YANGON
The commercial capital of Myanmar with the age of more than 250
years founded by King Alaung Paya in AD 1755, with about 5 millions
people living around the infrastructures belong to old and modern,
national and colonial style buildings, the modern Myanmar lifestyle
co-exist with old British colonial buildings together with 100
meters tall Shwedagon pagoda which represents the absolute value of
Myanmar culture and civilization of ages.
The main gateway to Myanmar inherited not only by nature to have
a good climate but also by the culture with religious edifices
belong to the course of eras, conform the attractions of Yangon will
accommodate the visitors with proper balance of concoction to each
individual. Places of interest are Shwedagon pagoda, Maha Wizaya pagoda,
National Museum, Sule pagoda, Kaba Aye pagoda, Botathaung pagoda,
Reclining Buddha image named Chauk Htat Gyi , Allied War Memorial
for soldiers who died in the World War 2, Royal Lake Kandawgyi with
Karaweik barge restaurant and its dinner enhanced with traditional
cultural shows, Karaweik park by the Royal Lake, zoological garden
which inaugurated since 1906. Golf courses for the players in
international standard. Yangon and its vicinity
Thanlyin, known as Syriam in olden days by British, founded by
Arakan monarch and station by Portuguese trader in 16th cent, During
colonial time, British used as a port and refinery for petroleum, a
church built by Italian missionary is still there as an evidence of
freedom of belief. The replica of the shwedagon pagoda named Kyaik
khauk pagoda and an island pagoda called Yele phaya are the places
worth to visit in Syriam which is just across the Yangon River by
crossing a bridge which is considered to be one of the longest one
in Myanmar.
PYAY ( PROME )
A town which is 280kimeters away from Yangon by car, its vicinity
with an ancient city Thayekhittaya belongs to 5th cent to 9th cent
built by Pyu people. An old capital in ruin which becomes an
archaeological site for the present with its remaining religious
edifices still in good shape awaits the visitors. Thayekhittaya
witness the belief of Buddhism was introduced to Myanmar in the
early stage before Bagan period; there is also an archaeological
museum in Mhawza village with some collections to prove the early
civilization of Myanmar or Pyu era. In addition to those, there is a
place called Akaukthaung a hill by the river bank with full of
Buddha images different in size, shape and position carved on the
natural sand stone wall of the hill that can be seen by the people
passing around the hill on boat. BAGO
An old capital of Mon kingdom founded by Mon ethnic, with some
attractions like Shwe maw daw pagoda taller than Shwedagon,
Reclining Buddha image Shwethalyaung with its 180 feet in length, a
replica of the Kanbawza Thadi palace of which original palace
belonged to King Bayint Naung was reconstructed in 1990 and finished
in1992, which was the most beautiful palace in our history. Bago is
just 50 miles from Yangon and day return visit. Myanmar people value
the gems, among all gems Diamond and Emerald are the most
appreciated together with Gold, for this reason there are three
reclining Buddha images named after Shwe for gold, Mya for emerald,
Sein for Daimond, 3 reclining Buddha images become Shwe thalyaung
pagoda, Mya thalyaung Pagoda, and Sein thalyaung Pagoda, may one
life be fulfilled with those 3 gems after paying homage to those 3
pagodas in one day.
KYAIK HTI YOE (OR) GOLDEN ROCK PAGODA
Every pagoda is the symbol of peace and safety even in the
wilderness of the forest or on the high mountain top in remote area.
Just like a symbol of shelter for all who needs to take refuge.
The venerated Golden Rock Pagoda is well-known for its location and
the position of the golden rock perches on the edge of the hill top
precariously, but withstands the natural forces like wind or
earthquake through out the course of time by centuries. Now
becomes one of the popular tourist sites to enjoy the life of people
on the way from Yangon to the basecamp of the mountain and then by
open truck climb to the half way and then to share the life of
villagers around there while climbing up to the mountain top for one
hour on foot. A trip to Kyaikhtiyo can experience of local village
life together with the understanding upon the devotion of Buddhist
people towards the golden rock pagoda at the high altitude enhanced
by the nature in the green. It is just 5 hours drive from Yangon and
one night stop visit. The bonus for the visit is to see all sorts of
forest products from near by villages along the way uphill.
TWANTE
A small town across the Yangon River in delta region, well-known
for its pottery, which gives a chance to see the life of delta area
along the way on boat or by car after crossing the river, on the way
to Twante by boat allows you to see how products from delta area are
brought to Yangon and make the visitors to recall the atmosphere of
transportation in olden days while he himself is on the similar type
of boat at the present. Around the area are rice fields where
Myanmar people are growing rice for the whole country, delta region
is the main region where we grow rice. A visit to Twante is just day
return trip. There is a pagoda named Baung Daw Gyoke built by the
people whose mental health is not to the par due to various reasons
are taking refuge under the monastic guidance of monks and trying to
atone for their sin or suffering by contributing in the construction
work of the pagoda.
MAWLAMYAING
A port city in southern Myanmar as a main city during the British
occupation after the first Anglo-Burmese war from 1827 to 1852, the
main attraction is its scenic beauties together with the longest
river named Salween or Thanlwin River on the west and Taung Nyo hill
on the east, in its vicinity there are two caves full of Buddha
images. The cave called Payon cave filled with stalactites and
stalagmites together with numbers of Buddha images and the other
named Kaukoon cave filled with numerous Buddha images as well. An
island named Bilu kyune is one of the tourist sites for its cottage
industries, making most of the daily essential items like walking
stick in metal or wood, rubber products, kitchen utensil like fork
and spoon, product from coconut shell etc, Mawlamyaing is the
capital of Mon State where we have one war memorial in Thanphyuzayet
for those who gave their life in the World War Two. Especially
during the construction of the bridge over the river quay called the
railway line of Inferno, together with a locomotive belong to war
time, near the Thai border. There is also a beach called Setse in
Mon State.
HPA AN
On the way to Mawlamyaing one can make an overnight in Hpa An
which is the capital of Karen State. In Hpa An, the landmark
Zwegabin mountain is one of the tourist attractions of sportive
tourists. Hpa An is just 5 hours drive from the base camp of
KyaikHtiYo and 10 hours drive from Yangon. In its vicinity there are
limestone caves awaits the visitors.
MANDALAY
Commercial centre for the country, business from all directions
come to the same place for exchange and a centre to distribute to
everywhere. Mandalay is one of the major tourist spot to see the
medley life of Myanmar.
The second capital of Myanmar founded by King Mindon in 19th
century, considered to be the centre of Myanmar culture, after Bagan
period which is considered as the birth place of Myanmar culture.
Mandalay and its vicinity is still the centre of Buddhist culture
because most of the monks in Myanmar are in Mandalay region and
people from Mandalay are still living on traditional lifestyle like
making silverware, bronze casting, weaving cotton and silk, tapestry
making, gold leave making, wood and stone carving, etc.
Now become the business and trade centre of Myanmar between upper
and lower Myanmar.
The old palace is standing to witness the glory of olden days and
numerous pagodas and monasteries await the visitors.
Places of interest are Mandalay hill, Mandalay palace, arts and
crafts industries, weaving industries, wood and stone carving,
Arakan pagoda or Mahamuni pagoda which is the most heavily gold
leave gilded large Buddha image in the world, Shwe kyaung, Kudodaw
pagoda or the largest book in the world consists of Tripitaka
Buddhist scriptures on 729 marble stone slabs, Gold leave making and
Tapestry making, Bronze casting, Brahman descendants are still
living on fortune telling and making horoscope, so much to see and
feel during the visit and a memory to bring back home as a souvenir.
Mandalay is just 600kilometers from Yangon by land rout, car or
train and 1hour and 20 minutes flight from Yangon.
MANDALAY AND ITS VICINITY
AMARAPURA
A nearby town to Mandalay, on the way to Sagaing, is worth to
visit for its attractions like Oo Bein wooden bridge, Mahagandhayone
Monastery well known for its 1000 of disciplined monks in their
monastic life, Weaving industries, Bronze casting, Wood and stone
carving, etc; ways of living are the fascinations of Amarapura.
Almost all Buddha images in stone no matter big or small are carved
in Amarapura, even for the exports to china like the goddess image
of Kuanyin.
SAGAING
A small town full of monasteries and monks on the Sagaing hill,
by the Irrawaddy River. There are also numerous historical monuments
like Kaung Mhu Daw pagoda, which stands with its unique form of
Stupa, look like a dome, eventually Sagaing used to be a site of
kingdom in olden days before Mandalay, it located just 14miles from
Mandalay by land route across the Sagaing bridge which saved the
life of allied soldiers when they retreated during the advance
invasion of the Japanese, built by British during the colonial time.
However there is another bridge built recently and inaugurated in
2010.
AVA
Ava or Inwa was a capital about 400years ago where there are some
remnants to be seen to recall the olden days, like 27 metres high
masonry watch tower shattered by the earthquake in 19th century,
Okkyaung monastery an unique monastery in brick work, in those days
monasteries were built in wood only. The remnants of wooden
monastery called Bagayar Monastery still to be visited for its huge
teak pillars, there are more than 200 pillars witness the durability
of teak wood. A visit to Ava delights the visitors for the horse
cart riding during the tour, slow moving tour will be lasting old in
your memory.
MINGUN
Situated on the river bank of Irrawaddy river, unfinished
gigantic structure of Pahtodawgyi stupa standing like a massive
brick work awaits people to have a question in their mind what is
that massive or mega structure is standing for, however the bell
which was dedicated to that unfinished stupa is still there to
fascinate the visitors by its size and weight of 90tons, the largest
ringing bell in the world. Myathein tan pagoda in unique form that
represents the Mt Mayru, the mythical universe in Buddhist mythology
which consists of seven mountain ranges is some thing different from
the others, home for the age poor is there where one can contribute
their kindness during the visit. A visit to Mingun from Mandalay
needs to take a short boat trip taking about an hour depends on the
current of the river is enjoyable one especially in return with the
setting sun and call it a day.
MAY MYO (OR) PYIN OO LWIN
A hill station settled by British army where colonel May
stationed in colonial time, for its climate on high altitude to have
cool and fresh weather condition in that region, places of interest
are water falls and cave temple called PeikChinMyaung, a botanical
garden full of plants and flowers are waiting for the visitors to
relax with nature is one of the attractions of May Myo.
Two hours drive from Mandalay towards the Shan yoma and one can
continue to Lashio the capital of northern Shan State serves as the
border trade centre for Myanmar and china, where we can see the
ethnic groups. Moreover we can also pay a visit to the Gok Hteik
viaduct built by Pennsylvania steel Co. during the colonial time. It
is known as one of the highest bridge over the deep gorge in the
world.
MUSE
At Muse, Shweli River serves as a buffer zone between Shan State
and Shweli China Yunan province. About 5 hours drive from Lashio
through the good road which is newly constructed. The beauty of
Namkham valley is fascinating where American medical centre located
during World War two.
Muse is the border gateway to Myanmar from China with prearranged
border pass together with visa for the third country visitors and
with border pass for second country nationality Chinese.
There are other places of interest await the visitors, like
Mogoke, Bhamaw, Monywa, Kyauk Myaung, Phowin Taung, are also worth
to visit from Mandalay.
PUTAO
The northernmost town, in Kachin State in Myanmar accessible by
flight and where we can enjoy the nature by trekking around the
ethnic villages where Rawan and Lisu ethnics are living. The beauty
of the nature with high mountainous surrounding is the major
attraction of the visit. Putao is the nearest town to the basecamp
for climbing Mt. Khakhaborazi (5889metres), the highest mountain in
Myanmar, also in Southeast Asia.
BAGAN
The richest archaeological site belongs to 11th to 13th cent
where more than 20000 religious edifices are still standing to await
all visitors and enhance people to study the ancient civilizations
of Myanmar. Bagan is the place where Buddhism started to flourish to
the whole country, where Myanmar was united into one kingdom as the
first Myanmar Empire founded by king Anawrahta. A visit to Asia may
not be complete without a visit to Bagan. The value of Bagan as our
national and historical heritage is not to be told but to come to
see and feel for yourself till you understand with your own personal
experience.
The breathtaking numbers of religious edifices with their
individual beauty will give you ever lasting memory with value of
understanding upon the ancient civilizations of people.
BAGAN VICINITY
There are places to go like Mt Popa, Salay where excellent teak
wood carving on the whole wooden monastery, the major attraction of
the visit together with a huge Buddha image which is a hallow type
made of bamboo strips and lacquer, totally gilded with gold leaves,
moreover taking a ride on a balloon over Bagan in the morning or
cruising along the life stream of Myanmar the river IRRAWADY with
cruise up and down to Mandalay or passing through Mandalay up to the
north Bamaw, everything will be your choice to enjoy yourself in
luxury. The cruise will tell you the old images of World War two
along the IRRAWADY by stopping overnight from village to village.
The Local Dolphins in the Irrawaddy are an additional enhancement of
the voyage on the river. A visit to Bagan needs several nights and
days for your satisfaction.
SHAN STATE
The main attraction is the lake Inlay where we can see the life
of lake dwellers with their floating island plantations and unique
way of fishing. The annual festival Phaung Daw Oo Procession on the
lake attracts more visitors in every October. In vicinity there
are places like Pindaya cave, Pindaya village and Kalaw hill station
from where we can trek to nearby ethnic villages where tea
plantation is popular. Taung Gyi the capital of Shan State where
more tourists are coming for the balloons flying festival
participated by different organizations try to fly balloons in
various forms in November.
KYAING TONg
Kyaing Tong is not only the capital city of the Golden Triangle
Region but also the place from where we can visit nearby villages
with full of various ethnic habitants, such as Gon Shan, Akha, Wa,
Silver Palaung, Lisu, Lahu and Eng nationality.
Kyaing Ton is just 170km away from Border town called Tachileik
which is the entry to Myanmar from Mae Sai in Thailand.
MRAUK OO
An ancient city in the western coastal area of Myanmar, belongs
to 15th cent where Kingdom of Arakan people thrived together with
the belief in Buddhism. There are numbers of religious edifice in
sandstone still standing to witness and recall the glory of those
days, such as Shittaung pagoda, Htutkan Ordination Hall, Andaw
Ordination Hall are the most frequently visited by the tourists
among others, for their unique beauty enhanced by the scenic and
lifestyle of people from nearby villages. A boat trip from Sittwe
which is the commercial centre of Arakan Sate, to Mrauk Oo is also
enjoyable. After a visit to Mrauk Oo and a stay on the Sandoway
Beach seem like a complete set of visit to western coastal area of
Myanmar.
BEACHES
There are beaches in Myanmar like Ngapali beach (Sandoway), Ngwe
Saung beach, Chaung Tha beach, with enough hotels with qualities
await the visitors for their diversity during or after their visit
in Myanmar. It’s so much to see and feel that will never complete
by telling on this web, please contact us for your further
information.
Our pleasure to answer the questions you may have and we will
remain entirely on your disposal, before or during your visit and
after your visit. Peace and Forever travels and tours welcome all
visitors on behalf of Myanmar. TO FULFILL THE NEEDS OF
THE GUESTS IS OUR BUSINESS.
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