree from start to finish. We offer you a variety of destinations, with information on their charm and points of interest as well as facts about our way of life and culture so that you can choose the perfect holiday suited to your mood and time.

Myanmar offers all the traditional delights of Asia in one fascinating country. Virgin jungles, snow-capped mountains and pristine beaches, combined with a rich and glorious heritage spanning more than two thousand years. Spectacular monuments and ancient cities attest to a vibrant culture that is still home to 135 different ethnic groups.Wherever you go in Myanmar, whether it be cruising down the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River in style, drifting over the ancient city of Bagan by hot air balloon, or searching for that elusive tiger on the back of an elephant, there is always a feeling of adventure. With two modern internal airlines upgrading and expanding their networks, new and exciting destinations off the beaten track are gradually being opened. From mountain trekking and rafting in the far north to world class diving in the Mergui Archipelago. But above all, Myanmar offers the warmest welcome in Asia.

Do you want to get away to isolated white sand beaches? Are you intrigued by ancient temples? Are you sportive and like trekking through spectacular scenery, getting to know, not just look at, the ethnic nationalities living in remote villages, attempting ice covered peaks? What about visiting magnificent pagodas covered with gold and surrounded by smaller spires of intricate work? Or seeing beautiful relics of colonial architecture? Do you like crafts made in the techniques used for nearly a thousand years or silks that take one to two hundred shuttles to weave?

We have it all, and more.

Myanmar is a paradise to discover, a destination for discerning travellers to explore an experience the mystical charms of the East in all its diversity-rich archaeological sites, a wealth of cultures, golden pagodas, colorful festivals, an awe-inspiring range of natural sights.

Thervada Buddhaism is the Predominant religion, with 80 percent of the population embracing it. There are also Christians, Muslims, Hindus and some animists.

Religion
Buddhism is not a religion in the strict sense of the word as it is not a system of faith worship. Buddhism is neither persuasive nor aggressive as the Buddha only showed the way to one's salvation and one is not expected to accept it blindly. The Buddha even advised his followers to examine his teachings, test them and accept them only when they are convinced of their truth. The Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha are the most important components of Buddhism but it is Dhamma, the teachings of the Buddha, which is the essence of Buddhism.

Meditation
There are two types of meditation: Vipassana meditation which is aimed at making you consciously aware of what you feel at all times or 'mindful' as the Buddhist term goes, so that emotions such as anger does not escape your control to wreak havoc in your relationships. This type is in tune with the Buddhist concept that being mindful is the way to Nirvana. The other, Sammada Meditation, is somewhat like transcendental meditation and strengthens the powers of your mind. Vipassana meditation centres that accommodate foreigners are the International Meditation Centre, Pandita Rama Meditation Centre and the International Maha Si Sayadaw Yeikthar of Yangon. Sammada Meditation is practised at Hpa Auk Meditation Centre near Mawlamyaing.

The Myanmar mindset
With 85% of the population being Theravada Buddhists the Myanmar live by its peaceful values. Greed, Anger and Ignorance (or Illusion) are the three worst things for a human so they strive not to be materialistic, and not show aggression or anger and they value education highly.

They prefer to live with less stress even if it means a lower income and their desire for peace makes them live in harmony with other religions. In many towns you can see pagodas, mosques, churches and Hindu temples near each other. True, being human, they do burst out in outrage but the anger is never sustained for long.

Their preference for simplicity is symbolized in their traditional cuisine which is simply cooked and very flexible as to its preparation, with cooks using as many or less of the ingredients as she likes. The use of a cooling and fragrant bark paste makeup called Thanakha, ground on a circular stone with water, is also unique to the Myanmar. It keeps the complexion clear while protecting it from the sun.

As for women's rights they have enjoyed equality in education and business for centuries. Indeed women professors outnumber male faculty members in universities, as do women in the medical field. They are not forced to marry the man chosen by their parents but they mostly wed someone acceptable to them and to the whole extended family, for a marriage is more than a union of two people.


Wish you have a safe trip and enjoy your trip in Myanmar.....

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