Myanmar

Not much favoured by recent history, Myanmar is once again on our recommended list. There are challenges travelling just about everywhere these days, but our guides and in-country experts are happy to see us and proud to showcase their country. One of Asia’s most complex and least visited countries, Myanmar remains in many ways more 16th century than 21st. The capital Yangon has relatively few modern structures and retains its distinctive heritage of British, Burmese, Indian and Chinese influences. Its skyline is dominated by the golden dome of the renowned Shwedagon Pagoda. At Inle Lake, Intha fishermen practice their unique one-legged boat rowing technique. The thousands of pagodas and stupas strewn across the plain at Bagan, the Angkor Wat of Burma, look like fairytale kingdom. At dawn and dusk, we enjoy the view of hues of gold reflecting off the many domes and spires as we ride on horse-driven carriages

• The 98m Shwedagon dome is covered in more gold than is contained in the vaults of the Bank of England
• Both men and women wear the traditional sarongs, or longyis
• Myanmar has been referred to Amarapura, the Land of Immortality, and Yadanarbon, the Land of the Gems
• Today it is known as Suvanabhomi, the Golden Land
• Myanmar is a conservative country, meaning conservative dress is best

• Cruising from Mandalay to Prome on the Pandaw II
• Touring the teak monasteries at Mandalay
• Communing with Nats: supernatural, pre-Buddhist spirits said to inhabit Mount Popa