Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12503 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 412 pages

Customer Reviews

Myanmar
As an avid traveller and user of Lonely Planet for as many years as I can remember, I was DISGUSTED by this new edition..it proved to be a tirade against the regime rather than a travel guide. It is so obsessed at telling us how wicked the regime is that it fails to fulfill its purpose as a travel guide. Sadly though I have recommended Lonely Planet guides throughout my life I would strongly advise travellers NOT TO BUY THIS BOOK.

Myanmar (Burma)
This book is indispensible for those travelling to Myanmar, especially on a low to medium budget (the better-off seemingly on tailor made or group tours). I found two other travel guide books to the country but neither contained the detailed travel and accomodation advice of this guide. With limited English fairly widely spoken in the country (and many signs and directions and adverts also in English) Myanmar is not the most difficult country to travel in. However roads and rail tracks are poor so land travel is very slow, often uncomfortable, crowded and not uncommonly at awkward times (4.00am starts not uncommon) but compensated for by the company of the aimiable local people. There is litle or no public transport in towns (but taxis are very cheap) so the practicalities of getting about can be difficult and this book is of immense help in this respect.
I found the political comment in the book very apt and not over done. Whilst we were never troubled by them there are road blocks and soldiers/militia on the streets at times so it is a country where travellers need to be more aware than usual of the political situation and, so informed, adapt accordingly.
The other guide books do cover the history and the culture rather more fully but for most with only room in their pack for one book the coverage in the Lonely Planet guide will be sufficient.Myanmar (Burma): Includes Extensive Coverage of the Temples of Bagan (Lonely Planet Country Guide)

Myanmar - trying to find as much information.......
As I am visiting Myanmar soon, I have been gleaning as much info as possible on as many subjects as possible and talking to people that know more about the country, it's people and it's politics than I do!
My niece has just returned from living/working in Vietnam for 2 years and visited Myanmar before she returned to UK - and SHE said the book was very useful; I bought it pretty much on her recommendation and have to agree it has some helpful and interesting bits of information, tips and views.
I really can't get into over-praising or over-criticising books like some people - for someone going to such a diverse and brutally-run country for the first time, this book, I think, HAS to be helpful. ..........BUT.........
I HAVE NOW RETURNED FROM MY TRIP TO MYANMAR - I ACTUALLY GAVE THE BOOK TO A LOCAL BURMESE LADY WHO WAS INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT IT AND TOURISM TO THE COUNTRY IN GENERAL - ON MY SECOND DAY IN THE COUNTRY! MY TRIP WAS SO INTENSE, I WASN'T GOING TO GET MUCH TIME TO LOOK AT IT ANYWAY AND THE PEOPLES ENTHUSIASM IS BREATHTAKING SO YOU FEEL YOU WANT TO DO ALL YOU CAN TO AID THEM.
READ OTHER BOOKS AND SPEAK TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN THAT TELL YOU ABOUT THE COUNTRY AND IT'S PEOPLE. ALL I WOULD SAY IS - IF YOU ARE THINKING OF GOING TO MYANMAR - GO TO SEE AS MUCH OF THE COUNTRY AS YOU CAN, EAT AND SLEEP LOCALLY AND TALK, TALK, TALK TO THE PEOPLE - THEY ARE ENCHANTING. THEY WANT US TO GO, BUT THERE IS STILL A HUGE QUESTION MARK OVER TOURISM (as we know it). IF YOU WANT JUST A 'JOLLY' - JUST PURE FUN, SUN, SAND, SEA, ETC. - PLEASE GO SOMEWHERE ELSE - AND RESPECT THEIR CULTURE AND WAYS (especially beachwear - COVER UP!) WE DON'T WANT MYANMAR TO BECOME ANOTHER THAILAND.