Backpacking in Myanmar

0 Comments | Rating: 0 | |

Myanmar (Burma) is a country being ruled under the iron fist of a military dictatorship but the people I met there are resilient and hopeful. Myanmar travel is rewarding because of the people you will meet they. They are among the nicest and most hospitable I have met anywhere in the world and they want to share their stories with you and even though talking about the government is off-limits, some will speak their mind and it is sad but extremely interesting.

There is a controversy waging about whether travelling to Myanmar is ethical. The concern is that tourism dollars help prop up the corrupt government and to avoid this, travellers should keep away. I had been torn about whether or not backpacking in Myanmar would be wise but after a bit of research I was convinced that it was possible to travel responsibly, and with a bit of effort the funds going into the government's pockets could be reduced in favour of supporting businesses owned by local people.

Backpacking in Myanmar is nothing like travelling in neighbouring Thailand. I was often the only tourist on the bus, and sometimes I was even the only person staying at a guesthouse. Tourism in numbers Myanmar are way down but that doesn't mean there still aren't amazing thing to see and do.

Yangon is a bustling city and I was surprised at how multicultural it is. Over the course of a short stroll I came across a mosque, a Catholic church, a synagogue, a Hindu temple and of course many Buddhist temples as well. Mandalay was more my style though and renting a bike there is a great way to spend a day. I cycled around the massive Mandalay Fort and was then accompanied by some local girls for a climb up Mandalay Hill which is less like a hill and more like a giant staircase with temples all along it.

I also spent some time on boats along the IrrawaddyRiver. I took a train to a town up north and spent six days boating back down the river. The scenery was beautiful but what really made the trip for me was the friendly local people on board. It was a great glimpse into life on the river.

Myanmar is a magical place and many people there would love to see tourists return. A trip to Myanmar can be done responsibly if you avoid government-run hotels and try not to fly or take trains. It's a tough call but I think your tourist dollar in Myanmar can do a lot of good if spent wisely.