The Land and People of Myanmar

The most densely populated part of the country is the valley of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, which, with its vast delta, is one of the main rice-growing regions of the world. Mandalay, the country's second largest city, is on the Ayeyarwady in central Myanmar. The Ayeyarwady basin is inhabited by the Burmans proper, a Mongolic people who came down from Tibet by the 9th cent. and now represent nearly 70% of the mainly rural population. The valley is surrounded by a chain of mountains that stem from the E Himalayas and spread out roughly in the shape of a giant horseshoe; the ranges and river valleys of the Chindwinn (a tributary of the Ayeyarwady) and of the Sittaung and the Thanlwin, or Salween (both to the E of the Ayeyarwady), run from north to south. Indochina tours Myanmar
In the mountains of N Myanmar (rising to more than 19,000 ft/5,790 m) and along the India-Myanmar frontier live various Mongolic peoples; the most important are the Kachins (in the Kachin State in the north) and the Chins (in the Chin State in the west). These peoples practice shifting cultivation ( taungya ) and cut teak in the forests.
Administrative units
The country consists of 14 provinces: 7 states representing the areas of 7 main ethnic races and 7 divisions – namely Chin State, Kachin State, Kayah State, Kayin State, Mon State, Rakhine State, Shan State and Ayeyarwady Division, Bago Division, Magway Division, Mandalay Division, Sagaing Division, Tanintharyi Division, Yangon Division, Naypyidaw Division. States are characterized by mountains while divisions by plains.

Must-visit destinations
Myanmar is proudly granted the beauty of nature and people. In the beautiful patchwork created by attractions, Inle Lake emerges as a distinguished fragment. Located in the Shan Hills, Inle is a freshwater lake with numerous villages against the foggy mountain ranges. It ranks among Myanmar’s top five tourist attractions with a pretty beautiful setting including mountains tumbling down to the lake and all of life going on and around the lake, plus the majestic sunsets with the sun disappearing behind the mountains and a chill settling down itself on the lake. Other significant sceneries that one can expect to see in Inle Lake are floating tomatoes fields around the lake, gardens of flowers properly anchored to the lake bed with bamboo poles. Myanmar tour packages
Once visiting Myanmar, you should not miss Yangon, the largest city of Myanmar. It is known for colonial architecture, which though decaying, remains an almost unique sample of a 19-century British colonial capital. Shwedagon, the heart of Yangon, is the most profoundly honored pagoda in the country and interesting history behind. According to the legend, the Shwedagon pagoda was constructed during the time of the Buddha which is more than 2500 years ago and where the holy hair lyrics of Buddha were enshrined. It is one of the wonders of the world and the most revered pagoda in the Southeast Asia.
Another destination is Mandalay, which is located between one of the historical Ayeyarwaddy River and Shan state. In other words, the location itself is the central of Myanmar geographically which leads the city to become the economic hub of Upper Myanmar and considered the center or Myanmar culture. The unique culture of Mandalay city is the transportation method of how people travel – in which Mandalay citizens prefer to travel on bikes rather than relying on other transports. Visitors often go to Mandalay when they are in Myanmar not only for sightseeing purpose but for observing different cultures and traditions of Myanmar in one place.
Local people
Coming to Myanmar, travels hardly forget the memories with people here. Over a hundred ethnics are residing in different parts of Myanmar. Different topographical features separate the ethnic tribes and they become totally exclusive from the mainland Myanmar. This diversity is rendering the major attraction to those travelers who are keen on seeing these minorities living in hidden areas. Myanmar is composed of rich in natural resources, beautiful scenery, and above all, exotic people with their remarkable traditions. The ethnic groups and people with various traits and customs live in great harmony, creating a peaceful land.
Traditional products
Myanmar has long history of making products like bamboo stuff, silver ware and lacquer ware. There are over 200 kinds of Myanmar bamboo. It is the raw material to make paper and decorate gardens. In Pathin Township, Ayeyarwady Division, there are umbrella workshops with ribs and handles of the umbrella made of bamboo. These are very famous product and draw foreigners to buy. Besides, Myanmar has long used the silver ware since 15 sanctuaries. Silver smith is one kind of Myanmar 10 kinds of flower arts. Also, silver ware products have long history, attributing a remarkable feature for Bagan diversity. Currently, Bagan area is among the most famous product sites of Myanmar.

Freedom of Religion and the Constitution of Laos

Today around 65% of the Laotian population practise Theravada Buddhism, also known as the Little Vehicle Buddhism. This religion was developed in Laos between the 14th and 17th centuries as it gradually took over over animism and Brahmanism. As in neighbouring Thailand and Cambodia, religion has a strong influence on culture and daily life. The monasteries (Wat), which form the centre of collective life, have a social function in addition to their religious role by providing education to children from poor families. Indochina holidays Laos
Ancient beliefs, in particular the cult of the phi people, exist side by side with Buddhism without any problem. Many feasts or ceremonies practised by Buddhists are ancient animist practices.
Most isolated ethnic minorities have preserved their animist religions. Some groups, in the process of cultural development, abide by the main buddhist religion. Laos travel packages
Freedom of Religion and the Constitution of Laos
Buddhism and other religions are overseen by the Department of Religious Affairs. Religion and Communism have traditionally been incompatible because Communism is atheist. The Communist government has been tolerant of Buddhist practices bit strongly discourages animist rituals. However screens al Buddhist texts and overseas the training on Buddhist monks.
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The Constitution provides for freedom of religion; however, other laws and policies, particularly at the local level, sometimes violate this right. Article 30 of the Constitution provides for freedom of religion, a fact frequently cited by officials in reference to religious tolerance. Article 9 of the Constitution, however, discourages all acts that create divisions among religious groups and persons. The Government has interpreted this clause to justify restrictions on religious practice by all religious groups, including the Buddhist majority and animists. Both local and central government officials widely refer to Article 9 as a reason for placing constraints on religious practice, especially proselytizing and the expansion of Protestantism among minority groups. The Constitution also notes that the state "mobilizes and encourages" Buddhist monks and novices as well as priests of other religions to participate in activities "beneficial to the nation and the people." Although official pronouncements acknowledge the positive benefits of religion and the existence of different religious groups, they emphasize religion's potential to divide, distract, and destabilize. [Source: International Religious Freedom, 2009 Report on International Religious Freedom, East Asia and Pacific, Laos; U.S. State Department, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; October 26, 2009 **]
Decree 92 is the principal legal instrument defining rules for religious practice. Decree 92 defines the Government's role as the final arbiter of permissible religious activities. Although this decree has contributed to greater religious tolerance since it was promulgated in 2002, authorities have used its many conditions to restrict some aspects of religious practice, particularly at the provincial and district levels. **
In its 20 articles, Decree 92 establishes guidelines for religious activities in a broad range of areas. While the decree provides that the Government "respects and protects legitimate activities of believers," it also seeks to ensure that religious practice "conforms to the laws and regulations." Decree 92 legitimizes proselytizing by Lao citizens, printing religious materials, owning and building houses of worship, and maintaining contact with overseas religious groups; however, all of these rights are contingent upon a strict approval process. Decree 92 reserves for the LFNC the "right and duty to manage and promote" religious practice, requiring that nearly all aspects of religious practice receive the approval of an LFNC branch office. Some cases require approval from the central-level LFNC. In practice, the Government used the approval process to restrict the religious activities of certain groups and effectively limited or prevented some religious denominations from importing Bibles and religious materials as well as constructing houses of worship. Many minority religious leaders complained that the requirement to obtain permission, sometimes from several different offices, for a broad range of activities greatly limited their freedom. **
Lao Government and Religion
The Government officially recognized four religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baha'i Faith. Recognized Christian groups include the Catholic Church, the LEC, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Although Decree 92 establishes procedures for new denominations to register, the Government's desire to consolidate religious practice for purposes of control has effectively blocked new registrations. The LFNC's Order Number 1 of March 2004 required all Protestant groups to become a part of the LEC or the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The order stated that no other Christian denominations would be permitted to register, a measure to prevent "disharmony" in the religious community. Although denominations not registered with the LFNC are not legally allowed to practice their faith, several do so quietly without interference. [Source: International Religious Freedom, 2009 Report on International Religious Freedom, East Asia and Pacific, Laos; U.S. State Department, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; October 26, 2009 **]
The Government required several religious groups, apparently with the exception of Buddhists and Catholics, to report membership information periodically to the Religious Affairs Department of the LFNC. The Government also maintained restrictions on the publication of religious materials that applied to most religious groups, except for Buddhists. Although the Government does not recognize an official state religion, the Government's exemption of Buddhism from many of the Decree 92 restrictions, sponsorship of Buddhist facilities, increased incorporation of Buddhist ritual and ceremony in state functions, and promotion of Buddhism as an element of the country's cultural and spiritual identity gave Theravada Buddhism an elevated status. **
Both the Constitution and Decree 92 assert that religious practice should serve national interests by promoting development and education and instructing believers to be good citizens. The Government presumed both a right and a duty to oversee religious practice at all levels to ensure religious practice fills these roles in society. In effect this has led the authorities, particularly at the provincial, district, and local levels, to intervene in the activities of minority religious groups, particularly Protestants, on the grounds that their practices did not promote national interests or demonstrated disloyalty to the Government. **
There was no religious instruction in public schools, nor were there any parochial or religiously affiliated schools. However, several private preschools and English- language schools received support from religious groups abroad. Many boys spent some time in Buddhist temples, where they received instruction in religion as well as academics. Temples traditionally have filled the role of schools and continued to play this role in smaller communities where formal education was limited or unavailable. Christian denominations, particularly the LEC and Seventh-day Adventists, operated Sunday schools for children and young persons. Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies conducted religious training for children as well as adult members. The Muslim community offered limited educational training for its children

Shopping, Myanmar travel guide

While duty-free shops, department stores, supermarkets and minimarkets in Yangon offer a wide choice of products, both foreign and local with fixed prices, the real magic of shopping is to be found mainly in the well-known Bogyoke Aung San Market where shopping is fun and easy; and bargaining is acceptable. Indochina tours Myanmar
Situated in the heart of Yangon, housing 2,000 shops with a wide selection of unique locally made goods, luxury buys such as precious jewellery of gold and gems, silverware, arts and crafts, lacquerware, paintings,traditional wooden dolls, Mandalay silk, typical Shan and Kachin shoulder bags, foodstuffs, cosmetics and tailor-made clothes are a few of the sought-after items.
Shopping Yangon is the capital of Myanmar. It is the biggest and most populated city, a major port and trading centre, and home to a blend of diverse cultures, customs and peoples. There are a variety of markets, plazas, supermarkets, marts, malls, stores, roadside shops and even street peddlers, providing a paradise for passionate shoppers who can find every kind of local product as well as imported foreign items. Tours In Myanmar
Bogyoke Aung San Market

This is a famous one-stop market for arts and handicraft, gems and jewellery, hand-woven fabrics and traditional costumes as well as other souvenirs that are truly characteristic of Myanmar. It is a must-stop shopping site for every visitor who takes an interest in Myanmar culture.
Mandalay
Shopping in Mandalay is an entirely different experience compared to shopping in Yangon. Mandalay does not have the malls and major shopping centres that the capital has to offer (with the exception of the Skywalk Mall in Yadanarbon), so shopping can be limited in this city. While the commercial stores may be lacking, the local shops are many and there are several markets to be found offering shoppers a wide array of products to choose from.
Myanmar is known for its gems, jewellery and handicrafts and all these can be purchased in Mandalay. There are countless stores and shops that sell precious stones like jade, ruby and sapphire; gold and silver jewellery are also offered in many establishments. As the country's crafts centre, Mandalay also features an abundance of souvenirs such as sculptures and Buddha images.
Zay Cho
The famous market of Mandalay provides many local and foreign products, and serves as a one-stop shopping centre for every visitor.
Nya Zay
Nya Zay means evening market, and a variety of products are for sale at very reasonable prices. This is the place for budget tourist seeking interesting items. Country-side Markets
Although every big town in Myanmar has an established market or markets of its own, the smaller rural towns and villages do not have permanent market sites. Instead, they have road-side or every-five-day markets commonly seen in the Shan State. One of the best known is the floating market at Inlay Lake, where both buyers and sellers trade from rowing boats.