Enchanting Yangon and Bagan

Welcome to Yangon - the biggest and most bustling city in Myanmar, a unique city in Southeast Asia with all nostalgic colors of time and culture reserved over centuries. If you are interested in colonial era architecture, a stroll down Yangon's colonial buildings will definitely blow you away by well-reserved images from the 20th century, with decaying facades filled with old paint and small trees squeezing through those little cracks. Moreover, proud of rich cultural tradition, Yangon will amaze you with plenty of spiritual relics where you can experience the importance of Buddhism to the Burmese’s lives: tranquil Chaukhtatgyi Temple containing an over-200-feet-long reclining Buddha, the octagonal-shaped 2500 year old pagoda Sule Pagoda located in the heart of the city, and especially the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda - the massive 99 meter high gold plated pagoda with the diamond studded spire on top of a small hill in downtown Yangon. And don’t miss chance to meditate in pagoda’s mystical atmosphere beautifully lit up after dark.

Being known as one of the successful empire over Myanmar history, Bagan is like a miniature representing ancient prosperity and power of Burma with over 2,000 well-preserved stupas, pagodas and temple. Entering the land and visiting main attractions, exquisite and graceful architecture offerred by aging monuments along with interesting stories behind will amaze any passionate travellers. Afternoon trip to Bagan lacquerware house is another worthwhile stop to see how finest lacquerware products are made all by hands and get to know why Bagan is the famous centre of thriving lacquerware industry in Burma.       

Drive to the banks of the Irrawaddy River and board in a private wooden motorboat on Aye Yar Jetty for upriver sailing to Kyauk Gu U Min, a remote temple located in quieter side of Bagan. The unique beauty of the temple appreciated by floral designed entrance, exquisite stone carvings depicting religious figures, inner-wall Buddha statues and the notable feature of light wells. There is also a cave found at the back of the temple since it was built against the site of precipitous cliff near the bank of mighty Irrawaddy river. Learn of the legend story behind this temple cave which was largely believed to be a shelter from the invading Mongols. While travelling slowly along the river, take your chance to capture fabulous views of riverside villages, fishermen and local boats passing by. 

Mt. Popa - a solitary peak topped by gold stupas, is well-known as the birth place of Myanmar’s ‘nats’ or spirits. (50 kilometers southeast from central Bagan ~ 1.5 hours to get there by car). To reach the top, you need to remove shoes and socks and climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the peak.  Along the way, there are a multitude of cunning monkeys expecting treats. Sometimes, these mischivous hosts can get a little aggressive so it's recommended to take well care of your possessions. Enjoy your reward once conquering the climb with glistening gold stupas of Taungkalat Monastery and nothing-can-beat views from the top.