Yangon
Yangon is the cosmopolitan capital city and gateway to Myanmar by air and sea. Adorned with idyllic lakes, shady parks and green with lush tropical trees, Yangon is known as the “Garden City of the East”. Yangon was founded by King Alaungpaya on the site of a small settlement called Dagon when he conquered lower Myanmar in 1755. The name Yangon means “End of Strife”. Later, the Yangon City was modeled and implemented by Lieutenant Fraser of the British Engineering Corps, who also had drawn the city plan of Singapore. The city today still maintains its colonial charm and gracious turn of the century architecture. Towering over the city is the magnificent gold-encrusted Shwedagon Pagoda – one of our country’s most beautiful treasures and a place to meet devoted Buddhists at meditation and pray; also the most prominent landmark visible from miles around and one of the wonders of the World. Other recommended Yangon tour highlights and places of interests include the Reclining Buddha, Sule Pagoda, the colonial buildings in the city centre, colourful markets of Chinatown, Bogyoke Aung San (Scott) Market, Meditation Centre, Botataung Pagoda, Kaba Aye (World Peace) Pagoda, Maha Pasana Guha Cave, Kalewa Monastery, Buddhist Art Museum and National Museum.
Twante
A small town on the Twante Canal is reached by ferry boat on 2-3 hour ride along Yangon River and the Twante Canal from Yangon. A boat trip itself is a joy and offer a chance to enjoy rural life along the river and canal. Twante is known for making potteries – a major cottage industry. Shwesandaw Pagoda, Oh-Bo Pottery Sheds, local town market, Baungdawgyoke Pagoda, Snake Temple, weavers are among the interesting sites. A half day excursion to Twante offers you a great chance to travel on the river and enjoy and explore the life in a typical delta river village.
Thanlyin
Once a famous trading port occupied by the Portuguese in early 17th century, Thanlyin (Syriam) offers many attractions. The old buildings still stand in evidence of the days of Portuguese occupation. Kyaik Khauk Pagoda and Yele Pagoda on a small island at Kyauktan, 12 km south of Thanlyin are the main highlights. The 1822 metre long bridge spanning the Bago River made possible the 45 minutes drive from Yangon. It is also accessible by train across Thanlyin Bridge.
Moeyungyi Wetlands
About 70 miles north of Yangon, lies Moeyungyi Wetlands, a vital shelter for both resident and migratory waterfowl. A census at Moeyungyi revealed that there are 125 species of waterbirds including 70 species of migrants. It is about three and a half hour drive from Yangon. Moeyungyi Wetlands Resort Hotels is situated at the edge of Moeyungyi Wildlife Sanctuary. It is perfectly convenient place to make an overnight stop on bird watching trip either on the way to Kyaikhtiyo (The Golden Rock) Pagoda or on return journey.
Mawlamyine
On the southern coast lies Mawlamyine (Moulmein), the capital city of Mon State – a picturesque old colonial town once an important teak port. The Mahamuni & Uzina Pagodas, Kipling’s Kyaikthanlan Pagoda and the Mon Cultural Museum which has a modest selection of Mon, the mosques in town are the nicest building, particularly the green-and-turquoise Kaladan Mosque and Zeygyo Market are places of interest of Mawlamyine. About 14km outside town is Pa-Auk-Taw-Ya Kyaung; one of the largest meditation centres in Myanmar. A picturesque isle off the city’s northwestern end is Gaungse Kyun (Shampoo Island), reached by boat. Further down the coast, you can visit Setse Beach; Kyaikhami (Amherst) – a seaside resort with its Yele Paya perched over the sea; and Thanbyuzayat where the cemetery for World War II’s allied prisoners of war who died while building the infamous ‘Death Railway’.
Kyaikhtiyo (The Golden Rock) Pagoda
Rising 1100 metres above sea level, this small golden stupa stands on the top of a giant gold-leafed boulder on the very edge of a cliff on Mt. Kyaikhtiyo. Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda is a place of important of pilgrimage for Buddhists and most popular pilgrimage centre for Myanmar people. Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda is recognized as one of the wonders of South East Asia by Tourism Authorities of ASEAN countries. Legend has it that this precarious position of the boulder is held through centuries by virtue of the power of the Hair relic of Gautama Buddha enshrined in the Pagoda. Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda is located about 160 km from Yangon, reached by overland drive
Bago
Located only 80km from Yangon, Bago (Pegu) is an ancient city of the 15th century Mon Kingdom, one of the richest archaeological sites in Myanmar. A two hour drive to Bago through the countryside is a convenient day excursion. Recommended tour highlights and interesting places include Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Kalyani Sima Ordination Hall, Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha (55 m long), huge Buddha Image (28 m high) of Kyaikpun Pagoda, the Palace of King Bayintnaung, Bago Market and the Htaukkyant Allied War Cemetery.Guha Cave, Kalewa Monastery, Buddhist Art Museum and National Museum.
Pyay
Pyay (Prome) is located 285 km north-west of Yangon, on the eastern banks of the Ayeyarwaddy river which can be reached by road in about 5 hours. Sites of interest include the Shwesandaw Paya, Shwedaung Paya and ancient ruins of Thayekhittaya and Hmawza known also as Sri Ksetra, a few kilometers north-east of Pyay – an archaeological site of the acient Pyu Capital (5th to 9th Century) and reached by boat are the Akauk Taung – beautiful Buddha images carved in the banks of rock along the river. Hsehtakyi Paya, Shwe Phone Pwint Museum, Bawbawgyi Paya, Payagyi and Payama Stupas are other places of interest in and around Pyay.
Pathein
190 km west of Yangon in the Ayeyarwaddy Delta, lies the port of Pathein (Bassein) – the Capital City of Ayeyarwaddy Division and the gateway to Chaungtha (40km) and Ngwe Saung (48 km) Beaches. Pathein is known for its quality rice and colourful historical past in colonial times. There is a picturesque waterfront and numerous umbrella workshops making the unique hand painted Paathein sun parasols (Pathein Hti). Highlights include the Shwemokhtaw Pagoda, Thihoshin Phondaw-pyi – Sitting Buddha and a colourful bazaar. Pathein is reached by road, air and sea. The overland drive from Yangon offer a wonderful serenity of green paddy fields and fisheries along the road side.
Room No. 503/505, 5th Floor, Excel Treasure Tower,
No. 520, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Township,
Yangon, Myanmar 11201
Tel: + 95-1-552676, 552674, 559377 Ext:6505
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