Burma, Myanmar: The Secrets Behind the Beauty

By Rebecca Hosking

Most travelers pick a spot to visit to get away from the everyday mundane cycles of work life in search for a little R&R. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But think about the beauty of experiencing a new place, amazing sites, getting some rest and relaxation but at the same time the sheer fact of you being there is helping a countries people to participate in richer fuller lives.


Not a lot is known about Myanmar previously named Burma. The governement is a dictatorial authoritarion regime which is controlled by the military. There was a parlimentary government election back in 1990 but the military prevented it from convening. The leader of the opposition party National League of Democracy named Aung San Suu Kyi who fought for a freer Myanmar through nonviolent means according to the results of the general election was crowned the new Prime Minister and the Military detained her as a political prisoner so she was never able to accept the position. She was honored in 1991 with a Nobel peace price for her efforts. The current government is lead by Prime Minister and General Thein Sein. This regime has been responsible for the displacement of several hundred thousand citizens both in and out of the country and have remained in power through violence and intimidation. The regime suppresses political activity and restricts internet access including blocking google, gmail, yahoo and hotmail and uses a software-based filtering from the US company Fortinet to limit the materials citizens can access online including most political opposition and pro-democracy pages.

In 2001 the military allowed NLD offices to reopen throughout Myanmar but were shut down again in 2004 as part of a goverment campaign to prohibit such activities. By 2006 most members resigned due to harassment and pressure from the military. The military government placed Suu Kyi under house arrest again in May of 2003 and extended the arrest another year in 2005 despite the direct appeal from Kofi Annan. Then extended the house arrest yet another year in 2006.

Myanmar was catapulted back into the news on May 2 of 2008 after a deadly cyclone hit and claimed over 146,000 lives. The relief efforts were slowed for political reasons as the military resisted aid initially. Not until several days after the catastrophic event was aid finally accepted but still limited.

Visa free entries are possible at some borders, however you will need to leave Myanmar from the same border on the same day and some fees do apply. Typically about $10.00 USD. Otherwise visas must be obtained by all visitors prior to travel. Since the pro-democracy protests in 2007 there has been a crackdown from the military and have been reports of it taking longer to obtain a visa and you must show proof that you are not connected to the press. Proof of employment such as name cards are often required and any online links to your name can ultimately lead to denial of entry. Tourist can also apply for a visa upon arrival which was created for tourist without a Myanmar embassy and is also recommended for those countries that do as the application process is much more convenient. Popping over the Thai border by land into border towns is quite easy. However traveling by land to Myanmar proper varies between diffuclt to impossible.

When I visited the country back in 1997 it was required to purchase $100 USD of Foreign Exchange Curreny upon arrival and use the FEC's through out your visit. 1 USD was equal to 1 FEC and were only accepted in disginated areas the military allowed you to visit. The FEC was abolished back in 2003 but still considered a legal currency but should be avoided at all cost now. The exchange rate varies between The Myanmar Kyat and 1 USD. Visitors must bring enough cash with them for their entire stay as there is no easy way to get more without leaving the country. Credit cards are likely unaccepted due to sanctions imposed on the country and there are no ATM's available.

There is always the question should I go or not due to the existing political problems. Suu Kyi has asked travelers in the past not to visit as it gives the military an edge and strong hold. However many local resdience encourage visitors becuase your money is going directly to local merchants even though it still helps and funds the military. It is difficult to judge or know without seeing it with your own eyes and like anything else there is always a fine line. I decided to go see for myself.

The country had innocence incomparable to any place I had been. Contrary to Myanmar being known as one of the most poverty stricken countries in South East Asia its appearance was clean and organized. Yangon was stripped of its status as the capitol in 2005 but is still very much the economic stronghold of the country. Shwedagon Paya is the center piece of the city with a golden stupa visible from all over the town. Downtown by the waterfront you can meander through historic streets revealing some of the best British colonial-era architecture in the region.

Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar and is the countries religious hub. The country is predominantly Buddhist with small precentages of other religions. The city is centered on the Royal Palace with wide streets filled with motorcycles and bicycles moving at a vibrant pace. Most of the countries monks reside there and in its surrounding areas. This city has a diverse mixture of cultures and is considered an intellectual Mecca.

If you are more of an out doors person in the mood to absorb some nature then Inle Lake would be the perfect destination for you. You can sit lake side and people watch as the canoe captain’s row by standing on the edge of the boat paddling with their legs. There are numerous floating villages inhabited by the Intha people. Go for hikes from one shop to the next in search for Burmese silk.

The highlight of my trip was the pagoda garden of Bagan once named Pagan. It is an archeological zone with thousands of pagodas, stupas and temple ruins near the banks of Ayeyarwady River. The site is home to the largest area of Buddhist ruins in the world with many dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Bagan was a central power base of the mid 9th century under King Anarawtha. He unified Myanmar, then called Burma, using Theravada Buddhism. It is said that at least 13,000 temples and stupas once stood in this 42 sq-km plain. There are about 2200 ruins remaining in the area in varied states of repair. Bagan’s golden age ended in 1287 when invaded by the Mongols.

Whatever your destination might be in Myanmar savor everything and take it in. I encourage you to go there and not let the international community detour you because they say being there fuels the fire. You being there is an arm reaching across the border and bringing the outside world to the repressed. Burmese people are gentle kind loving souls with smiles that hide their aching hearts. We can only hope through our visits we can bring attention and maybe one day change!

Author: Rebecca Hosking’s fascination for different cultures has brought her to 45 countries through out the seven continents. She has been a freelance writer for over six years and feels her best education came from traveling.

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