Yangon (Rangoon)
The largest metropolis on the country, Yangon (Formerly Rangoon), the commercial and intellectual capital of the country, is a surprisingly bustling city, with British era colonial architecture overlooking some of the busiest open air markets, the best of local cuisine and historic stupas sharing space with majestic shrines and temples, mosques and churches. Tour the the iconic Shwedagon Paya, the sacred Buddhist shrine with its golden leaves and diamond studded stupa, is the centerpiece of the city, the Inya Lake – the largest artificial lake created by the British in Yangon, is one of the most picturesque sites in the city and also houses a Yangon sailing club, the National museum housing artifacts and opulent daily life objects of the Royal family of Burma, the Kandawgyi Lake, also an artificial lake of the colonial era, with a boardwalk and a floating shrine of the saint Bodhisattva is another prominent open air space popular with locals. Apart from the shrines, open air spaces and historic colonial structures, Yangon also offers great experiences related to the traditional culture of Myanmar like thee Htwe Oo Myanmar Traditional Puppet Theatre that stages classical folk stories of Myanmar with an English explanation; and the Hla Day – a group of social enterprise shops showcasing the finest in traditional arts, handicrafts, jewelry, toys and home ware, are best places to visit to get the first hand encounter of the life and times in Myanmar!
Bagan (Pagan)
After the urban charms of Yangon (Rangoon), the next pit stop is the historical temple town of Baganalso on the banks of Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, has the highest concentration of Buddhist temples and also once the capital of the ancient Pagan kingdom occupies an impressive 26 sq. miles, of the Bagan Archeological Zone a millennium old structure with three stories, exhibiting some of the rare Bagan period artifacts, including the original Myazedi inscriptions and the Rosetta stone of Burma. Apart from the archeological highlights, the city is also very well known for its stunning lacquer ware tradition and is a great place to buy some authentic souvenirs.
Mandalay
Probably the most beautiful city of Myanmar, Mandalay can be easily called the cultural capital of the country. Once the epicenter of art, culture, religion and a trade, today known for its finest universities and the most advanced healthcare services available in the country. Among its many iconic landmarks is the Mandalay hill – a 760 ft strategic viewpoint, passing through a stairway with over a dozen shrines en route, offering the most spectacular orange views of the city under a setting Sun. The authentic experience of Mandalay will be incomplete without the flavor of the streets – the Cheroot smoke and the tea shops, crowded jade markets with traders haggling as if keeping up an old tradition, and a lifestyle so rustic and simple, that you will be tempted to experience the joys of a ride on a bullock cart or a cart driven by men! All in all, Mandalay is Myanmar opening up its heart!
Pindaya
Pindaya, in the heart of the western Shan State of Myanmar, is fast gaining popularity as a perfect rural getaway, complete with nature trails and trek routes into the heartland of Myanmar. It is also one of the many sacred Buddhist sites, with thousands of Buddhas consecrated for worship in the magnificent limestone caves, called the Shwe Oo Min Natural Cave pagoda or the Pindaya caves. For a small town that is flocked every year by thousands of tourists and pilgrims, Pindaya has miraculously managed to retain its rustic, authentic Burmese charm. Apart from Pindaya, the sleepy villages of Danu,Palaung and Pa-O are also drawing crowds of tourists for their off-beat and rustic settings and a charming yesteryears lifestyle. With some excellent trails and treks and a landscape of colorful patchwork of farmlands, the view could easily be mistaken for a warm, European afternoon setup. With transport options from a bicycle or a bullock cart, practically no commercial eateries and a warm and friendly local population with open doors to host travelers for meals, it is a trip to a different era when humanity still meant brotherhood and warmth!
Inle Lake Region
Popular for the most dramatic water landscape in Myanmar, the Inle lake is 13.5 miles long and seven miles wide paradise fringed by marshes and floating gardens, with stilt-house villages and Shrines rising above the water. Watching the famous Intha fisher folk row their boats with the unique technique of leg rowing through the bustling markets is a captivating site, right outside of a movie set! Surrounding the lake are hills lined with villages belonging to the Burmese minority clans of Shan, Pa-O, Taung Yo, Danu, Kayah and Danaw; often seen actively interacting with vendors on the floating 5 days a week market, stocking up their supplies. The Inle lake region is also home an exotic vineyard – the first in the country, is located at an elevation of 429 ft on a hill overlooking the lake, daily hosts torus and wine tasting sessions for tourists. The Shwe Thein Paya, a complex of over 1000 stupa’s from the 17th & 18th century, offer great views of the lake and the valley. Another interesting visit recommended includes the intriguing ‘Jumping Cat’ monastery or the Nga Hpe Kyaung, known for its cats that were trained to leap through hoops during scripture recitals. Although there is not much of a cat show anymore, the monastery does house a collection ancient Buddha images, housed in the Tibetan style of statues on wooden meditation halls. All in all, the Inle lake region is the perfect crescendo to the symphony that is Myanmar!
