Myanmar (the former Burma) – a journey into the country of thousands of pagodas
Myanmar, or the more familiar old name Burma, is a land of contradictions, a country the population of which survived a century of oppression during the reign of Kublai Khan and King George VI, right up to the current military regime.
It should be noted that although the history of Myanmar is little known, but full of interesting events, from antiquity to the present day. It is known that this region was inhabited since 2500 BC, and in those days the lands were inhabited by groups of Negritos or Proto-Malayans. In the interval from the first century BC. And the ninth century AD, an ethnic group known as Pyu settled in central Myanmar and created city-states in Beikthano, Hanlin and Thayekhittaya.
Already in modern history, the progressive growth of Burmese nationalist sentiment led in 1947 to an agreement between the British Prime Minister and General Aung San, in which the independence of the state was ratified. This moment marked the beginning of a period of popular uprisings, brutal repressions and coups in Burma, events that to this day plague the local population, which was a real victim of this long-standing political instability.
The capital of the state until 2005, disposed in the southern part of Myanmar, Yangon, formerly called Rangoon, is located in the fertile delta of the broad Yangon River, and its population is approaching four million inhabitants. The city is very different from other Asian capitals of similar sizes, because, despite the scale, its center is dotted with trees, and some suburbs are surrounded by real jungles. The center of Yangon is characterized by an eclectic mixture of colonial buildings, Buddhist and Hindu temples, Muslim mosques and Christian churches, which makes the city one of the most curious and amazing cities in Southeast Asia. Among the main attractions can be noted the magnificent Shwedagon Pye with a complex of pavilions, images and a bell tower, the colonial architecture of the old Rangoon, including the legendary Strand Hotel, Aun Sana’a House Museum and the Mausoleum of the Martyrs, also the vast markets of Bogyoke Aung San and Theingyi Zey.
Today’s capital of the country is Naypyidaw, which is placed about 3 km from the town of Piinman. Its name in translation means “royal city”.
Learn the secrets of the East and discover the history of the Asian country when traveling to Myanmar!
The possibility of interesting excursions is provided on the territory of several resort places located in the suburbs of Yangon, Irrawaddy and Pegu. The visit of such places as Thanlin (Syriam) and Twante is really capable to impress many. Various activities in Pegu, rest in Patain Chaungtha Beach will be simply unforgettable.
Of particular note is the visit to the ruins of Thayekhittaya (Shri Ksetra), a kingdom that existed here more than 1500 years ago.