Myanmar’s explosion onto the world scene started in May 2012 with the easing of three decades of sanctions, which finally allowed foreign investment and visitors back into the country.

These sanctions that had stifled the country’s tourism industry also allowed Myanmar’s landmarks and natural environments to have remained largely unspoiled and unexplored. This means that Myanmar is a great opportunity for any traveler wanting to experience a country that doesn’t have any overrun tourist destinations, but you’ll have to go soon - that’s all about to change in the coming years.

Here are some more reasons why Myanmar is the next big adventure travel destination.

Amazing Cultural Diversity

There are a mind-boggling 135 different ethnic groups in Myanmar, each with their own unique history, culture, and even languages. These communities present an unparalleled opportunity for some thrilling cultural immersion and experiences.

For instance, the Moken, or the Sea Gypsies, are a unique group of people in Southern Myanmar – they live most of their lives on or in the water, allowing them fantastic adaptations that give them the ability to see underwater better and hold their breath longer.

But then to the northern area of the country, around the Himalayas, lie the Taron tribe, the last remaining pygmy tribe of Southeast Asia.

And yet, in the same region as the Taron tribe lies the Kachin, Shan, Naga, Mon, and numerous other ethnic groups that all have had an influence from either neighboring China, India, or both.

Even more groups and sub-groups are scattered across the country, drawing their culture and beliefs from long lines of history that spread across the Southeast Asia. So no matter where you go in Myanmar, you’ll meet people that can show you interesting fusions of culture that are drawn from the histories of the region and how they are adapting them today.

Unexplored Temples

A largely Buddhist country, Myanmar has thousands of years worth of Buddhist temples, relics, statues, stupas, pagodas, as well as other physical demonstrations of power and wealth.

It’s an interesting study to see how the Burmese people, throughout their history, have chosen to show their devotion with cities like Bagan or Mrauk U compared to single complexes like the Shwedagon Pagoda or the Golden Rock Pagoda.

Bagan and Mrauk U were great ancient cities that have a sea of temples, pagodas, stupas, and other religious buildings within their city boundaries. It’s because of the religious fervor and vast amount of wealth of their citizens during their respective golden eras that allowed these cities to amass such beautiful displays of devotion. In Bagan, in the Mandalay region, there are a little over 2,000 structures, while in a much small footprint, Mrauk U, to the west in the Rakhine State, has around 200 structures. These places were built close to major rivers in the area, allowing visitors today to see these cities as people back in history did - from the view of a river boat or ferry, although there are plenty of more modern (and quicker) means of visiting these majestic cities.

The Shwedagon Pagoda and the Golden Rock Pagoda both are major destinations for today’s devout Buddhists because of what they have enshrined within. The Shwedagon Pagoda, in Yangon, has among its other relics, eight strands of hair from the Buddha, while the whole reason the Golden Rock Pagoda, or the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, in the Mon State, is so well balanced is because it’s sitting on top of a single strand of the Buddha’s hair. The visitors that come every year to pay their respects and marvel at the buildings and the relics are a testament to how important these places are.

Buddhism has had a great effect on the culture in this country and what’s even more amazing that there are many more landmarks in Myanmar that are just as spectacular as these four.

Endless Adventure Sports

Myanmar’s landscapes offer near limitless opportunities for adventure activities and sports:

Because of the natural landscape of Myanmar, it allows for plenty of opportunities to try your hand at many different extreme sports. You can try your hand at surfing at Ngapali Beach or Chaungtha Beach along the Bay of Bengal.

For a different kind of ride, you can do some white-water rafting in Northern Myanmar with the intense Mayhka River or the Nam Lang River if you’re still new to the sport. You can also kayak along these great rivers, but you could also paddle out to Mergui Archipelago and kayak to discover some of its 800+ islands for some spectacular sightseeing.

But if you prefer a more land-based type of extreme sport, Myanmar also is beginning to offer technical rock climbing routes, with the first (and currently only) route at Waterfall Hill, near Mandalay.

There are even a few that haven’t made their transition into the country either. So if you like bungee jumping, kitesurfing or even heli-skiing, you’ll have the honor of being able to say that you were one of the first to do it in Myanmar.

This post was supported by MyanmarBurma.com.

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