Burma, or Myanmar, used to be a less-than often traveled corner of the world, but it has been growing into a tourism hot spot. Travel-blog Classe Touriste has covered the gems and “Golden Charm” of Burma, and included plenty of stunning photographs to boot. Tourism in Burma has gone from 0-60 in a matter of three short years. To cite a statistic from the article: Prior to 2009, the Inle Princess Resort saw occupancy rates below 30%; today, 70% of tourists and travel agents learn it is booked to capacity.
There’s no shortage of beautiful landscapes and cultural enrichment in Burma. The first one highlighted, is located on Inle Lake, not far from the Inle Princess Resort. The one legged rowers on the lake are a sight to behold. Marveling at their balance and dexterity, a tourist may question how this delicate feat is accomplished, or why the men row their boats in this unorthodox way. Well, the reeds and lotus flowers that grow on the lake, while beautiful, can obstruct the view if the rower is sitting down. Balancing on one leg while wrapping the other around the oar provides the pilot of the small boat with that view, allowing him to easily navigate the lake’s waterways. But those plants aren’t just inconvenient growths, they are beautiful plants and edible crops too. It’s definitely worth checking out.
Classe Touriste also suggests visitors to Burma check out the ancient city of Bagan. Thousands of years old, Bagan is home to hundreds of Buddhist temples and stupas, a Buddhist reliquary. This particular post reminds the reader that many inhabitants of Bagan were evicted, and now you must pay a fee to see these archaeological sites. But fear not! There are a few alternatives suggested: you can just go on bike or or foot, or if you’re searching for a more exhilarating journey, then you could try visiting the old city by hot air balloon. The views appear to be literally breathtaking.
The Mergui Islands are the third destination for the dream Burmese itinerary. Most of the 800+ islands are uninhabited, and there is a certain beauty in that isolation. But the ones that are inhabited are home to the Moken people, nomads of the sea. Their population is on the decline, but they are incredible divers, reaching depths of 20 meters without any supplementary breathing apparati. Even though the area is still relatively isolated and free from mass commercialization, there currently plans to build extensive luxury resorts. It’s one of those places you want to get to before swarms of other people recognize it for it’s beauty.