Places to Visit in Burma

Rangoon, Burma's capital city, lies at the southern end of the country. Though seedy and deteriorating in parts, the city is worth a brief visit. It is the polar opposite of other big Asian cities whose economies are growing faster than their infrastructures. In Rangoon, remnants of a solid infrastructure exist, but the city is at an economic standstill. Rangoon is now officially called Yangon by the current government, though it is still widely referred to by its old name. Go to Rangoon Photos

Inle Lake is northeast of Rangoon, nestled in the hills of central Burma's Shan State. Diverse hill tribes, including the Ithna and Shan tribes, live around the lake. Popular tourist attractions are lakeside markets, villages on the lake's floating islands and footrowers - fishermen who row with their legs. Tourists can stay overnight in floating huts on the lake. Go to Inle Lake Photos

Pagan - also called Bagan - lies just northwest of Inle Lake, on the Ayeyarwady River. It is home to Buddhist temples and statues from Burma's golden period - about 1044 to 1287. Like Angkor in Cambodia, Pagan is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of Southeast Asia. Go to Pagan Photos

Click on thumbnail photos below to see larger images.