The Top Museums To Visit On Your Burma Holidays

The Top Museums to Visit on Your Burma Holidays

by

Jude Limburn Turner

As anyone who spends any time at all in Burma with open eyes and mind will quickly come to realise, this is a country steeped in history, and the many facets of its richly varied culture would take lifetimes to explore. But however long or brief your Burma holidays are, there are ample opportunities to learn more about certain aspects of Burmese life, culture and history – whether by visiting its most fabled monuments, taking some time to watch life go by in its cities, or visiting one of its many fascinating museums. For those attracted by the latter option, here are some of the best museums in which to expand your knowledge of this wonderful country.

The National Museum of Myanmar

As a comprehensive starting point for anyone wishing to gain a good overview of Burmese art, culture and history, there are few better sources than the National Museum of Myanmar in Rangoon, which houses a dazzling array of artefacts in its five-storey collection. Objects from prehistory and ancient civilisations can be found alongside some of the finest works of art collected from across the eras, and a fascinating exhibition traces the development of the Burmese language, from the origins of the alphabet to the flourishing of literature. Those who plan to visit Bagan on their Burma holidays may be particularly interested in the exhibit on Bagan s pagodas and monasteries. Other interesting exhibits include those on performing arts, rural life and transportation, and the national dresses of many of Burma s diverse ethnic groups.

Mandalay Cultural Museum

Every region of Burma has its own individual history, each worth investigating in its own right which is easy to do, as most states have their own cultural museum. One that is worth a visit for anyone interested in learning more about either royal history or Burmese Buddhism is the Mandalay Cultural Museum. It holds some splendid regalia and artwork from the reigns of the city s past kings, as well as collections of palm leaf manuscripts (the traditional format for Buddhist scriptures), and Buddha images from the Bagan period. Those who spend time exploring Mandalay while on Burma holidays may appreciate the opportunity to get a glimpse into its life in times gone by.

Myanmar Motion Picture Museum

Another Rangoon museum, the Myanmar Motion Picture Museum offers a slightly different flavour from the usual museum fare on offer elsewhere during

Burma holidays

. It is a great place to gain insight into an important aspect of Burmese culture in the 20th and 21st centuries: cinema. The collection incorporates film equipment, photos, sets and props from numerous productions, charting the history of cinema from the 1920s, when Burma s first silent film was released, to the present.

Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company who run tours enabling people to enjoy

Burma holidays

. Operating in Asia for over 20 years, they now offer treks and tours worldwide, including destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.

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