1. Thaninthayi division
It is the southernmost part of the country with lot of islands (Myeik archipelago) in Andaman sea. On the eastern border with Thailand the Thaninthani mountain range runs north to south. Capital "Dawei" can be reached by train and car. Car roads are still in bad condition. The main mode of travel to Dawei, Myeik and Kaw Thaung (southern most town bordering with Thailand - border passing check point) is by flight. Passenger cruise boats are available, but not reliable since there seems to be no specific time table.

Sea products and the farm produces are the major output. It also produce forest products and minerals.

2. Mon state
The capital "Mawlamyaing" is a sea port at the mouth of Thanlwin river. Travel around by car is possible. There are hotels in Mawlamyaing and Kyaikhtiyo pagoda mountain (famous golden rock pagoda). Mawlamyaing is linked with Yangon by car road and railways.

3. Yangon division
The former capital of the country and place of most of the businesses' headquarters and government offices. This is also the main entry gate to the country. Over 5 millions people (2001) live in this division. Shwedagon pagoda on a hill in the city center is the most famous place.

4. Ayeyarwaddy division
This is a wide land where Ayeyarwaddy river spilts into many river streams and drains into the sea. It is the major rice producing area of the country. The capital "Pathein" is 4 hrs drive away from Yangon. There are a couple of fine sand sea beaches on the west (south of Rakhine state).

5. Kayin state
A mountainous area with many natural interesting spots. However traveling is difficult and much of it is still out of reach. Capital "Hpa An" can be reached by car. There is a beautiful place called "Than Daung" which is being developed as a nature resort. Than Daung can be visited via Taungoo. Myawaddy town can be visited from Thailand's Mae Sot town through the border check point.

6. Bago division
The capital "Bago" is formerly the capital of Mon people. Farming and extracting forest products are major businesses. Nature trips to the Bago mountain range, where there are elephant camps and tribe villages, are possible. Taungoo is the starting point for such nature trips to Bago range (on its west) and to Than Daung (on its west) in Kayin state.

Pyay on the eastern bank of Ayeyarwaddy river is also a stop over point for those who are traveling to Bagan by car. The jungle road over Bago mountain range linking Pyay and Taungoo can only be tried by 4wd cars.

7. Rakhine state
There are flights to "Sittwe" (capital) and Thandwe (gateway to Ngapali sea beach) from Yangon. Ngapali beach offers several good accommodations. Car roads to Ngapali and Sittwe are still in the bad shape, and foreigners are advised not to go overland. To get to Mrauk U ancient city, people need to continue waterway from Sittwe.

Rakhine mountain range (from south of Chin state to north of Ayeyarwaddy division) is largely undiscovered by tourists. Sea and forest products along with some farm produces come from this region.

8. Magwe division
It is a flat land for more than 50% with hills on the western side (boradring Rakhins and Chin states). Again farming and forest products are the main output. Ayeyarwaddy river flows through in the center. There are some of the country's heavy industries along the river.

9. Mandalay division
Mandalay is the country's second biggest city and a nothern hub of the businesses. It is linked to Yangon by car road, train road and air. Bagan (the 11th century Buddhist archaeological site - also the first Myanmar city) is in this division. Boat ride between Mandalay and Bagan (Mandalay to Bagan is popular and convenient) along Ayeyarwady river is one of the main attractions.

Farm lands, handicrafts making, ancient pagodas and monasteries, palaces, river travel and popular tourist activities.

10. Kayah state
It is very beautiful mountainous state bordering Thailand's Mae Hong Son province on the east. Due to the lack of good transport roads and security reason, it is still out of the permitted places for foreign tourists. The capital is "Loikaw" located close to one of the country's main hydroelectric power plants, "Lawpita".

11. Shan state
A hill plateau of many different tribe people. Main tribe people are Shan people. One of the best tourist destination due to its all the year round good weather and beautiful scenery. Inle Lake is the most visited place. Traveling is by flight to Heho and by road to Inle Lake. Trekking and home stay in tribe villages are possible around Kalaw, Pindaya and Inle lake areas. Capital "Taunggyi" is also close to the lake. People of Shan state produce farm products such as paddy, various fruits and herbs. There are also handicrafts such as cloths, bags, baskets made by local people.

Mainly there are 3 permitted areas. The southern area containing Kalaw, Pindaya, Inle lake and Taunggyi are reached by air and car. Northern area containing Hsi Paw, Lashio and to Muse (border town with China Ruili) can be reached by car from Mandalay and Matmyo. The eastern part (known as golden triangle) bordering Laos and Thailand is reached by flight. Tourists can also enter at Tachileik opposite Mae Sai of northern Thailand.

12. Sagaing division
Although "Sagaing" (capital of the division) is welknown for its medication centers along the hills across Ayeyarwaddy river from Mandalay, much of the division is still un-visited by foreign tourists. After Sagaing, Mongywa on the bank of Chindwin river is the second most visited place. However the trips upstream of Chindwin river to the hills in the north are still not popular due to the requirement of special permit, lack of decent hotels, etc.

13. Chin state
This steeply mountainous state is home to the ethnic Chin people. Travel to there is only by car on the difficult mountain roads. So far the popular tourist destination is Mt. Victoria (Nat Ma mountain). The 3110 meters peak can be reached by rough road from Pakokku (in Magwe division). The final part is on foot. Normally Mt. Victoria trip is started in Bagan where there are good hotels. Largest towns where there are guesthouses, are Hakha (capital), Falan, Teddin (in the north). However traveling there needs special permit.

14. Kachin state
The northern most state has its capital in "Myitkyina" (mean near the big river). The Ayeyarwaddy is formed by two rivers (May Kha and Mali Kha) at a place 45 km north of capital. This is the home of the country's highest peak "Khakaborazi" which is 5881 meters above sea level. Traveling to Myitkyina is by train and by flight. Train ride from Mandalay takes 30 hrs on the old railroad. It is possible to take a boat ride from Bamaw down the Ayeyarwaddy river to Mandalay. This river trip takes 2 days and a night sleep onboard the boat.