Untouched by the uncomfortably flourishing crowd of tourists, spontaneous and authentic in its energy, raw and spunky in experience and genuinely modest and folksy in its welcome is what “The Golden Land” of Myanmar is all about. Also known as Burma, this South Asian country stands against all of the South Asian countries thrown together in terms of what it has to offer you. From breathtakingly beautiful beaches to the best hiking trails, from the gilded pagodas to the stunning landscapes, Myanmar is all about experiencing culture and humanity in its most sterling form.

Regarded as one of the most enlightening and insanely beautiful journeys of one’s life, a visit to Myanmar is as extraordinary and affordable as a journey can get. Here are some hand-picked reasons that tell you why you must visit Myanmar at least once in your life.

1. The Amazing Burmese People– Once you come here you will realize what the fuss is all about. The Burmese people are one of the best hosts of the world. The warmth of their welcome, their conviviality and their affection towards anyone and everyone who visits their country will catch you off guard. From the locals to the professionals everyone in Myanmar is quite pleased to have a tourist come to their county. They are keen on helping you out and never once do you have to hassle with anyone over money or struggle about finding your way to a place. Language is never the barrier in Myanmar.

2. The Ancient Secrets of the Bagan Temples– Bagan temples of Myanmar are one of the most remarkable tourist attractions that lie scattered all across. At times, the number of temples even outnumbers the tourists so you can delve into the ancient secrets of these amazing ruins and have the entire place to yourself. To steer clear of the crowd, you can go to the ones located in Mrauk Au and Nyaung U.

3. The Distinct Food– Sprouting from an impressive blend of some of the tastiest foods in the Asian subcontinent, the cuisine of Myanmar is one of a kind. Even if you claim to have eaten at a Burmese restaurant before experiencing indigenous Burmese flavor at a local restaurant is an unparallel experience. From the flavour of the Kat Kyi Hnyat and the tang of Mohinga to the spicy smack of Danbauk and the homemade love of Shan Tofu, there is nothing you won’t like. The food of Myanmar will take your palate to a paradise of flavors you will remember for the rest of your life.

4. Islands and Beaches– Not limited to being a land of temples and monks, Myanmar has some beautiful palm studded beaches with coral, blue waters. With more than 800 empty islands in Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago, you can have an amazing romantic outing or an exciting family hang out at the one of your choice. With coconut cocktails and white sand beaches, you can discover the true beauty of Myanmar in its most unadulterated form.

5. Trekking and Hiking– Hiking and Trekking across Myanmar is gaining a lot of momentum as an outdoor adventure activity. It is new, no doubt but more and more travel planners are including it in their offers. Trekking around the villages of Inle Lake and the adventurous hike in the Shan Highlands has become quite popular. The Inle Lake, located 900 meters above the sea level itself is famous for the stilt houses and the floating vegetable gardens. The landscape of Myanmar is a surprising integration of limestone peaks covered in blankets of forestry and beautiful monasteries. There are monks everywhere. They might not know your language but are ever so happy to see and greet you in their country.

6. The Shwedagon Pagoda– Located in Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred site of all the Buddhist Monks in Myanmar. The Pagoda consists of the main golden stupa that is holy because it contains eight hair strands of Gautama Buddha along with countless diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. It is illuminated by the night, and the golden glow from the stupa can be seen from many parts of the Yangon city. A visit to the Shwegadon Pagoda will serve as a means of learning about the divinity and devotion in the Buddhist religion.

7. Affordable– A trip to Myanmar is affordable as hell. 1 USD is approximately equal to 1300 Myanmar Kyat. You can get a Myanmar beer for just 50 cents. You don’t have to worry about tourist prices in street shops and local markets. Even the starting prices are surprisingly affordable. Plus the sellers are open to bargaining, unlike other South Asian countries where bargaining is fairly futile. All you have to do is to steer clear of currency exchange outlets before you enter the country. The official exchange rates are very high, and most of the money you exchange is stuffed right into the government pockets. Once you are in Myanmar, any local currency exchange outlet will offer you comparatively cheap exchange rates.

8. Shopping– Myanmar is an amazing country to collect some prized souvenirs at affordable rates. From bronze statues to relics of Buddha, hand woven scarves to woodcarvings, gold and silver jewelry to freshly rolled cigars you can get it all in one place. The lacquer ware of Bagan is very popular among tourists. It is available for sale at all the temples and in markets. You can always take help of a local to get to the best lacquerware shop at reasonable prices.