Known as the city of Golden Pagoda’s and a rich Buddhist heritage, Myanmar formally known as Burma, holds a vibrant selection of sounds and sights which hangs in the balances of ancient and contemporary worlds. As a tourist destination, Myanmar may be young, but it is rich in history and culture. After decades under oppressive military rule, the country is finally opening up. Myanmar boasts an incredible array of things to do: from stepping back in time at Inle Lake to the chaotic royal capital of Yangon to the breathtaking Bagan temple plain, The previous capital city, Yangon (formerly Rangoon), is home to the gilded Shwedagon Paya. It is believed to enshrine eight hairs of Gautama Buddha and is one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites. Myanmar has 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) of coastline and some of the finest stretches of beach in Asia. The best known is Ngapali Beach, a 45-minute flight from Yangon, where almost two miles of white sand are lined with palm trees overlooking the Andaman Sea. Watching the sun light up illuminate the sky over the Bagan temple plain is an iconic Myanmar moment. The temples stretch as far as the eye can see, a morning mist rises over the plain, a rainbow coloured sky emerges through the darkness.