Myanmar Destination

Yangon

According to local legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda was built during the time of the Buddha and the area around the pagoda, modern Yangon has been settled since then. Whatever the truth of the legend, it is certain that a Mon village named Dagon has existed at the site since the 6th century A.D. It was renamed Yangon (the 'end of strife') by the Shwebo based King Alaungpaya when he captured it from rebel Mon leaders in 1755 after which its importance as a port city began to grow. However, the city gained in importance only after the British occupied it during the Second Burmese War in 1852, after which it became the capital of British Burma and the trading and commercial centre of Burma. The British called the city Rangoon, which was an anglicised form of "Yangon". The city grew rapidly during the colonial period, which left a legacy of solid 19th-century colonial architecture. Burma attained independence in 1948, but its true 'modern' period begins with the 1962 military coup and the institution of an isolationist Socialist regime in 1964, resulting in the steady decay of the city and its infrastructure.

Mandalay

Mandalay, the very name evokes the splendors of the Burma of old! But, most people will be surprised to learn that Mandalay is not an old city, not even a medieval one, but rather a new city that was created by King Mingdon Min of Burma in 1857 as the new capital of the kingdom of Ava. Only two Burmese kings ruled from there, King Mingdon and King Thibaw, before the British conquest of Upper Burma in 1885. History records it as a city of splendor between 1858 and 1885 but most of the magnificence is gone, destroyed by the fire that consumes wooden structures, by the cavalier attitudes of its colonial rulers, and by intensive bombing by the allies during the reconquest of Burma in the Second World War. The city, neatly planned with its lettered roads and numbered streets, is a British creation. The once magnificent Royal Palace and the great Atumashi (incomparable) pagoda, King Mingdon Min's finest creations, are modern reconstructions supervised by the ruling Military junta with the help of forced labor. Today, Mandalay lies at the end of the Lashio Road and it is, by Burmese standards, relatively prosperous as a centre for trade with China and as a centre for the growing trade with India. Despite the capital having been shifted to Naypyidaw, Mandalay remains by far the main commerical centre of Upper Myanmar.

Bagan

Bagan became a central powerbase in the mid 9th century under King Anawratha, who unified Burma under Theravada Buddhism. It is estimated that as many as 13,000 temples and stupas once stood on this 42 sq km plain in central Myanmar, and Marco Polo once described Bagan as a "gilded city alive with tinkling bells and the swishing sounds of monks' robes". Approximately 2,200 remain today, in various states of disrepair. Some are large and well maintained, such as the Ananda Pahto, others are small tumbledown relics in the middle of overgrown grass. All sites are considered sacred, so when visiting be respecful including removing shoes before entering or stepping onto them. Bagan's golden age ended in 1287 when the Kingdom and its capital city was invaded and sacked by the Mongols. Its population was reduced to a village that remained amongst the ruins of the once larger city. In 1998, this village and its inhabitants were forcibly relocated a few kilometres to the south of Bagan, forming "New Bagan" where you will find accommodation in its handful of cheap, quaint, clean hotels and religious centres.

Inle Lake

Inle is huge lake (22km long and 10 km across) located in Shan State, over 900 meters above sea level and it is outrageously beautiful. The strangest thing about Inle is native lake-dwellers, living on “floating island”. Inle lake is one of the most significant and productive ecological system supporting an immense variety of plants and animals and yielding great wealth for Myanmar through its occurrence of floating islands and the living style of the natives. The vast picturesque lake 900 meters above sea-level, is one of the main tourist attractions in Myanmar. The lake, 22 km long and 10 km across, has a population of some 150,000 ,many of whom live on floating islands of vegetation. Inlay lake, natural and unpolluted, is famous for its science beauty and the unique leg-rowing of the Inthas, the native lake dwellers.

Ngapali Beach

The beautiful Ngapali Beach is located in Thandwe (sandaway) about an hour’s flight from Yangon. This unspoilt beach stretches over 3 km and is an ideal place for everyone who loves sea, sand, sun or swimming, snorkeling or carefree loitering on the beach, exploring or just sitting amidst whistling wind. There is a 9 hole golf course only three miles away from the Ngapali hotel. Nearby fishing villages are also interesting places. Ngapali Beach opens from Oct to May.

Chaungtha Beach

It is located 40 km to the west of Pathein in Ayeyarwaddy Division, Chaung Thar is about 5 hours drive from Yangon. It is an attractive wide beach with Ayeyarwaddy delta look. There are quite a few islands to visit near Chaung Thar beach. Some of these islands are The’ Phyu island, Pho Kalar Island ,and Kyauk maung Nhama. Speed boats are also available for rent .

Ngwe Saung Beach

It is a newly opened beach resort on the west coast of Myanmar. It is an unspoilt virgin destination, with crystal clear water and clean white sand. It is a very romantic beach ,which stretches 15 km of white sand against the blue sea.