8 Reasons Why You Should Go to Myanmar Right Now

When I tell people I just got back from Myanmar I usually get one of two responses. People are either so eager to hear what it was like, or they have no idea what or where Myanmar is.

About a year ago I fell into the second of these two categories. Thankfully, I’m always pushing myself to explore unknown places, and in this circumstance, a very unknown place, Myanmar, or formally known as Burma.

The country that just recently opened to the public in 2011 stole my heart in so many ways.  However, I sadly feel the Myanmar I experienced may not stay this way for very long.

So many cities in Thailand and Vietnam are prime examples of what happens when mass tourism takes over. Unfortunately for so many of these countries when tourism starts to boom the essence and authenticity of a country can get lost in a very short amount of time.

For this reason and so many more, it’s imperative everyone go to Myanmar before it’s just too late.

1: Tourism is still relatively new

Myanmar just opened up to the public a few years ago and therefore, has not been exposed to mass tourism.  Because of this the locals don’t try to aggressively sell to you like so many other countries in this part of the world. The people don’t come up to you trying to get money out of you any and every which way. There are no rip-offs or tourism scams here. Instead, they leave you alone for the most part and occasionally flash a smile your way.

2: The original buildings are still intact 

Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, is a beautifully decaying city. It almost feels like you’ve stepped back in time. Although not all of the buildings are still in use, you can spot many that have been around for nearly a hundred years. These buildings resemble old Asia with a touch of colonial influence. Some have plants growing in, on and around them, like something you’d see in an Indiana Jones movie. The whole ambiance harkens back to an old Asia that (because of it’s closed gates) is still present today in Yangon. It lacks any signs of modern tackiness, instead its authenticity brings on a feeling of nostalgia.

3: Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most well-preserved temple complexes in the world. It is a, if not the, cornerstone for Buddhism in Myanmar. For this reason, the people take a great deal of pride in its preservation and conservation. It’s not run-down like so many temples are in this part of the world. The main centerpiece of Shwedagon has a golden shimmer that is unbelievable.

This temple complex outshines any other I’ve seen in the world as far as opulence goes. Many believe it’s the oldest Pagoda in the world, dating back 2,600 years, however its actual age is still unknown.

4: The people couldn’t be more gracious

I’ve met a lot of wonderful people traveling the world, but none quite as genuine and warm as the people of Myanmar. They have this innocence and unfamiliarity to the outside world that makes them interested and curious to learn about foreigners. They haven’t been overly exposed to western ideas or culture so they stay true to whom they are and the ingrained humble foundations they were raised on.

Friends of ours living in Myanmar said if someone happened to leave something in a taxi, the driver would come to where the taxi dropped you off and try to track you down. Surprisingly, despite extremely high poverty levels, they feel theft isn’t an issue here.

5: It’s very safe

Many might feel nervous to go to Myanmar because it’s pretty unchartered territory for tourists. After all, I had no idea what to expect either. Would it be safe? What would it look like? It turns out from the second I landed in Yangon I felt comfortable and relaxed, something I definitely don’t feel in every country I visit. It was something about the endearing and welcoming locals at the airport that had me feeling calm and at ease from the beginning. I blended in with the crowd.  No one bothered me or even gave me a second look. That’s a refreshing feeling after years on the road and always feeling like I’ve stuck out like a sore thumb as a traveler.

6: It’s just far enough out of reach from the pervasive western grasp

Myanmar is still very authentic. In Yangon you can see a little bit of influence from the west, but as a whole you really can’t. From the way they dress, to the food they eat, and even how they act, it’s all still very traditional. There’s no KFC, no H&M, no mall. If you want to shop you go to the central market.

There was one strip of stores above the grocery store in the suburb we stayed in, but other than that, our friends living there said the market is where everyone goes to get clothes and household items made.

As far as the language barrier goes there’s no trace of any outside influence.  Most people speak a little bit of English but it’s not often found on any food menus or written anywhere around the city.

7: It’s inexpensive 

In comparison to its neighboring countries Myanmar costs are similar in almost everything. However, there are some exceptions. Alcohol is certainly one of the things that is cheaper here. You can go to Vietnam or Cambodia and get a beer for $1, but when you start talking about liquor and cocktails, the prices can significantly increase. With $3-5 cocktails in these nearby countries you’re looking at a bar tab that can add-up pretty quickly. In Myanmar, you can go to Chinatown in downtown Yangon and drink at the bars or any of the outside patios for $1-2 a cocktail, with fairly inexpensive food items as well. You don’t really have to worry about spending too much money here, which is great when you’re traveling on a budget.

8: Soon it will be just like most places in Southeast Asia, worthwhile but undeniably overrun by tourists.

There’s a special essence in Myanmar right now. Not only will you notice that it’s different from most places you’ve probably traveled, but you also feel lucky you’re getting to experience this place before most people. There aren’t a lot of places in the world you can go to and feel this way about.

Do yourself a favor and get to Myanmar before it’s just too late.

Hannah

Hannah has been traveling the world since she was a little girl. She started her travel blog Heels to Hiking Boots in 2012. Heels to Hiking Boots is all about the modern female traveler. The woman who can throw on a pair of heels for a night out, and then wake up and lace up her muddy hiking boots for a day of exploration.