INTRODUCTION TO MYANMAR (BURMA) - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 9

FROM LEFT CYCLISTS IN BAGAN; TEA-MAKING, BURMESE STYLE; A NAT KADAW PREPARES
FOR TAUNGBYONE NAT PWÈ
AUTHOR PICKS
Our authors made their way across every (accessible) corner of Myanmar for this first ever
Rough Guide to the country. Aside from the major sights, here are some of their personal fa-
vourites.
BigBuddhas Big is definitely best when it comes to Buddhist merit-making, as exemplified
by the super-sized Buddhas of Yangon and Bago or the stupendous, sky-high statue at Maha
Bodhi Tataung , near Monywa.
Cycling The country abounds with cycling possibilities - it's one of the best ways to see
Mandalay and its surrounding sights, and there are a variety of enticing routes around
Nyaungshwe and Inle Lake.
Teahouses Teahouses are an integral part of daily Burmese life, and many travellers find
themselves making a daily pilgrimage of sorts. The tea is typically sweet, and served with
tastysnacks-thelocaldoughnuts,sometimesflavouredwithcoconut,arehighlyrecommen-
ded.
Markets Every town, however small, has a market , and this will invariably be one of the
most entertaining places in which to spend your time. Those in Shan State are particularly
fascinating, though wherever you are, head to the local market to grab some cheap noodles,
shop for a longyi, or ruin your teeth the local way by chewing a betel parcel.
Remnants of the Raj Examples of crumbling colonial architecture dotted around the land
provide evidence of Myanmar's time under British control - step back to another era by tak-
ing afternoon tea in Yangon's Strand Café , or a horse-drawn-carriage ride around Pyin Oo
Lwin.
Natceremonies Don'tleaveMyanmarwithoutexperiencingaraucous nat (spirit)ceremony.
Khayone Cave (Mawlamyine) has daily nat -driven séances, and Taungbyone's nat pwè is a
magnet for energetic transvestite nat kadaw .