Burma > Burma Experience

Advantages: Stunning site; beautiful old architecture
Disadvantages: some sights can be overun with package tourists

...born in Burma. But Bagan has to be the one of the most amazing sight I have ever seen. A vast plain, studded with ruined and half ruined temples shimmering in the baking heat of central Burma. Everywhere you look, there are temples, temples and more temples. Some no more than temple-shaped piles of brick. Some magnificent restored structures to compete with anything Cambodia has to offer. The sheer number and spread is what makes the sight so breathtaking. ...
...By late afternoon the first Bagan temples came into view on the left bank. Huge, solid, imposing. A tantalising glimpse of sights yet to come. I would recommend two full days to do the site justice. It is vast and there are many things to see. More than two days, unless you are a real temple buff, might temple you out. If the heat doesn't get you first. Being in the central plain of Myanmar, Bagan gets hot and dusty in the dry season. Even in the ... Read review

Advantages: cheap to tour, beautiful place, friendly people
Disadvantages: strict visa rule, unstable political situations

Myanmar is also known as Burma and it is located in South East Asia. There are around 100 languages but among them, Burmese(Myanamar) language is the dominant one. The second official language is English. Moreover, Chinese and Indian languages are also popular languages. There are so many tourist attraction there. Yangon is the old capital city of Burma and it is a business centre city. In Naypyidaw which is the capital, most of the government offices ...
...there. Another city, Manadalay, is well-known beacause it is the ancient capital and it has a historical palace sided by moad. Bagan is famous for its ancient heritages like pagodas and temples so that arts and designs of those are valuable and appreciated by most tourists. Those are the main tourist attractions (cities) in Myanmar. Local people are very friendly and navie. Most of them love to speak with tourists and welcome with a smile. Costs ... Read review

Advantages: A remarkable experinece
Disadvantages: Reputation

Think of Myanmar or Burma as it was previously referred to and most people would change their look to one of disgust and mutter something about human rights abuse and drugs in the golden triangle. Its terrible, the torture, slavery and human rights violations. We have heard it all before or seen it with our own eyes, not in person mind you, on the TV or in the newspapers. So naturally we believe it. If someone showed you a picture of a New York ...
...would you believe it? Probably not, so why should this be any different? Being in the oil industry I spend a good part of the early 1990's travelling to Myanmar. I have sat with the Generals, share tea, visited the countryside and worked with the local people. Is it as bad as what everyone thinks? I don't think so. Myanmar does have its problems but so does every country, there problems unfortunately are a little more basic than yours or mine. They ... Read review

Advantages: people, temples
Disadvantages: political situation

I prefer to call it Burma for political reasons. I am very glad that I got to go to Burma but at the same time feel guilty, because by going there, I contributed the military junta by giving hard currency. However, with the knowledge I have gained about the country, I hope to do something about it. Anyway, Burma was fantastic. The best part of Burma is people. They are soo friendly. ALso many people speak English because it was a British colony. ...
...capital. The pagodas (temples) are amazing! But wait til you go outside of the capital, because there are many more temples. Burma is very very cheap. In one month I spent there, I only spent about $200US. Don't forget to do some hiking. The Himalayas end in northern Burma. It's really beautiful! ... Read review