Myanmar (Burma) sits at the crossroads of Asia's great civilisation of India and China, and looks out onto the vast Indian Ocean next to Thailand. One of South East Asia's largest and most diverse countries, Myanmar stretches from the sparkelling islands of the Andaman Sea in the south right up to the Eastern Himalayan mountain range covering a total of 675 000 sq km. To this day, Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world. It is a land of breathtaking beauty and charm yet only recently emerging into the modern world.

The culture of Myanmar is deemed synonymous with its Buddhism. There are hundered of Burmese festivals all through the year and across the country, and it is almost impossible to visit Burma and not experience one of them. Cultural or religious events, these festivals are a riot of colour and pageantry, music and dancing. Many of them are related to Buddhism including Thingyan, the Burmese New Year, also known as the Water Festival, which takes place every April.