It can be said that Myanmar is a newcomer in the tourism industry, as it was not until recently that this country was closed for visits because of the military regime. Since the ancient state first saw foreign tourists, only a little more than twenty years have passed, so that Myanmar still keeps its original way of life, not "spoiled" by the total Europeanization.
Interesting to know
- The history of the country is more than two and a half millennia. The word "Myanmar" translates as "fast", and sounds like the word "emerald". Contrary to popular belief that this is the new name of the country, adopted when the political regime was changed in the 90s, the state was still at the dawn of its formation. The name "Burma," under which the country was known for several centuries since the colonization, it gave it to the colonialists, the British.
- Myanmar is home to the Padaung tribe, world-famous for its giraffe women: according to tradition, at the age of five girls wear brass rings around their necks, which with age grows larger, so that their shoulder girdle descends, visually extending their necks.
- In addition, in the north of Myanmar , in the foothills of the Himalayas, there is another interesting tribe - a very small clan of Taron, whose growth does not exceed one and a half meters.
- Myanmar is one of the last three states in the world that do not use the metric system; Measures of distance, weight and quantity in Myanmar are terribly confused, and besides significantly differ in different areas.
- In the country there is a curious sight - a gigantic book of polished marble, on one and a half thousand pages of which are sacred Buddhist texts.
- It is believed that Myanmar women are the most free in the whole world, they can make decisions on a par with men, but, that is indicative, they do not aspire to education at all.
- In the rural area, the representatives of the weaker sex are distinguished by the traditional drawing with white wood paint "tanakha", which is applied to the face.
- Many Myanmar holidays and festivals are celebrated strictly on the days of the full moon.
- Myanmar is not without reason called "The Land of Golden Pagodas" - majestic and richly decorated sanctuaries there are more than two and a half thousand.
- The famous breed of Burmese cats originates really from Myanmar: there is evidence that cats of characteristic color have long been considered sacred temple animals. In Europe, these elegant animals were imported only at the beginning of the twentieth century, while during the journey one of the two animals - the male - was killed, but the female not only survived, but on arrival in France gave birth to several kittens who became the ancestors of the population.
Myanmar - a state of incredibly diverse and ambiguous, the study of its culture and mores can take years, but even then there will be unexplored fragments. Probably everyone who visits this country will be able to find something that will interest him exactly.