Is it Myanmar or Burma?

Cat lovers may only know this country as Burma because of the Burmese cat; similar to the Siamese cat named after the neighboring country of Siam, now known as Thailand.

But, unlike Thailand, Myanmar is not officially accepted as the name of this country—many officials continue to call it Burma because the rename was strictly an executive act, not based on any statutory authority. On 18 June 1989, the Burmese military junta passed the "Adaptation of Expressions Law" that officially changed the English version of the country's name from Burma to Myanmar.

But whatever you call it--Burma or Myanmar--it is a fascinating place for travelers. And if you’re going to book your travel, you’re better off calling it “Myanmar.”

Why travel to Myanmar? Well, for one thing it’s located at the crossroads of Asia’s great civilizations 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 Andaman Sea in the south right up into the Eastern Himalayan mountain range.

Myanmar is one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world. And in today’s modern world, that’s a rarity and quite intriguing. It’s a land of beauty and charm yet only recently emerging into the modern world. What better time to go than now? So, what can the casual visitor expect upon arrival, and why should one embark on such a journey in the first place?

Myanmar is the gateway to all of Asia. Not only can you experience virgin jungles, snow-capped mountains and pristine beaches, but also a rich and glorious heritage spanning more than two thousand years with impressive monuments and over 135 different ethnic groups.

One fabulous thing about most Asian countries is their five star properties and Myanmar is no exception. There are also intimate boutique hotels and family guest houses in all the major centers, as well as stunning mountain and beach resorts. If you are looking to pre-book accommodation then you might want to look at lastminute.com. Myanmar also claims one of the lowest tourist crime records in the world, so you can rest assured your holiday will be carefree from start to finish.

Cruising down the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River in style, drifting over the ancient city of Bagan by hot air balloon, or searching for that elusive tiger on the back of an elephant, exciting adventures await you in Myanmar.

With two modern internal airlines upgrading and expanding their networks, new and exciting destinations off the beaten track are gradually being opened. From mountain trekking and rafting in the far north to world class diving in the Mergui Archipelago. But above all, Myanmar offers the warmest welcome in Asia.