Myanmar Tours Offer a Glimpse Into a Proud Ancient Culture

Myanmar has many cultures. Indeed, if you look at an ethnic map of Myanmar, you can quickly figure out that the country is split into so many different language and cultural groups. While this fact alone would make for a quaint little quilt of traditional customs and languages, it goes deeper than that. Tribal identity is very big in Myanmar just like in Thailand and Vietnam. Tribal culture impacts a group's language, dress, and economic activities. You can see it in full display in Myanmar. In fact, the country is split into different regions, each with its own dominant ethnic group. As you can imagine, this fragmentation can lead to military and ethnic conflict. Indeed, certain parts of Myanmar are quite unsafe due to lingering ethnic warfare. Still, the political climate has improved enough in recent years to open Myanmar up to travelers. Since it has been recently 'opened up', it is probably the best time to visit Myanmar before it becomes saturated like Thailand. The country has a lot to offer the traveler from majestic beaches to great natural attractions. However, for sheer appeal, the country's cultural heritage is a great draw. What's there to see? One word: Buddhism. There are tons of Buddhist shrines and pagodas all over the country. Each site is slightly different since each location reflects local preferences and local culture. In Yangon, for example, there is a pagoda complex that is made up of many different little gold-domed pagodas. It truly is a feast for the eyes. Great street food If you are more adventurous than the tourist who heads straight to McDonald's when visiting a foreign country, there are many different street fairs and local foods that are sure to challenge you. While there is a lot of similarity between the local cuisine and other Southeast asian cuisines, Myanmar cuisine tends to focus on fish and fish-based dishes. If you love fish and want to explored different ways it can be cooked, Myanmar cuisine is right up your alley. It goes without saying that a trip to an open air Yangon or Mandalay market is one that involves lots of exotic sights, smells, and sounds. It is all part of the package of Myanmar. The great thing about Myanmar cuisine is that the action takes place mostly outside of established restaurants. While many restaurants tend to cater to a certain taste or clientele, if you truly want to experience 'culinary democracy' and experience Myanmar's streets from the vantage point of a typical citizen, then you need to check out the local food stalls. Inle Lake Fish culture and fishing are very big with residents of Myanmar. And nothing demonstrates this fact more than a visit to Inle Lake. You should devote at least two days exploring Inle Lake. This lake has amazing exotic views and gives you an opportunity to see how local Myanmar cuisine prizes fish dishes. You can even see floating fields of tomato beds and even flower gardens. The residents of this lake truly center their lives around the lake. Jayce Castillo is planning on his next five years exploring Myanmar. Jayce found the on his travel map and really love his Myanmar tour experience. His next articles will reveal many details about his next Myanmar tours. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7666537