Myanmar
Centries-old Stupas and Big Smiles
Not much favoured by recent history, Myanmar is once again on our recommended list. There are challenges travelling just about everywhere these days, but our guides and in-country experts are happy to see us and proud to showcase their country. One of Asia’s most complex and least visited countries, Myanmar remains in many ways more 16th century than 21st. The capital Yangon has relatively few modern structures and retains its distinctive heritage of British, Burmese, Indian and Chinese influences. Its skyline is dominated by the golden dome of the renowned Shwedagon Pagoda. At Inle Lake, Intha fishermen practice their unique one-legged boat rowing technique. The thousands of pagodas and stupas strewn across the plain at Bagan, the Angkor Wat of Burma, look like fairytale kingdom. At dawn and dusk, we enjoy the view of hues of gold reflecting off the many domes and spires as we ride on horse-driven carriages.
NO UPCOMING TOURS AT THIS TIME
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
You'll enjoy Myanmar most during the cooler, dry season from November to February.
GOOD TO KNOW
You must remove shoes and socks when entering a temple or monastery.
SIGNATURE MOMENTS
Seeing the light reflect off the 60 tons of gold leaf covering the Shwedagon Pagoda
Sitting with monks at the teak monasteries at Mandalay
LANGUAGE
The majority of the population speaks Burmese, but there are
over 100 dialects spoken.
RECOMMENDED READING
Golden Parasol: A Daughter’s Memoir of Burma by Wendy Law-Yone
Letters from Burma by Aung San Suu Kyi
VISAS
Canadian and U.S. citizens need a visa to visit Myanmar.