Myanmar remains, as ever, a country shrouded in mystery. The hardest fought and least travelled paths in life, however, yield unforgettable memories. Stories that we pass onto generations. For the uninitiated, the sheer spread of ancient temples in Bagan, or the floating gardens and dancing fisherman of Inle Lake, or the stretches of powdery sand in Ngapali will not fail to astonish. Myanmar is a country that draws repeat visits, charming visitors to explore one more corner, understand one more facet. Today, Myanmar is open to the world after decades of isolation. As Southeast Asia’s second largest country and approximately the size of France and England combined, Myanmar is home a beautiful kaleidoscope of diversity of over 130 different ethnic groups.
Myanmar’s 2000 kilometers of coastline remain pristine and pure. Its terrain stretches from the snowcapped Himalayan peaks in the north, to the coral-fringed islands of the Andaman Sea in the south. It is a landscape of beauty and contrast, studded with pagodas and palaces, forested hills and fertile valleys. Myanmar fascinates with its mix of ancient cultures, ethnic minorities and diverse landscapes. Many tourist destinations offer sea and sun, relaxation and adventure, pleasure and discovery –Myanmar offers all this in an untouched, still-to-be discovered way.
Myanmars tropical paradise and premiere beach resort. Ngapali Beach is a tropical paradise of pristine sand, clear blue waters and groves of picturesque coconut palms. Over 10km of white sand beach runs along the Bay of Bengal, with a smattering of only a dozen or so resorts to create a sense of seclusion and hidden discovery. The limited development and small number of visitors means the beach never feels crowded, a dream come true for lovers of the sun, sea and sand. Besides the usual sunbathing and swimming, leisure activities include snorkeling, sailing, scenic walks and bike trips.
Myanmars tropical paradise and premiere beach resort. Far away from tourist crowds, Ngapali Beach is still a truly undiscovered paradise. The long beach is dotted with charming boutique style resorts built in local materials, the architecture blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings. There are no high rises, no noisy roads, no booming discotheques, no jetskis and no packed rows of oiled bodies baking in the sun. The stretch of white sand, natural beauty of the blue sea, swaying palm trees and quiet privacy are guaranteed ingredients of an exquisite beach holiday.
Active visitors can choose from visiting the colorful local market in Thandwe (Sandoway), biking along the coast to surrounding villages, or hiring a boat to go fishing or sailing against the coastal backdrop of the Rakhine hills. An early morning’s bicycle ride to the nearby fishing villages – where hoards of small fishing boats return home from the night’s catch with baskets of fish ready for the women to spread on the beach for drying in the sun – will provide an insight into the local life and ample opportunities for photography. And as the sun drops below the horizon, out over the waters, gorgeous sunsets are a pleasure to watch with a cocktail or two back at the hotel’s intimate beach bar. There also are several local restaurants within walking distance where local dishes are served, in particular fresh fish and sea food. Here, visitors will be able to enjoy some of the largest, most flavorful and most affordable lobster, crab, giant prawns and a variety of ocean fish in all of Asia. All hotels offer a choice of restaurants serving Western and Asian cuisine as well. In short, all the creature comforts of home are on offer, but in an environment of tranquility rarely encountered in the modern world.
Kanthaya Beach are hidden treasures of Myanmar's palm fringed west coast. Small fishing villages, endless deserted beach and lack of infrastructure and services are the draw here. Small local hotels and guest house have started to emerge in the region to accommodate mostly local tourists who make the arduous overland journey from Yangon. Kanthaya can be reached from Yangon within 7 hours and from Ngapali 2 hours drive. It is best combined with Ngapali, Gwa or Ngwe Saung beach. This region is one of the Discovery team favourite and where we have been exploring remote beaches and lodging recently.
