Second popular Beach in Myanmar is Ngwe Saung Beach, on the western coast of Myanmar on the Bay of Bengal, directly west of Yangon It has become popular in just the last two or three years and the quality of the beach, sand and water is comparable of South East. Ngwe Saung Beach is located about 48 KM West of Pathein (Bassein).  It takes only about 5 hours drive from Yangon via Pathein.  Ngwe Saung Beach extends its warmest welcome to all visitors who wish to relax amidst the waving palms and balmy breezes of a truly memorable ocean resort.

Chaungthar

Chaung Thar Beach is located 40 km to the west of Pathein (Bassein) in Ayeyarwaddy Division. It is about 5 hrs drive from Yangon to Chaung Thar Beach.  Traditional bullock cart riding, horseback riding, cycling or simply walking along the shoreline will give you pleasant memories which will last a lifetime.

Ngapali

Ngapali is accessible by plane from Yangon to Thandwe, then continuing to the Beach via coach. Ngapali is one of the most beautiful and popular resort in Myanmar. It is 10 minutes drive from Thandwe (Mazin) airport. Thandwe is very ancient, and is said to have been at one time the capital of Rakhine State, and then called Arakan. The 10km long, Ngapali Beach invites you to swim, surf, snorkel and relax under palm trees fringing the seaside resort.

Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Myanmar. Located at 445 miles (716 km) north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River.

Mandalay is the economic hub of Upper Burma and considered the center of Burmese culture.  Has reshaped the city’s ethnic makeup and increased its economic dynamism.

Monywa

Monywa is a city in central Myanmar and situated on the eastern bank of the Chindwin Rive, Mandalay Division. It lays 136 km north-west of Mandalay along the Mandalay-Budalin branch railway line. Monywa serves as a major trade center for India and Burma through Kalay Myo road and Chindwin River.

Monywa Town

In Monywa town, there are busy markets, popular restuarants, a Degree College affiliated to Mandalay University, a Technical High School, and soon there will be an Institute of Economics, the second after the one in Yangon.

Monywa Hotel, now privatised, has comfortable four-room bungalows with attached amenities, all air-conditioned. centre, second only to Mandalay in the Upper Myanmar region.

Thanboddhay Pagoda

There are many different Buddha images, row upon row in ascending tiers in niches along the walls: the total number is 582, 257, an amazing figure! Unlike most of the pagodas in Myanmar, the entrance is not guarded by Chinthes, the mythical lions, but by statues of a pair of magnificent white elephants which are sacred and auspicious in Buddhist symbolism.

Thanboddhay is the only pagoda with this unique shape in the whole country. The square temple base (each side about 166 feet) which worshippers can enter is topped by receding terraces, with myriads of small stupas (864 in number) surrounding the central golden chedi, 132 feet in height.

Tourists can study and take photos of the twenty tagundaing, huge decorated pillars, and also big masonry fruits in the shape of bunches of bananas and coconuts, water melon, mangos, jackfruits, papaya and so on . These fruits are also objects of veneration for the local farmers.

If you can go at the beginning of the Myanmar month of Tazaungmone ( usually around November), you can see the annual pagoda festival, which goes on for several days when the villagers from all around come to enjoy the music and dancing, and buy from the various stalls set up by sellers from all over the country.

Pho Win Hill

The caves themselves contain Buddhist statues and murals dating to the 17th and 18th centuries. Most exhibit the Inwa style, though some may date as for back as the 14th to16th centuries. A covered stairway climbs a hill to the main cave shrine, but there are dozens of large and small caves in the area filled with old Buddha images.  

Amarapura

Amarapura lies on the left bank of the Ayarwaddy River. A suburb of Mandalay, it is also known as Taung-myo (Southern Town) or Myohaung (Old City). Amarapura means City of Immortality. Amarapura was the capital city of Myanmar, during the Konbaung Dynasty.  Amarapura is famous for the Silk Weaving Industry. Most of the Myanmar people are very proud to attend the cultural ceremonies with Achiek Longyi, mainly produced from Amarapura. Not very far from Mandalay city and accessible by car.

Interesting Places

U Bein Bridge

U Bein Bridge is about three quarter of a mile, crossing the Taung-tha-man Inn (lake). It is one of the most attractive spot for tourists. It is the longest teak bridge in the world and is about two centuries old.

This bridge became to be known as U Bein Bridge after the name of the donor, U Bein who was a clerk to the Mayor of Amarapura. It was constructed in 1849 from old planks and timber posts of dismantled houses in Sagaing and Inwa. It took nearly two years to finish, but since it was opened in 1851 it has constantly been in use by the people and in recent years by foreign visitors also.

Kyauktawgyi Pagoda

The Kyauktawgyi Pagoda was built by King Bagan in 1847 on the model of the Ananda Temple at Bagan.

It closely resembles the Ananda in exterior form but it falls short of the latter in construction and interior decoration. Unlike the Ananda, which has perfect vaulted roofs, the Kyauktawgyi has wooden rafters and beams, which account for the weakness of the structure. There is one principal image carved out of a single block of Sagyin marble. The walls in the east and south porches are adorned with paintings depicting many religious buildings erected by the donor and other kings in different parts of the country, and scenes from contemporary Burmese life.

Maymyo

Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin) is Burma’s best-known colonial hill station and a worthwhile 2-hours-trip from Mandalay. You can enjoy beautiful scenery, a cool climate and nostalgic atmosphere of former days with its old buildings and botanical gardens.   The town, with its brick and timber houses-complete with English-style gables, turrets and chimneys-remains as a ghost like memento of empire. Botanical Gardens were laid out by Sir Harcourt Butler, former Governor of Burma. The plants and trees are labelled in Latin and Burmese. A wide range of fruits (including strawberries), vegetables and coffee can be grown in Pyin U Lwin. There are few interesting sights to check out: the Pwe Kauk and Anisakan Falls .

Sagaing

Sagaing is a religious and monastic center, with numerous  Buddist Monestries. The pagodas and monasteries crowd the numerous hills along the ridge running parallel to the river.  Along the picturesque Sagaing hills beyond the town are over 600 monasteries for both monks and nuns. There can be nothing more sublime than to wander in these hills beneath a canopy of flowering trees, surrounded by the gentle murmur of chanting monks and nuns.

Taunggyi

Taunggyi is the capital of  Shan State. Taunggyi has a population of approximately 200,000, making it the fourth largest city in Myanmar and is at an elevation of 4,590 feet (1,400 m) above sea level.   Although within the Shan State, the Shans are not the predominant population of this city. The Inthas and the Pa-Os form the most visible population. Taunggyi lies within the Myelet region of Shan State.

Kakku Pagodas

One of the Asia’s largest and most spectacular ancient monuments is a wonderful Pagoda named Kakku. It contains over 2,000 stupas with origins dating back many centuries. For many centuries, the Pa-Oh has lived in peace,cultivating their land and devoting much of their energy and limited wealth to creating monestries and pagodas

Inle

The lake is inhabited by Intha people, who take their name from the word meaning “sons of the lake.” Their villages of bamboo and wooden dwellings are situated in the midst of the lake, perched on stilts   . This is the only place in the world where flower and vegetable gardens float, created by joining beds of water hyacinth and flotsam   .

Pindaya

Pindaya is a town in the Shan State of Myanamar. It is located in the west of the state in Pindaya Townshipin Taunggyi District. Mainly famous for its limestone caves called Pindaya Caves where thousands of Buddha images have been consecrated for worship over the centuries, it is also one of the towns that host an itinerant market every fifth day.

Kalaw

Kalaw was a popular British hill station. It has an interesting mix of Colonial, Muslim and Shan architecture. It’s peaceful and quiet and an ideal place for trekking into the surrounding hills. The plateau near Kalaw is inhabited by people of the Palaung and Pa-O (Black Karren) tribes. Tribes people come into town on Kalaw’s market day and sleeping in their long houses on an overnight trek is an unique experience.

Nyaung Shwe

Nyaung Shwe is near the marvelous Inle Lake. Inle Lake is situated in Nyaung Shwe Township. To visit Nyaung Shwe, one has to take a flight from Yangon to Heho then pass Shwe Nyaung and reach Nyaung Shwe.

Mrauk Oo

Mrauk oo is the ancient capital of Rakhine State and 65 km upstream by boat from Sitwe on increasingly narrow water and give a sense of time and place to lovely area in the foot hill of the Moutains.Once in Mrauk oo, its 150 or so temples stand atop, under and between rounded hill rocks.

Mawlamyine is the third largest city in Myanmar. It is the capital of Mon State with a population of almost 300,000 people. Formerly known as Moulmein. The town’s signature landmark is Kyaikthanlan pagoda built in 875 AD . Mawlamyine is generally considered to be off the main tourist trail for most travellers to Myanmar but the town does have a charm of its own with its rich history, buildings with colonial style architecture

Hpa An – Kayin State

Hpa-an is a capital of Kayin State. Recently removed from the restricted list of travel destinations. Possible to reach it by road from Yangon across a new Bridge ( Thanlwin ) over the Thanlwin River. Hpa-an is small town but busy commerce center you can see farmer coming to town in horsecarts or trishaws stacked with baskets or mas to sell in the market. Most of people are Kayin.

Interesting Places

Mt.Zwegabin

The Zwekabin Hill has a very unusual shape, which, once seen, is not easily forgotte  . It is a very beautiful hill. It is the land mark of the Kayin state.

Ingyin Tahtaung

Kyauk Kan Latt

Rangoon, is a former capital of Myanmar and the capital of Yangon Division. population of over 5 million people, it remains the largest city and main economic hub of Myanmar . A visit to that city will impress the guest due to it splendor, magnificent, symmetric architectural style. The visitor can also see Buddhists devotees from all walks of life who came there to pay homage to the pagoda, and to offer flowers, pouring meritorious water at respective cardinal posts , burning incense sticks and candles

Thanlyin

Thanlyin (formerly, Syriam) is a major port city of Myanmar, located across Bago River from the city of Yangon. Thanlyin Township comprises 17 quarters and 28 village tracts. It is home to the largest port in the country, Thilawa port. Thanlyin makes a good day trip destination.

Most people travel to Thanlyin to see the impressive Kyauktan Ye Le Pagoda, which is located approximately 20kms to the south of the city on a small island in Hmaw Won Creek. This pretty temple complex contains a grand collection of artwork.

Twante

A boat cruise toTwante(24 km from Yangon) along the Twante Canal takes about two hours. To get there, you hop in one of the innumerable ferries crossing the Yangon river to Dallah and travel to Twante. The trip usually last about 45 minutes. If you go by land, you will encounter a serene landscape of vast paddy fields, the occasional rice mill and a pagoda or two rising from the hillock amidst the fields. Thus it is quite a contrast with Yangon with its noisy streets, hustle and bustle scene and dynamic activities. One can travel by public jeep from Dallah (on the opposite bank of theYangon River). The former mode of transport is slower but provides a glimpse of life on and along the famous canal, which was dug during the colonial era as a short cut across the Ayeyarwaddy Delta.  The pots are made in Oh-bo village south of canal, in huge thatched -roof sheds.

Bago

From Yangon, leave in the morning by car to see the sights in Bago (which are quite far apart) and you can stop at Taukkyan on the way. Bago formerly Pegu, is a city and the capital of Bago Division in Myanmar . It is located 50 miles (80 km) from Yangon and has a population of 220,000.

The Kyaiktiyo or golden Rock Pagoda

Kyaiktiyo is one of the famous destination in Myanmar. May even be one of the most famous  place of Buddhist pilgrimage in Asia. To get there one must first travel to the town of Kyaikhto which is about 160 kilometers from Yangon. Another 15 kilometers by road takes the visitor to Kinponsakhan, the base camp for the ascent. From here it used to be a 12 kilometer climb to the top. This pagoda is lying about 3,600 feet above sea level.

Day1.   Arrive Yangon  (one night)
Day2.   Yangon to Bagan (one night)
Day3.   Bagan to Mandalay(one night)
Day4.   Mandalay to Inle (one night)
Day5.   Inle to Yangon (one night)
Day6.   Yangon Departure

Yangon is  the  former capital and the largest  city of Myanmar ( Burma ). Formerly known as Rangoon, the city derived its name from the two words yan and koun, which mean “enemies” and “run out of”. It was founded in the 500s as Dagon, a small fishing village by the Mon, an ethnic group that dominated the lower portions of the country. In 1753, King Alaungpaya, who captured Lower Burma, changed the name of the city from Dagon to Yangon. The British Empire seized the city in 1852, after it suffered major destruction in the Second Anglo-Burmese War. The British made the city into the commercial and political hub of Burma and with this by 1900s, Yangon grew further to possess the public services and infrastructure equal to that of London

The country attained independence in 1948.The English name Rangoon was changed to Yangon in 1989. It was an underdeveloped city but is now the economic center of Myanmar ( Burma ). Today, the city holds the largest number of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia.

Day 1. Arrive at Yangon

Upon arrival, a warm welcome and who will arrange your transfer to your hotel for check in.

If you arrived by mid day flight, a walk through “downtown” Yangon, a diverse mix of faded colonial architecture from the British times, and high-rises built by more recent investors; Sule Pagoda, built in the early 3rd century is a landmark in the city centre.

At  evening visit to Myanmar’s most revered Shwedagon Pagoda – a 2500 years old world famous Golden Stupa where the dome rises 98 meters above its base and richly layered with 60 tons of pure gold along with numeric precious stones such as jade, ruby, sapphire and diamond including a 76 carat solid diamond on its top, One of the wonders of the world!

Day 2. Yangon to Bagan

This morning we head for the airport to get the early morning flight to Bagan. Check into the hotel and depart for a sightseeing excursion around the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area.

Bagan includes Nyaung Oo market, Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas, Kyansittha Umin; Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite mural painting of 13th century and Htilominlo Temple.
In the evening, enjoy the breath-taking sunset from one of the temples of Bagan. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.

Day 3. Bagan to Mandalay

After breakfast, transfer by car and guide to Nyaung-U airport for flight to Mandalay. When you arrive at Mandalay airport, you will be driven to ancient capital of Amarapura, two-century old U-Bein teak bridge on the Taungthaman Lake and observe the lunch procession of hundreds of monks who take their last meal of the day at 10:00 am in total silence.

Proceed to Mandalay and check in at the hotel.
After refreshment, you will take a sightseeing tour of Mandalay. Mandalay is the last capital of Myanmar and that make her to be the best place to see all the traditional arts and crafts. Continue to visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world’s largest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha’s Doctrine; Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and enjoy the panoramic evening sunset view of the city from Mandalay Hill. From there, proceed to Maha Muni Pagoda as you will be imcomplete without visiting this pagoda. Overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.

Day 4. Mandalay to Heho to Inle Lake

After breakfast, depart from the hotel for flight to Heho on the Shan plateau.  Transfer by car from the airport to Inle Lake jetty and from there, transfer to our hotel by long tail boat across the lake. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon, we plan to spend the day visiting villages and sampling the spectacular array of traditional handicrafts. You will see the unique method of locals rowing their boats with thieir legs, fishermen with their own style of fishing, floating farms and gardens and a handloom weaving cottage with its own showroom. You will visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda which houses the five most revered Buddha Images in the southern Shan State and also the jumping car monestary. Overnight at the hotel on Inle Lake.

Day 5. Inle to Yangon

After breakfast, transfer to Heho airport for flight to Yangon. Upon arrival at Yangon airport, transfer will be provided to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit by car to Karaweik, a royal barge for fantastic photo shot along the “pilgrims” causeway across the Royal Lake with stunning views of Shwedagon Pagoda and visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for souvenir shopping. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 6. Yangon departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

Tour price according to hotel choice.

Yangon

Day  1:   Arrive Yangon airport and welcome by Fortunate Travel and Tours’ guide
Check-in at the hotel
Half-day sightseeing in Yangon with car and guide
Stay overnight at hotel

Yangon – Bago

Day 2:    After breakfast, leave for Bago with car and guide
Full-day sightseeing at Bago with car and guide
Meals at restaurant (own settlement)
Stay overnight back at hotel(Yangon)

Yangon – Mandalay

Day 3:    After breakfast, check-out from hotel and leave to Yangon airport with car
Arrive to Mandalay and pick-up by car and guide
Sightseeing Mandalay and enjoy evening sunset view from Mandalay hill with car and guide
Stay overnight back at the hotel

Mandalay

Day 4:    After breakfast, sightseeing Sagaing, Inwa, Amarapura and U Pein bridge with car and guide
Stay overnight back at hotel

Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin

Day 5:    After breakfast, day trip to Pyin Oo Lwin (formally known as May Myo, Hill Station)
Visit cental market, small waterfall and the famous botanical garden
Return to Mandalay and enjoy your free evening (own arrangement)
Stay overnight back at hotel

Mandalay – Bagan

Day 6:    Transportation from hotel to Mandalay airport by car
Arrive at Bagan airport and pick-up by car and guide
Check-in at the hotel and half-day sightseeing with car and guide at Bagan
Stay overnight back at hotel

Bagan

Day 7:    Full-day sightseeing at Bagan and Mt. Popa with car and guide
Stay overnight back at hotel

Bagan – Inle

Day 8:    After breakfast, check-out from hotel and go to Bagan Airport with car and guide
At the Heho airport, car and guide will pick up to transport you to Nyaung Shwe Jetty
From Nyaung Shwe Jetty to Inle by boat
Check-in at hotel
Half-day Sightseeing Inle lake with boat and guide
Stay overnight back at hotel

Inle

Day 9:    After breakfast, full-day sightseeing Inle lake with boat and guide
Stay overnight back at hotel

Inle – Yangon

Day 10: Transportation from hotel to Heho airport by boat and car
Pick up at Yangon airport with car to hotel
Stay overnight at hotel

Yangon

Day 11: Free day and can do things as you like by own arrangement and settlement
Transfer to Yangon airport by car

( 13 days and 12 nights )

Yangon

Day 1:    Arrive to Yangon airport and welcome by Fortunate Way Travel and Tours’ guide and car
Check-in at the hotel
Half-day sightseeing with car and guide
Stay overnight back at the hotel

Yangon – Mandalay

Day 2:    After breakfast, check-out from hotel and leave to Yangon airport with car
Arrive to Mandalay and pick-up by car and guide
Sightseeing Mandalay and enjoy evening sunset view from Mandalay hill with car and guide
Stay overnight back at the hotel

Mandalay

Day 3:    After breakfast, sightseeing Sagaing, Inwa, Amarapura and U Pein bridge with car and guide
Stay overnight back at hotel

Mandalay -Bagan

Day 4:    Transportation from hotel to Mandalay airport by car
Arrive at Bagan airport and pick-up by car and guide
Check-in at the hotel and half-day sightseeing with car and guide at Bagan
Stay overnight back at hotel

Bagan

Day 5:    Full-day sightseeing at Bagan and Mt. Popa with car and guide
Stay overnight back at hotel

Bagan

Day 6:    Enjoy hot-air balloon ride at Bagan (own arrangement and settlement)
Stay overnight back at hotel

Bagan – Pindaya

Day 7:    Transportation from hotel to Bagan airport by car
Arrive Heho airport and pick up by car and guide
Check-in at one of the Pindaya hotel
Full-day sightseeing Pindaya cave and Kalaw
Stay overnight back at hotel

Pindaya

Day 8:    After breakfast, check-out from hotel
Start trekking with car and guide
After trekking, take a rest and continue to Yauksakyi village where hill tribes Palaung live
Stay overnight at a monastery at Yauksakyi village

Pindaya – Inle

Day 9:    After breakfast at the monestary, climb down to Pindaya and car and guide with take you to  Nyaung Shwe Jetty to Inle hotel
Can enjoy sightseeing with boat and guide
Stay overnight back at hotel

Inle

Day 10: After breakfast, full-day sightseeing Inle lake with boat and guide
Stay overnight back at hotel

Inle – Thandwe

Day 11: Transportation to Heho airport by boat and car
Hotel car will pick-up at the Thandwe airport

Arrive Ngapali and check-in at hotel
Stay overnight back at hotel

Thandwe – Yangon

Day 12: Transportation from Thandwe hotel to airport

Yangon

Day 13: Transportation from hotel to Yangon airport with car

Itinerary for Golden Rock, Bago, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle

(10 days / 9 nights)

Yangon

Day  1: Arrive Yangon airport and welcome by Fortunate Travel and Tours’ guide
Check-in at the hotel
Half-day sightseeing in Yangon with car and guide
Stay overnight at hotel

Yanong – Kyaikhtiyo

Day 2: After breakfast, leave for Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) by car and guide
Stay overnight at Mountain Top hotel

Kyaikhtiyo – Bago – Yangon

Day 3:    After breakfast, climb down the mountain and leave for Yangon
On the way back to Yangon, sightseeing Bago
Stay overnight back at the hotel in Yangon

Yangon – Bagan

Day 4:    After breakfast, check-out from hotel early in the morning to go to Airport
Leave from Yangon airport to Bagan Airport
At Bagan, airport pickup will be made by car and guide
Check-in at the hotel
Full-day sightseeing with car and guide or by your own arrangement
Stay overnight at hotel

Bagan

Day 5:    After breakfast, hot-air balloon ride(own arrangement)
Sightseeing with own arrangement
Stay overnight at the hotel

Bagan – Mandalay

Day 6:    After breakfast, check-out from hotel and go to airport by car only
Arrive to Mandalay and pick up by car and guide
Sightseeing at Sagaing, Innwa, Amarapura and U Pein bridge with car and guide
Lunch and dinner at restaurants (own settlement)
Stay overnight back at hotel

Mandalay

Day 7:    After breakfast, half-day sightseeing at Mingun
Boat fare for sightseeing at Mingun(direct settlement)
Continue the rest of the day sightseeing at Mandalay Hill and around Mandalay
Stay overnight back at hotel

Mandalay – Inle

Day 8:    After breakfast, check-out from hotel and go to Mandalay Airport with car and guide
At the Heho airport, car and guide will pick up to transport you to Nyaung Shwe Jetty
From Nyaung Shwe Jetty to Inle by boat
Check-in at hotel
Half-day Sightseeing Inle lake with boat and guide
Stay overnight back at hotel

Inle

Day 9:    After breakfast, full-day sightseeing Inle lake with boat and guide
Stay overnight back at hotel

Inle – Yangon

Day 10: Transportation from hotel to Heho airport by boat and car
Pick up at Yangon airport with car to hotel
Stay overnight at hotel

Yangon

Day 11: Free day and can do things as you like by own arrangement and settlement
Transfer to Yangon airport by car

The Shwe-Maw-Daw Pagoda:

Was originally build by the Mon to a height to 23 meters in the 8^th century and was rebuilt higher several times until it finally reached its present 114 meter stature in 1954. Visitors can see in the Pagoda Museum a number of ancient Buddha images of stone and bronze found in the damaged top part of the pagoda after the earthquakes.

Shwe-Tha-Lyaung:

Is the large reclining image of the Buddha, 180 feet in length and 52.5 feet in height. This is one of the largest reclining Buddha images in the world. Traditionally, it was believed to have been built by King Migadipa in AD 944. It was restored by Ramadhipatiraja (1472-1492) but later `lost’. Rediscovered in 1880 and restored again several times to bring it to this condition.

Hintakone Pagoda:

Tradition has it that Hinthakone is the hill where the two sacred mythical ducks called nintha(Hamsa) alighted, when only the very top of the hill was above the ocean. The name Hantha-wadi or Hamsavati by which Bago and her kingdom were known, originated from this name. It has good views over Bago from the hill top.

Leave the hotel after breakfast for Bago by air-con saloon car. It takes one and half hours’ drive to reach Bago. Sightseeing Bago

Return to Yangon. On the way, lunch at Kyaw Zwa Restaurant in Bago.