4 Reasons You Should Visit Myanmar Now

Guilherme Ribeiro | June 15, 2016

When I set out last year for my six month trip around South East Asia, there were two places I really wanted to visit: Myanmar and the Philippines. Rumor has it they were the purest and most untouched countries over there. Turns out the rumors were right!

I ended up not going to the Philippines — I should be there later this year — but I did spend 28 days traversing the country also known as Burma and it was a blast. I did part of the tourist trail, which is clearly getting busier and busier, but also managed to escape it and explore on my own.

Although the government has been encouraging tourism since 1992, it only really took off in 2010, when a nominally civilian government was elected and the country welcomed progress — in 2015 the first Burger King joint was opened!

So, if you’re curious as to why you should go there as soon as possible, just read on:

1. Myanmar Is Changing Fast

Apart from the new international fast food joint, the democratic party (NLD) was elected in 2015 and the population is visibly excited. Nobody knows exactly what’s going to happen, but the sense of hope is everywhere.

You will find traffic jams in the big cities and surprisingly, everyone has a smartphone in their hands — a sight I was truly not expecting! Slowly, the people are abandoning their longyi (traditional attire) and wearing jeans and dresses.

I hope it’s just not too different when I visit it again.

Francisco Anzola

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