"Burma Page" Burma by gabriellefox

Burma Travel Guide: 4,640 reviews and 9,868 photos

Where i started my travels

I was born in Burma, which is now called Myanmar, in September 1965. My parents and their parents before them are of mixed blood, but both my parents lived and worked here. They left to reside in the UK before my second birthday so I remember little or nothing of the place.

The country of Burma is lush, rich in natural resources and home to dozens of peoples and cultures.
Unfortuantely due to a military government of isolationist economic mismanagement, the 50 million people there live without their human rights and in extreme poverty. Unfortunately, the country of has been under military dictatorship since 1962.

I took a trip in January 2001 to retrace my parent’s heritage and find out more about the land of my birth. It was amazing!.

Myanmar is a beautiful country filled with smiling and genuinely generous people. Like all countries it is not without its problems, but as usual media attention is generally focused on the negative aspects of the country. I do not intend to get involved with the pros and cons of visiting such a country, much information is available, inform yourself and make up your own mind.

The travelogues diarise my 2-week holiday to the land of my birth.

Best time to Visit

Take it Easy

The ideal time to visit is during the dry season between November and May. Certain regions can be very wet during the summer months, but due to the size of the country it is possible to avoid these areas and still enjoy a worthwhile tour. The hills can be cold in winter and the plains of Bagan and Mandalay are very hot during the northern hemisphere summer ,with only short heavy showers interrupting the sunshine.

Getting Around

Dont miss this

Yangon is usually your entry and exit point, although flights from Thailand into Bagan and Mandalay are increasing in regularity. Myanmar is a deceptively large country and few roads are of good quality so to save time flights are usually the best way to get around. The government-run airline is not of a high standard, so where there is a choice use more reliable privately-owned airlines. Where flying is not an option use private vehicles or river journeys. The train network is fairly extensive but is not comfortable and rarely convenient.

I chose to travel to Mandalay by air conditioned coach giving me a chance to drink in the beautiful countryside and villages we would have missed by flying. Half our party took the train and had an awful, long and uncomfortabnle journey.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful Country and People
Cons:Run by military police
In a nutshell:Inform yourself but visit if you get a chance. It is amazingly beautiful.

Last visit to Burma: Jan 2001
Intro Updated Mar 1, 2005
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Reviews (81)

If you like wine with your meal Warnings Or Dangers (5)

You may be a little disappointed as alcoholic drinks are generally not favoured in a Buddhist country, although there... more travel advice

Try the Local food Things to Do (43)

I was brought up on this stuff so I was in my element and actually went up a size as I loved it so much. Two of the... more travel advice

December & January Festivals Things to Do (43)

December is the month for small, regional nat festivals while January sees a stream of religious events focused on local... more travel advice

Festival History Things to Do (43)

Water plays a more sedate role in the full-moon festival of Kason a month later. Kason celebrates the birth,... more travel advice

Favorites (3)
See All Why its called The Golden Land
Off The Beaten Path (11)
See All A Good Guide can make all the difference
Hotels (6)
See All Room with a View

Restaurants (6)
See All HLA Myanmar Restaurant
Local Customs (6)
See All The older people speak English...
What to Pack (1)
Packing List

Travelogues (3)

1 - 3 of 3

Comments (187)

kenHuocj Nov 16, 2010 at 3:30 AM Report Abuse

The past week end must have brought much joy to you ;-))) i think it was 2001 when i first visited your Burma Pages
HELENA8 Jan 5, 2008 at 1:51 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for your tips! Happy 2008
volopolo Dec 31, 2007 at 12:48 PM Report Abuse

Happy new year 2008! Nikos from Greece and Emmy from Thailand.
GenuinelyCurious Oct 31, 2007 at 1:29 PM Report Abuse

Great overview of your birth country, GFox. How did they grow them to 5'10 in your day? :>
kopwint Jan 14, 2007 at 8:02 AM Report Abuse

Accidently I look your page then I know you born in our country and visited in 2001 how about in 2007?all the time changing that Lord BUDDHA said, Happy and free is my wish to you
inbavaria Sep 15, 2006 at 4:55 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for making the effort to put together such a nice and informative page. It is very helpful to us as we plan on visiting Myanmar later this year. Happy journeys :-)
crewrower Jun 30, 2006 at 10:21 PM Report Abuse

You have an interesting travel map. You've touched parts of the whole globe. Really neat!
planxty Jun 17, 2006 at 9:54 PM Report Abuse

Hi Linda. I read all your tips avidly before I went to Burma / Myanmar recently and found them very useful. I have to agree with you, what a stunning place and people. fergy.
AlexDJ May 22, 2006 at 12:22 PM Report Abuse

Just a word: MERAVIGLIOSO!
JessH Apr 25, 2006 at 10:49 PM Report Abuse

Hi Linda. I really enjoyed your detailed & insightful tips on this mystical country! Definitely an interesting place to visit! Greetings from Dubai :-) Jess