Burma

Also known as Myanmar, Burma is a sovereign state in South East Asia bordered by Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand. There is much to attract the discerning traveller to Burma: thousands of temples across the Bangan countryside; the floating gardens of Inle Lake and majestic rivers, but we believe the biggest draw comes from the fact that the 21st century has barely been introduced.

Burma is best visited during the cool, dry season which persists from November to March. An increasing number of airlines are offering flights from the UK to Yangon – aka Rangoon, Burma’s largest city – such as Singapore Air, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways and Qatar Airways.

Attractions spread across this large country. Lake Inle is home to leg rowers, floating tomato gardens and a fascinating culture, making it a must-visit on any trip. Ballooning over Bagan, the ancient city home to thousands of temples is a magical experience. Ananda Temple, built in the 12th Century and one of the most impressive on the plains, is a wonderous as is the largest of them all: Dhammayangyi Temple. If you have time, a river expedition along the Chindwin River is worth the time. The communities along the riverbank have had very limited contact with the outside world over the last 50 years, and the welcome westerners receive is an excited one to say the least!

Burma has a huge coastline lining the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Sitting on the far west coast looking across the Bay of Bengal to India lies Ngapali Beach, Burma’s most popular beach destination.