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-- practical advice on spending to directly benefit the Burmese people
-- expanded coverage of Burmese culture and language
-- special sections on the country's highlights, including its many temples
-- details on areas only recently made accessible to travellers
-- expanded coverage of Burmese culture and language
-- special sections on the country's highlights, including its many temples
-- details on areas only recently made accessible to travellers
Paperback
First published December 1, 1979
161 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Lonely Planet
3,657 books882 followersOUR STORY
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 20, 2013
I'm much more of a fan of the Rough Guide series, however Lonely Planet are the only ones that have written a book on Myanmar, and given that, I have found it to be very informative and actually the bible by which I have planned my itinerary(along with blogs and other internet material). There is however, quite a bit that is already out of date especially in accomodation, probably due to the fact that Myanmar is rapidly changing.
Overall, it is very comprehensive and a must read for its wealth of information.
Overall, it is very comprehensive and a must read for its wealth of information.
October 23, 2014
This travel book impressed me with it's knowledgeable and sensitive addressing of the current political situation in Myanmar/Burma, rather than simply being a touristy "here's the pretty places to visit" book.
January 3, 2014
Traveling around the country would be so much more difficult without this vast source of useful information. This is the top class of travel guide books.
But, as with any other travel guide book, this 2011 edition is already outdated, most noticeably in:
1. prices - as of 11/2013, accomodation prices are approx. 40% higher than those listed in the book
2. bus availability - dozens of new private bus companies offer many more bus links accross the country than those listed in the book. Don't rely on this information and ask at your hotel. Even the complicated routes such as Pyay - Thandwe now have a comfortable direct bus connection.
But, as with any other travel guide book, this 2011 edition is already outdated, most noticeably in:
1. prices - as of 11/2013, accomodation prices are approx. 40% higher than those listed in the book
2. bus availability - dozens of new private bus companies offer many more bus links accross the country than those listed in the book. Don't rely on this information and ask at your hotel. Even the complicated routes such as Pyay - Thandwe now have a comfortable direct bus connection.
August 11, 2016
I used this book (among other resources) as a helpful guide for a work assignment.
A great guide for someone who hasn't been to Myanmar before. However, there aren't a lot of ideas for someone who wants a more "off the beaten path" experience, like myself. I found more helpful information on the Internet.
There isn't any information on what else there is to do in Bagan other than temples & pagodas, and there is a serious lack of information when it comes to internal visas for the country. I found out when researching online that there are some parts of Myanmar that are restricted to foreigners, which the Lonely Planet failed to mention anywhere in this book.
A great guide for someone who hasn't been to Myanmar before. However, there aren't a lot of ideas for someone who wants a more "off the beaten path" experience, like myself. I found more helpful information on the Internet.
There isn't any information on what else there is to do in Bagan other than temples & pagodas, and there is a serious lack of information when it comes to internal visas for the country. I found out when researching online that there are some parts of Myanmar that are restricted to foreigners, which the Lonely Planet failed to mention anywhere in this book.
Currently reading
March 10, 2015Great reference for trip planning. The latest edition published 2012. We know that guides are out-of-date by the time they are published and this edition is no different. However, that said, this is perhaps THE definitive comprehensive guide available at this time for Burma aka Myanmar. The political situation changes daily during this most-exciting time for the country. Prices may be higher and transportation improved since publication, but the sites don't change. This guide will be in my suitcase come January for my second trip to amazing Burma
March 3, 2013
Useful and thought provoking. Some information slightly out of date already, but helpful reflection on the ethical aspects of travelling to Myanmar (some of which I will pass on to my travel agent!!) On return from Myanmar, I have reduced my rating by one star because I found some of the commentary frustrating.
September 28, 2009
boycott this book - do not support tourism to a murderous, fascist dictatorship
September 28, 2009
boycott this book - do not support tourism to a murderous, fascist dictatorship
September 28, 2009
boycott this book - do not support tourism to a murderous, fascist dictatorship
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April 13, 2011I like this Buddha place.
March 27, 2013
I have always liked Lonely Planet's travel books. Unfortunately this one was a little too old and needs updating. I still found it useful.
January 31, 2013
As good as a year-out-of-date guidebook can be, in a quickly changing country. Most prices have gone up up up.
February 15, 2014
One of the worse LP guides. Not well organized. Yangon maps almost useless for walking. Silly jokes.
October 28, 2013
Utilissima guida per gli aspetti tecnici. Stavolta davvero ben fatta!
January 5, 2014
Read this book for the cultural overview and itinerary suggestions. Every other piece of information is outdated. Go to the LP forum or Trip Advisor for up to date info
January 31, 2016
This is the 2010 edition and it's already behind as Burma is opening and changing so quickly! LP does have a newer version.
March 31, 2016
Really good. I got the 2011 copies. It's so interesting that many of the cultural observations were no longer valid cause the country is changing so much. I love Myanmar.
May 14, 2017
Very good recap and detailed travel book!
May 12, 2018
4 ½ stars
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews