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YANGON
Yangon is the capital and main gateway to Myanmar. The name Yangon means "End of Strife" and was built on the site of a village named Dagon by King Alaungpaya in 1755 after he had conquered Lower Myanmar. Its evergreen, cool and lush tropical trees, shady parks and beautiful parks have earned the name of Garden City of the East.
The magnificent, 100-meter high, gold-clad Shwe Dagon Pagoda dominates the city's skyline. It was built over 2500 years ago and in it are enshrined four Buddha relics.
Other sites worth visiting are the Kaba Aye (World Peace) Pagoda and the Maha Pasana Guha (Cave). The Kaba Aye Pagoda was built to commemorate the Sixth Buddhist Synod held in 1954, the Chauk Htat Gyi (Reclining Buddha) Image. Other attractions include the National Museum where the Lion Throne and royal regalia are displayed, the Botahtaung Pagoda, Sule Pagoda, Lawka Chantha Abhaya Muni Buddha Image.
About 45 minutes' drive from Yangon along the bridge spanning the Bago River is Thanlyin, once a trading port occupied by the Portuguese in early 17th century. Old buildings stand in evidence of the Portuguese occupation. Kyaik-Khauk Pagoda and Kyaukktan Pagoda in the creek are worth visiting.
BAGO
Bago, located 80 km north of Yangon, was an ancient capital of the Mon Kingdom in the 15th century. Shwe Tha Lyaung (Reclining Buddha) Image), Kyaik Pun Pagoda with its four huge Buddha images sitting back to back facing the four cardinal points and the site of the Palace of King Bayinnaung where extensive excavations are underway, are some of the places worth visiting.
MANDALAY
Mandalay was the last capital of the Myanmar kings. It is also known as Yadanabon nepyidaw (meaning Gem City). It is the second largest city and the centre of Myanmar culture. Many arts and crafts which blossomed under the Myanmar kings are flourishing to this day.
Among sites to be visited are Mandalay Hill which commands a magnificent view of the city and the surrounding countryside. Legend has it that Buddha standing on the hill over 2000 years ago foretold that a great city would be built at the foot of the hill; the Mandalay Palace and the Shwenandaw Monastery; Mahamuni Pagoda housing the Mahamuni Image. The daily morning ritual of washing the face of the Image draws a large crowd of devotees.; the Kuthodaw Pagoda, also known as the World's Largest Book for the 729 marble slabs in its compound on which are inscribed the entire Buddhist scriptures.
AMARAPURA
Amarapura, an ancient capital, is noted for its two centuries’ old all-wood U Bein Bridge , the Mahagandayone Monastery and its cotton and silk weaving cottage industries.
INWA
Inwa is an another ancient capital to the south of Amarapura. Sites to see include the Nanmyint Watch Tower, the Bagaya Monastery and lacquer ware industry.
SAGAING
Sagaing is also another ancient capital southwest of Mandalay across the Ayeyarwady River. The Sagaing Hill, dotted with pagodas and monasteries, is an ideal place of retreat for monks and nuns and Buddhist studies.
MINGUN
Mingun, 11 km upriver from Mandalay, is home to the world’s largest uncracked bell and the mammoth unfinished Mingun Pagoda.
PYIN OO LWIN
Pyin Oo Lwin was the former summer capital in the colonial days for its cool and pleasant weather the whole year round. The drive to this town over 1000 meters above sea level gives a splendid view of the picturesque countryside. Horse carriages are the preferred mode of transport for sightseeing.MONYWA
Monywa, to the west of Mandalay, is home to Thanbokde Pagoda with over 500,000 Buddha images. Across the Chindwin River is the Po Win Taung cave with exquisite Buddha images carved in sandstone niches.BAGAN
Bagan was founded by King Anawrahta in the 11th century as the capital of the First Myanmar Empire. Two centuries of pagoda building followed, leaving Bagan today with hundreds of pagodas and temples in perfect condition and many others ravaged by time and natural disasters. Bagan is one of the richest archeological sites in Asia. Sightseeing by coach, horse carriage or bicycle could be very rewarding with visits to Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later pagodas; the Ananda Temple, a masterpiece of early style temple architecture with four huge Buddha images in standing position; Thatbyinnyu Temple, a stucco building, is Bagan’s highest pagoda; Dhammayangyi Temple, Bagan’s most massive, displays finest brickwork; Sulamani Temple, known for its murals, was built in the 11th-12th century. Other attractions in Bagan include the Mingala Zedi Pagoda, Manuha Temple, Lawkananda Temple, Bupaya and the Bagan Museum.MOUNT POPA
Mount Popa is an extinct volcano, 1500 meters high, whose summit is accessible by a series of stairways. Legend has it that it is the abode of nats (spirit gods). The Mt. Popa area has been designated as a National Park, a perfect place for ecotourism.INLE LAKE
Inle Lake, a picturesque lake, 900 meters above sea level and nestled among hazy, blue mountains, is one of the main tourist attractions in Myanmar. The lake dwellers live in houses built on stilts, grow vegetables on floating gardens and sell them in floating markets. The fishermen have a unique way of rowing their boats by their legs. Sites to be visited include the Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda and the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery noted for its jumping cats.PINDAYA CAVES
Pindaya Caves are well known as home to over 8000 Buddha images set in extensive limestone caves.KYAIKHTIYO PAGODA
This mystical pagoda built on a gilded boulder, precariously perched on the edge of a hill over 1100m above sea level is an awe-inspiring sight. It can be accessed on foot or by 4x4 cars.MRAUK U
This 15th century city of Rakhine Kingdom is known for its old temples with wall paintings of Indian cultural influence.BEACHES
Ngapali, Chaung Tha, Kan Thaya and Ngwe Saung are stretches of unspoilt beaches ideal for lovers of sun, sand and sea.
Myanmar's beaches have been untouched by commercialism and unpolluted by the litter of large crowds and so continue to maintain their pristine beauty and cleanliness. Long stretches of white sand touched by the blue sea and drenched by the sun offer an ideal place for lovers of the sea, sand and the sun. Among the most popular beaches are:
NGAPALI BEACH
Ngapali Beach, said to be so called after Naples of Italy by a homesick Italian, is situated seven kilometers from Thandwe, a town on the Rakhine coast facing the Bay of Bengal. It is famous for its natural and unspoiled beauty .The beach stretches about three km with soft white sand fringed by coconut palms It is ideal for swimming, sunbathing and other recreation such as beach strolling, cycling and so on. It is free of noisy beachside bars, large crowds and hawkers. The blue sea, white sand and the sun combine to present a scene of picturesque beauty. The sea is cobalt blue, without any dangerous marine animals, clean and clear with a gentle breeze.
Ngapali is 35 minutes by air from Yangon. Overland, it is a 14-hour drive along narrow winding roads over the Rakhine Mountain Range.
NGWE SAUNG BEACH
This is a newly opened beach about 45 km from Pathein. This beach in its pristine state is 15 km long. Ngwe Saung can be reached by car from Yangon, a journey taking nearly seven hours over bumpy roads to Pathein and then across the Pathein River by Z craft and then continue by car. Newly constructed bungalows provide modern facilities for visitors. Ngwe Saung is the latest emerging beach destination in Myanmar and is ideal for travelers seeking quietude, ocean, sun and sand.
KAN THAYA BEACH
Kan Thaya Beach, located 290 km from Yangon near Gwa on the Rakhine coast is accessible by an eight-hour drive from Yangon which takes you over forested mountains and through beautiful countryside. Kan Thaya can also be reached by a 30-minute flight from Yangon to Thandwe and then a three-hour drive by car. Chalet type wooden buildings in shady palm groves provide all modern facilities. You can go swimming, sunbathing, saunter on the silvery sands, bird watch or just relax on the sand sipping coconut juice.
