Burma (Myanmar)

Overview

The protection of Myanmar's forests and underwater attractions at the Mergui Archipelago will be of interest to many prospective visitors. Ancient sites cannot be missed. Temples around Bagan, the ruins of Mrauk-U near Sittwe which must be reached by boat, the Shawedagon Pagoda in the capital Yangon, are examples. There is also the humbling experience of the Thanphyuzayet cemetery, the chance to potter about the Ayeyarwaddy River or take a hot air balloon ride in order to get a better view.

Sport and amusement parks should keep the older and younger busy as well as the exciting food and local produce available.

History

The tribal communities of the Karen, Mon and different Tibeto-Burmese tribes, the most famous being the Pyu, coming from eastern Tibet, were probably the first inhabitants of the area which is now Myanmar. They came from the north travelling down the big rivers and settled mainly in the south/south-west (Mon) and in the north.

From the 5th century onwards, Indians started exploring and later settling in Myanmar with the purpose of doing business. From the 5th to 8th century, Burmese from less fertile regions of North-Asia immigrated, followed by tribal communities of the Shan, Kachin, Chin and the Southern Chinese. In the 8th century, the Pyu had built a town named Pyay which was said to be the biggest in the country. The ruins of Pyay are still visible today. After the decline of Pyay, the capital shifted to Bagan. From the 11th to 13th century about 13.000 temples and pagodas were built. King Anawratha, the first Burmese king, ruled in Bagan from 1044 to 1077 and succeeded in establishing a strong and powerful kingdom. After defeating the Mon, he took Mon prisoners back to his capital and used their architectural abilities for further development of the city. He also adopted Theravada-Buddhism from them and began to spread it in his kingdom.

During the reign of king Narasihapati in the 13th century, Myanmar was attacked by the Mongols. The Mongols finally won the war, and in 1287 Bagan was destroyed.

From the 13th to 18th century five independent kingdoms existed, sometimes concurrently: In-Wa,...more