Burma’s spa business is growing slowly, but there are several spots, particularly in the Resort/Hotel variety, with good choices. Day spas are beginning to appear, and we’ll keep you posted as new spas develop. We expect the situation to evolve, and will continue to list great spas as they appear. Day Spas Day spas commonly […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits Kyaingtong (Keng Tung) Burma
Welcome to Kyaingtong (Keng Tung), a rambling hillside city in the Shan State, close to numerous tribal villages. It’s the center of the Khün tribal culture, filled with nice examples of colonial architecture, and has only been open to tourism since 1993. The Khün people, whose traditional dress consists of horizontally-striped longhis and jackets with […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis’ Burma Non-Fiction Bookshelf
(see also WoWasis’ Burma Fiction bookshelf) The exoticism of Burma has been well-documented in fact and fiction. Well-known writers such as George Orwell have based their novels on Burmese political and cultural life, while a number of non-fiction writers have investigated Burmese topics ranging from the flora and fauna of the country to its complex […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis’ Burma Bookshelf: Fiction
(see also WoWasis’ Burma Non-Fiction bookshelf) The exoticism of Burma has been well-documented in fact and fiction. Well-known writers such as George Orwell have based their novels on Burmese political and cultural life, while a number of non-fiction writers have investigated Burmese topics ranging from the flora and fauna of the country to its complex […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits the temples of Myauk U, Burma
WoWasis visitors to Burma will love Myauk U (also known as Mrauk U), an enchanting hill area dotted with dozens of temples. Myauk U is off the beaten track, but the intrepid traveler will be richly rewarded for taking a few hours of travel time to see one of Southeast Asia’s unspoiled archaeological zones. On […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits the lovely town of Sittwe, Burma, on the Bay of Bengal
WoWasis visitors will love Sittwe, a pleasant but simple Burmese seaside town, with lovely traditional buildings sporting a rustic charm. Sitting at the opening of the Kaladan River to the Bay of Bengal, this trading town is the gateway the old temple city of Myauk U, a day’s boat ride up the Aungdat tributary of […]
Read the rest of this entry »A hotel tourist rip-off to avoid in Sittwe, Burma
We here at WoWasis had some major issues with the Prince Hotel, in the town of Sittwe, Burma, which advertises air con rooms (which don’t have working air con), prophylactic-filled landings, and a shell-game run in conjunction with shady boat operators, plying their trade to the historic Myauk U site nearby. The hotel had arranged […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits the city of Mandalay, Burma
Take a half-day tour of Mandalay! While visitors will find that the city of Mandalay pales in comparison with Rangoon, and the ancient palace, lying within the moat, was mostly destroyed by fighting in WWII, it remains a fascinating city with its on vibe. Today, Mandalay is best visited as a home base for day […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis’ day trip to Sagaing and Inwa, from Mandalay, Burma
WoWasis visitors to the Burmese city of Mandalay will want to take this day trip to nearby Sagaing and Inwa. Formerly known by its traditional name of Ava, the town of Inwa was the capital of Burma from 1364 until 1841, when it moved to Amarapura following a devastating earthquake. Today, there’s precious little […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis visits the spectacular ruined temple of Mingun Paya, Burma
Tour Mingun Paya! When you’re in Burma, the massive, ruined temple of Mingun Paya is not to be missed, and WoWasis visitors will discover that the river trip from Mandalay is just as rewarding as the visit to the huge structure itself. Built by thousands of slave laborers commencing in 1790, work was halted in […]
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