When visiting Yangon, one way to really discover the country is to visit Yangon’s detailed National Museum.  It chronicles everything about Myanmar from pre-historic times right to the present day.

The National Museum in Yangon is the country’s main exhibit of Burmese history, art and culture.  Founded in 1952, the museum moved to two different venues until it settled on its current location in a spacious five storey building at Pyay Road in 1996.  An extensive array of priceless artifacts, ornaments, artworks and historic memorabilia are on display in 14 halls on four floors.

The first floor of the museum contains four rooms; the Hall of the Royal Regalia, the Hall of Burmese History, the Hall of Pre-Historic Times and the Hall on Natural History.

The Hall of the Royal Regalia contains eight variations of thrones used by ancient Burmese kings.  Also on display is the Royal Lion Throne, used by King Thibaw, the last monarch of the country.  Visitors can see other beautifully ornamented objects that played a significant role in important royal ceremonies.

The Hall of Burmese History contains exhibits on temples, monasteries and pagodas of the Bagan Period (849 CE to 1287 CE) as well as murals from other important eras of Burmese history.  A rare and ancient votive tablet with moldings of scenes from the Jakata Tales (literature concerning the previous births of Buddha) can also be seen here.

A model of the 11,000 year old Padalin Cave (limestone caves in Western Shan State) complete with Stone Age drawings, and weapons used during the Neolithic Period are at the Hall of Pre-Historic Times.  There are also other relics such as clay pots, urns and necklaces from the Pyu Era (100 BCE to 840 CE).

Numerous fossils dating back millions of years are on display in the Hall on Natural History.  A truly rare and fascinating remnant of an anthropoid primate approximately 40 million years old is housed here.  It was excavated in the Pondaung area in Magway Division, in Central Myanmar.

Visitors can also learn about traditional Burmese culture at several exhibits on the second floor.  The Hall of Music, Song and Dance has a fine display of musical instruments as well as marionettes used in classical dramas and operas.  Visitors can also learn about the social, economic and cultural traditions of rural Burmese at the Hall of Culture.

The Hall of Paintings is on the third floor.  Visitors can observe and appreciate the progress of Burmese art starting from cave paintings all the way to today’s contemporary works.  Also on the third floor is a hall dedicated to the jewelry and other ornaments worn by Burmese people since ancient times.

On the fourth floor there is a hall that houses various Buddha images, some of which date back to the Pyu Era as well as a hall that displays various national dresses of the past.

Yangon is a great place to start if you want to learn about this fascinating country.   Your first visit on our Full Day Yangon City Tour is at the National Museum.  After that, explore the city’s most impressive pagodas as you uncover the diverse history and culture of Myanmar and Yangon.  If you want to fully discover Myanmar, why not try The Very Best of Myanmar tour?  After an enlightening tour of Yangon, explore a country filled with astonishing natural beauty, architectural marvels and colorful cultures as we take you to the main sites and some rarely visited destinations.  You can also see our recommended Myanmar tours for other interesting programs into this magnificent country.

Myanmar is a fascinating place and home to some of the warmest and friendliest people in Southeast Asia.  While visiting the country and immersing yourself into the lifestyle of the Burmese, you may come across something strange yet intriguing on the people’s faces.  What are those yellow spots on their cheeks?  Other times, these yellow sports even cover the whole face with unique designs!  It is nothing more than Thanaka, Myanmar’s own skin conditioner.

Thanaka is a traditional paste made from the wood of several trees including the murraya, wood apple and sandalwood trees.  The most common appearance of the cosmetic is in small 10 – 18 centimeter long logs which is sometimes bundled and sold in packs.  It is also common to find thanaka in a paste or powder form.  In order to apply the cosmetic, it is usually grounded and lightly soaked in water, producing a yellow liquid which is then immediately applied to the skin.  When it is wet, Thanaka is virtually translucent.  Only after it dries, which usually takes less than an hour do you start to see the cosmetic’s distinctive yellow rich crust on the skin.

From the time when Thanaka was first used to the present day, Burmese women have been promoting the cosmetic as a great remedy for acne removal.  Other claims include promotion of smooth skin, a good antiseptic agent, and an excellent toner.  As a result, the paste is an essential part of many Burmese women’s beauty routine.  Apart from its cosmetic beauty, Thanaka also gives a cooling sensation to the skin and can be used as a sunscreen as well.

The most prized Thanaka comes from the region around Mandalay, some say towns like Saigaing on the banks of the Irrawaddy produces the best logs, others claim Shwepo Thanaka is the best.  Whatever the case, the sight and aroma of this unique yellow cosmetic applied to the faces of the Burmese will constitute a memorable part to your unforgettable Myanmar experience.  After seeing many Burmese (including men) applying Thanaka to their faces, you may be tempted to try it as well.

The mystique and beauty of Myanmar can be experienced with Exotissimo’s People and Heritage tour.  Visit some of Myanmar’s impressive sites at some of the country’s past capitals and other interesting sites.  We will also take you to the country’s villages for an authentic experience with the locals.  Our Colors of Yangon Countryside day trip focuses on an enlightening experience in Dhala, a 15 minute boat ride from Yangon.  Bask in the natural beauty of the area and immerse yourself into the lifestyle of the rural Burmese people in Dhala.  You can also see Exotissimo’s recommended Myanmar tours page for other memorable trips into this fascinating country.