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Stretching from the Andaman Sea in the south to the Himalayan mountain range in the north, Myanmar is one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in Asia. This is the land of stunning beauty and charming cultures. The country offers a great variety of attractions that range from virgin jungles and snow-capped mountains to pristine beaches and fascinating religious structures.
Historically, Myanmar has a rich and glorious heritage that spans more than two thousand years. However, the ancient kingdom, which began to flourish in the early 11th century, lasts more than 600 years before it became a British colony in the 19th century. They reclaimed independence on January 4, 1948. Nowadays, the country may appear reclusive in the political arena but indeed opens to tourism.
Located between Bangladesh and Thailand, with China to the north and India to the northwest, Myanmar is a culturally diverse society with more than 130 ethnic groups scattering the highland throughout the country. Most of its attractions centre around age-old religious monuments and former capital cities such as Yangon, Bagan and
Mandalay.
 Having been a capital city for decades until 2005,
Yangon is currently the most modern city in the country. However, this status may change soon when the new capital, Naypyidaw, is fully developed. Besides wide shady avenues and tranquil lakes, Yagon has the largest number of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia. The city has a number of Buddhist temples worth a visit but the most significant one is Shwedagon Pagoda. The 320 foot tall pagoda is considered the most sacred Buddhist monument in Myanmar. Believed to be built more than 2000 years ago, the pagoda is made of gold plate attached with the brick structure. Hundreds of local Buddhists gather around the pagoda every day to pay respect to the relics of the past four Lord Buddhas enshrined within the
stupa.
Another famous former capital is
Mandalay. It is the second largest city after Yangon and a cultural centre of Buddhism in Myanmar. Sitting on the banks of the mighty Ayeryarwaddy River, the city has many monasteries and countless pagodas. It is a pilgrimage city of Burmese Buddhists. In addition to religious shrines, Mandalay is known for the Mandalay Palace. This large palace, located near the imposing Mandalay Hill, was built in the 19th century and recently modified with impressive surrounding moat, intricate carvings and magnificent stucco.
 One of the most remarkable archaeological sights in Asia,
Bagan had been a capital city of the first Burmese kingdoms from for 11th to 14th century. It is situated about 140 kilometres southwest of Mandalay. The city is known for its awe-inspiring site of more than 2000 Buddhist structures (stupas, shrines, temples and monasteries) scattering over sixteen square miles of the Bagan plain.
To many travellers who want to see natural attraction and the well-preserved way of life of Burmese people at the same time,
Inle Lake is probably the first destination that comes to their minds. Here most residents live their simple lives on a stilt house along the 44 square mile lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar. The lake sits at 2900 feet above sea level has a large area of wetland that becomes a habitat of species of birds. Its population come from different hill tribes that settle around the fertile valleys, forested mountains and the lake. Vegetable farming and fishing are their bread of butter of the locals. It is common to see fishermen with a distinctive skill of navigating the boat with one leg wrapped around the oar. The lake area is in Nyaungshwe Township and can be reached by plane from Yangon and
Mandalay.
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