Myanmar Activities
What to do in Burma
Trekking
The countryside and mountains; Inle Lake in Shan
State and Putao in Kachin State have
many interesting walking tours.
Sports
Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan all have golf courses. Swimming
and other types of watersports are possible on Ngapali Beach.
Entertainment
Myanmar's traditional popular theatre, known as pwe (show)
is an excellent example of local folk art. There are regular
performances of Nat Pwe, which pays homage to the spirit world,
and Yok-Thei Pwe (marionette theatre), using puppets up to
a metre high. Expert puppeteers are deeply respected.
Meditation
There are several centres for the study and practice of Theravada
Buddhism. The most famous of these is the Mahasi Meditation
Centre in Yangon, founded in 1947 by Mahasi Sayadaw, one of
Myanmar's greatest meditation teachers. Visitors wishing to
participate in Buddhist retreats need to obtain a special,
long-stay entry visa, allowing stays of up to 12 weeks. However,
it should be noted that the application would require arrangement
and following of certain procedures.
Wildlife
A number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries offer
trekking and safaris, and Myanmar Travels & Tours is eager
to encourage ecotourism. Parks worth visiting: Alaungdaw Kathapa
National Park located northwest of Monywa; Hlawga National
Park near Yangon, which is reportedly good for birdwatching;
Popa Mountain Park - a forested extinct volcano in the desert
area of central Myanmar; Lampi Island off Myeik Archipelago,
which can be reached by boat from Myeik and Kawthaung Shwesettaw
Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Minbu. Inlay Birds' Sanctuary,
Mohingyi and Sein Ye Forest Camp.
Flora and Fauna
Due to diverse topography, the flora ranges from sub alpine
forests in the north through thorn forests in the central
region to tropical rain forests in the south and mangrove
in the delta area. It has recorded a variety of 300 mammal
species, 300 reptiles and 1,000 bird species.
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