Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide


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Treasures of Myanmar

Text & Images: Mario

If I have to categorize tourists visiting Thailand, there would be two main groups: one comes here for the beaches - they go south. Another loves to see arts, traditions, and cultural and historical sites - this group heads to the North. Chiang Mai is the center of the north of Thailand, and the hub for many tourists before they scatter to destinations nearby.

Having been occupied by Myanmar for many years, Chiang Mai’s architecture naturally has lots of Burmese style arts and architecture, so in some respects Chiang Mai is a sister-city to some of those of Myanmar. This month’s Destination, supported by Air Bagan, features beautiful Myanmar destinations to whet your appetite. If you love Chiang Mai and have thoroughly explored this city, then we suggest catching a flight to Myanmar. We’re sure you will find plenty to enjoy there too.

Lets start at Bagan, the first kingdom, founded in A.D. 849. In 1044, King Anawrahta ascended the throne and built many Buddhist shrines and royal palaces there.

Over the next 250 years, the heritage he left was added to by his successors. King Kyansittha, for example, built the many pagodas that have made Bagan famous around the world. Lots of tourists in Myanmar visit Mandalay because it was the last capital city colonized by the British - way back in 1885. The city was, however, extensively damaged during the Second World War. But many glorious remains are still in place today, such as the palace walls which surround the city moat. As the second’s largest city of Myanmar, traditional arts and life styles are abundantly on offer to visitors. Dancing, music, drama and marionettes, architecture, gold and silver crafts, marble carving, silk thread weaving and ancient tapestry are abundantly represented.

Yangon, the present capital, is the country’s largest city and principal seaport, and it is the main commercial, manufacturing and transportation center. If you visit this place, don’t miss its most stunning monument, the large Shwedagon Pagoda, an ancient Buddhist shrine standing about 100 meters high and covered with gold leaf on the outside.

For a nature retreat, Heho is popular and well known for Inle Lake, and has acquired the reputation of being the Venice of the East. This picturesque lake is as one of the most magical sights in South East Asia. But not only is the lake beautiful to see, it also serves as home of the native Intha, who live on the lake in stilt houses. The presence of other ethic groups in the area is still evident. You can see people wearing the national and regional costumes and the market days are great opportunities for shutter bugs.

If you really love history, we suggest you head for Sittwe and Mrauk-U too. Located close to the Myanmar border with Bangladesh, Mrauk-U is a very interesting and attractive archeological site. Up the river from Sittwe, which was an ancient city founded in the 15th century, and accessible only by boat is Shittaung the best preserved temple in Mrauk-U, built in 1535 by King Minbin.

In addition, the caves, tunnels, passages and Buddha images are absolutely intriguing. Although the infrastructure is inadequate, a visit to the lost city is a growing destination many tourists love trying to get to.

Myanmar has been relatively only lightly touched by western influences, so simple lifestyles, beautiful nature and historical sites are still preserved in very good condition. If you want an exceptional experience to remember, Air Bagan provides flights to many destinations. Just check them out at www.airbagan.com.