Find out more For suggested itineraries and practicalinformation about travel in Burma, please seepages 82-83.www.audleytravel.comInteractive maps and features, further suggested itineraries,accommodation, climate informationand articles written by our specialists.Discuss your plans with our Burmaspecialists 01993 838 105?Temples of PaganKnown as the 'city of fourmillion pagodas', Pagan is one of the richest archaeologicalsites in Asia, with over 3,000temples covering an area of 40 square kilometres.KengtungThis sleepy town is nestled inmountain valleys deep in ShanState. Trek to remote hill tribes who tend the fields intraditional dress.Inle LakeInle Lake is renowned for itsfive-day floating market, stiltedvillages and Intha fishermen who have perfected the art of leg-rowing.MingunThe ancient city of Mingun sits on the western bank of the Irrawaddy River and is noted for King Bodawpaya's colossal yet unfinished Mingun Paya pagoda.4321Ngapali beachThere is a beautiful stretch ofwhite sand beach at Ngapaliand a range of accommodationoptions have opened hereproviding the perfect way toend your trip. 5RangoonThe Shwedagon pagoda inRangoon is an interesting site in itself but the real reason tospend time here is to peoplewatch and gain an understandingof the importance of theBuddhist faith to the Burmese.6Burma711234Audley in BurmaWe have been operating in Burma for overfifteen years and have extensive knowledgeof all aspects of travel there. We have adeep affection for the country and thepeople and we are still working with many of the same guides, who we greet as oldfriends whenever we visit. Pagan and InleLake will always be 'must see' sights, but weare keen to share the delights of some of the lesser-known areas such as Kengtung andMrauk U. As well as tailor-made travel, wealso offer group tours to Burma. Please askour specialists for the latest departures.AccommodationAccommodation options in Burma arelimited. There is a range available in most keylocations, but if travelling off the beaten track,accommodation is restricted to locally-runguesthouses and hotels with simple facilitiesand functional rooms. If you want to stay inthe character properties then it is importantto book at least nine to twelve months inadvance of travel as they are extremelypopular. We avoid using government owned or run hotels.To go or not to go?There have always been conflicting viewsabout whether tour operators should offertravel to Burma because of the politicalcontroversy surrounding the country underits current government. If you would like toread more about the issues, we have adiscussion document on our website.Leg rower on Inle LakeNovice monks at their dormitory window, Sittwe56Local women, Pagan

burst with an unfathomable array of goods andthe aroma of freshly-milled spices and freshly-cooked snacks are carried on a breeze from theIndian Quarter. Rangoon is well known for itsshops and markets, the largest of which is theBogyoke Aung San Market (or Scott Market), and there is also a burgeoning and well-respectedart scene.THEGOVERNOR'SRESIDENCE,RANGOONThe Governor's Residence has long been ourfavourite hotel in Rangoon. This imposing teakmansion dates back to the 1920s and has beenrestored to its former glory, standing in its ownprivate grounds in the Embassy Quarter. The 48air-conditioned rooms have a teak and cottontheme with splashes of colour provided by vibrantsilks. The hotel's restaurant serves Burmesespecialities as well as French cuisine, while thecolonial Kipling Bar is open air, with views overthe swimming pool and attractive gardens.CHATRIUMHOTEL, RANGOONChatrium Hotel is located along the shores ofKandawgyi Lake and offers 303 comfortable guestrooms. With a range of facilities including aswimming pool and selection of restaurants, theChatrium offers good value accommodation inthe city and is within walking distance of theShwedagon Pagoda.Around RangoonIf you want to venture out of the city, werecommend a day trip to the nearby town ofTwante combined with a visit to the Paya Ngotoschool. This involves a ferry journey across theRangoon River, and as always, travelling on local transport in Burma is a colourful andunforgettable experience. In Twante, you can visitthe large pagoda and the wonderful local marketbefore heading into the surrounding villages tosee the traditional pottery industry and scenes of rural life and meet local people. We alsosuggest walking through Htaukkyant, Rangoon'spoignant World War II cemetery on the outskirtsof the city, which can be combined with a visit tothe three pagodas or temples at Bago (or Pegu),where local worshippers pay homage to hugeBuddha images. Bago can be visited as a day tripfrom Rangoon by road or train, or on your wayfurther afield.RangoonRangoon (Yangon) is the former capital of Burma and still retains much of its colonialcharacter. The grand buildings of the downtownarea and the old mansions in the diplomaticquarter are clear evidence of the former Britishpresence. In contrast to this, the magnificentShwedagon Pagoda is perhaps the most vividdemonstration of how seriously the Burmese taketheir Buddhist faith, with a stream of devoteesbringing offerings to the various shrines. No visitto Burma is complete without at least a fewhours spent here. The city has an eclectic mix ofcultures and religions, with the golden spires ofmany ancient pagodas glistening in the sunalongside modern-day Hindu and Chinesetemples, cathedrals and mosques. The bustling streets and narrow alleys ofdowntown Rangoon capture the diversity of thisintriguing city: tea-houses are layered with thesmoke of cheroots, the markets of Chinatown72The Shwedagon Pagoda, RangoonThe Governor's Residence, RangoonChatrium Hotel, Rangoon