Out of all the exotic destinations people normally think of, Myanmar isn’t usually on the list. It hasn’t been part of the explorers’ consciousness for very long, but it will definitely be soon enough. Here are 10 reasons why Myanmar is the country to go to for your next adventure.
1. Fulfill your fantasy of being Indiana Jones or Lara Croft
Sure, Cambodia has Angkor Wat, but Myanmar has Bagan and Mrauk U. What’s more is that because these places are still relatively new to visitors, you won’t be meeting an overwhelming amount of tourists, destroying the “newly discovered” feeling.
Thought Mrauk U is small (and you will need special permission to visit), it still has an impressive 200 temples within its 7km square area.
2. Float over 2,000 ancient temples
Similar to Mrauk U, Bagan is an ancient city whose inhabitants, in their religious devotion, constructed over 2,000 temples, pagodas, and stupas in dedication of their faith.
What’s really amazing about the city, besides the vast amount of history, is that you are also able to go in a hot air balloon and explore it from above as well.
3. Dive with the Sea Gypsies
The Moken (or Sea Gypsies) of the Mergui Archipelago are a very unique ethnic group in Myanmar’s population. They maintain a nomadic, sea-based culture, speak their own language, and live most of their life on or in the water.
After generations of living harmoniously with the sea, the Moken can see twice as clearly as the rest of us and can even lower their heart rate when diving, allowing them to stay underwater twice as long. So make some new friends, dive in, and see if you can keep up.
4. Snorkel in the clearest waters ever
So if diving isn’t your thing, then maybe snorkeling is and the islands in Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago are also great for it.
You can try Lampi or Great Swington Island to check out the coral, Birds Island for some very nice warm water and tropical fish watching, and Macleod Island to see even more fish and coral, but if you should finally work up the courage, they also offer a dive school run to PADI standards.
5. Find the last pygmy tribe of Southeast Asia
At an average of 4 feet 3 inches, the Taron or T’rung tribe of Northern Myanmar have only a small handful of pureblood Taron left. In fact, the tribal elders have decided to let their people die out in light of all the birth defects and other genetic diseases their babies kept having.
Living in Dulongjian Canyon in the Himalayas, there are only a few thousand people left and depending on how often they marry outside their tribe, the Taron may not be around for much longer.
6. Climb the Himalayas
Placed at the southern end, the treks through the Myanmar side of the Himalayas haven’t really been explored.
There are at least 4 trekking routes through these spectacular mountains, each varying the amount of difficulty and time needed. One reaches to the Hkakabo Razi, the highest peak in Southeast Asia at 6,000 meters. This mountain is only to be attempted by the most experienced of climbers.
7. Deliver medicine to tribes in the Golden Triangle
Famous for its involvement in the opium trade, the Golden Triangle is also the home to the Akha tribe. Spread out over the mountains of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and China, these people have lived in the area for a little over a hundred years. Because of their isolation higher up in the mountains, special necessities like medicine are not that easy to come by.
You will need some preparation and special permission to be able to visit the Akha people, but it is well worth it for their survival.
8. Boast about cycling the Burma Road
Starting at the city of Lashio, the Burma Road was used as a supply route during World War II and is now used as a trade route between Myanmar and China. The entire road is 717 miles (1,154km) long and riddled with hairpin switchbacks and sharp drop-offs as the road snakes up the mountain. It’s quite a challenge for any cyclist!
Also scattered along the road are markets, trading towns, and many of the mountain and forest tribes of Myanmar, making the journey that much more enjoyable.
9. Go Extreme
Speaking of challenges, the natural landscape and environment provides plenty of opportunities for the extreme sport lovers to have their fun.
At the moment you can paraglide, rock climb, white-water raft, kayak, and surf. Later on you maybe able to bungee-jump, kitesurf, and who knows, maybe even heli-ski.
10. Bragging Rights
Because, well, if you get to do even just one of these adventures on the list, you’re going to have to retell the adventure again, and again…
