A journey through articles to explore Burma in depth

After years of being ruled by the iron hand of a military junta, Burma has now opened up to democracy and become a fashionable Asian travel destination. But to practice responsible tourism, you still need to be careful not to feed the military junta's economy but instead ensure that the money you spend in the country goes directly into the pockets of local people.

It is absolutely essential to apply for a tourist visa before leaving for Burma. This is nothing to worry about, however, as it couldn't be more simple. Here are a few tips about the things to do before leaving for Burma.

Burma continues to keep both its treasures and its darker side concealed to this day. Among the great individuals who have left their mark on the history of this country, we can include the names of the courageous Aung San Suu Kyi, the dictator Than Shwe, the drug trafficker Khun Sa and the kickboxer Nilar Win. With the opening up of Burma to the West, other names will no doubt be added to this list as time goes on.

Burma has a variety of treasures to offer, with everything from small items of teak furniture through to rosewood combs, children's toys included – and not forgetting the famous and unique lotus flower weaving technique!