YANGON & ITS ENVIRONS

Yangon

The capital and gateway to the Myanmar is called "The Garden City of the East" with lush tropical flowers, trees and beautiful lakes. Old colonial style buildings and people wearing traditional costumes can still be seen in the city and this is one of the most and unusually wonderful scenes in the world. The glittering world famous "Shwedagon Pagoda" is 100 meters high, and surrounded by 64 stupas. A visit to Myanmar is incomplete without seeing the Shwedagon Pagoda.

Bago

Ancient capital of the Mon kingdom in the 14th to 16th century is located 80 km to the northeastern Yangon. The City known as "Pegu" was historically opened about 6th century. The Reclining Shwe Tharlyaung Buddha Image which is 55 m in length and Kyaikpun Pagoda, Four Buddha Figures Sitting back to back around a huge, square pillar are especially famous.

Twante

Twante is 30 km south of Yangon and well known for its pottery. The process of making pottery and hand - woven cotton cloth can be seen.

Kyauktan

Thanlyin is just 35 km from Yangon. "Yele Phaya " which literally means "the Pagoda at the center of. the river " is worth a visiting. Crossing the river by Sampan takes about 5 minutes.

Htaukkyant 

Situated on the road to Bago. Just beyond Yangon Airport in Mingalardon, there is War Cemetery with the graves of 27,000 Allied Soldiers who died in World War II. 

Pyay (Prome) 

Situated on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River, 286 km north of Yangon, it is a 5 hour drive from Yangon. Pyay is the starting point for a visit to the ancient "Pyu" capital of "Thayekhittaya", one of Myanmar's most ancient capitals ( 5th to 9th century). Shwe Myatman Buddha Image with its spectacles is interesting and worth a visiting. 

Akauktaung 

Akauktaung Mountain stands on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River to the north of Pyay in Bago Division. It takes 15 minutes by boat ride to reach the Akauktaung. Different sizes and styles of Buddha images are carved into the wall of the bank and the visitor can climb and visit the Akauktaung pagoda, which lies at the top of the bank.

MANDALAY & ITS ENVIRONS 

Mandalay

Mandalay was the last Kingdom of the Myanmar Dynasty before the British took over. Mandalay which still has considerable cultural and religious significance. The second largest city is about 700 km north of Yangon and stands on the east bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. The majority of monks in the country reside in and around the Mandalay area. Stone carving of Buddha Statues, embroidery, silk weaving factory and gold leaf working sites are cultural spots for tourists. 

Kyaukse

An hour drive to the south of Mandalay lies Kyaukse; famed for its "Elephant Dancing Festival" (Sin Pwe) which is celebrated in October. Kyaukse literally means "Rock Dam". Four Buddha Images stand on the vast mountain overlooking the town.

Sagaing

20 km west of Mandalay, Sagaing was once the capital for two Myanmar Kingdoms. Sagaing is a famous meditation center for Buddhists all over the country and Sagaing Hill is known as a religious retreat.

Amarapura

Situated about 11 km south of Mandalay, Amarapura is an ancient city of the Konbaung Dynasty. lt is noted for its unique teakwood bridge, 1.2 km long, known as U Bein Bridge. 

Inwa (Ava) 

lnwa is the capital of ancient kingdom existed dating back to 400 years. lt is a pleasant place to see around the environs of it by riding a pony cart. The highlights are the leaning Inwa tower, Menu Oak Kyaung, the ancient Maha Bonzan monastery decorated with stucco and bricks, seeing panoramic view of Ayeyarwaddy river and Sagaing Bridge. 

Mingun

A45 minute boat trip up the Ayeyarwaddy River from Mandalay. Mingun is famous for unfinished pagoda of King Bodawphaya and Mingun Bell, the largest ringing bell in the world. 

Pyin Oo Lwin

At 1100m above sea level, Pyin Oo Lwin, (formerly known as Maymyo), is Myanmar's best known colonial hill station which date from the 1900s. [Just one and half hour drive from Mandalay]. Sightseeing around the town in a "Gharry", a horse-drawn coach, will certainly give you a pleasant atmosphere. 

Monywa

Situated on the eastern bank of the Chindwin River, 136 km from Mandalay, Monywa is now the second biggest city in Upper Myanmar. The Ancient cave temples of Po Win Taung , the Shwetharlyaung Reclining Buddha Statue - was built on 8 January 1991. It has a length of 333 feet (101 m) and width of 60 feet (18 m). , Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung Pagoda - was founded by Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung Sayadaw Ven Narada on 5 May 1960. He planted thousands of Bo trees throughout his life on recalling the Buddha attained beneath the Bo tree in Bodh Gaya, India , Lay Kyun Sakkya Standing Buddha statue - Built in 1995, Buddha statue is 424 feet (129 m) high with thirty one floors, referring to the 31 Realms of Life Cycle according to Buddhist literatures. The mural paintings in every floor for each Realm are very interesting and famous. From the feet to the top of the Statue, it is 381 feet high and the pedestal has a height of 44 feet. It is the second tallest Buddha statue in the world after the Spring Temple Buddha in China. and The Thanboddhay pagoda – is a massive Buddhist complex in Monywa and there are 500,000 depictions of Buddha in total inside the pagoda

BAGAN & ITS ENVIRONS

Bagan

On the east bank of the Ayeyarwady River, about 300 km south of Mandalay, Bagan is one of the three most famous Buddhist archaeological sites in the world, the Angkor Wat of Cambodia and Borobudur of Indonesia It is very famous for its sunrise and sunset view over 2000 pagodas and temples. The Bagan Dynasty ran from 11th to 13th century. 

Mt. Popa

50 km far from Bagan, Mt. Popa is the abode of Nats (spirits) and the most important Nat worship center in Myanmar. Pagodas and temples are located on the top of the cliff of 736m high mountains. Nearby Popa Mountain Resort Hotel is a comfortable place, which provides facilities for horse riding, golf playing, swimming and hiking.

Salay

Salay is a colorful old religious center in Central Myanmar it is about 1 ½ hours south of Bagan. In between visiting the numerous ancient monasteries, adorned with beautiful woodcarving, you can enjoy the beauty of this compact city of colonial buildings, monasteries and pagodas.

Visit the famous monastery "Yoke-Sone-Kyaung'' - was built in AD 1882 . There are very beautiful artistic work woodcarvings around it and also ancient Buddha image, utensils of Yadanabon 19 century period, and the museum of Myanmar famous writer U Pone Nya in Salay Yoke Sone Kyaung.

INLE & ITS ENVIRONS

Taunggyi 

With a literal meaning of " Big Mountain " is the capital of Shan State, situated at 1460 m above sea level, one hour drive from Inle Lake. Colourful and active open market is worth visiting. A visit to Taunnggyi is incomplete without seeing the Kakku Pagoda - It contains over 2.000 stupas with origins dating back many centuries. 

Pindaya

One and half hour drive from lnle. Pindaya is situated 1180 m above sea-level. The main inhabitants are the Danu and the Pa-O wearing their traditional dresses. It is famous for its celebrated caves called "Shwe U Min". The caves are stocked full of Buddha Images of 8,094 covered in gold leaf.

Inle lake

It is the second largest lake in Myanmar with an estimated surface area of 44.9 square miles (116 km2), and one of the highest at an elevation of 2,900 feet (880 m). This mysterious lake in Shan State is famous especially for Intha fishermen standing at the stern of a slender boat, rowing with one leg. A boat trip on the lake is very enjoyable with flying seagulls. 

SOUTHERN MYANMAR

Kyaikhtiyo ( Golden Rock )

One of the most interesting tourist destinations is the Golden Rock at Kyaikhtiyo. It is about 20 km from the town of Kyaikhto, 180 km from Yangon. A small pagoda sits on the top of the Golden Rock, a massive, goldleafed boulder delicately balanced on the edge of. a cliff at the top of Mt. Kyaikhtiyo ( Golden Rock ).

Mawlamyine

The capital of the Mon State, Mawlamyine is an attractive, leafy, tropical port with a ridge of stupa-capped hills on one side and the sea on the other. lt is also Myanmar's fourth largest city.

Mudon

30 km from Mawlamyine, about 30 minutes by car. An amazing scene can be seen at Win Sein Tawya where the world's largest reclining Buddha Image has been constructing. Tourists will be amazed to see about 200 standing statues of monks carrying alms-bowls along the long street in the vast garden.

Thanphyuzayet

Thanphyuzayet (Tin Shelter) 65 km south of Mawlamyine was the site of the infamous Myanmar-Thailand Railway, dubbed the death railway by the thousands of Allied POWs and Asian coolies who were forced by the Japanese Military to build it. Thanpyuazayet War cemetery contains 3771 graves of Allied POWs who died during the construction of the Railway.

Pa-An

The capital of Kayin State, Pa-an is 270 km east of Yangon. It's famous for the fascinating Lungbini Garden with 1120 sitting Buddha Images situated in front of Mt. Zwe Ga Bin. A visit to this Garden makes an unforgettably good memory. 

WESTERN MYANMAR 

Sittwe

Sittwe is the capital of Rakhine State. Situated on the sea coast at the north of the Kaladan River. Sittwe port is the gateway to famous Mrauk-U.

Mrauk-U

Capital of the Rakhine kingdom which flourished from 15th to 18th century, Mrauk-U can be reached by a 5 hour boat trip along the Kaladan river from Sittwe. It is noted for its fort-like temple and pagodas of stone and brick. The most impressive temple is "Shitthaung Pagoda" the shrine of 80,000 Buddha images. 

NORTHEASTERN MYANMAR

Gokteik

The second highest viaduct in the world constructed in about 1901 by American company. Passing on the Gokteik Bridge by train will be a wonderful, thrilling experience.

Hsipaw (Thibaw)

Hsipaw was once the center of Shan State. This town is famous for its Shan Palace where a Shan Princess from Austria lived until 1962. By train from Mandalay the second highest Gokteik Bridge can be seen.

Lashio

This township of mostly Shan-Chinese and Chinese inhabitants is located at the northern end of the last station of the train journey from Mandalay. The Sightseeing places are the Chinese temple, the market and the hot water spring. 

Muse

Located about 477 km northeastern Myanmar from Mandalay, taking 12 hour drive to get there, Muse is the border town between Myanmar and China. Special permit to visit Muse is required before the trip. Arrangement will be done by the travel agency at least 10 to 15 days in advance. It is possible to visit China's border town (Shweli) but a request to visit China is necessary on the Application form.

Kyaing Tong

The Golden Triangle City situated in the eastern part of the Shan State is picturesque with many ethnic groups living together harmoniously. It is accessible by flight from Yangon or by car on a very rough road (160 km) from Tachileik. Trekking to Akha, Lahu, Wa, Lishaw and Shans will offer you the most wonderful experience.

NORTHERN MYANMAR

Myitkyina

Situated in Kachin State, the top most region in Myanmar, 779 km north of Mandalay. Two and half hour flight from Yangon (via Mandalay) or 24-26 hours by train from Mandalay. Myitkyina is proud of its confluence of the two tributaries Malikha and Malikha known as the famous Myitsone. 

Puta-O

Puta-O is located at the northern extremity in Myanmar and surrounded by snowpeaked mountains. It is the nearest town to the base camp for climbing Mt. Khakhaborazi (5,889m), which is the highest in Myanmar and in South East Asia.

Indawgyi Lake

It is the largest lake which is 333 sq. km wide in Myanmar and is 45 km by car from Hopin railway station. The famous Shwe Myint Zu Pagoda Festival will be held around February and March. Indawgyi Pagoda is famous.