Burma with Simon Reeve

(Image credit: BBC/Jonathan Young)

Simon Reeve concludes his two-part exploration of Burma, also known as Myanmar, by getting to grips with the conflict-ridden Shan State

Simon Reeve concludes his two-part exploration of Burma, also known as Myanmar, by getting to grips with the conflict-ridden Shan State.

High points include the remarkable floating community on the spectacular Lake Inle, a visit to an elephant sanctuary in the mountainous highlands and an explosive balloon festival.

But Burma is a place of paradox and, later, when Simon is smuggled deeper into the closed, conflict-ridden part of Shan State, he gets a sense of the suffering in this region.

The series skirts around former British colonial involvement in Burma.

But that said, it provides accessible insights into the modern challenges facing this fascinating and breathtaking country.