A Breezy Bump into Burma (or Maybe Myanmar) Quiz

Answer: Great Dagon Pagoda or Golden Pagoda

Perhaps the most important spot for any tourist to Myanmar to visit is this impressive golden pagoda, the largest in the world. The Shwedagon Pagoda was built over 2500 years ago in Yangon. The whole pagoda is plated in gold, and these gold plates are replaced and repaired every five years.

The pagoda is visible from most places in Yangon, and the sight of the sun reflecting off of it is unforgettable.

Answer: The second largest lake in Myanmar

Though it isn't easy to arrange, one of the places that is a must-see destination in Myanmar is Inle Lake. October is one of the best times to go, after monsoon season is over and when the water levels on the this 22 km long lake are at their highest and the native flowers are all in bloom.

The lake, though beautiful in and of itself, contains floating villages, a temple and also gives a glimpse at the way of life of many of the country's people who live off of the water.

Answer: A 19th century wooden religious shelter in Mandalay

The Shwenandaw Monastery's teak wood carvings of Buddhist stories and legends are another must-see destination. Located in Mandalay, the monastery was built in the 19th century, and it remains in impeccable shape.

Answer: A 1518-meter high extinct volcano

Mount Popa is breathtaking, and on a clear day, you can see it from almost 50 miles away. Though it is visible from afar, it is definitely worth visiting in person, not in the least because of the Popa Taungkalat monastery, which rests at the edge of a prominent outcrop on Mount Popa.

Answer: Home of the Reclining Buddha in Bahan Township, Yangon

The female reclining Buddha is beautiful sight and took many years to make. The intricacies of the design are incredible, and the temple is open to the public free of charge. The downside is that none of the historical information that lines the walls of the temple is in English.

Answer: Myanmar's only Jewish place of worship

Though you might not think of Myanmar as a place to have an Orthodox Jewish synagogue, that is indeed what this house of worship is. It is the last remaining synagogue in Yangon, and the only one in Myanmar. The original synagogue was a wooden structure that was completed in 1854.

It was replaced by the current stone structure in 1896. It is among Yangon's 188 sites listed as Heritage Buildings. At the start of the Second World War, there were 2,500 Jews who worshiped at the temple, but that number has dwindled to less than a hundredth of that figure. If you do visit, it is a good idea to call first.

Answer: The last royal dwelling of the last Burmese monarchy

The palace was built in Mandalay, the former capital of the country, between 1857 and 1859, and was the primary royal residence the last two kings of Burma. The British seized the building and the royal family in November 1885 during the Third Anglo-Burmese War.

They turned the palace compound into Fort Dufferin, and used it to house the British Army. The British did not respect the palace however, and in WWII, it became a supply depot for the Japanese. In the struggle to regain power and land, the Allies eventually burned much of it to the ground. Fortunately, the palace was restored by the people of Myanmar beginning in 1989, using modern methods and materials, but respecting the original architecture and design, bringing it back to its former glory. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.

Answer: Prominent elevation that gave the city its name

The best way to get to the top of this 290-meter spot is to walk or hike up one of the four staircases on the south, southeast, west and north, so that you can enjoy the city's vistas on the way up. Choose another route on the way down to see even more.

There are many pagodas and monasteries along the way, and it is one of the most popular spots for Buddhist pilgrimages in the country. For those who can't walk, there is a one-lane road and an escalator leading to the summit.

Answer: The longest teakwood bridge in the world

The simple beauty of U Bein Bridge in Mandalay is another place worth visiting in Myanmar. Construction was begun in 1850, and the 1.2-kilometer long bridge is named after the mayor of Mandalay who sponsored the structure. There are over 1000 teak posts that hold up the bridge, which was engineered well to withstand water currents and winds.

It is also a modified drawbridge, with several spans where the flooring can be lifted to allow tall boats to pass through. If you can, go at sunset, when the view of the bridge over the water and the many cyclists and pedestrians using it is breathtaking.

Answer: The second-largest bell in the world

The bell is the highlight of the town of Mingun in the Sagaing Region, about 11 kilometers from Myanmar, on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. The 90-ton bell was the heaviest functioning bell in the world until the Chinese built a bigger one in the year 2000.

It was made from 1808 to 1810, and though it was damaged in an earthquake in 1839, it has remained uncracked and still brings good luck to those who go and visit. The bell has no clacker, but it is rung by hitting its outer rim.