Myanmar is known as the golden land not only for her golden pagodas but also for her fertile land and the wealth of its agriculture, natural resources and precious minerals and stones. Coming there, you will enjoy the natural beauty, magnificent lakes, enchanting cages, natural sandy beaches, the unique culture of different ethnic groups and the large numerous golden pagodas. Myanmar also has many resorts to rest and make excursion.
One of the most attractive in Myanmar tourism is its culture because of its numerous historical monuments, Buddhist temples and pagodas. There are other attractions for visitors who are specialized in Archaeology, Buddhism, Entomology, Birds, Plants, etc. Someone comes here with the purposes such as trekking, scuba diving, cross-country cycling, car rally and hot-air balloon flying. Furthermore, you will admire the snow-capped mountains and Mt. Khakaborazi which is the highest mountain in Myanmar. Thus, there are many new natural parks throughout the country.
Tourism has become a growth sector in the national economy following the liberalization of policies under the market-oriented economy. Tourism industry was systematically and firmly established in 1992 with the formation of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. It is responsible for policy formulation and implementation of action plans. The main directing staff under the Ministry is the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism whose main functions are planning, promotion, marketing and research, investment in tourism, facilitation and regulation of private sector. Myanmar Hotels and Tourism services are the commercial enterprise which manages state-owned hotels, tour operators, Duty Free Shops and local beverage businesses. On the national level, the Tourism Development Management Committee has been formed and there are 12-Sub committees for various tasks. This high-level Committee reflects the Government’s commitment to the development of tourism as a potential economic sector.
The government encourages the local people, entrepreneurs cooperate together which lead Myanmar Tourism be successful. That is, not only the respective ministry but also related ministries and respective cabinets of regions and states must work hard to achieve success. Community-based tourism is being implemented to increase creation of job opportunities and to earn more income for local people. Myanmar needs to sustainably maintain the acquired good image of our country and to further assure our good image for survival in the international tourism industry market.
The government should extend the collaboration with private sector for further development. The Hotels and Tourism Ministry is working to promote the sector with limitations, including budget, human resources and infrastructure. Meanwhile, the private sector is doing well with full capacity and budgets. The close cooperation between the two sectors ensures the development of the industry. The government should consider actual conditions at ground level. The authorities need to understand and recognize both positive and negative comments on existing policies from the public for the purpose of moving forward. For example, it’s as if we were bulls carrying a big broken bullock cart that sinks deeper into the mud. If the industry is like the bull, the government must be like the cart – ready to move. But, cooperation is needed to move forward.
Same to other countries in Asia, Myanmar is focusing on the development tourism field. Firstly, the government tends to build the policies to encourage responsible tourism. They always support any companies to build the entertainment centers, parks, hotels, resorts and so on. However, Myanmar country is opened economics later than others so it has a lack of capacity and resources. Actually, Myanmar owns many stunning destinations so the government takes useful in the expanded traveling. The local people can open more and more restaurants, souvenir shops, hotel and so on.
Threats to Myanmar’s Cultural and Natural Heritage
As you known, Myanmar is not only famous for many interesting destinations but also it has the giant cultural and Natural Heritage. A large number of tourists is attractive to Myanmar’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. However, in some cases, tourism businesses organize inappropriate activities build in a way which damages heritage sites, including natural heritage. The SWIA builds the international standards and initiatives to prevent this issue. Myanmar’s tourism sector is at an important juncture. Numbers are increasing so business people, returning Burmese, and others entering on a tourist visa are also rose. To raise the development of traveling field, Myanmar’s infrastructure and society is more and more improved in order to receive a large number of foreign tourists or for an expansion of domestic tourism.
Myanmar is looked like the special country that has many opportunities to enhance in tourism. Myanmar has been recommended like a destination for someone who wants to get more experience in the bucolic country.
To spread Myanmar tourism, many firms in this country are concentrated on the market strategy for sustainable quality tourism begins.
The list of attractive destinations in Myanmar
Myanmar has been making efforts to promote the role of tourism development by its stunning places. You will be welcomed by the Burmese people, and experienced in the slow speed of life, giving you ample time to explore the temples, pagodas and lakes at your own pace. Luckily for visitors, Myanmar’s top four attractions, listed below, form a convenient loop from the Yangon, but for a truer insight into the country, you can choose to divert from the circle and take the road less travelled.
Yangon
In a throwback to its colonial past, the former Rangoon is a melange of British, Burmese, Chinese and Indian styles. Although pockets of modernisation are popping up among the historic architecture, these are not overwhelming and the city’s charm and character remain delightfully intact. The capital city of Myanmar is growing to be a busy metropolitan city where owns both of the old colonial buildings and ancient pagodas.
Yangon’s number one sight is the golden-spired Shwedagon Pagoda, just one of a number of glittering stupas in town. Shwedagon pagoda is one of the most famous pagodas in the world, where is the spiritual heart of the Myanmar people. Completely covered in gold, its enormous 99-meter Stupa is believed to contain the hair of Buddha and can be seen from across the city. Now more than 2500 years old, surrounded by temples and encrusted with jewels and diamonds it truly is a sight to behold. Additionally, you should go to this temple at night to admire the stupa is illuminated, acting as a golden beacon shining out across the city.
A couple of cathedrals and a synagogue complete the religious sights, but there’s also much joy to be had simply wandering the streets and exploring the markets.
Bagan
Boasting over 2,200 temples, shrines and pagodas spread across the leafy landscape, Bagan is quite a sight to behold. Best observed from a hot air balloon, the endless spires disappear into the misty horizon, creating a magical scene.
While this temple-heavy view is Bagan’s main event, the hilltop shrine at nearby Mount Popa is a popular day trip, while cruises on the Irrawaddy River are increasing in popularity too.
Coming to Bagan, you shouldn’t miss LawkaNanda pagoda where is the most important place of the World in ancient pali. Located on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River and built by King Anawrahta during his reign in 1059, it is said that a relic of Buddha’s tooth is enshrined within. The main stupa of pagoda is gilded gold. If you are looking for a truly spiritual, coming to Lawkananda Pagoda, you can attend an oil lamp ceremony. These ceremonies are steeped in the Buddhist belief in earning merit through performing good deeds. If you are interested, we are happy to organize an oil lamp ceremony for you.
Mandalay
Different from Bagan city, Mandalay is a noisy city. Why is Mandalay received high recommendation? Because this destination is famous for many tea shops, wonderful Pagodas, giant cultural and many tourist attractions make this one of the most popular places to visit in Myanmar. Climbing Mandalay Hill is the most favorite activity as it allows you to sweeping views of the city and the Irrawaddy River gleaming from afar.
Additionally, the U-bein Bridge and Kuthodaw Pagoda are popular attractions you shouldn’t miss because they observe the culture of the locals.
Located in the south-west of Mandalay, the Buddha image of Mahamuni (Great Sage) is both the most revered image in Mandalay and the oldest Buddha image in Myanmar, as it was made from Buddha’s own image during his lifetime. The statue is 3.8 meters tall, yet covered in so much gold leaf as to be almost unrecognisable. The pagoda’s festival falls in February and many Buddhists from around the country make pilgrimage. As is common with Myanmar festivals, a variety of local shops and food stalls are set up exhibiting fascinating local plays and dances. One suggestion for you is joining in Mahamuni Festival in order to play in Htamane contests on the eve of the full moon day. The best thing to see at Mahamuni is the “Washing of the Buddha’s Face”; you will witness a senior monk washing the face and brushing the teeth of the Buddha image every morning around 04- 4:30.
Inle Lake
Another big destination distributes to the development of Myanmar tourism is Inle Lake! Firstly, you should go to the winery where is located on a beautiful hillside with sweeping views of Inle Lake. Then you should ride a bicycle right up to the winery, passing through the vineyards on the way. The travelers chose to do a tasting and found a white we loved! So they ordered a bottle and relaxed on the terrace overlooking the vineyards. A great way to spend a relaxing day!
Phaung Daw Oo is located in peaceful Inle Lake and you have just access by boat. This quiet remoteness forms part of its charm, as does its beautiful ornamental hti-taw and unusual images. The pagoda festival in October is one of the largest and most famous celebrations In Shan state, during which four of the images are taken out on the Royal Barge and paraded through villages around the lake. That is a beautiful pagoda in a remote.
