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Golden Myanmar Travel
Travel Destination
Travel Destination
Yangon
Being the capital city, Yangon is the main gateway to Myanmar. Evergreen and cool with lush tropical trees, shady parks and beautiful lakes. Yangon has earned the name of the Garden City of the East. Yangon was founded by King Alaungpaya on the site of a small village called Dagon when he conquered Lower Myanmar in 1755. The name Yangon means "End of Strife" which was anglicized to Rangoon. The present day, Yangon covers over 350 sq. km. and has a population of over 5 million.
Bago (Pegu)
Located only 80 km. from Yangon, Bago was an ancient capital of Mon Kingdom in 15th century. Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha (55 metres long), Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Kalyani Sima (Ordination Hall), 28 metre high huge Buddha Image of Kyaikpun Pagoda, Chinese Kwanyin Temple and the Palace of King Bayinnaung are some of the places of interest.
Thanlyin (Syriam)
Once a trading port occupied by the Portuguese in early 17th Century, Thanlyin and its surroundings offer many attractions. The old buildings still stand in evidence of the days of Portuguese occupation. The 270 metre long bridge spanning the Bago River made possible the 45 minutes' drive from Yangon. Kyaik-khauk Pagoda and Kyauktan Pagoda in the creek are worth visiting.
Bagan
Bagan is the main tourist attraction in Myanmar. One of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. It is located on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Also being the capital of first Myanmar Empire. Bagan covers an area of 42 sq. km. containing over 2000 well-preserved pagodas and temples of the 11th - 13th century.
Mrauk-U
The 15th century ancient city of Rakhine Kingdom is known for its old temples with wall paintings of Indian cultural influence. A regular passenger boat takes hours from Sittwe (Akyab) to Mrauk-U. Special speed boat with 20 seats takes only 2 1/2 hours. It is also accessible by road from Sittwe via Ponnakyun and Kyauktaw. The Mahamuni Shrine, one of the famous pagodas in Myanmar, is situated 30 km. from Mrauk-U.
Mt. Popa
Some 50 km. southeast of Bagan, Mount Popa, 1,500 metres high, is an extinct volcano. It is the legendary home of the 'nats' or spirits. The Mount Popa area has also been designated as a National Park, a perfect place for eco-tourism.
Salay
It is a small town about 15 km. south of Bagan, down the Ayeyarwaddy River. U Pone Nya Museum, formerly the Yoke Sone Monastery, exhibits antique lacquerware, wooden reliefs and a large standing gilded Buddha image. The figures carved outside the front of the building are worth seeing. Another place worth visiting is Thatana Kyaung (Keythar Monastery) where Tipitaka texts are housed in a large red lacquered cabinet.
Mandalay
Mandalay, the last capital of the Myanmar Kings, is located in Central Myanmar, 668 km. north of Yangon. Also known as Ratanabon-nepyi (meaning Gem City), it was built in 1857 by King Mindon. Today, it is the second largest city boasting its rich cultural heritage. It is also the commercial centre with rail, road, river and air links to all parts of the country.
Amarapura
Some 11 km. south of Mandalay is the town of Amarapura. It was the capital of Konbaung Dynasty during the reign of King Bodawpaya when he moved its capital to Amarapura in 1783. Places of interest are Pahtodawgyi Pagoda, U Bein Bridge across the Taungthaman Lake, Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, Nagayon Pagoda, Mahagandayone Monastery and Cotton & Silk Weaving Cottage Industry.
Tachileik
Tachileik, located in the Golden Triangle Area, is the border gateway opposite Mae Sai in Thailand. It is accessible by air or by road; about 2 hours by air from Yangon to Tachileik.
Innwa (Ava)
Inn-wa is another ancient capital, known as the Kingdom of Inn-wa during the Second Myanmar Empire. Today, Inn-wa is a small town south of Amarapura. The sites to see in Inn-wa include Nanmyint Watch Tower, Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, Bagaya Monastery, Lacquerware Industry, and Innwa Bridge spanning the Ayeyarwaddy River.
Sagaing
Once an ancient capital, Sagaing lies 21 km south west of Mandalay, beside the Ayeyarwaddy River. The Sagaing Hills are dotted with pagodas and there are over 500 monasteries, a retreat for some 6000 monks and nuns. Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, Kaung Hmudaw Pagoda ( a copy of the Mahaceti Pagoda in Sri Lanka ), and Ywahtaung Village ( home of the silversmiths' guilds ) are places worth visiting.
Mingun
Mingun, located about 11 km. upriver from Mandalay on the western banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River, is a town well-known for its 90 ton Mingun Bell, the largest ringing bell in the world; a mammoth unfinished Mingun Pagoda; Settawya Pagoda; and Hsinbyume Pagoda.
Ngapali Beach
Located on the Rakhine coast near Thandwe (Sandoway), Ngapali is one of the beautiful beaches in Myanmar. This unspoilt beach is 35 minute flight from Yangon. By overland, 14 hour drive along the narrow winding road over the Rakhine Yoma (mountain range) after crossing the Ayerwaddy River at Pyay (Prome). There is an 18-hole Golf Course, located 15 minute drive from the beach.
Kyaing Tong
Kyaing Tong is the capital city of the Golden Triangle Region. There are many sites to see besides the ethnic tribes in colourful dresses. There are regular flights from Yangon to Kyaing Tong. Visitors are allowed to cross into this border town with Border Pass.
Monywa
About 136 km. to the west of Mandalay is Monywa, the commercial centre of Chindwin Valley. Sites to see in Monywa are Than-bok-de Pagoda with over 500,000 Buddha Images, Bodhi-ta-htaung (one thousand Bo Trees), Ledi Kyaungteik Monastery where Buddhist scriptures are inscribed on 806 stone slabs and Kyauka Village known for its own style of lacquerware.
Inle Lake
This vast picturesque lake, 900 metres above seas-level, is one of the main tourist attractions in Myanmar. The lake, 22 km long and 10 km across, has a population of some 150,000, many of whom live on floating islands of vegetation. Inle Lake, natural and unpolluted, is famous for its scenic beauty and the unique leg-rowing of the Inthas, the native lake dwellers.
Taunggyi
Being the capital of Shan State, Taunggyi is situated over 1,430 metres above sea-level. It is a hill station, cool and pleasant all the year round. The market on every fifth day is crowded with ethnic minorities in their traditional dresses. The journey from Taunggyi down to Inle Lake area takes about an hour.
Pyay (Prome)
Pyay is located about 285 km. north of Yangon, on the eastern banks of the Ayerwaddy. It is easily accessible by road or by rail which takes about 5 hours. A few kilometers north-east of the town is Thaye Khittaya (Sri Ksetra), an archaeological site of the ancient Pyu capital (5th to 9th century).
Myitkyina
Myitkyina is the largest town in Kachin State. From Myitkyina, visitors can tour the confluence (myitsone) of Maikha and Malikha, the source of the Ayerwaddy River. There are regular flights from Yangon and Mandalay to Myitkyina.
Kalaw
Being a hill station, Kalaw is 1,400 metres above sea-level. Many of the Tudor-style houses and English gardens of colonial days remain. It is located 70 km. west of Taunggyi.
Pindaya
About 45 km. drive from Kalaw is Pindaya, well-known for its extensive limestone caves. The caves are set deep in the hillsides and there stands at the entrance, a 15 meter high Shwe U Min Pagoda. There are 6,000 Buddha images and interesting stalagmites.
Mt. Kyaikhtiyo
This mystical pagoda stands on a gold gilded boulder, precariously perched on the edge of the hill over 1,100 km. above sea-level. Kyaikhto, the town at the foot of the hill, is about 160 km. from Yangon. It is 11 kilometer uphill climb for the hikers from Kinpun Base Camp. There is also a steep winding road for 4-wheel drive cars from the base to the nearest point of the pagoda. There are many legends about the Pagoda and the 'nats' or 'spirits'.
Chaungtha Beach
Chaung-tha Beach is located 40 km. to the west of Pathein (Bassein) in Ayerwaddy Division. It is a very convenient drive from Yangon via Pathein taking about 5 hours.
Putao
Puta-O is another town in Kachin State surrounded by snow-peaked mountains. It is cool the whole year round and there are many varieties of citrus fruits grown in the orchards. It is the nearest town to the base camp for climbing Mt. Khakhaborazi ( 5,889 metres ), which is the highest mountain in Myanmar and in Southeast Asia.
Ngwe Saung Beach
It is a newly opened beach about 48 km. from Pathein. This unspoilt beach stretches 15 km. of white sand and blue sea. Fringed with palm trees, almost all new hotels at chalet style with modern equipment face the beach.
Pyin-Oo-Lwin (Maymyo)
Over 1,000 metres above sea-level, Pyin-Oo-Lwin is a popular hill-station about 69 km. away from Mandalay. It is well-known for its colonial-style houses with large compound and pine trees, eucalyptus and silver-oak abound in town. Delightfully cool and pleasant the whole year round, the 175 hectare Botanical Garden, Maha Ant Htoo Kanthar Pagoda, Pwe Kauk and Ani-sakan Waterfalls, Goteik Viaduct and Peik Chin Myaung Caves are places of interest.
Mawlamyine (Moulmein)
Mawlamyine, a charming town, is the capital of Mon state, situated at the mouth of the Thanlwin River (Salween River). It is easily accessible by road and rail from Yangon. The famous Kyaikkhami Pagoda, perched on the rocks by the sea and joined to the land by a covered causeway, is the main attraction. About 34 km. from Mawlamyine is Thanbyuzayat, an Allied War Memorial Cemetery for the prisoners of war who lost their lives in the building of the famous Death Railway across the River Kwai.
