Myanmar

		urma or, as it should now be called, Myanmar, is one of the least visited, yet most interesting, tourist attractions of Asia.

The country's lack of modern material development makes this an unusual destination in a region where, over the recent decades, economic growth and the trend towards the more western aspects of social development have been meteoric. Myanmar is known as the land of golden pagodas, an accurate description as the traveler will find ornate temples, monasteries and stapes by the hundred in every city and town , many of them of great antiquity.

Mandalay, is located in the hot plain. Here are you can find interesting old pagodas with superb art and antiquities, a good museum and the remains of the old royal palace and fortress. This is also the location of the national school of dance and centers for various traditional handicrafts, stone and wood carvers, silk weavers and lots more. Pegu, where the most pagodas is found. Shwenmawdaw, and the Shwethalyaung Temple with its 200 foot-long reclining Buddha Statue.

The greatest of Myanmar's many ancient sites is undoubtedly Pagan, where some 5,000 temples, pagodas and stupas cover an area of 16 square miles. This is one of the richest and most impressive archaeological wonders of the world.To the northeast, in the Shan State, is the town of Heho, close to the famed Golden Triangle.

From here you can drive through delightful countryside to the pine-forested hill station of Kalaw, and take a side trip to Pindaya Caves and take a side trip to Pindaya Caves and Lake. Another side trip out of Heho is to Taunggyi, with its unusual tribal market is famous for its leg-rowers and floating island gardens.

Shopping in Myanmar offers many delights, with government, handicraft centers, shops and local markets providing superb souvenirs. Among the best are lacquerware, silver, silk, mother of pearl, ivory, teak carvings and gem stones.

The rather sleepy, colonial style capital, Yangon(Rangoon), has no shortage of interesting things to see and do. Yangon's Shwe Dagon Buddhist pagoda is the main sight seeing attraction. Its towering spire clad in pure gold and its fascinating approaches lined with shops, bric-a-brac stalls, are truly memorable. Highlights: National Museum, Sule, Aye sacred cave, Zoological gardens and Bogyoke central market.