Myanmar
1 - Myanmar, also known as Burma, is a fascinating country in Southeast Asia, rich in history, culture, and natural beauty.
- It is a land of ancient temples, golden pagodas, diverse ethnic groups, and stunning landscapes.
- Whether you are looking for adventure, spirituality, or relaxation, Myanmar has something to offer for every traveler.
Myanmar Flag Cities Currency Population Tourism Landmarks History
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- In this article, I will introduce some of the tourist places in Myanmar and also share some information about the country’s background and features.
2 - One of the most popular destinations in Myanmar is Yangon, the former capital and the largest city.
- Yangon is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, where you can find colonial buildings, modern skyscrapers, bustling markets, and serene parks.
3 - The highlight of Yangon is the Shwedagon Pagoda, a magnificent golden stupa that dominates the skyline and attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
- The pagoda is said to contain relics of four Buddhas and dates back to the 6th century.
- It is a symbol of Myanmar’s religious and cultural heritage.
4 - Another must-see attraction in Myanmar is Bagan, an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Bagan was the capital of the Pagan Kingdom from the 9th to the 13th centuries,
- and during that time, more than 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas, and monasteries were built in the Bagan plains.
-Today, the remains of over 2,000 monuments still stand, creating a breathtaking panorama of spires and domes.
- You can explore Bagan by bike, horse cart, or hot air balloon, and marvel at the architectural and artistic diversity of the structures.
5 - If you are interested in nature and wildlife, you should not miss Inle Lake, a freshwater lake located in the Shan State.
- Inle Lake is famous for its floating villages, gardens, and markets, where you can see the unique way of life of the Intha people.
- The Intha are known for their leg-rowing technique, where they stand on one leg and wrap the other around an oar to propel their boats.
- They also cultivate crops on floating islands made of water hyacinth and silt.
6 - You can take a boat tour around the lake and visit various attractions such as the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, and the Indein Village.
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- Myanmar is not only a country of scenic beauty but also a country of historical and cultural significance.
7 - Myanmar has a population of about 54 million people (2023 estimate), belonging to more than 100 ethnic groups.
- The majority of the population are Bamar (68%), followed by Shan (9%), Karen (7%), Rakhine (4%), Chinese (3%), Indians (2%), Mon (2%), and others (5%).
8 - The official language is Burmese, but many other languages are spoken as well.
- The official script is Burmese script, which is derived from an ancient Indian script.
9 - The official religion is Buddhism (87%), but there are also minorities of Christians (6%), Muslims (4%), Hindus (0.5%), Animists (0.8%), and others (1.7%).
10 - Myanmar has a long and complex history that dates back to prehistoric times.
- The earliest inhabitants were Tibeto-Burman-speaking people who established the Pyu city-states in the first millennium CE.
- They adopted Theravada Buddhism and traded with India and China.
- Another group, the Bamar people, entered the upper Irrawaddy valley in the early 9th century and founded the Pagan Kingdom in 1044.
- This was the first-ever unification of Myanmar and its periphery, and it lasted until 1297 when it collapsed due to Mongol invasions.
- After that, several kingdoms emerged and competed for power in different regions of Myanmar
- until the 16th century when the Toungoo dynasty reunified most of the country under its rule.
- The Toungoo dynasty was succeeded by the Konbaung dynasty in 1752,
- which expanded Myanmar’s territory to include parts of modern-day Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh, India, and China.
- However, Myanmar’s expansion also brought it into conflict with its neighbors and with the British Empire, which had colonized India.
- The British fought three wars with Myanmar between 1824 and 1885 and eventually annexed it as a province of British India.
- Under British rule, Myanmar underwent economic and social changes that favored Europeans over locals.
- Many Indians and Chinese migrated to Myanmar as laborers or traders and dominated commerce and administration.
- Many Burmese resisted British rule and participated in nationalist movements that sought independence.
- Myanmar gained its independence from Britain in 1948 after World War II but faced political instability and ethnic conflicts ever since.
- A military coup in 1962 established a socialist dictatorship that isolated Myanmar from the rest of the world.
- Another coup in 1988 led to a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests that killed thousands of people.
- The military junta changed the country’s name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989 and held a general election in 1990,
- which was won by the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
- However, the junta refused to hand over power and kept Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for most of the next two decades.
- In 2008, Myanmar adopted a new constitution that allowed for a limited form of democracy and a transition to civilian rule.
- The first general election under the new constitution was held in 2010, which was boycotted by the NLD and widely criticized as fraudulent.
- The junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won the majority of seats and formed a government led by former general Thein Sein.
- Thein Sein initiated a series of political and economic reforms that improved Myanmar’s relations
- with the international community and eased some of the sanctions imposed on the country.
- He also released many political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, who became the leader of the opposition.
- The second general election under the new constitution was held in 2015, which was widely regarded as free and fair.
- The NLD won a landslide victory and formed a government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who became the State Counsellor, a position equivalent to prime minister.
- However, the military still retained significant power and influence in the government,
- as it controlled 25% of the seats in parliament and three key ministries (defense, home affairs, and border affairs).
- The NLD government faced many challenges, such as resolving ethnic conflicts, promoting national reconciliation, advancing human rights, and developing the economy.
- The third general election under the new constitution was held in 2020, which was again won by the NLD with an increased majority.
- However, on February 1, 2021, the military staged another coup and detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders, claiming that the election was fraudulent.
- The coup sparked widespread protests and civil disobedience across Myanmar, which were met with violent repression by the security forces.
- More than 1,000 people have been killed and more than 7,000 have been arrested since the coup.
- The international community has condemned the coup and imposed sanctions on the military regime.
- The Nld and other pro-democracy groups have formed a parallel government called the National Unity Government (NUG)
- and have called for a federal democracy that respects the rights of all ethnic groups.
Myanmar Flag Cities Currency Population Tourism Landmarks History
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11 - The capital of Myanmar is Naypyidaw, which was founded in 2002 and became the official seat of government in 2005.
- Naypyidaw is located in the central region of Myanmar, about 320 km north of Yangon.
- It covers an area of 7,054 km2 and has a population of about 1 million people.
- Naypyidaw is divided into four districts: Zabuthiri, Pyinmana, Lewe, and Ottarathiri.
- It has many modern facilities and infrastructure, such as wide boulevards, spacious parks, luxury hotels,
- shopping malls, golf courses, museums, monuments, and government buildings.
- However, it is also criticized for being isolated, expensive, and underpopulated.
12 - The national flag of Myanmar consists of three horizontal stripes of yellow, green, and red with a white five-pointed star in the center.
- The flag was adopted in 2010 as part of the constitutional reforms that aimed to create a new image for Myanmar.
- The flag is based on the tricolor flag used by Myanmar during its independence struggle against British colonialism.
- The yellow stripe represents solidarity among all people of Myanmar;
- the green stripe represents peace,
- tranquility,
- and ecological balance;
- the red stripe represents courage and determination;
- and the white star represents purity, honesty, compassion, and unity.
13 - Myanmar belongs to the continent of Asia.
- It is situated in Southeast Asia along the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.
14 - It shares land borders with Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand.
- It has a total area of 676,578 km2 and a coastline of 1,930 km.
- Myanmar has a diverse geography that includes mountains, plains, deltas, rivers, lakes, islands, forests, wetlands, and beaches.
- Some of the prominent features of Myanmar’s geography are:
15 - The Hengduan Mountains: These are a series of mountain ranges that run along Myanmar’s northern border with China.
- They are part of the Himalayan system and contain some of the highest peaks in Southeast Asia.
16 - The Irrawaddy River: This is Myanmar’s longest and most important river.
- It originates from the confluence of two rivers in Kachin State and flows southward for about 2,170 km before emptying into the Andaman Sea through a large delta.
- It is a major source of water for irrigation, hydropower generation, transportation, and fishing.
17 - The Shan Plateau: This is a highland region that
- Some of the landmarks in Myanmar that you might want to know more about are:
Mount Popa
18 - Mount Popa: This is an extinct volcano that rises over 1500 meters above sea level and is part of the Pegu Range.
- On top of the mountain, there is a shrine called the Popa Taungkalat, which is dedicated to the 37 nats, or spirits, of Myanmar.
- The shrine can be reached by climbing 777 steps, but be careful of the monkeys that live there.
- Mount Popa is considered a sacred place and a pilgrimage site for many Burmese people.
Inle Lake
19 - Inle Lake: This is a freshwater lake located in the Shan State, and is famous for its floating villages, gardens, and markets.
- The lake is home to the Intha people, who have a unique way of rowing their boats with one leg wrapped around an oar.
- They also grow crops on floating islands made of water hyacinth and silt.
- You can take a boat tour around the lake and visit various attractions such as the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, and the Indein Village.
Shwedagon Pagoda
20 - Shwedagon Pagoda: This is a magnificent golden stupa that dominates the skyline of Yangon, the former capital and the largest city of Myanmar.
- The pagoda is said to contain relics of four Buddhas and dates back to the 6th century.
- It is a symbol of Myanmar’s religious and cultural heritage, and attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
- The pagoda is surrounded by smaller pagodas, statues, pavilions, and shrines, and is decorated with gold, diamonds, rubies, and other precious stones.
- Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia that has many cities with different characteristics and attractions.
- some of the cities in Myanmar:
Yangon
21 - Yangon: Yangon is the largest and most populous city in Myanmar, with an estimated population of 4.5 million people in 2023.
- It was the capital of Myanmar until 2006, when it was replaced by Naypyidaw.
- Yangon is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, where you can find colonial buildings, modern skyscrapers, bustling markets, and serene parks.
- The highlight of Yangon is the Shwedagon Pagoda, a magnificent golden stupa that is a symbol of Myanmar’s religious and cultural heritage.
- You can also visit the National Museum of Myanmar, which displays the history and culture of Myanmar,
- the Inya Lake, which is a popular spot for recreation and relaxation, and the Kandawgyi Lake, which has a replica of a royal barge.
Mandalay
22 - Mandalay: Mandalay is the second-largest and second-most populous city in Myanmar, with an estimated population of 1.2 million people in 2023.
- It is the cultural and economic center of Upper Myanmar and the former royal capital of the Konbaung dynasty.
- Mandalay is known for its rich history, art, and architecture, as well as its proximity to many ancient cities and temples.
- You can visit the Mandalay Palace, which was the last royal residence of the Burmese kings, the Mandalay Hill,
- which offers a panoramic view of the city and the Irrawaddy River, and the Mahamuni Buddha Temple, which houses one of the most revered Buddha images in Myanmar.
Naypyidaw
23 - Naypyidaw: Naypyidaw is the capital and third-largest city of Myanmar, with an estimated population of 925,000 people in 2023.
- It was founded in 2002 and became the official seat of government in 2005.
- Naypyidaw is located in the central region of Myanmar, about 320 km north of Yangon.
- It covers an area of 7,054 km2 and has many modern facilities and infrastructure, such as wide boulevards,
- spacious parks, luxury hotels, shopping malls, golf courses, museums, monuments, and government buildings.
- However, it is also criticized for being isolated, expensive, and underpopulated.
Bagan
24 - Bagan: Bagan is an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar.
- It was the capital of the Bagan Kingdom from the 9th to the 13th centuries, and during that time,
- more than 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas, and monasteries were built in the Bagan plains.
- Today, the remains of over 2,000 monuments still stand, creating a breathtaking panorama of spires and domes.
- You can explore Bagan by bike, horse cart, or hot air balloon, and marvel at the architectural and artistic diversity of the structures.
- Some of the most famous temples are Ananda Temple, Bagan Archaeological Museum, and Htilominlo .
- Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia that has many beautiful beaches along its coastline.
- Some of the beaches are popular tourist destinations, while others are hidden gems that offer tranquility and solitude.
- some of the beaches in Myanmar:
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25 - Ngapali Beach: This is one of the most famous and best beaches in Myanmar.
- It is located on the western coast of the country, and has a long stretch of white sand, palm trees, and turquoise water.
- It is a great place for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and cycling.
- You can also visit a fishing village and enjoy fresh seafood at the restaurants by the beach.
26 - Mergui Archipelago: This is a group of over 800 islands in the southernmost part of Myanmar, facing the Andaman Sea.
- It is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers, as it has stunning coral reefs, diverse marine life, lush forests, and secluded beaches.
- You can go island hopping, sailing, fishing, or diving here.
- You can also witness the Salone Festival, which is a celebration of the Moken people, who are sea nomads that live on the archipelago.
27 - Ngwe Saung: This is another popular beach resort on the western coast of Myanmar, about 5 hours drive from Yangon.
- It has a 15 km long beach with golden sand and clear water.
- It is a romantic place for couples, as it has many luxury hotels, spas, and restaurants.
- You can also go horse riding, jet skiing, or parasailing here.
28 - Chaung Tha Beach: This is a budget-friendly beach destination on the western coast of Myanmar, about 6 hours drive from Yangon.
- It is frequented by locals and backpackers, who enjoy the lively atmosphere and cheap accommodation options.
- You can find many seafood stalls, souvenir shops, and karaoke bars here.
- You can also rent a bicycle or a motorbike to explore the nearby villages and attractions.
29 - Kanthaya Beach: This is a quiet and peaceful beach on the western coast of Myanmar, about 7 hours drive from Yangon.
- It has a 4 km long beach with dark sand and calm water.
- It is a perfect place for relaxing and detoxing, as it has no electricity, internet, or nightlife.
You can stay in simple bungalows or guesthouses here, and enjoy the natural beauty and local culture.
30 - The climate of Myanmar is generally tropical, with three distinct seasons: a cool winter from November to February, a hot summer season in March and April,
- and a rainy season from May to October, dominated by the southwest monsoon.
- The climate varies depending on location and elevation.
- The coastal and delta regions have high temperatures and humidity, while the central dry zone has low rainfall and high temperatures.
- The northern and eastern hilly regions have cooler temperatures and more precipitation, especially in the higher altitudes where snowfall can occur.
- The average temperature in Myanmar ranges from 24.8 °C (76.6 °F) in Yangon in January to 31.0 °C (87.8 °F) in April.
- The average rainfall in Myanmar varies from less than 1,000 mm (39.4 in) in the central dry zone to over 5,000 mm (196.9 in) in the coastal and mountainous areas.
- The rainy season is the wettest and cloudiest period of the year, with frequent thunderstorms and floods.
- The dry season is the sunniest and clearest period of the year, with mild temperatures and low humidity.
- The pre-monsoon season is the hottest and driest period of the year, with high temperatures and dust storms.
- The climate of Myanmar has a significant impact on tourism, agriculture, biodiversity, and human health.
- Tourists tend to avoid the rainy season and travel in the dry season which runs between November and April with peak inflows occurring between December and February.
- Farmers depend on the monsoon rains for irrigation and crop production, but also face challenges such as droughts, floods, pests, and diseases.
- Myanmar has a rich biodiversity that includes many endemic species of plants and animals,
- but also faces threats such as deforestation, habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.
31 - Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia that has five neighboring countries and two water bodies along its borders.
- Myanmar’s borders:
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32 - Myanmar shares its longest border with China, which is about 1,370 miles long.
- The border runs along the Hengduan Mountains in the north and northeast of Myanmar,
- and separates the states of Kachin, Shan, and Sagaing from the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet.
- The border has several official crossings, such as the Muse-Ruili crossing and the Lweje-Kunming crossing.
- The border also has some disputed areas, such as the Kokang region and the Kachin Hills.
33 - Myanmar shares its second-longest border with Thailand, which is about 1,305 miles long.
- The border runs along the Salween River, the Dawna Range, the Tenasserim Hills,
- and the Mekong River in the east and southeast of Myanmar, and separates the states of Shan, Kayah, Kayin, Mon,
- and Tanintharyi from the Thai regions of Northern Thailand, Isan, and Southern Thailand.
- The border has many official crossings, such as the Tachileik-Mae Sai crossing and the Myawaddy-Mae Sot crossing.
- The border also has some areas of conflict, such as the Three Pagodas Pass and the Karen State.
34 - Myanmar shares its third-longest border with India, which is about 1,009 miles long.
- The border runs along the Patkai Range, the Naga Hills, the Chin Hills, and the Arakan Mountains in the northwest of Myanmar,
- and separates the states of Kachin, Sagaing, Chin, and Rakhine from the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.
- The border has a few official crossings, such as the Zorinpui-Khawmawi crossing and the Moreh-Tamu crossing.
- The border also has a Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allows locals to travel up to 10 miles across the border without a visa .
35 - Myanmar shares its shortest border with Bangladesh, which is about 170 miles long.
- The border runs along the Naf River and the Arakan Mountains in the west of Myanmar, and separates Rakhine State from Chittagong Division in Bangladesh.
- The border has only one official crossing, which is at Maungdaw-Banglabandha.
- The border also has a large fence that was built by Myanmar to prevent illegal immigration and smuggling .
36 - Myanmar shares its fifth border with Laos, which is about 148 miles long.
- The border runs along the Mekong River in the northeast of Myanmar, and separates Shan State from Luang Namtha Province and Bokeo Province in Laos.
- The border has no official crossings but has some informal trade routes .
- Myanmar has a coastline of about 1,200 miles that borders two water bodies: the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.
- The coastline stretches from Rakhine State in the west to Tanintharyi Region in the south.
- The coastline has many ports, islands, beaches, and coral reefs .
37 - Myanmar Currency is Kyat .
38 - The exchange rate of 17 October 2023 was about 2097 Kyat per US dollar.
Myanmar Flag Cities Currency Population Tourism Landmarks History