A land of sweet, gentle people and a million pagodas. Powerful Buddhist traditions flavor everything, everywhere. Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the capital, is just opening up. The massive gold-covered Schwedegon Pagoda is must see. Cruise the Irrawaddy River in fabled Mandalay. World Heritage Bagan's plain is sprinkled with dazzling array of ancient pagoda ruins. Other highlights include Inle Lake's floating villages and unique "leg-rower" fishermen; the Shan state's colorful minority people: and Ngapali's unspoiled beaches.