Destinations
 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 of 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.
Twante
 A small town on the twante Canal is
two hours away by boat from Yangon. The boat trip itself
is a joy and a chance to see rural life along the canal
while Twante is known for marking potteries.
Thanlyin (Syrian)
Once a trading port occupied by the
Portuguese in the early 17th century. Thanlyin and its
surroundings offer many attractions. The old buildings
still stand in evidence of the days of Portuguese
occupation. The 1822 meter long bridge spanning the Bago
River made possible the 45 minutes’ drive from Yangon.
Kyaik-Khauk Pagoda and Kyauktan Pagoda in the creek are
worth visiting.
Bago (Pegu)
 Situated only 80 km east of Yangon,
Bago was an ancient capital of Myanmar in the reign of
King Bayingnaung during 16th century and of the
Hanthawadi Kingdom for many centuries under the Mon and
Myanmar Kings. Points of interest are Shwethalyaung
reclining Buddha, Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda, Kalyani Sima
Ordination Hall, Bago Market and Pottery.
Pyay ( Prome )
 Pyay is located about 285 km north of
Yangon, on the eastern bank of Ayeyarwaddy. It is easily
accessible by road or by rail which takes about 5 hrs. A
few kilometers north -east of the town is Thaye Khittaya
(Sri Ksetra), an archaeological site of the ancient Pyu
capital ( 5th to 9th century ). The Pyu architecture is
very different from that of Bagan era. Shwesandaw
Pagoda, Hsehatakyi Pagoda, Shwe Phone Pwint Museum,
Bawbawgyi Pagoda, Bebegyi Pagoda, Payagyi and Payama
Stupas are other places of interest in and around Pyay.
 Mandalay was the last capital of the
Myanmar before the British took over so it still has
great importance as a cultural center and historically
it’s the most Burmese of the country, is located in the
central Myanmar, 668 km north of Yangon. Also known as
Ratanabon-nepyidaw (meaning Gem City), it was built in
1857 by King Mindon. Mandalay’s Buddhist monasteries are
among the most important in the country-about 60% of all
the monks in Myanmar reside in the Mandalay area. It is
also the commercial centre with rail, road, river and
air links to all parts of the country.
Amarapura
 Situated about 11 km south of
Mandalay. It was founded by Bodawpaya as his new capital
in 1783. Interest place are Patodawgyi Pagoda, U Bein
Bridge, silk and cotton weaving and Mahagandayon
Monastery.
Ava ( Inwa)
 Inwa is another ancient capital,
known as the Kingdom of Inwa during the Second Myanmar
Empire, is on the Mandalay side of the Ayeyarwaddy River
close to the Ava Bridge. From 1364 Inwa was the capital
of the Burmese kingdom for more than 400 years, until
the shift was made to Amarapura in 1783. The interested
place to visit are Nanmyint Watch Tower, Maha Aungmye
Bonzan Monastery, and Bagaya Monastery.
Sagaing
 Once an ancient capital, Sagaing lies
21 km south west of Mandalay, beside the Ayeyarwaddy
River. The Sagaing Hills are dotted with pagodas and
there are over 500 monasteries, a retreat for some
6000monks and nuns. There are also around 100 meditation
centers in the area. Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, Khaung
Hmudaw Pagoda (a copy of the Mahaceti Pagoda in Sri
Lanka), and Ywahtaung are places worth visiting.
Mingun
Mingun, located about 11 km upriver
from Mandalay on the western banks of Ayeyarwaddy River.
It is a pleasant trip and gives one a glimpse of river
life- fishing villages, bullock carts, com fields,
market boats and laundering. It is the town well-known
for its 90 ton Mingun Bell, the largest ringing bell in
the world; a mammoth unfinished Mingun Pagoda; Settawya
Pagoda, and Hsinbyume Pagoda.
Pyin U Lwin ( Maymyo )
A cool hill station, over 1,000
meters above sea level, Pyin U Lwin was founded during
colonial times and is a worthwhile 2 hour trip (69 km)
from Mandalay. You can enjoy beautiful scenery, a cool
climate, and an atmosphere of former days with its old
buildings and botanical gardens.
Lashio
It is a trading town in Northern Shan
State, accessible by road from Mandalay. From Lashio,
the famous Burma Road built by the British before the
War, intersects with Ledo Road leading into the Yunnan
Province.
Mogok
Mogok, known as the Gems City, 115 km
north-east from Mandalay. Myanmar rubies, sapphires and
emeralds and other precious stones are mined in Mogok
area. Only packaged tours are allowed to visit mogok
with special permission.
Monywa
Monywa is situated on the eastem bank
of the Chindwin River, about 136 km to the west of
Mandalay, with a population of 300,000 and is the second
biggest town in Upper Myanmar. It is well known as a
major trade center for agricultural produce from the
surrounding Chidwin Valley. Sites to see in Monywa are
Thanboddhay Pagoda with over 500,000 Buddha Images,
Bodhi-ta-htaung ( one thousand Bo trees ), Ledi
Kyaungteik monastery where Buddhist scriptures are
inscribed on 806 stone slabs and Kyaukka village known
for its own style of Lacquer ware.
 The temples, stupas and pagodas of
Bagan are the most impressive relics of the first period
of Myanmar, one of the richest archaeological sites in
Asia. Situated on the eastern bank of Ayeyarwaddy River,
Bagan covers more than 42 square kilometers, dotted with
thousands of 800-year old temple ruins. Although human
habitation at Bagan dates back almost to the beginning
of the Christian era, Bagan only entered its golden
period with the conquest of Thaton in 1057 AD. Bagan is
famous for its unique lacquer ware.
Mt. Popa
 Some 50 km southeast of Bagan.
Mt.Popa 1500 meters high, Mt Popa is said to be an
extinct volcano last active 250,000 year ago. It is
considered the abode of Myanmar’s most powerful nats
and, as such, is the most important nat worship center
in the country. The Mount Popa area has also been
designated as a National Park, a perfect place for
eco-tourism.
Salay
It is a small town about 15 km south
of Bagan, down the Ayeyarwaddy River. U Pone Nya Museum,
formerly the Yoke Sone Monastery, exhibits antique
lacquer wares, wooden reliefs and a large standing
gilded Buddha image. The figures carved outside the
front of the building are worth seeing. An other place
worth visiting is Tha-ta-na Kyaung (keythar monastery)
where Tipitaka texts are housed in the large red
lacquered cabinet.
Shan State
Shan state sharing border with China,
Laos and Thailand is the largest province in Myanmar
where many tribes' people dwelt. Taunggyi meaning Big
Mountain is the capital of Shan state, and also a hill
resort located 1300 meter's elevation. There is an
Ethnological Museum to study the different hill peoples
of Shan state.
Muse
Muse, a small town on the banks of
the Shweli River, is the main border gateway between
Myanmar and Yunnan Province (China). Located 190km from
Lashio, it is a bustling trading centre.
Tachileik
Tachileik, located in the Golden
Triangle Area, is the border gateway opposite Mae Sai in
Thailand. It is accessible by air about 2 hours from
Yangon.
Kyaing Tong
Called the “Golden Triangle’s
Capital”, the ancient capital Kyaing Tong City thrived
as a Shan kingdom between the 13th and 15th centuries.
Built around a small lake called Naung Tung, the city is
surrounded by three hills, providing beautiful scenery.
Heho
The airport of Southern Shan State
where by the interested sites are situated as Taunggyi,
Inlay Lake and Pindaya.
 The vast picturesque lake, 900 meter
above sea level in Shan state, 22 km long and 10 km
across. High hills rim the lake on all sides. It is well
known for its floating villages and gardens, traditional
handicrafts and silk weaving, colorful markets and the
native Intha legged rowers and its festival during
September/ October each year. The lakes shore and
islands bear 17 villages on stills, mostly inhabited by
the Intha people.
KakKu
 A unique temple complex of more than
2000 Stupas has lied hidden in the Pa-O heartland of
Southern Shan State for centuries. Unknown to the
outside world and to most of Myanmar unit recently,
these exquisite monuments can now be visited. A day trip
from Inlay Lake is sufficient.
Pindaya
Situated on the shore of a
picturesque little lake, Pindaya is famous for its
caves, where you can see about 6000 Buddha statures of
various sizes and materials. This small town in Central
Myanmar is ideal for an excursion on the way from Bagan
or Mandalay or Inle Lake.
Taunggyi
Taungyi, over 1430 meters above
sea-level, is the capital of Shan State. It is a hill
station, cool and pleasant all the year round. The
market is crowded with ethnic minorities in their
traditional dresses. It is home to some of Myanmar’s
finest cheroot factories and boasts an impressive local
market. The journey from Taunggyi down to Inlay Lake
area takes about an hour.
Kyaikhtiyo
Kyaikhtiyo is the location of the
incredible balancing boulder stupa. The small stupa sits
atop the Gold Rock, a massive, gold leafed boulder
delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff at the top of
Mt. Kyaikto, over 1100m above sea level. Kyaiktiyo is
one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Myanmar. It is
an 11km up-hill climb for the hikers from Kinpun base
comp. There is also a steep winding road for 4-wheel
drive cars from the base nearest point of the pagoda.
There are many legends about the pagoda and the 'nats'
or ‘sprits’.
Mawlamyine
Mawlamyine was the administrative
centre of British Burma from 1827 to 1852 and is today
the fourth largest city in Myanmar. Mawlamying, a
charming town, is the capital of Mon State, situated at
the mouth of the Thanlwin River (Salween River). Many
old colonial building remain along the quiet streets,
with traditional wooden buses still used as the
principle form of transportation. It is easily
accessible by road and rail from Yangon. Sites to see in
Mawlamyine are Kyaikthanlan, Uzena, caves of Kawgoon and
Payon, famous for its countless Buddha images,
stalagmites and stalactites.
Kyaikkhami Pagoda, perched on the rocks by the sea and
joined to the land by a covered causeway, is the main
attraction.
About 34km from Mawlamyine is Thanbyuzayet, an Allied
War Memorial Cemetery for the prisoners of war who lost
their lives in the buildings of the famous Death Railway
across the River Kwai.
The Mergui Archipelago
Myeik or Mergui Archipelago, is
located in southernmost part of Myanmar, comprises over
800 beautiful islands. Due to its virtual isolation, the
islands and surrounding seas are alive with an amazing
diversity of flora & fauna and very beautiful underwater
scenes and marine life.
Kawthaung
Formerly called Victoria Point,
Kawthaung is the southernmost town of Myanmar. >From
Ranong, a border town in Thailand, visitors can take 20
minute boat trips to Kawthaung for sightseeing and
shopping.
Myitkyina
Myitkyina is the largest town in
Kachin State. From Myitkyina, visitors can tour the
confluence (Myitsone) of Maikha and Malikha, the source
of the Ayeyawaddy River. There are regular flights from
Yangon and Mandalay to Myitkyina.
Putao
 Putao is another town in Kachin State
surrounded by snowcapped mountains. It is cool all year
round and there are many varieties of citrus fruits
grown in the orchids. It is the nearest town to the base
camp for climbing Mt. Khakaborzi (5889 meters), which is
the highest mountain in Myanmar and Southeast Asia.
Bhamo
Situated beside the Ayeyarwaddy on
the way to Myintkyina, a colorful town of river boats
with unique mixture of tribes.
Mrauk-U
This 15th century ancient city of
Rakhine Kingdom is known for its old temples with wall
paintings of Indian cultural influence. A regular
passenger boat takes hours from sittwe to Mrauk-U .
Special speed boat with 20 seats takes only 2 1/2 hours.
It is also accessible by road from Sittwe via Ponnakyun
and Kyauktaw. The Mahamuni Shrine, one of the famous
pagodas in Myanmar, is situated 30km from Mrauk -U.
Sittaung Pagoda, Andawthein Shrine are some of the sites
to see in Mrauk-U.
Ngapali Beach (Thandwe)
 Located on the Rakhine Coast near
Thandwe (Sandoway). Ngapali is one of the beautiful
beaches in Myanmar. This is unspotted beach is 35 minute
flight from Yangon. By overland, it is 14 hours drive
along the narrow winding road over the Rakhine Yoma
(mountain range) after crossing the Ayeryarwaddy River
at Pyay (prome). There is an 18-hole Golf Course,
located 15 minutes drive from the beach. Here you find
peace and quiet, with isolated beaches for relaxing, or
you go on trips to islands and fishing villages.
Chaungtha Beach
Chaungtha beach is located 40 km to
the west of Pathein (Bassein) in Ayeyarwady Division. It
is very convenient by road from Yangon via Pathein
taking about 5 hours.
Ngwesaung Beach
Ngwesaung Beach Myanmar’s latest
beach resort having the longest shore – 15 km. It is
located 48 km from Pathein Capital of Ayeyarwaddy
Devision. One can suddenly enjoy upon the open crescent
beach a breath taking vista a blue sea rolling waves and
white sand. This long beach lies between the Bay of
Bengal with its unforgettable views at sunset and the
Rakkhine Mountain Range with the evergreen rain forest
on its slopes.
Sittway
Sittway is a port city in Rakhaing
State at the mouth of the Kaladan River where it empties
into the Bay of Bengal. It has at least a 2000 year
history of habitation and during the British
international trade along the coast bloomed with two
huge cargo steamers going back and forth between
Calcutta and Sittway each day.
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