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Visitors' Guide
Brief Information |
What to see |
Yangon
| Mandalay |
Bagan |
Inle & Tounggyi |
Other |
Myanmar Food |
Festival in Myanmar
Other Places of Interest
Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda (The Golden Rock)
The Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda is the largest domestic tourism
centre located about 130 miles (200 km) from Yangon. It
stands on a gold gilded boulder precariously perched on
the edge of the hill over 1100 km above sea-level. There
are many legends about the pagoda and 'Nat' (Spiritual
gods) shrines along the 11 km uphill hike from the base
camp to the pagoda. There is also a popular belief that
a person gains in wealth every time he climbs the hill.
It is a test of one's endurance and very exhilarating
once a person reached the summit. The Kyaikhto Hotel
located on the hill side is in full view of the pagoda.
Formerly the pilgrimage season is from October to May,
but now it is accessible to go there the whole year.
Before 1996, coaches reach only Kinpun Base Camp at the
foot of the hills from which visitors can trek uphill
for about 11 km. At present, the trusteeship council of
the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda has already constructed the new
motor-car road up to the foot of the hill's highest
destination to climb all the seasons for the deevotees
and visitors. Porters and palanquins are available to
carry luggage and pilgrims who are too old or weak.
MraukU (Mro Haung)
MraukU, the ancient City of Rakhine Kingdom (15th
Century), is known for its old temples with paintings of
Indian cultural influence. It is reached by boat along
the Kalatan River from Sitway (Akyab), the capital of
Rakhine State. A boat trip takes about 5 hours.
The high-lights of MraukU are the massive
Shitthaung-paya a curiously remarkable temple with
countless Buddha Images and reliefs, the fortress-like
the temple Htaukkan-thein noted for the interesting
stone sculptures in the vaulted passages; an octagonal
temple Andaw-thein with its unique stone carvings and
floral design; Sakya Man Aung, a tall attenuated stupa;
and the Archaeological Museum.
8 km to the north of MraukU is Wethali, another ancient
capital (8th to 10th centuries A.D.). There is one more
ancient capital called Danyawady which is about 22 km to
the north of Wethali.
Thayekhittaya (Srikhitshtra)
An ancient 'Pyu' Capital lies 8 km South-East of Pyay
(Prome) which is located about 285 km North-West of
Yangon. Archaeological discoveries indicate that the
city attained its height of prosperity between the 5th
and 9th centuries.
At Thayekhittaya one will find palace
site, the prototype of Bagan vaulted temple such as
Lemyethna and East Zegu, the cylinder-shaped Bawbawgyi
Pagoda, Payagyi and Payama Stupas each with a high
conical dome and the Archaeological Museum.
In Pyay, the Shwe Sandaw Pagoda, a gigantic sitting
Buddha Statue of Hse Htat Kyi Pagoda, Shwe
Phone Pwint Library and Museum are places of the
interest.
Pyay is easily accessible by road or by rail. The
visitors can stay at the Pyay Hotel and other Private
Guest-houses for over-night stay. Mogok (the Ruby
Mine)
Known as Land of Ruby, Mogok is in the Mandalay
Division, lies 1170 metres above sea level.
Royalty throughout the world have sought Mogok rubies
and sapphires for many centuries. Alluvial limestone
gravels are the source, and deposits are exploited by
means of tunneling, pit digging or panning. Other
precious and semi-precious stones found in Mogok
District include period, lapis lazuli, moonstone, garnet
and chrysoberyl.
Rubies and sapphires are Mogoks lifeblood, and several
markets around dispense the red and blue
crystals on a rotating basis depending on the time of
day. Mogok is a 3-hour drive from Mandalay. From the
main bus center in Mandalay there are departures every
half hour from 6 am to 9:30 am. Although it is an
interesting place, for every foreign visitors /
travellers need to get the permission well in advance
because of
restricted area.
"Travel to Mogok is now Temporary closed until further
notice. Once the route is open, we will keep all
informed" Mawlamyine (Moulmein)
Mawlamyine, a charming town, is the capital of Mon
State, situated at the mouth of the Thanlwin River
(Sanlween River). It is easily accessible by road and
rail from Yangon. Sites to see in Mawlamyine are
Kyaikthanlan Pagoda, Uzena Pagoda, Caves of Kawgoon and
Payon, famous for its countless Buddha images,
stalagmites.
Kyaikkhami Pagoda, perched on the rocks by the sea and
joined to the land by a covered causeway, is
the main attraction.
About 34 km from Mawlamyine is Thanbyuzayat, an Allied
Was Memorial Cemetery for the prinsoners
of was who lost their lives in the building of the
famous death railway across the River Kwai.
Myeik Archipelago
The Myeik (Mergui) Archipelago, located in the southern
part of Myanmar, consists of over 800
islands of stunning,and attractive tourist destination.
The sea gypsies live on boats during the dry
season and remain on land during the rainy season. Their
ways of life and customs are so characteristic
and unique that a Salone traditional festival will be
launched with an aim to attract international tourists
as well as to promote marine eco-rourism around the
island in the Myeik Archipelago. A visit to their
village offers a glimpse into a unique culture. Scuba
diving and snorkelling are a must-to-do while visiting
theses islands.
There are many beautiful islands in the archiepelago.
Among of them Lampi, Clara, Gt. Swinton (Kyun
Pi la), Pulau Beda (Nyaung Wee), Loungh borough (Jalan).
The sisters (langan), Macleod (Khat Yin Khwa).
Elphinstone and Ross island prominent.
The tourists who would like to travel through out the
archipelago used Kawthong as a gate way of
Mergui Archipelago. Tavoy is another big and famous city
which located on the far north archipelago. Ngapali
Beach
The beautiful Ngapali Beach is located in Thandwe (Sandoway)
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 October to May. Chaungtha
Beach
The Chaungtha Beach is located 40 km to the west of
Pathein (Bassein) in Ayeyawady Division. A
regular double-decker boat leaves Yangon about 4 pm
every evening and reaches Pathein early in the next
day and bus drive from Pathein to Chaungtha takes about
2 hours. It is also reached by road from Yangon via
Pathein taking about 5 hours. Ngwe Saung Beach
The Ngwe Saung beach is located 29 miles from Pathein (Bassein)
capital of Ayeyawady division. You can 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
unforgetable views at sunset and the Rakhine Mountain
Range with the evergreen rain forest on its slopes.
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