The valley of Mogok, located some 200 kilometers northeast of the city of Mandalay in Burma (now known as Myanmar), has been yielding the world's most beautiful gems for more than a thousand years. Some scholars even suggest that the area was first settled, and the precious stones first discovered, more than six thousand years ago. Whatever the date of its birth, it is clear that the area is inhabited today for one reason only: to uncover and appreciate the mineral secrets nature put there millions of years ago.
Travelers to Mogok today must pay a price to view the area's natural treasures: a bone-jarring, seven hour trip through farmlands, jungle, mountains, and hilltribe villages. To some extent it is a trip back in time, as much of Burma remains an agrarian society, farming in the same way and with the same implements of a hundred generations past. While the ride over the narrow, partially paved road is a bit uncomfortable, the scenery and the glimpse into the daily lives of the Burmese people are fascinating. Rich in both beauty and natural resources, Burma is not a wealthy country in financial terms. Its people, however, carry themselves with a grace and a dignity which immediately grab the attention of the foreign visitor. Nowhere is this dignity more apparent than in Mogok.
