The Capital of Myanmar. 350 sq km in area with a
population of over 5 million. Yangon is built on a spit of land surrounded on three sides by water. To the south and west the city is
bounded by the Hlaing and Yangon rivers, which flow out of the
Ayeyarwaddy into the Bay of Bengal to the east of the main
Ayeyarwaddy delta. In the east side of the city is the Pazundaung
Creek. Alaungphaya, the founder of the Third Myanmar Empire gave
Yangon its modern name. It means
“End of Conflict”.
Shwedagon Pagoda The great Shwedagon pagoda shimmers above the city of Yangon. The
highlight of any visit to Yangon, Shwedagon paya is located to the
north of central Yangon. Kipling called it ‘a golden mystery a
beautiful winking waking wonder’. The Golden Dagon is the essence of
Myanmar, and a place that never fails to enchant. It is almost 2300
years old and rises to a height of 326 ft . The pagoda platform
occupies an area of (14) acres and is covered with constructs of all
shapes and size. The gold of the Shwedagon’s stupa is indeed real
gold and over 5000 diamonds and diverse items of jewellery adorn the
top. The summit of the orb is crowned with a single 76 carat diamond.
Dawn and dusk are the best times to visit the Shwedagon when a misty
glow of the sun softens the timeless lines of the golden Taw Win
Travel 03 spires. Ralph Fitch, a 16th century merchant adventurer,
came to a simple conclusion: ‘It is the fairest place, as I suppose,
that is in the world’ he remarked.
Sule Pagoda Situated in the heart of city centre, Sule Pagoda makes an
excellent landmark. Maha Bandoola Park, within which stands the
Independence Obelisk, is on the left of the pagoda. The north and east
sides of the pagoda are dominated by beautiful Colonial buildings and
the City Hall.
Botataung Pagoda Close to Yangon river stands the Botataung Pagoda. The ancient 2300
yrs old monument was completely destroyed during the Second World War.
The pagoda was rebuilt with an unusual feature. Unlike most pagoda’
which are solid, it was constructed with
a hollow inside entirely lined
with glass mosaics, a sort of oriental Hall of Mirrors. The relics from
the original relic chamber are on display for devotees to venerate.
National Museum Has an impressive collection of regalia of the last Kings of
Myanmar and a display of gem studded swords, bowls, jewellery. The
fivestorey National Museum has 13 rooms with exhibits ranging from
Myanmar epigraphy and calligraphy to traditional folk arts, performing
arts, culture of the national races and national history, exquisite
royal jewellery. The museum also displays a fine collection of
paintings by acclaimed twentieth century Myanmar artists.
Other Pagoda Temples & Shrines
Maha Wizaya Pagoda Opposite the southern Shwedagon gateway dedicated in 1980 to
commemorate the purification of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar.
Kaba Aye Pagoda Constructed in 1952 for the world Sixth Buddhist Synod.
Maha Pasana Guha The “great cave” was artfully constructed close to the Kabe Aye
Pagoda for the World Sixth Buddhist Synod in 1954. The cave is used for
the conclave of monks on special Buddhist occasions.
Kheng Hock Keong The Largest Chinese temple in Yangon. It is supported by a Hokkien
Chinese Association.
Mossah Yeshua Synagogue Was founded over a hundred years ago by Sephardic Jews. Today
surviving Trustees maintain the synagogue.
Myanmar Gems Museum & Gem Market
The museum hoards the world’s largest Ruby, Sapphire, Jade and Pearl.
Other exhibits display gemstones from the raw to the polished. The
exhibition room on the third floor contains a selection of high carat
gem & jade of exceptional quality.
Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda
A Monumental 72 metre long reclining Buddha in a large metalroofed
house. It is only a short distance north-east of the Shwedagon Pagoda.
Zoological Gardens Originally developed in 1906 by the British Colonial administration
the 70 acres are nicely landscaped. The Zoo displays an impressive
diversity of animals from all over the world.
Around Yangon
Thanlyin & Kyauktan
Excursion across the Yangon river to Thanylin and on to Kyauktan pagoda
or mid river pagoda, since the complex is perched on a tiny island in
the middle of the river. Visit the ancient Kyaik-Khauk pagoda where you
can find interesting views of Shwedagon standing tall beside the city’s
few highrises.
Bago (Pegu) 80 km (50 miles) north east of Yangon and about 2 hours drive from
the centre of the city. Shwemawdaw pagoda, higher than the great Shwedagon pagoda, Shwethalyaung buddha, once lost and overgrown by
jungle. On the way back stop at Kyaikpun four enormous buddha sitting
back to back around a huge square pillar.
Kyaikhtiyo
A drive to Kyaikhtiyo via Bago to Kin Pun camp takes five hours. It is about 160 km from
Yangon. From the base is a 11 km uphill steep road which leads to the upper
starting point and the climb on foot begins, passing through an array of
vendors to reach kyaikhtiyo pagoda, a incredible balancing boulder which is 1,000 km above
sea level.
Pyay A seven hours drive 258 km northwest of Yangon. It is one of the most interesting early archaeology
sites. Visit extraordinary shaped pagodas, thought to date around 300 AD, by bullock cart.
Ahkauk Taung Cross Ayeyarwaddy River bridge in Pyay, then take a boat ride 45 minutes to marvel at the statue
of buddha carved along the ridge of Akauk Taung (Hill).
Ngwe Saung Beach Can be reached by from Yangon via Pathein. Well known for its beautiful white sand beach.
Chaungtha Beach Chaungtha is the nearest beach resort to Yangon. It is located in the Ayeyarwaddy Division, about
246 km and takes a 5 hr drive from Yangon also west of Pathein, on the Bay of Bengal. Fascinating at
hightide with fine, beige sand backed by coconut palms and casuarina trees.
MAWLAMYINE (MOULMEIN) From Kyaikhtiyo continue south through Thaton, it was the British colonial capital of Burma from 1827
to 1852. You can still find British colonial architecture with strong baroque flavors.
Kyaikthanlan Pagoda Mawlamyine City’s tallest and most visible site, is the most possible
candidate of Rudyard Kipling’s 06 Taw Win Travel
poem “the old moulmein pagoda, looking lazy at the sea” Below Kyaikthanlan is an old wooden monastery
known as Yadana Bon Myint.
Thanbyuzayat
30 km south of Mawlamyine was the western terminus of the Myanmar-Siam railway line that
crossed the bridge on the River Kwai in Thailand. It was here that thousands of Allied prisoners of
war lost their lives. Their cemetry is immaculately maintained by the Common wealth War Graves
Commission.
Kyaik Khami (Amherst) Located 9 km north east of Thanbyuzayat and 90 km south of Moulmein. Kyaikhami was a small
coastal resort and missionary centre during the British era. The main focus of Khaikhami is Yei Lei Paya,
a metal roofed Buddhist shrine complex, enjoying an outstanding location, perched on rocks lapped
by the sea and joined to the land.
Kyaikmaraw
24 km southeast of Mawlamyine, is a small charming town of mostly wooden houses hugged by
the banks of the Ataran River, a branch of the Than Lwin River Kyaikmaraw pagoda, a typical 15e
mon style temple with a huge Buddha with unusual sitting position of leg hanging down as if sitting on a
chair known as “ European pose”. Mawlamyine and surrounding area is rich in religious monuments.
Amongs them are Maha Mumi, Aung Thaikdi, U Khanti Paya. The most prominent is Uzena pagoda
with its figures of the Buddha in the different stages before attaining enlightenment.
Hpa-An
Capital of Kayin State. It is just an hours drive from Mawlamyaing by crossing Gyaing river. A very scenic
place, small but busy commercial centre. There are several caves with over 1000 Buddha images.
Hpa-an is famous for the typical karen buddhist village.
Setse
Setse beach lies about half way between Kyaikhami and Thanbyuzayat. It is on the Gulf of Mottama
( formely Martaban ) with a wide brown sand beach, lined by waving casuaruns trees.
Mudon
South of Mawlamyine is Mudon. Just off the road between Mawlamyine and Mudon are two interesting
hill top shrines at Kyauktalon Taung, a fantastic rock formation topped by a pagoda and
Yadana Taung.On Yadana Taung is a huge reclining Buddha measure around 160m in length making it the
largest such image in the world. The scenic Kandawgyi and Kandawlay is an ideal place for a leg stretch.
SITTWE (AKYAB)
The capital of Rakhine State, sits at the mouth of the Kaladan River where it empties into the Bay
of Bengal. The Point is a lovely spot to admire the view, especially at sunset. The Buddhist Museum
has a good collection of Rakhine style Buddha images.
Mrauk U
In the 16th century, Europeans called it ‘the city of Gold’. The temples and pagodas in Mrauk U
are unlike in Bagan that covers a vast plain. The ruins of Mrauk U sit on or against hill terrain. The major
sites are located in the North east. There are around 70 named temples, stupas or city wall sites
around Mrauk-U built in an architectural form entirely different from anywhere else. There are a great
many solid stupas hewn out of solid rocks but the most fascinating are the massive halls with long corridors
leading to the central depths.
Around Mrauk- U
The countryside around Mrauk-U is filled with fascinating sights. In the village of Nagyan is a
monastery with a marvellous view of the Lemro River.
Laung Yet City ( 11e. 14e )
said to have been covered by 8,000 pagodas. Several survive in good condition, in particular
Laymyathar, Lanpanprauk pagoda and Radananaung.
Wethali (Vesali)
Just 10 km north of Mrauk-U, Wethali ( 3e - 10e ) is the most interesting
of the old cities excavated by Myanmar’s archaelogical department. The palace itself
remains unexcavated, as a village presently occupies the site. The great
image of Hsu-Taung Pye, 5 metre Buddha and its pedestal are said to be made from one piece of
solid stone dated to 4e.
Shakama Village ( Chin Minority )
About 72 km from Mrauk-U, is a Chin Myo minorities village known for their tattooed
faces.
Ngapali Beach
Is one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, on the western coast of Myanmar and in the southern
part of Rakhine state. Miles and miles of silver sand lapped by the Bay of Bengal with little villages clustered
under the shade of the palm trees. The 3km Ngapali beach is near Thandwe and is about 35minutes
by air from Yangon. It can be reached by car after crossing the Ayeyarwady from Pyay, but it is a
rough 14 hour ride.With a climate of 29C in Summer and about 21C in the coldest month, Ngapali crystal
clear waters are a snorkeller’s paradise. The high season is from October to May.
a hollow inside entirely lined
with glass mosaics, a sort of oriental Hall of Mirrors. The relics from
the original relic chamber are on display for devotees to venerate.
than the great Shwedagon pagoda, Shwethalyaung buddha, once lost and overgrown by
jungle. On the way back stop at Kyaikpun four enormous buddha sitting
back to back around a huge square pillar.
sand beach. 
Burma from 1827
to 1852. You can still find British colonial architecture with strong baroque flavors.
was the western terminus of the Myanmar-Siam railway line that
crossed the bridge on the River Kwai in Thailand. It was here that thousands of Allied prisoners of
war lost their lives. Their cemetry is immaculately maintained by the Common wealth War Graves
Commission.
pose”. Mawlamyine and surrounding area is rich in religious monuments.
Amongs them are Maha Mumi, Aung Thaikdi, U Khanti Paya. The most prominent is Uzena pagoda
with its figures of the Buddha in the different stages before attaining enlightenment.
