Yangon

S

hwedagon pagoda
Kipling called it a ‘golden mystery … a beautiful winking wonder’. You can feel this magic as the sun sets and casts its last rays on the soft golden dome of this pagoda. This golden wonder is the essence of Myanmar, the most sacred of all Buddhist sites in the country. The great dome rises 321 feet above its base. Archaeologists suggest that the original stupa was built sometime around the 6th century BC. While it has been rebuilt s... Read more...

Mandalay

Mandalay Royal Palace

King Mindon Min built his walled palace, with each side extending 1.2 miles, in 1875. The surrounding moat is 230 feet wide and almost 10 feet deep. During WWII, the royal palace was destroyed by fire. The original walls, the moat and the base on which the wooden palace buildings and apartment stood remain today. Because Mandalay Palace was far more than just a royal living quarters (it was a walled city within Mandalay), the palace has been reconstructed.

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Mingun

In Mingun, across the river from Mandalay, lies the unfinished Mingun Paya whose construction was abandoned 29 years after it was begun and stands at only a third of its intended height at 164 feet.Also in Mingun is the world’s largest uncracked bell

Bagan

• Bagan Area

  If Angkor Wat is the 8^th wonder of the world, then Bagan is the 9^th ! There are over 2000 11^th Read more...

Mt. Papa

Mt. Popa is a breathtaking, solitary peak in the range of hills behind Bagan. The peak rises to 2417 feet from the flat rice fields around it and is said to be the core of an extinct volcano last active over 250,000 years ago. The ground on either side of the road is riddled with the remains of a petrified forest. Mt. Popa, which is a 1-1/2 hour drive from Bagan, has been described as the Mt. Olympus of Myanmar and is considered to be the abode of Myanamr’s most powerful nats (spirits). The shrine at the base of the rock outcropping at the summit contains a display of mannequin-like figures... Read more...

River Cruising

Cruise the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River between Bagan and Mandalay on the famous “Road To Mandalay” luxury river boat, an Orient-Express Cruise liner. With the style and comfort for which the Orient-Express is famous, the Road to Mandalay provides the ultimate vantage point from which to absorb the surrounding serene beauty, taking in its golden-spired pagodas, ancient temples, sleepy riverside settlements and saffron-clad monks. Or chooses old-fashioned “expedition-style cruise” boats, many of which have been renovated with breezy promenades and teak and brass fittings throughout.

Inle lake

Floating Villages and Floating Markets

o Inle Lake has very calm waters and is filled with floating vegetation, busy fishing canoes, villages on stilts and merchants selling their wares. Experience this busy way of life and commerce as you float through this magical paradise. One of the best times to visit the lake is during September and October to experience the Phaung DAw U festival with the local residents dress in new clothes and celebrate the end of the Buddhist Lent season.

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MRAUK U

• Palace Ruins and Museum
o Walls and gateways remain from this royal palace that was constructed as early as 1430 AD and later destroyed by fire. The museum holds a good collection of artifacts from around the area including beautiful Buddha’s, musical instruments, and temple pieces from dating from 8th to 16th century monuments.

• Shittaung Temple
o This is the most well preserved of the remaining Mrauk U temples. Its name means “Shrine of the 80,000 Images” referring to the number of holy images found inside.

• Andaw Pagoda
o While smaller than ... Read more...

Saging

Sagaing Hill

There is a plethora of stupas, which rise above the bank of the Ayeyarwady, and provide a very picturesque spectacle from across the river. There are several zedis and kyanungs on the hill itself which can be closely observed should you care to climb the hill. The view of eh village of Sagaing from the hill is also most impressive.

Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda

This is the most well known of the Sagaing stupas, with its large whitewashed edifi... Read more...

Taunggyi

• Museum

o This museum provides you with a good way to get acclimated to the 35 ethnic froups in this state. Of particular interest in this museum, are the local native costumes, ceramics, weapons and musical instruments.

• Market
o The central market affords you the opportunity to see the colorful hill tribe people and buy their wares. Basket making is a popular local handicraft.

PINDAYA

• Pindaya Caves
o These caves are officially called the Pindaya Natural Cave Museum. They are set in a limestone ridge overlooking the beautiful Boutaloke Lake. In... Read more...

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda

• Kyaiktiyo Pagoda

o This unbelievable balancing stupa is fully 24 feet high. It sits stop the Gold Rock, and immense, gold leafed boulder precariously balanced at the end of a cliff at the top of Mt Kyaiktiyo. This is another one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Myanmar. It is asid that the boulder maintains its delicated balance due to an accurately placed Buddha hair in the stupa.

TANINTHARYI DIVISION

• Salon Island
o Also known as Sea Gypsy Island, is located on the southern-most point of mainland Myanamr. This beautiful island is heavily wooded and has ... Read more...

Beaches

• Ngapali Beach

o This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Myanmar. The broad, sandy beach stretches almost 2 miles, separated from other beaches by rocky headlands. There are several hotels here which offer the Myanmar year-around access to a relaxing, breathtaking adventure after extensive travel to the rest of the country. Villages can be traversed by bicycles. Surfing is a prime sport during the monsoon season. Or, one can just walk along the beach and watch the fisherman and observe local life while enjoying the sunshine.

• Chaungtha Beach
o This beach is on th... Read more...