Destinations

Amarapura

Situated about 11 km south of Mandalay, Amarapura is an ancient capital of the Konbaung Dynasty. Places of interest include the Patodawgyi Pagoda, U Bein Bridge (1208 metres long), silk and cotton weaving workshops and Maha Gandayon Monastery.

U Bein Bridge

Ava (Inwa)

Ava lies 20 km south west of Mandalay. Founded by the Shan King Thadominbya in 1364, it remained the royal capital for almost 5 centuries. Visitors cross the river on a ferry and ride around the sites of Ava in a horse-drawn pony cart. Highlights include the Nanmyint Watchtower, Bagaya Teak wood Monastery, Maha Aungmye Bonzan, Htilaingshin Paya and the workshop making lacquer alms bowls for monks.

Maha Aungmye Bonzan

Bagan

The temples, stupas and pagodas of Bagan are the most impressive relics of the first period of Myanmar greatness. Situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River, Bagan covers more than 42 square kilometers. More popularly known as the “city of four million pagodas”, Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia, and today is considered one of the wonders of the world. Bagan is famous for its unique lacquer ware and travellers can visit the workshops to watch craftsmen produce these beautiful handicrafts. 

Bagan

Bago (Pegu)

An ancient city of the 15th century Mon Kingdom, Bago is one of the richest archaeological sites in Myanmar. It is situated 80 km from Yangon and is a two hour drive through the countryside - a convenient day excursion. Recommended tour highlights include Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Kalyani Sima Ordination Hall, Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha, Bago Market and the Htaukkyant Allied War Cemetery.

Bago

Bhamo

Situated beside the Ayeyarwaddy River on the way to Myitkyina, Bhamo is a colorful trading town of river boats with a unique mixture of tribes and near the 5th century ruins of the trading city of Sampanago.

Bhamo

Heho

The airport for Southern Shan State, Taunggyi and Inle Lake is situated in Heho. Heho also has a very colorful 5 Day Market in which the cattle market is especially interesting. Visitors can easily visit in the morning when arriving at the airport on market days.

Heho Market

Inle Lake

Inle Lake is situated 1328 metres above sea level and is surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Shan State. Inle Lake is well known for its floating villages and gardens, traditional handicrafts and silk weaving, colorful markets and the native Intha people whose one legged rowers compete each year during the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival in September / October.

Inle Lake

Kalaw

Kalaw, which lies about 71 km west of Taunggyi, is a beautiful hill station surrounded by pine trees and forests. There are several interesting hill tribe villages in the area including the Palaung and Pa-O tribes. These people are known for their very colourful costumes and friendly faces.

Kalaw Market

Kak Ku

Kak Ku, 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 until recently, these exquisite monuments can now be visited. A day trip from Inle Lake is sufficient.

Kak Ku

Kawthaung

Kawthaung, the Southen most Town in Myanmar (420 nautical mile or 800 km far away from Yangon, and 2,000 km from the country’s most northern tip), formerly known as Victoria Point, is one of the entry ports into Myanmar and is only separated from Thailand by a broad estuary in the Pakchan River. Across the river is the border town of Ranong, Thailand. Kawthaung is 5 nautical miles from Ranong and it takes only 30 minutes from Ranong by long tail boat for sightseeing and shopping. The main business of Kawthaung is trade with Thailand, fishing, rubber and cashew nuts. Most Kawthaung residents speak Burmese and Thai. A huge bronze statue of King Bayintnaung, one of the great Myanmar kings, out-fitted in full battle regalia with brandishing a sword stand at the crest of a hill on the cape. A spectacular sea and island view from a hilltop pagoda known as the Three Mile Pagoda is located in a fishing village five kilometers north of town. Pyi Taw Aye Pagoda is also the most famous pagoda in Kawthaung.

Islands in Mergui Archipelago

Kyaikhtiyo (The Golden Rock)

Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda is located about 160 km from Yangon. Rising 1100 metres above sea level, this small golden stupa stands on the top of a huge gold-gilded boulder. This Golden Rock is precariously perched on the edge of the hill and is a place of important pilgrimage for Buddhists.

Kyaikhtio Pagoda

Kyaingtong (Kengtung)

Kyaingtong, in the easternmost part of Shan State near the Chinese and Thai border, is an old colonial town and the centre for the Wa, Shan, Akha, Anh, Akhu and Lahu hill tribes. The town is surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains and offers travellers a chance to visit the remote villages of this peaceful trading town.

A Market in Kyaingtong

Kyaukme & Hsipaw

On the road to Lashio, Kyaukme and Hsipaw are neighboring towns in the cool Shan valley. Both towns are very picturesque and offer unique styles of Shan and Burmese architecture. The Bawgyo Pagoda, Aungzedhi Monastery and the town markets are popular sites to visit. Near these towns are the Shan paper making workshops.

Lashio

Lashio is the trading centre for northern Shan State at the beginning of the famous Burma Road leading into China. From Mandalay you can reach Lashio by road in a day. Lashio has one of the most colorful markets in Myanmar. Each morning Chinese, Wa, Shan, Myanmar, Lisu and Palaung nationalities gather for their daily shopping. It is a mountain town at 855 metres. Quan Yin San Chinese Temple, hot springs and New Pyi Lon Chan Tha Paya are among some of the places to visit.

Gokhtiek Viaduct

Mandalay

Mandalay was founded in 1857 as the capital by King Mindon and remained the capital city of the Konboung, Myanmar’s last dynasty. The Mandalay Palace boasts finely built palace walls and a beautiful moat surrounding this fortress. Moreover, Mandalay is not only an important city for Burmese culture, but the principle centre for Buddhism studies in Myanmar. Mandalay’s monasteries and pagodas are of great religious significance to all Myanmars. Recommended tour highlights include Buffalo Point, marble carvers, gold leaf pressing, colorful Zeycho Market, Shwenandaw Golden Palace Monastery, Kuthodaw Pagoda and Mandalay Hill.

Mandalay Palace

Mawlamyine (Moulmein)

On the southern coast lies Mawlamyine, a picturesque old colonial town once an important teak port. Places of interest in this area include the Mahamuni & Uzina Pagodas, Kipling’s Kyaikthanlan Pagoda and the Mon Cultural Museum. Nearby places of interest include Setse Beach; Kyaikhami (Amherst) - a seaside resort with its Yele Pagoda perched over the sea; and Thanbyuzayat where the cemetery for World War II’s allied prisoners of war who died while building the infamous ‘Death Railway’.

Mawlamyine

Mingun

Mingun is 11 km upriver from Mandalay on the western bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is noted for the Mingun Paya, a huge unfinished pagoda, Myatheindan Pagoda and a gigantic 90-ton bell - the largest uncracked ringing bell in the world. The 45 minute boat trip to Mingun is a very pleasant way to see the life along the Ayeyarwaddy River.

Mingun Stupa

Mogok

Roughly 200 km north of Mandalay, Mogok is famous for its gem mines of rubies and sapphires. The town is nestled in a valley at over 1000 m around a large lake - the weather is cool. Visits to the mines can be arranged. Mogok means ‘ruby land’.

Mogok

Monywa

Monywa, about 140 km to the west of Mandalay is a commercial centre of the Chindwin Valley. Bodhi-ta-taung Pagoda (one thousand Bo trees), a 300 foot long reclining Buddha, Kyauka Shweguni Pagoda and lacquer ware village, Thanbodhyi Pagoda ( with over 500,000 Buddha images), and Shwe Ba Hill and the famous caves of Po Win Daung across the river are major tourist attractions. Monywa is about a 3 hour drive from Mandalay.

Bodhi-ta-taung Pagoda

Mt. Popa

Mt. Popa, a one hour drive from Bagan on the road to Mandalay, rises 1520 metres into the sky. Climbing to the summit takes about 45 minutes and you can visit the Mahagiri Shrine dedicated to the “Nats” (spirits) at the top. There is a wonderful panoramic view. This is an easy day’s journey from Bagan stopping along the way at local villages and a palm tree plantation.

Mt. Popa

Mrauk-U

The ruins of Mrauk-U are located up the Kaladan River, about 80 km north of Sittwe, the present day capital of Rakhine State. It was an ancient capital founded by Rakhine King Minzawmun in 1433. Unlike the temples of Bagan, Mrauk-U’s ruins are constructed with stone rather than the traditional bricks in a truly unique style.

Mrauk U

Myitkyina

Myitkyina is the capital of Kachin State and is set in a broad valley surrounded by the northern hills of Myanmar. This land offers forested hills and beautiful rivers where nature’s trees, fauna and flora abound. Walking and hiking are a very popular way to see the area. We can also visit Indawgyi Lake, jade mines and Myit-son - the very start of the legendary Ayeyarwady River- and we can see a number of hill tribes in the Myitkyina market.

Lisu Girl

Ngapali Beach (Thandwe)

In Rakhine State Ngapali Beach stretches for over 3 km along the northern coast. During the dry season from October through May, Ngapali becomes a popular beach resort for locals and visitors alike offering clean sand and clear water and peace and quiet for all. Easily reachable by flights from Yangon.

Ngapali Beach