Synopses & Reviews
With its glittering pagodas, timeless countryside and gracious people, Myanmar (Burma) is an extraordinarily beautiful destination which has been isolated from the rest of the world for decades. Finally, things are changing and tourism is set to explode in the coming years. This new edition of the Insight Guide Myanmar has been comprehensively overhauled to help inspire and inform, and guide you to the best that this little-known country has to offer.
Following on from the inspirational Best Of Myanmar section, the country’s rich past and cultural heritage are described in a series of lively essays. Contemporary aspects of Burmese life – the changing political situation, the economy, food, architecture, wildlife – are also covered in depth.
The Places chapters have been completely rewritten for this new edition, describing all the sights worth seeing – from the incomparable temples of Bagan, serene Inle Lake, the lost world of Mrauk U and the beaches along the Bay of Bengal to the fascinating cities of Yangon and Mandalay.
At the back of the book, the Travel Tips section contains all the practical information you'll need to make the most of your trip, including dozens of carefully selected hotels.
About the Author
David Abram, a freelance writer specialising in southern Asia who has co-authored more than twenty guides to India and neighboring countries since the early 1990s.
Table of Contents
Best of Myanmar (Burma)
Introduction: Eternal Beauty
Land of Rice and Rivers
History
Decisive Dates
From Earliest Times
The Loss of Independence
Independence and Military Rule
Features
The Poppy Trail
The People of Burma
Ethnic Minorities
Burmese Buddhism
Festivals
A Feast of Flavours
Arts and Crafts
The Performing Arts
Temple Architecture
Buddha Images
Transport
Thanaka and Longyi
Thibaw and Supayalat
Aung San Suu Kyi
Rubies and Jade
The Path of Life
Shin-Pyu
The Legend of Shwedagon
Train Ride
The Naga Hills
Rakhaing Yoma
Places
Introduction
Yangon &?Ayeyarwady Delta
Yangon
Delta Region
Bago Division
Mandalay & Environs
Mandalay
Around Mandalay
The Plains of Bagan
Bagan Archaeological Zone
Around Bagan
Northeastern Burma
Shan and Kayah States
Kachin State
Northwestern Burma
Mrauk U and Chin State
The Northwest Coast
Southeastern Burma
Mon and Kayin States
Myeik Region
Travel Tips
TRANSPORTATION
ACCOMMODATION
EATING OUT
ACTIVITIES
A–Z: PRACTICAL INFORMATION
LANGUAGE
FURTHER READING