DESTINATIONS IN MYANMAR

YANGON

Yangon, the capital city 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.

PATHEIN (Bassein)

The capital of Ayeyarwaddy Division, once famous for its fertility as the barn of South East Asia. It is located 190 km west of Yangon. It can be reached by a 4-hour road journey, or by overnight boat. Umbrella workshops are famous in Pathein. Provide opportunity for sightseeing picturesque waterfront and Chinese and Burmese temples.

KYAIKTIYO (Golden Rock)

Located southeast of Yangon. Kyaiktiyo, or 'Golden Rock' Pagoda is a huge gold-plated boulder poised on the edge of a steep cliff. Here on top lies one of the most sacred Buddhist suites in Myanmar. It is approached by either hiking uphill 10 km or by steep roads with open mini truck, the final stage 4 km must be continue on foot for 1 hour. Sedan chairs are for rent for these last 4 km.

MAWLAMYINE (Moulmein)

The former capital of British Burma, Mawlamyine is located 270 km south-east of Yangon. It is the fourth largest city in Myanmar. The colonial atmosphere can be felt throughout this charming town. Several fine monasteries and shrines cover the hills of Mawlamyine from where the visitor can enjoy magnificent views of the city and the harbor.

BAGAN

One of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. The view of tens of thousands of a pagodas, stupas and temples in various sizes, set in vast dusty plain beside the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River is breathtaking. Most of them are in redbrick and dated back a thousand years to the glorious Bagan era.

MOUNT POPA

Located closed to the Bagan, rising to 737 m from the flat surrounding Myingyan Plain is an extinct volcano. It is considered as the home of Nats or spirits. A shrine dedicated to the legendary Nats lies at the top of a steep-sided volcanic plug, can be reached by ascending 777 steps.

MANDALAY

Second largest city and former Royal capital is geographically, culturally and economically at the heart of the country. This is also a center for silk and cotton weaving, marble carving, bronze and silver crafts and kalaga tapestries.

It's worth spending longer and using it as a base for exploring the region. The surrounding areas have some rewarding little sites and oddities, and this important religious centre seems to get better the longer you stay.

MAYMYO (PYIN OO LWIN)

A cool hill station in the foot hill of Shan Plateau is founded during colonial times. A 2 ½ hour drive by car from Mandalay takes the traveler to 1070 meters elevation, from where there are breathtaking views across the Mandalay Plain. Here visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery, a cool climate and nostalgic atmosphere of former days with its old buildings and botanical gardens.

MONYWA

Located 140 km northwest of Mandalay by road, is a major trading center for the region's agricultural produce. It is gateway for the cross-river excursion to ancient carved cave temples of Po Win Daung and spectacular Thanboddhay Paya Stupa complex.

INLE LAKE

Located on the Shan Plateau is one of the most beautiful lakes of Southeast Asia. Lush, green and fertile, remote Inle Lake is a picture of rural tranquility. The vast lake is studded with floating gardens and is renowned for its unique leg-rowers and characterful local markets.

The lake offers plenty of photo opportunities with paddy fields, floating villages and the famous local one-legged rowing technique. Beyond is unspoiled countryside populated by colorful ethnic minorities, and the newly opened archeological site of Kakku.

KALAW

Kalaw was the British Hill Station, is 1400 meters above sea-level. Many of the Tudor-style houses and English gardens of colonial days still remain. Kalaw is famous for its cool weather and green environment with pine forest.

KENTUNG (KYAINGTONG)

Center of the Golden Triangle and one of the most picturesque towns in Shan State. Point of departure of one day trekking explorations to the ethnic minority villages of Akha, Lahu, Wa and Shans. It is accessible by air from Yangon or Heho.

SITTWE and MRAUK OO

Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine, is located on the island at the most western part and on the coast line of Myanmar facing the bay of Bangal. A lot of fishery businesses are located in Sittwe. Mrauk Oo is the ancient former capital, which offers a number of important archaeological sites and several temples of unique design can be reached by boat traveling up river.

NGAPALI BEACH

Located on the Rakhine coast; Ngapali Beach is an hour's flight from Yangon. It is an unspoiled beach stretching over 3 km with blue sea, white sand and swaying palm trees. There is an 18-hole golf course about 5 km from Ngapali Beach Hotel.

NGWE SAUNG

Ngwe Saung, situated on the western coast of the country, facing the Bay of Bengal is the newest "cool" spot. The whole beach is about 9 miles long and bordered by tall, green palms, swaying gently in the breeze. This is where the rain forest meets the ocean. It is not accessible by air. And, it takes five hours to drive from Yangon via Pathein, the capital of Ayeyarwaddy Division.

PUTAO

Putao is another town in Kachin State surrounded by Snowpeaked 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 (5889 metres), which is the highest mountain in Myanmar and in Southeast Asia.