Simon begins his journey in the biggest city in the country, Yangon, and drives north into Burma's Buddhist heartlands and the stunning ancient capital of Bagan, a sight that rivals the great wonders of the world.

Simon journeys up the vast Irrawaddy river to the old royal capital of Mandalay, home to an exotic market for precious jade. In Burma's mountainous highlands, he experiences Burma's vibrant ethnic heritage at an extraordinary and explosive fire-balloon festival, then visits an elephant sanctuary and finds out how a growing tourism industry is helping them survive after working for decades in the logging industry.