Golden
Land "Myanmar" Myanmar, also known as Burma, is
nicknamed by people as the Golden Land. It is a “Buddhism Nation” with
Buddhist pagodas scattered all over the country. Myanmar, officially Union
of Myanmar, is the largest country in the Southeast Asia, or on the
Indochina peninsula, as far as its territory is concerned.
Tips: Why is it called "The Golden Land"?
Myanmars love gold, for them gold is the most precious metal. Gold is used
everywhere in Myanmar: the Buddhist buildings, monasteries, personal
decorations of the nobles, and so on. Most pagodas in Myanmar are covered
with gold leaf, even for those who cannot afford to use gold paint in the
present day. It's not an exaggeration to say that you will see golden
things or gold-covered monuments in every direction you turn.
Location Situated in Southeast Asia, Myanmar is
bordered on the north and northeast by China with a border line of 2185 KM
(1357 miles), on the east and southeast by Laos and Thailand, with border
lines of 253 KM (157 miles) and 1800 KM, (1118 miles), respectively. On
the south it is encircled by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, and on
the west it borders upon Bangladesh with a border line of 193 KM (120
miles) and with India 1463KM (909 miles).
Together, the location and topography of the country create a diversity of
climate conditions.
Seasons such as summer, winter (rainy season) are effected by the changing
of wind directions because of the annual monsoon. The Myanmar government
is giving priority to forest conservation and the greening of nine arid
districts in central Myanmar, especially after the cyclone hit Myanmar in
May 2008.
Thanks to those different types of landforms and the unique weather
condition, Myanmar is blessed with a rich diversity of habitat because of
its unusual ecological variety. There are more than 3000 mammal species,
300 reptiles and around 100 bird species living in this land. About 7,000
species of plants grow here. Burmese have a great appreciation of such a
rich pool of biodiversity, and the government has stipulated strict
regulations to protect its biological resources.
A land full of diverse cultures, Myanmar is the home to over 100 ethnic
groups with different traditions and customs. Some of the tribes are
nearly extinct. All have been greatly influenced by Buddhism like many
other Southeast Asian nations, with over 80 % of the population following
Buddhism. The remainder follows Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and still
others are animists.
Myanmar is the common language in Myanmar, but some minority ethnic groups
are still maintaining and using their own languages. Nowadays large cities
like Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan are becoming more and more
visitor-friendly as a greater number of English speaking travelers visit
the country.
History
Myanmar is believed to be one of the cradles
of human beings. The Pondaung Man that was named after the place where its
fossils were found is believed to have lived 40 million years ago. As
early as the third century BC Myanmar had been unified into one single
regime. Throughout its history, there were three major empires. The first
Myanmar Empire was led by King Anawrahta of the Bagan Dynasty (1044-1077
AD); the second by King Bayinnaung of the Taungoo Dynasty (1551-1581 AD);
and the third by King Alaungpaya of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1760 AD).
All of these three empires were prosperous in their times under their
kings' excellent leadership. In 1880s Myanmar was brought under control by
the British and became a British colony from 1885. It was not until
January 4, 1948, that the nation declared independence from the British
government. After a short period (14 years) of democratic republic
regimes, since 1962 the nation has been ruled by military juntas.
Culture Seated between two of the world's great
ancient civilizations, China and India, Myanmar contains elements of those
two cultures and also maintains that of it own with native primitive
characteristics. Buddhism has always influenced people of their daily
behaviors. Reverence for elders and authorities, being hospitable, kind
and friendly have long been, and still are, considered to be great
virtues. Like in many other Asian nations, keeping close family ties is
important in Myanmar cultures.
Yangon Yangon is the capital city of Myanmar,
featuring evergreen and lush tropical vegetation. There are beautiful
parks and lakes scattered around, and Yangon has earned the title "The
Garden City of the East". Prior to the founding of Yangon, the city site
used to be called Dagon. It was in 1755 when King Alaungpaya conquered
Lower Myanmar that he built the city of Yangon here.
Being the capital city, Yangon also abounds with interesting sites.
World Famous
Shwedagon Pagoda
One of The main attractions of sightseeing in Yangon is the world famous
Shwedagon Pagoda. The following words were written to praise the Shwedagon
Pagoda by one of the earliest English merchants and travelers to Southeast
Asia, Ralph Fitch, after visiting the magnificent pagoda:
....it is called Dogonne, and it is of a wonderful bigness, and all gilded
from the foot to the toppe...it is the fairest place, as I suppose, that
is in all the world; it standeth very high, and there are foure ways to
it, which all along are set with trees of fruits, such wise that a man may
goe in the shade above two miles in length....
It is honored to be one of the most sacred Buddhist pagodas among the
Burmese for enshrining the relics of the past four Buddhas in the pagoda.
It is a grand pagoda surrounded by many satellite pagodas. Today the
pagoda is 99 meters (326 ft) in height, with sparkling decorations of
colorful stones like diamonds and precious stones on the top of the
pagoda. There are many small traditional shops where different sorts of
handcrafts and art works can be found along the stairway up to the scared
shrine. As you walk around the golden shrine on the platform, you will
feel a sense of peace and quietness probably only found in a place like
this.
Because of the influence of Buddhism, there are pagodas and Buddhist
buildings all over Yangon. In the heart of downtown Yangon is the Sule
Pagoda, which is believed to be more than two thousand years old. On the
bank of the Yangon River is the Botatauang Pagoda featuring the legend of
one thousand army leaders who guarded the Buddha's hair relics brought by
King Okkalapa two thousand years ago. There is also the Kaba Aye Pagoda
and Mahapasana Guha Cave that was built to commemorate the World Sixth
Synod of Buddhism in 1954.
Thanlyin (or Syrium) On the Bago River, Thanlyin serves as a
major port in Yangon. The port is famous for the Kyauktan Ye Le Pagoda
which is on a small island in Hmaw Won Creek about 13 miles away from
Thanlyin. With a long history, it was built in the third century BC, and
has a large collection of artworks and crafts such as Buddhist paintings
and sculptures. It has a long history of being a tendering port. As early
as the 10th Century, many western merchants were attracted here. Following
these businessmen were Catholic missionaries. A large church building
established in 1750 still exists in the city today.
Bago This place has long been regarded by
many earlier European visitors as one of the most important seaports in
south Myanmar. It is an ancient city which used to be the capital city of
the Mon Empire from the 11th Century to 13th Century. Today it is more
famous for the well-preserved Theravada Buddhist structures. The Shwe Maw
Daw Pagoda about 2000 years old, with a height of 113 meters (370 feet) is
the most famous Myanmar pagoda in southern Myanmar. The Shwe Thalyaung
Buddha statue, which can be dated back to 994 AD is 55 meters (180 ft)
long and 16 meters (52 ft) high, and is the second largest Buddha in the
world.
Mandalay
Mandalay
is the capital of Mandalay Division in north Myanmar. Now it remains the
second largest city of Myanmar. It has become the hub of politics,
economics and culture of upper Myanmar. It was the capital of Myanmar's
last royal imperial; there are still many places and scenes that witness
the glory of the splendid culture of the old capital. There were many
ancient capital city buildings in Myanmar's history. Most of them have
been destroyed; however, the Mandalay Palace is relatively well preserved.
The traditional crafts, carvings, paintings and constructions are all a
good reflection of its status as a culture center.
The Irrawaddy River, which flows into the city from the northern border
with China's Yunnan province, has brought a great number of Chinese
immigrants over the past two decades. The increasing number of Chinese is
changing the demography of this city.
Based on its cultural heritage, Mandalay has become a center of tourism in
upper Myanmar. You can visit solemn Buddhist buildings and sense the peace
and tranquility they bring out; there are old and authentic Myanmar
cultures you can enjoy. The picturesque countryside scenes are equally
appealing for modern people who have become so trapped by the daily
pressures of study and work.
Mingun
Bell There is a large ringing bell in a
small town named Mingun, about 11 KM (7 miles) north of Mandalay. It is
3.6 meters (about 23 ft) high, and the mouth has a diameter of about 4.9
meters (16 feet), with a weight of 90.5 tons. Made in 1810, the bell has
kept its good shape.
Pahtodawgyi This stupa is famous for being an
incomplete construction. First started in late 1790 during the reign of
King Bodawphaya, it took so long to finish the building that the king died
before witnessing the completion of the stupa.The building stands 49.6
meters (163 ft) high, which is about one third of the original plan of 160
meters high. It has survived through many serious earthquakes in history
as witnessed by its cracks. Two mythical lions stand in front of the
building.
Sagaing This Division of Sagaing is famous for
the widely- scattered Buddhist monasteries and pagodas along the bank of
the Ayayarwaddy River. For a long time it has served as an important
religious center in upper Myanmar. From 1760 to 1764, it was the royal
capital of Myanmar. Over the Ayayarwaddy River is the 16-span Ava Bridge
that links Sagaing with Mandalay 21 KM (13 miles) away.
Bagan
Bagan is famous of being a historical
city in the center of Myanmar. It abounds with ancient towns and
buildings, and remnants of Buddhist culture. With numerous pagodas and
stupas, it is one of the most important and renowned pilgrimage sites for
Buddhism followers. It was the capital site of the first unified ancient
Myanmar kingdom, the Bagan Kingdom from the 11th to the 13th Century, and
for many other kingdoms later. The ruler of the kingdom, being a devote
Buddhist, ordered that many Buddhist buildings should be constructed. Ever
since, it has become one of the holy lands of Myanmar culture and Buddhism
culture. Even now, walking around the ancient city, pagodas and stupas can
be seen everywhere you go. During the 11th Century to the 13th Century,
approximately 10 thousand pagodas were built, so calling Bagan a Land of
Pagodas is not an exaggeration. Many of them have survived wars and
natural disasters. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has tried but failed to enlist Bagan as a
World Heritage Site for its abundant Buddhist culture, but was hindered by
the military government.
There are some places well worth visiting: the Ananda Temple presents you
with the most elegant and marvelous arts; you can find the tallest temple
is Thabinnyu ; and the Dhamayangyi, to be the biggest building. If you
want to find out what the first Myanmar stupa was like, visit the
Shwezigon Pagoda.
Inlay Lake Inlay Lake, located in the Shan States,
is the second largest lake in Myanmar. It is one of the most famous
tourist spots in upper Myanmar. With a beautiful landscape and fascinating
views, it has been a popular place for people to spend their summer
holiday. September and October are like a festival season in this
region--first Hpaung Daw U Festival, then Thadingyut, or the Festival of
Lights. During this period of time, people dress up with their colorful
costumes and celebrate with traditional activities like boat racing.
Due to its distinctive beauty, more and more tourists are choosing to
travel here. To respond to the boom of tourism, a great number of tourist
infrastructures are being constructed and accessibility has been ever
increasing to attract travelers from all over the world.
