How To GET There
The Magic of Myanmar WITH A LAID- BACK LIFESTYLE, LIPSMACKING DELICACIES AND A RICH CULTURE, A TRIP OF THE QUAINT COUNTRY WILL TAKE YOU BACK I N TIME
If you’ve ever had the desire to ‘ roll back the clock’ and travel to a simpler time, pack your bags. Chalk out your leave plan and board a flight to a deeply traditional destination that appreciates and celebrates the simple life. Yes, we’re talking about magical Myanmar, land of the pagodas.
Formerly known as ‘ Burma’, Myanmar is a Southeast Asian nation that has withstood the test of time, and can be compared to an uncut diamond, ready to claim its place atop the crown of other Southeast Asian countries.
Today, the country is slowly evolving on several fronts. A rapidly growing tourism industry and a booming economy are just some of its many draws. As a matter of fact, ever since the country started easing its sanctions, Myanmar has attracted tremendous interest on the tourism front. A projected 5.1 million tourists are estimated to visit the place by the end of the year, as compared to just one million tourists three years ago. So, if you want to experience Myanmar’s traditions, cultural richness, and easy- paced lifestyle, where simplicity and modernity co- exist, now may be the best time to visit… before it gets too commercialised. It also helps that Emirates has recently started direct flights there. a classic example that stands testimony to Myanmar’s changing times. Located in the Embassy Quarter of Yangon, this colonial- style mansion, dating from the 1920s, was once home to the ruler of Myanmar’s southern states. Today, this teak mansion has been converted into a luxury hotel, bringing to life a bygone era with modern day offerings.
But to get a first- hand feel of the yesteryears, you need to set foot onto the streets. A walk down the busy lanes of Yangon gives one an instant feeling of being transported to a different world. While you try to cope with the uneven sidewalks, your eyes will constantly be drawn to architectural wonders such as old churches and government buildings.
As you marvel at the incredible heritage structures, the street life makes for an incredible sight— street food and fruit vendors, overhead wires running across congested buildings, drawn bicycles, men dressed in longyi ( traditional skirts) and women with thanaka ( finely ground paste from the bark of the thanaka tree) smeared on their faces will make you feel like you’ve wandered into a surreal dream world.
Besides, Yangon has lots to offer to u r i s t s . Th e Mahabandoola Garden Park in downtown Yangon ( which features the Independence Monument in the middle of the park), the City Hall, and the red- brick High Court building are just a few of the major tourist attractions.
One thing not to be missed is a visit to the 2,500- year- old Shwedagon Pagoda, one of Myanmar’s most Holy sites, which stands tall at 110