Click here to view exotic images of farmers markets around Myanmar.

Who can resist an open air market? In Shan State they have a very clever system by having their farmers market run on a five day cycle. So, for example, around the mystical Inle Lake, the market will be one day in Nyaung Shwe, the next at Mein Tauk, the next at the other corner of the lake as a floating market, etc. This way local farmers can sell their product without having to go too far afield, and tourist just love going to the different locations each day. It is a system worth considering bringing back to other areas of the world. The Burmese have been forced to maintain their traditional methods of farming and subsistence living, which may in the long run be a blessing in disguise for them and the rest of the world. If any of us want to know how to live really sustainably, I recommend following in the footsteps of E.F. Schumacher (author of Small Is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered) by going to Burma and learning from them.

We also traveled to the far Western corner of Myanmar and found a beautiful market in the misty early morning with lovely ladies selling fish, fruits and strange vegetables. Mrauk-U is perhaps one of the most remote, forgotten and difficult to get to lost cities of the world. It is amazing to consider that it was, in its heyday, wealthier and more decadent than London and Amsterdam were at the time.

In Taunggyi there is also a raw ruby market! I still have many places to get to in Myanmar and I look forward to the day when I will explore more interesting markets in the far corners of this beautiful, hospitable country.

Check out the Markets of Rangoon slideshow as well.

View Larger Map