Long isolated, protected from outside influences and explored only by a few adventurous tourists, Myanmar, Burma by its former name, is a mythical country that is gradually revealing itself. Once one of Asia's most flamboyant civilizations, the land of a thousand pagodas has much to offer. Today it has become a great destination for travellers seeking the mysterious charms of Asia, its temples and traditions. It must be said that you will find an omnipresent Buddhism, a warm welcome, sublime landscapes, a rich architecture, a magic light and a really warm welcome.
Yangon: a summary of Myanmar
Yangon, the economic capital of the country, is a must. It is a city full of life, especially its Chinatown district with its many shops and restaurants, where you can also eat on the street and more broadly in the city centre, where you can still see some buildings dating back to the colonial era. The port is also in constant movement. At any time passenger ships leave, and goods from all over the country are unloaded on the back of men. It is also a city steeped in history because it is where the main political events that have shaken the country since its independence have taken place. The passage in front of the guarded residence of Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of General Aung San, hero of the fight against the British, is one of the unavoidable ones. And then, although it is a big city sometimes chaotic, Yangon will be the first encounter with its people of extreme kindness and a first approach to Buddhism. It will be necessary to see his lying Buddha and his national monument: the gigantic Shwe-Dagon pagoda. It is impossible to be indifferent to the fervour that reigns there, day and night, when the crushing heat falls and the pagoda is adorned with light. It is a magical moment and we like to spend several hours there so many rituals and ceremonies are numerous.
One of the highlights of the year is the Water Festival, which takes place in April. Even if it takes place throughout the country, it is here that the most important demonstrations take place. The city is then in jubilation and young and old water themselves with some rudimentary means such as small buckets or water guns, but also with real water cannons. There are real traffic jams to pass in front of the stands and it is a real moment of sharing.
Bagan: pagodas and temples by the thousands
In Bagan, we enter the heart of Myanmar, a more arid region with savannah landscapes. It is a real sanctuary with more than 2,000 pagodas and temples listed. Many of them are in ruins but there is a whole route to discover the biggest and most beautiful of them. Giant Buddhas covered with gold, millenary wall frescoes, Buddhist ornaments and heritage are in Bagan of an incredible richness. In addition, most of them are real places of worship where you can attend ceremonies and offerings every day. In the late afternoon, you will also have to climb up one of the highest temples to enjoy the panorama with thousands of breathtaking pagodas. You will not be alone, tourists certainly, but also many monks who came in groups to visit temples they did not know. The dawn is an equally magical moment, when with the rising sun, the mist slowly fades and reveals this unique landscape. A short drive will take you to Mount Popa, a place of pilgrimage, considered by the inhabitants of the region as the residence of the gods. It must be said that the summit and its small temples are only accessible after climbing more than 700 steps. The summit is the reward for this trip, which also offers a panoramic view of the surrounding valley.
Mandalay: royal capital and historical heart
Mandalay is an essential stopover in Upper Burma and is home to the attractions of a cultural and religious metropolis. Witness the period when it was the capital of the country, a gigantic royal palace stands in the heart of the city, but there are many other things to see in the region. First of all, the great Atumashi monastery, which is a place of formation for hundreds of young monks. It is partly visited and there are impressive processions that allow the monks to collect food. There is also the large Manhamuni Pagoda, with its bronze Buddha portrait venerated by all Buddhists and near the city, in Amarapura, the famous U Bein Bridge which is the longest teak bridge in the world. You will meet many monks and nuns heading towards the nearby monasteries. At sunset, the bridge stands out from an often orange sky with an amazing sun of color. It is the perfect postcard and the best way to get the right picture will be to return by boat. In front of you, you will have the bridge and its visitors in absolutely magical Chinese shadows. Also nearby is Migun, which with its huge unfinished pagoda and famous bell, is discovered after a short cruise on the Irrawady River.
Finally, Mandalay is an opportunity to do a little shopping, between batik and fabric shops, lacquered objects and wood or Buddhist statuettes. Its artists and craftsmen are renowned throughout the country. You can spend long moments admiring the sculptors of marble and bronze statues, you can observe the gold drummers who make the leaves that the locals display fervently on all the Buddhas of the country.
Inle Lake: lake beauties
Located in Shan State, Inle Lake is enclosed in a mountain range and temperatures can be cooler than in the rest of the country. The small town of Nyaungshwe is the main access point to the lake, from where boats and motorized dugouts leave. Fishermen are the real stars of the lake and paddled with one leg, in an amazing gymnastics, while skillfully manoeuvring their fish basket. As for the visit, the village of Iwama is the most famous, with its houses on stilts, its lake plantations and its food market. Crafts are also a means of subsistence and many canoes are loaded with objects and souvenirs. Spinning and weaving workshops will allow you to observe the dexterity of the craftswomen and buy some fabrics. It is here that some giraffe women offer handicrafts and pose for a photo, in exchange for a few tickets. The Inthas, an ethnic group living in the lake area, are also great farmers and exploit the amazing and lush floating gardens. It is shallow, with a depth of between 1.50 and 2 m in the dry season and up to 6 m during the rainy season. The work is done by means of small canoes for long hours
Buddhism is also very present on the lake. The oldest monastery on the lake is Ngaphe, but on the islet of Iwama, stands the Phaugdaw Oo pagoda, with stepped roofs characteristic of the Shan architectural style. It shelters five local curiosities, which are Buddha statuettes made deformed by the successive layers of gold affixed by the faithful. This fervour, the kindness, the incredible beauty of the sites are a very pleasant local constant for the traveller in a country that is finally open and that has a lot to offer.
Smart info
When? When? The best season is from October to the end of February because it is the temperate, mild and dry season. The sun is shining but the temperatures are still bearable. The rain has turned the rice fields green and the jungle is lush. We will still have to equip ourselves for the North, which is fresher. From the end of February to May, the heat is really overwhelming. The season is rather favourable to visit the coastal area or enjoy the Fête de l'eau to the full. From the end of May to the end of September, the monsoon rains over the country, which complicates traffic, but tourist sites are visited and the small number of tourists makes the trip ultimately pleasant.
Getting there. No direct flights from France. Several airlines allow you to go there with one or two stops. Count from 900 to 1,200 € per round trip. Many connections from neighbouring countries using local companies.
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