Yangon
 Yangon
is the main gateway to Myanmar destinations. Full of evergreen trees and
lakes, it is always trying to live up to its name " The Garden
City of the East ". It was founded in the 18th century by King
Alaungpaya. Today it is a vast sprawling region of more than 5 million
people over 350 sq-km in area.
How to get there
Myanmar is well-connected to all parts of the world. Foreign tourists
usually come by air, but sometimes they might visit in masse a cruise
ship by prior arrangement. Daily flight from Bangkok and Singapore. The
domestic airlines: Myanmar Airways, Yangon Airways and Air Mandalay have
regular flight to Mandalay, Bagan, Inle and other tourist destinations.
Where to stay and where to dine
A wide choice of accommodation is available from 4/5 star deluxe hotels
on down to inns and guest houses.
Why so special
Yangon enjoys generally good weather. Myanmar being a leading Theravada
Buddhist country, Yangon abounds with famous pagodas and edifices like
Sule’, Botahtaung, Kaba Aye, Chaukhutkyi, Mahawijaya, Mai-lamu Pagoda
and Maha-Pasana Great Cave (venue of the Sixth Buddhist Synod).
Foreigners can also experience the Buddhist religious life, even if for
a short time, at several Vipassana meditation centres. Then there are
standard big-city attractions like National Museum, Bogyoke Aung San
Park, Zoological Garden, Hlawga Wildlife Park and at Htaukkyant the calm
well-tended Allied War Memorial Cemetery with thousands of stone-graves.
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Mandalay
 The
last capital of Myanmar Kings, 668km north of Yangon. Built in 1857 by
King Mindon. Now the second Large city, rich in cultural
heritage.Mandalay has rail, road, river and air links to all parts of
the country. Only 1.5hour flight from Yangon, it is served by a new
international airport 50km outside the city. The leisurely train or
coach ride takes about 14 hours and 12 hours respectively.Mandalay is
the place where one could get closet to the real Myanmar. The Mahamuni
Buddha Image is the second most revered monument in Myanmar. You may
climb up the steps to the top of the Mandalay Hill (elevation 230 m) or
reach it by road, escalators or a lift. Among numerous pagodas of renown
is Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble stabs ( " the world
biggest book " ) on which are inscribed the entire Buddhist
canon. Mandalay is also a mecca for lovers of arts and crafts.
How to get there
Just over an hour’s daily flight from Yangon to Mandalay International
Airport. About 14 hours by train, 12 hours by express or by car.
Where to stay and where to dine
 Mandalay
Swan Hotel, Silver Swan Hotel, Nadi Myanmar Hotel, Sedona Hotel,
Mandalay Hill Resort. Meals: Chinese food , Thai food, Shan food and
Myanmar food.
Why so Special
Mandalay Hill, 230 meters in elevation, commands a panoramic view of the
city. Mandalay Palace with its brick walls, gates and moat; Shwenandaw
Monastery, a magnificent building dating back to 1879, Mahamuni Pagoda
built by King Bodawpaya in 1784 has the Great Buddha Image.Kuthodaw
Pagoda (built in 1868) where there is the “World’s biggest Book” in 729
marble slabs with the Buddha’s Teachings inscribed on them.Mandalay
Museum, Zegyo Market and Silk Weaving Cottage Industry are among other
places worth visiting.
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Bagan
 Bagan,
known as the city of four million Pagodas, is one of the richest
archaeological sites in Asia.About 430miles (690km) from Yangon; The
main tourist attraction in Myanmar, on the eastern bank of the
Ayeyarwaddy river; Capital of the first Myanmar Empire; Its area of 42
sq-km has over 2,000 well-preserved pagodas andtemples of the 11th -13th
Centuries.
How to get there
Daily flight between Yangon and Bagan; Flight to Bagan take an hour and
ten minutes. Also regular Express local service from Yangon and
Mandalay; Yangon-Bagan Express Coach takes 16 hours; From Mandalay and
Heho it is only 20 minutes’ flight; Express trains from Yangon and
Mandalay stop at Thazi, from where it is only a three hours’ drive to
Bagan. Also double decker steamer service between Mandalay and Bagan and
a luxury cruise ships - Road to Mandalay, Shwekeinnery, Malikha and
Pandaw.
Where to stay
Bagan-Nyaung Oo boasts several International Standard hotels as well as
Inns and Guest-Houses with modern facilities at reasonable prices.
What to see
 Shwezigon
Pagoda, the first Buddhist building built in Myanmar style; Ananda
Temple has four huge Buddha Images in standing position and relief
depicting the Buddha from his Birth to his Enlightenment; Thatbyinnyu,
the highest white stucco building in Bagan. Dhammayangyi, Bagan’s most
massive pagoda; left unfinished, it displays the foremost brickwork;
they are but a few of pagodas in Bagan, practically all of them built by
kings. And the Bagan Museum houses artifacts of historical and cultural
interest.
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Inlay Lake
 Located
in the southern Shan State and 750km north of Yangon.
How to get there
From Yangon or Mandalay, you take a regular flight to Heho and from
there motor down to Inle` lake. Or you can travel by car uphill and
along the winding road over the Shan Plateau savoring the sights all
round. Or you can take the train via Thazi Junction to Heho and
Shwenyaung, the nearest station to the Lake.
Where to stay and where to dine
 Golden
Island Cottage, Inle Princess, Lake View Resort, Paramount Inle Resort,
Paradise Inle Resort and Inle Resort with modern facilities at
reasonable prices. At Nyaung-Shwe, which is the gateway to Inle lake,
modern-style hotels like Hu Pin Hotel, Golden Express Hotel.
Why so special
The Inle Lake is the second largest lake in Myanmar, 22km long and 10km
across, the population in and around the lake number some 150,000 many
of whom live on floating islands of vegetation. Natural and unpolluted,
Inle Lake` is the main tourist attraction in Myanmar for its scenic
beauty and the unique way the native lake dweller row their boats (for
which the lake is also known as "the lake of the leg-rowers").
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Ngapali Beach
 Located
on the Rakhine Coast near Thandwe.
How to get there
The beach stretches for 3km, 35 minutes flight from Yangon. From Yangon
by land, it takes about 14 hours along the winding road over the Rakhine
Yoma mountain range, after crossing the Ayeyarwaddy river at Pyay.
Where to stay and where to dineAmata Resort, Amazing Ngapali,
Aureum Resort & Spa, Bay View Resort, Ngapali Beach and Linn Tha Oo
Hotel with modern facilities at reasonable prices.
Why to special
There is an 18-hole Golf Course, about 15 minutes drive from the Ngapali
beach.The Ngapali Beach offers the sea, sun and surfing simultaneously.
It is the most beautiful beach of Myanmar.
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Chaung Tha Beach
 Chaung
Tha beach – only 246km from Yangon – is the nearest beach resort located
in the Ayeyarwaddy Division. Along the 5 hours drive to the beach, one
can feast one’s eyes the vast stretches of lush green paddy field.
How to get there
Only 5 hours drive from Yangon.
Where to stay and where to dine
There are bungalow-type hotels facing the sea. Hotel Max, Belle Resort,
Grand hotel and guest-houses in the nearby Chaung Tha village are at
your service. Sea-foods are fresh and plenty at the restaurants there.
Why so special
En route to Chaung Tha, one can visit Pathein, the capital of the
Ayeyarwaddy Division and try Pathein Halawar, its specialty. Pathein
umbrella is the symbol of the Division.Reaching the beach, one can enjoy
the salubrious breeze crossing long stretching sea the horizon. Surfing
over the white-crested waves is unforgettable experience. Pokala Island
and Thebyu Island – 5 minutes drive by motorboat and 20 minutes
respectively – boast their beautiful, white sand beaches. It take
exactly one hour to Ngwe Saung beach, the latest beach resort of
Myanmar.
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Ngwe Saung Beach
 Ngwe
Saung, Myanmar’s latest beach resort has the longest shore- 9miles. It
is located just 29 minutes from Pathein in the Ayeyarwaddy Division.
Popular with the travelers who prefer much less crowded beach, clean and
white sand, and crystal clear sea water free of seaweeds and the like,
Ngwe Saung is likely to surpass the other local counterparts very soon
in many aspects. The recent completion of Nga-Wun Bridge also
facilitates the road transport service for this seaside resort.
How to get there
It takes about 5 hours motoring from Yangon to get there.
Where to stay and where to dine
Sunny Paradise Hotel, Myanmar Treasure Beach Resort, Palm Beach Resort,
Emerald Sea Resort, Aureum Resort & Spa and Yuzana Resort, etc.
Why so special
The long Ngwe Saung Beach lies between the Bay of Bengal with its
unforgettable views at sunset, and the Rakhine Mountain Range with the
evergreen tropical rain forests on its slopes. While you stroll along
the beach, waves lap on the shore on the seaside, and the row of
screw-pines sway under the arched coconut trees on the shore side.
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Pindaya
 It
located in the Shan State and 45km to the north of Kalaw.
How to get there
You can take a regular flight to Heho and drive to Pindaya.
Where to stay and where to dine
Conqueror Hotel, Golden Cave and Memento Restaurant.
Why so special
Pindaya is noted for its extensive limestone caves, set deep in the
hillsides, where you’ll see about 6,000 Buddha images and stalagmites.
And at the entrance of the hillside caves you’ll see Shwe Oo Min (Golden
Cave) Pagoda of 15 meter height.
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Kyaikhtiyo Bagoda
 Kyaikthiyo
Pagoda is the single biggest tourist attraction, at least for Myanmars.
It is a gilt boulder, topped with a small pagoda, precariously perched
on the edge of a hill about 160 km from Yangon. Kyaikhtiyo Hill in
Kyaikhto Township is 1,100km above sea-level.
How to get there
By car, it is about 4-hour’s drive from Yangon to the Kinpun Base Camp,
from which it is an 11km uphill climb to the pagoda. You may take the
train to Kyaikhto, and proceed by car. It is a 45 minutes drive from the
base camp to Yathedaung Hill, thence the visitor go on foot for seven
furlongs.
Where to stay and where to dine
It is customary for the pilgrims to stay overnight at the pagoda. There
are Mountain Top Hotel, Kyaikhto Hotel and Golden Rock Hotel at
Kyaikhtiyo Hill.Why so specialThere is a popular belief that a person
gains in wealth every time he/she climbs the Kyaikhtiyo Hill. Women are
not allowed to cross the small bridge leading to the surface of the rock
outer supporting the sacred boulder. It is toboo to make harsh or
off-colour remarks while going over the rolling hills.
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Tachileik
 Located
on the Myanmar - Thai border in the eastern Shan State, is being
upgraded as a gateway to the heart of the Golden Triangle. The
Friendship Bridge across the small Mae Sai stream links Tachileik with
the northern Thai border town of Mae Sai. The area is currently being
developed for tourism and cross-border trade with Laos, Thailand and
China.
How to get there
One can fly direct from Yangon to Tachileik in an hour. There is a
ferry-landing site at Wanpon port on the Mekong River at the Myanmar -
Laos border, 29km from Tachileik. The port also handles goods shipments
to and from Thailand and China. Where to stay and where to dine A Loda
Hotel, Ayeyar Wun Hotel, etc…...
Why so special
A short flight to Tachileik will be the beginning of a tour of the
infamous Golden Triangle. Tachileik sits on the banks of the Mekong
River across from Mai Sai in Thailand. It is a cross border town. A
one-and-half hour away from Tachileik we arrive at Mai Pong, where we
can enjoy a boat tour of Mekong River.
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Kengtong (Kyaing – Tong)
 It
is the principal city of the Golden Triangle, located in the Shan State.
How to get there
One hour fly from Yangon. It takes longer by road, the roads being
rough.Border passing is allowed with border passes permission. Where to
stay and where to dine Kyaing Tong Hotel, Private Hotel, Princess Hotel,
etc….
Why so special
Around Kyaing Tong you can study at first hand the traditional
lifestyles of some of Myanmar’s indigenous races, such as Lahu, Lisu,
Ang ….. You can go trekking around their villages. Local guide service
is available. Overnight stay at villages of national groups is not
allowed. Visitors are requested not to give any gift in cash or kind
except antimalarial medicine and the like. A trip to Kyaing Tong
requires prior arrangements with the tour agencies for travel
permission.
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Kawthaung
 A
Thai-Myanmar border town formerly called Victoria Point in the
southernmost part of Myanmar. Over 800km from Yangon.
How to get there
One can take the flight from Yangon to Kawthaung via Dewai and Myeik
about 3hours. And then, can take the return flight at same day Kawthaung
to Yangon via Myeik and Dewai. Boat service can get you to Ranaung,
Thailand in 15 minutes.
Where to stay and where to dine
Accommodations at Andaman Club (Thahtaykyun hotel) and Kawhtaung Motel.
Transport by motorcycle and car available. There are many seafood
restaurants in Kawthaung.
Why so special
On the cape of Victoria Point stands the statue of Bayintnaung, one of
the best-known and ablest kings of Myanmar. Scenic beauties both on land
and the sea with shimmering islands.Andaman Club provides, recreational
facilities such as an 18-hole golf course, huge swimming pool, satellite
TV and IDD Service.Bird watching on Birds’ Nest Island among other
things of ecotourism interest. Underwater diving sites, Dolphin Training
Centre, Salon people, famous for their diving skills and Myanmar Andaman
Pearl Breeding Centre (where the world’s largest pearl was found in
April, 2001).
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Popa Mountain Park
 Located
in Kyaukpadaung Township Mandalay Division, Popa Mountain Park is 410
miles (656 km) from Yangon via Nyaung Oo to Popa 35 miles (56km).
How to get there
One can go to Popa Mountain by car or train. Another way, one can take
the flight to Nyaung Oo and proceed to Popa Mountain by car.
Where to stay and where to dine
There were Popa Mountain Resort and Min Min Soe guest house if you stay
in Popa Mountain Park.Ecosystem and RecreationFounded in 1983, Popa
Mountain Park covers 29.63 sq miles. You can study dry zone ecosystem,
natural hill forest and scenic beauty; geo-morphological features,
extinct volcano and volcanic plug; observe native traditional culture
and worships; study wild fauna such as leopard, barking deer, civits,
dusky leaf monkey and 175 species of residential bird, 30 species of
butterfly; observe plantation of medicinal plants; visit to the
Environmental Education Centre.
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Mrauk Oo
 Situated
in the northern part of Rakhine State, and north of Sittwe, capital of
the State.
How to get there
Take the flight from Yangon to Sittwe, from where you can go to Mrauk Oo
by regular passenger boat, taking about 5 hours, or special speed boat
with 20 seats takes only 2½ hours. It is also accessible from Sittwe by
road via Ponnakyun and Kyauktaw.
Where to stay and where to dine
Mrauk Oo Hotel, Wai Tha Li Hotel and only where Chinese and European
foods are available.
Why so special
Mrauk Oo is a 15th Century ancient city of Rakhine Kingdom, noted for
its old temples with paintings of Indian cultural influence. Situated
30km from Mrauk Oo is the Mahamuni Shrine, one of the famous pagodas in
Rakhine State. Worth sightseeing in Mrauk Oo are Shitthaung Pagoda,
Dukkanthein pagoda and Andawthein Pagoda.
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