Myanmar or Burma (as it was called earlier) is constantly battling the old versus new, westernization and tradition. On the border of India, China and Thailand, Myanmar is mostly visited by the intrepid, adventurous traveler. Yangon, as the capital of Myanmar, has the best infrastructure than other towns in Myanmar and has been ‘maintained’ by the government to look appealing and clean (beggars were kicked out of the city radius).   Myanmar is ruled by a highly controversial and strict military Junta. Many believe that this regime is oppressive and commits human rights abuses. In fact, the democratic movement which was begun by Nobel Prize winner Aunge San Suu Kyi in the 1980s, has been suppressed in this region. Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest after she won the national election in 1990. Meanwhile, there has been international uproar over rumored forced labor by the government so visiting Myanmar does not come without controversy.

Yangon is the antithesis of a city or metropolis, though it is a city of 4 million people. The city is dotted with ornate stupas and Buddhist temples. Instead of traffic jams, high rises and trails of streetlamps and electricity wires, the city is largely serene- with green parks and trees and small white villa-style buildings; some of the colonial architecture is gracefully crumbling. Men wear sarong-like lungis instead of pants still; old women can be seen chewing betel nuts. Myanmar may be one of the last places in Asia where western influences can not be detected. Thus, the city itself also has a feel of being frozen in time.

Yangon is also one of the most diverse places in South East Asia, with more than 130 ethnic groups represented in the city. The people are extremely nice and will go out of their way to help even if no reward is perceived in sight. Also, the government is trying to mind its own business in relation to foreigners since it is under strong pressure to behave.