Myanmar Overview
population
54,577,997 (2023)
area
676,578 km2
language
Burmese
currency
Kyat (K) (MMK)
weather
Tropical climate
timezone
UTC +6:30 (MMT)
- A rich history leaves Myanmar with many stunning religious architectural monuments. Some of the highlights are the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the Mandalay Palace, the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (also called Golden Rock), and The Bagan Archaeological Zone (the main attraction for Myanmar’s tourism, and one of the largest and most important historical sites in South East Asia).
- Besides historical and religious sites, Myanmar is also a wonderful destination for beach lovers with its beautiful sun-kissed beaches. Some of the best are heavenly Ngapali Beach, Kanthaya Beach, Ngwe Saung (or Silver) Beach, and Chuang Tha Beach. Burmese beaches are famous for their calm pristine beauty and waves with surfing potential.
- Shopping is an indispensable part of travel. If you want to buy something meaningful as gifts or souvenirs for the trip, then textiles, gemstones, lacquerware, and Thanaka powder should be on your shopping list. However, there are few department stores or duty-free shops around the country. You can shop at local markets and boutique shops around the Inle Lake. There are many interesting stuffs with reasonable prices there.
- Burmese cuisine is a blend of Indian, Chinese, and Thai cuisines. Like many other Asian countries, rice and vegetables are the core of every Myanmar meal. In many Myanmasaathauksain (Burmese cafeteria-style restaurants), you go to a counter of pre-cooked dishes, choose whatever you want and pay for it. Some of the highlighted dishes of Myanmar are ăthouq salads, leq-p’eq, and various types of noodles.
- A trip to this mysterious and wonderful country is worth it, especially if you care about Asian culture, history, and lifestyle and are interested in Buddhism with its rich influence and practices in people’s daily lives. Make sure to do your research and plan your trip carefully, and you will have a memorable time in this festive and magical “Golden Land”.
