 Myanmar is one the last truly untapped regions in Southeast Asia. It has a richly diverse culture with some of the deepest running Buddhist heritage on the planet. Bordered by Thailand, Laos, China, India and Bangladesh, Myanmar is a land inhabited by many different peoples. Colourful hill tribes dot the highlands, coastal fishing communities live along the beautiful Indian Ocean, and throughout there are the smiling faces of the Burmese.
 Myanmar’s capital Yangon has retained much of its languid tropical feel. Crumbling colonial buildings are slowly being restored as new hotels and restaurants fill the niche of catering to travellers needs. You may not find a wealth of luxury accommodations here, but there are plenty of accommodation choices in all the main tourist towns.
 Travel upriver along the Irrawaddy where towns such as Pagan and Mandalay will blow your mind with their inconceivably vast number of Buddhist temples, pagodas and ancient palaces. Around 87 per cent of Myanmar’s population is Buddhist. Although a large part of the upper and lower reaches of the country are off limits to foreigners, there are a dozen world class sites which have an ever-expanding tourism infrastructure.
Travelling to Myanmar isn’t as simple as buying a plane ticket and going, but most of the time the borders are open to foreigners. This is one destination where it pays to keep abreast of the political climate before you go, but once you get inside you’ll be rewarded with some of the most genuine, un-Westernised scenes in Asia. Most visitors need a visa to enter Myanmar, which can take a long time to process. Be sure and plan ahead and be prepared with alternative travel ideas. Accommodation in Myanmar is varied, but there is a good variety of lodgings to suit all budgets at major tourist destinations. Many visitors prefer to stay a locally run establishments rather than at government sponsored hotels.
History
In the past, four ethnic groups migrated into what is now Myanmar: Pyu from India, Mons from Cambodia, Mongol Burmans from the Himalayas and Thais from northern Thailand. The Burman kingdom of Bagan was the first power to wrest control over the region in the 11th century, but they couldn’t unify the myriad racial groups. Kublai Khan invaded in 1287, sparking a 250-year era of chaos, disunity and infighting. It wasn’t until the 16th century that a group of Taungoo kings forced the Siamese out and took control.
 The 18th century brought more fragmentation as the Mons and various hill tribes established their own mini-kingdoms. A major turning point in the region’s history happened in 1767, when the Burmans sacked Ayutthaya forcing the Siamese to regroup themselves in Bangkok. Myanmar’s unstable situation inspired the British to invade in 1824, 1852 and again in 1883. Burma, as Myanmar was known at the time, was incorporated into the British colonial empire. This was when the Indians and Chinese first arrived on the scene, adding another cultural dimension to the melting pot.
 During WWII, the Japanese drove the British from the region. The locals didn’t support their liberators, however, and by 1948 the country had again disintegrated into various independent ethnic groups. When General Ne Win led his military coup in 1962, Burma began its present life as a failed experiment in socialism. The economy crumbled and widespread protests led to a democratic election in 1989. Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD party won a landslide victory, but the ruling military junta refused to accept the results and put her under house arrest where she remains to this day.
The military has continued to rule Myanmar with a heavy hand since 1989. International pressure has done little to persuade the junta to accept the will of their constituents, despite pleas from many nations. The moderate General Khin Nyunt was replaced by hard-liner Ne Win in 2004, who has since shown no signs of loosening the reigns.
Weather
Myanmar enjoys a pleasant three-season climate thanks to its range of latitude which includes tropical coastline in the south and lofty mountains in the northwest. The hottest time of the year falls between March and May, when temperatures stay fixed at around 40°C and the land feels parched and stifling. The best place to be during the hot season is along the coast or high up in the mountains.
From May to October, the annual monsoon rolls in bringing welcome relief from the dry heat of summer. Refreshing winds bring slightly lower temperatures that average around 30°C. Rains typically fall in brief but dramatic afternoon thunderstorms at the beginning of the monsoon, then set in more doggedly towards the end of the season. In addition to aiding vegetation, the rains bring high levels of humidity. However, despite high humidity the monsoon season remains one of the nicest times for a visit.
The cool, dry winter runs from November to February. This is the most pleasant time of year when temperatures drop into a comfortable 25°C range and the skies are clear and blue nearly every day. Nights can be surprisingly chilly, so bring a sweater if you visit around Christmas. Otherwise, lightweight clothes work best in Myanmar’s tropical climate.
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