Myanmar, or Burma, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar which is derived from the Burmese Empire (1500-1000BC) is a country in Southeast Asia. It lies on the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea coast with Bangladesh and Republic of India to the west which is part of the same sub-region of Indoasia, China to the north, and Laos and Thailand to the east.

Myanmar’s culture is heavily influenced by Buddhism. Influence of ancient Indian culture intertwined with local traditions and some Chinese influences can be clearly seen in local architecture and food habits. Various stupas and temples throughout the country bear a distinct resemblance to those in northern India. Like neighbouring Thailand, Theravada Buddhism is the single largest religion, and even some of the most remote villages will have a village temple for people to pray. Other religions which exist in smaller numbers include Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.

Cities

• Naypyidaw (formerly Pyinmana) — newly designated capital of the country
• Bago (formerly Pegu) — historic city near Yangon full of wonderful Buddhist sights
• Hpa-An — the capital of Kayin (Karen) State, with a lively market and nearby caves and mountains
• Kawthaung — beach town in the far south which is as much like Thailand as Myanmar gets
• Mandalay — former capital of the Konbaung Dynasty built around the Mandalay Royal Palace and main commercial centre of Upper Myanmar
• Mawlamyine (Moulmein) — capital of Mon State and the fourth largest city in the country.
• Pyin U Lwin (Maymyo) — cool town which is a wonderful former British colonial hill station
• Taunggyi — capital of Shan State in the heart of the Golden Triangle
• Yangon (formerly Rangoon) — the economic centre, known for its pagodas and colonial architecture

Other destinations

• Bagan — an archaeological zone with thousands of pagodas near the banks of the Ayeyarwady River
• Inle Lake — a large shallow lake good for beautiful boat trips, visiting floating villages inhabited by the Intha people, hiking, and also a source of excellent silk
• Indawgyi Lake — Myanmar’s largest lake and UNESCO biosphere reserve. A great place to get off the beaten track and enjoy the outdoors and local culture.
• Kengtung — between Mong La (on the border with China) and Tachileik (on the border with Thailand) in the Golden Triangle, known for the Ann(black teeth people) and Akha tribes and trekking
• Kyaiktiyo — a gold-gilded rock sitting atop a cliff and a major pilgrimage site
• Mount Popa — an extinct volcano regarded as the Mount Olympus of Myanmar, a green oasis high above the hot plains and an easy day trip from Bagan
• Mrauk U — former capital of the Rakhine Kingdom
• Myitkyina — the capital of Kachin state. Gateway to traveling around the North, high mountains and cooler weather.
• Ngapali — beach resort in western Rakhine State, spilling into the Bay of Bengal
• Ngwe Saung — longest stretch of beach in Ayeyarwaddy Division, white sandy beach and crystal clear water are the features of Ngwe Saung Beach
• Pyay — a town on the Ayeyarwady River midway between Yangon and Bagan, known for its archaeological site Sri Kittara, the ancient Pyu capital from 2 to 9 AD