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Trekking : The countryside and mountains;
Inle Lake in Shan State and Putao in Kachin State have many interesting
walking tours.
Sports : Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan all
have golf courses. Swimming and other types of watersports are possible
on Ngapali Beach.
Entertainment : Myanmar's traditional popular
theatre, known as pwe (show) is an excellent example of local folk
art. There are regular performances of Nat Pwe, which pays homage
to the spirit world, and Yok-Thei Pwe (marionette theatre), using
puppets up to a metre high. Expert puppeteers are deeply respected.
Meditation : There are several centres for
the study and practice of Theravada Buddhism. The most famous of
these is the Mahasi Meditation Centre in Yangon, founded in 1947
by Mahasi Sayadaw, one of Myanmar's greatest meditation teachers.
Visitors wishing to participate in Buddhist retreats need to obtain
a special, long-stay entry visa, allowing stays of up to 12 weeks.
However, it should be noted that the application would require arrangement
and following of certain procedures.
Wildlife : A number of national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries offer trekking and safaris, and Myanmar Travels
& Tours is eager to encourage ecotourism. Parks worth visiting:
Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park located northwest of Monywa; Hlawga
National Park near Yangon, which is reportedly good for birdwatching;
Popa Mountain Park - a forested extinct volcano in the desert area
of central Myanmar; Lampi Island off Myeik Archipelago, which can
be reached by boat from Myeik and Kawthaung Shwesettaw Wildlife
Sanctuary is located in Minbu. Inlay Birds' Sanctuary, Mohingyi
and Sein Ye Forest Camp.
Flora and Fauna : Due to diverse topography,
the flora ranges from sub alpine forests in the north through thorn
forests in the central region to tropical rain forests in the south
and mangrove in the delta area. It has recorded a variety of 300
mammal species, 300 reptiles and 1,000 bird species.
Eating : Main dishes such as
fish, chicken and pork are usually served with vegetables mixed
with onion, peppers, ginger and garlic, and are usually hot and
spicy. Rice or noodles act as a base and are often complemented
with curried dishes and raw vegetable salad. To enhance flavour,
a fermented shrimp paste known as ngapi is added to most meals.
Local dishes include the spicy rice salad, lethok son; a fish soup
with noodles called mohinga; and oh-no khauk swe, a blend of noodles,
chicken and coconut milk.
Drinking : Chinese tea, served at most restaurants,
is a safer alternative to 'purified' water. Purified, bottled water
is available everywhere.
While duty-free shops, department stores, supermarkets and minimarkets
in Yangon offer a wide choice of products, both foreign and local
with fixed prices, the real magic of shopping is to be found mainly
in the well-known Bogyoke Aung San Market where shopping is fun
and easy; and bargaining is acceptable. Situated in the heart of
Yangon, housing 2,000 shops with a wide selection of unique locally
made goods, luxury buys such as precious jewellery of gold and gems,
silverware, arts and crafts, lacquerware, paintings,traditional
wooden dolls, Mandalay silk, typical Shan and Kachin shoulder bags,
foodstuffs, cosmetics and tailor-made clothes are a few of the sought-after
items.
The shops at Bogyoke Aung San market are open daily from 9.30am.
To 5.00pm except on Mondays and gazetted holidays. Shopping amongst
a range of locally produced articles can be a delightful experience.
Myanmar has a long tradition of crafting beautiful items.
Bogyoke Aung San Market - First built in 1926, and situated
in the heart of Yangon, there are nearly 1700 shops and stalls selling
luxury items, handicrafts, food stuffs, clothing, jewellery, fashion
and consumer goods.
 New
Bogyoke Market - Sells imported textiles, household appliances,
medicines and general merchandise
Thiri Mingala Market - A large variety of fresh and salt
water fish, the market also operates as a wholesale vegetable market
 Bamboo
products - The bamboo should be properly matured, as new green
bamboo can split and house insects feed on the dried sap.
Coconut masks - Make for interesting decorations and come in all
shapes and sizes.
Folk dolls - Reflect the numerous national races in Myanmar
and come in many different varieties.
 Gold
embroidery - Necessarily expensive, but some very fine pieces
can be found.
Gold leaf - Manufacture of gold leaf is concentrated in
Mandalay as a cottage industry. Small pieces of gold bullion are
laboriously beaten out for days until it reaches the gossamer-like
thinness required to gild the images in pagodas. Sold in little
packets and is used as an expression of reverence for temple images.
Jewellery - Though design and workmanship is not generally
up to international standards, there are some unusual and attractive
pieces. Gold needs to be checked to make sure that it is not merely
gold plated silver. All gem and jewellery purchases need to be made
through a government-authorised dealer, who must issue an official
receipt, which is required for export of such items.
Jewels - Quality of rubies, sapphires, and jade, etc. can
be difficult to gauge. The advice of an expert or proper training
is useful, but not always
Kalaga embroidered tapestries - These beautifully ornate
creations make magnificent wall decorations when suitably framed,
though quality can vary greatly and older pieces tend to look more
aesthetic.
Lacquerware - This beautifully crafted product comes in
many decorative and utilitarian forms, shapes, and colours. Older
pieces can be particularly attractive.
Leather crafts - Very attractive items from small purses
to large hard wearing bags which will last for years.
Longyi - The men's traditional longyi is a much more comfortable
alternative to tight jeans or trousers.
Shan style shoulder bags - Attractive and practical.
Silverware - Older pieces are particularly attractive.
Stone carvings - Though lovely pieces are available for
the house or garden, shipping can be complicated and the advice
of a local person is advised.
Teakwood furniture - Tempting and beautiful pieces are made
by local craftsmen and can be made to order. The advice of a local
resident should be sought to check the regulations in the country
to which the piece is to be shipped.
Traditional puppets - Puppetry is a long respected tradition,
and there are a wide variety of puppets and marionettes that make
attractive decoration and unusual gifts.
Tribal handicrafts - A very wide variety of silver, bone,
wood, silk and cotton handicrafts are available, but are best purchased
on location in the mountain areas.
Weaving - Handmade goods can be found all over the country,
varying in fabric, design, and texture from region to region.
Woodcarving - Many pieces are available, both old and new,
in different woods, including teak.
Note : The export of antiques is prohibited, and the export
of loose gemstones, jewellery & silver requires an official
certificate from the vendor. To avoid any confiscation of such goods
purchased elsewhere (Thailand, for instance) they should be clearly
indicated on customs declaration forms on arrival.
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