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Streamers at a temple

Interesting facts about Myanmar (Burma)

  1. Myanmar is the largest country in Southeast Asia’s mainland.
  2. One of the biggest Burmese pythons in the world–a 17-foot-long snake–is found in the snake monastery in Bago.
  3. This very long Burmese python is believed to be the reincarnation of a monk who used to live in the snake monastery.
  4. Tourists who go to Mount Popa should not wear black or red and should never bring meat with them because doing so is believed to be offensive to the nats, or spirits, living there.
  5. The biggest hung and uncracked bell in the world is found in Mingun; it weighs 90 tons.
  6. There are very few cars in Burma. Cycling is one of the most popular ways to get around and explore the country.
  7. The Kayan Lahwi women of Burma (and also Thailand) traditionally wear up to 20 brass rings around their necks to make their necks look longer.
  8. A few of these brass rings are first put on a girl when she is 5 or 6 years old. More rings are added as the child grows.
  9. Contrary to popular belief, the brass rings do not stretch the necks and spine of the Kayan Lahwi women. The rings make the women’s necks look longer simply by pushing their collarbones down.
  10. Also contrary to popular belief, the removal of these rings does not cause death. The women who wear the rings actually take them off once a year to clean the rings and their necks.