Tucked away in a corner of Myanmar (Burma) away from most tourists is the once sleepy town of Katha. Famous mostly in the West as where George Orwell was last stationed in Burma, and in the literary world as the setting for his novel, Burmese Days, the town is now something of a trading hub on the Irrawaddy River. Somewhat lost in the town’s growth are the house in which Orwell lived, and the home of the British Club – center of social life during the Colonial period and central to the novel.

Both these buildings amazingly retain their original outlines and “bones,” looking like something out of the Cotswalds. Unfortunately, other than retaining their outward shape, decades of ownership by the Myanmar government has not served either structure well. Orwell’s home serves as residence for government employees – at least upstairs, while the British Club is now home to the local Ministry of Agriculture office. Both are very run down.

Orwell’s former house is nestled on a wooded lot in a quite neighborhood of what is now the bustling town of Katha. It is a “must-see” for tourists (our group was no exception), made famous not just by Orwell’s work, but by, which features an entire chapter on the town and it’s Orwellian heritage. We were graciously allowed to tour not only the property, but some of the interior. It was not too hard to imagine a very different time, where the British ruled the country and Burmese were not allowed to participate in decision-making or even to join the British Club. Orwell grew to hate colonialism and his role in the military, inspiring his conversion to writing upon his return to Britain.

In an irony that harkens back to the Soviet era or East Germany, both properties would be worth far more to the government and to the people of Myanmar in private hands. In particular, Orwell’s house would be a no-brainer tourist attraction as a bed and breakfast. With the massive influx of UK & US tourists, and the picturesque location, a properly run B&B would sell out in no time.

The fireplace and stairway are reminders of how the entire house must have once looked.

There is certainly plenty of work to be done in restoring the home. Here is one of the once pretty windows, now of use mostly as a rustic subject for artsy photos.

A Contemporary Role Model

Converting a historic building to a B&B isn’t unique, even in Myanmar. The beautiful resort pictured below where we stay on our trips to the Shan State also harkens back to the colonial era: