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Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

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Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

Myanmar is experiencing a surge in foreign visitors, who can enjoy some spectacular views.

Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

A view of the Shwedagon Pagoda

Credit: Miguel Cano
Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

Bagan, an ancient city in the Mandalay Region

Credit: Miguel Cano
Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

Sunset behind a small pagoda at Chaung Thar Beach

Credit: Miguel Cano
Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

Young Padaung girls at school

Credit: Miguel Cano
Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

A Padaung woman

Credit: Miguel Cano
Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

A floating house on Inle Lake, in Shan State

Credit: Miguel Cano
Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

Monks on their way to early morning lessons

Credit: Miguel Cano
Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

A mendicant monk in Pho Win Hill

Credit: Miguel Cano
Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

Giant Standing Buddha and Reclining Buddha near a pagoda in Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung

Credit: Miguel Cano
Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

A young Burmese child

Credit: Miguel Cano
Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

A traditional market in Monywa

Credit: Miguel Cano
Myanmar’s Astonishing Sights

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon

Credit: Miguel Cano

Myanmar is one of the latest Asian treasures to discover. Since 2010 it has experienced a rapid surge in the number of foreign visitors.

One of the most devout Buddhist countries in the world, with the highest proportion of monks and nuns, 90 percent of Myanmar’s population practice Theravada. It can be difficult to find a place from where you cannot spot at least one pagoda, the most representative building of the Burmese culture. Perhaps the most spectacular examples can be found in Bagan, which draws flocks of tourists each year.

Strong Burmese traditions still prevail in Myanmar, such as the floating homes in Inle Lake and one of the most peculiar looking traditions on Earth: the Padaung women wearing from childhood brass coils around their necks.

Miguel Cano is a filmmaker, a photographer and the director of Mr. Challenge films: www.mrchallengefilms.com