Myanmar Attractions |
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Yangon (Rangoon)Yangon lies in the fertile delta country of southern Myanmar on the wide
Yangon River about 30km (19mi) from the sea. Although the population hovers
around 4 million, the city seems so full of trees and shade that some
neighborhoods are practically jungle, giving it a totally different feel
from other Asian cities of
Yangon is home to the gold-plated Shwedagon Paya, which dominates the city from its hilltop site. Legend has it that the original stupa was built to enshrine eight of Buddha's hairs. Today's mighty monument was built in the 18th century and is surrounded by an incredible assortment of statues, temples, shrines, images and pavilions. The Shwedagon was called 'a beautiful winking wonder' by Kipling and it truly is a magical place. Other sights include the colonial architecture of the legendary Strand Hotel, the colossal reclining Buddha in Chaukhtatgyi Paya and the peaceful Kandawgyi and Inya Lakes. Pro-democracy landmarks include the Martyr's Mausoleum and Aung San Suu Kyi's House. Since the privatization of the hotel industry in 1993, there has been an explosion of hotel and guesthouse development in Yangon. The cheapest guesthouses are near the river in the western part of the city, and there are other clean and friendly options near the railway station. The best authentic Burmese cuisine is in the Shwedagon Paya area, but there are lots of places around the city centre. Be aware that hardly any food is available anywhere in the city after about 9 pm. Apart from the impossibly crowded buses, getting around Yangon is not too difficult. Myanmar's version of the trishaw (sai-kaa) is good for short trips; catch a car taxi or one of the many tiny three-wheeled Mazdas for anything longer.
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BaganThis bewildering, deserted city of fabulous pagodas and temples on the
banks of the Ayeyarwady is one of the wonders of Asia. Bagan's period of
grandeur stretched from the 11th to the 13th centuries, and an enormous
number of magnificent buildings were constructed here. The city was sacked
by Kublai Khan in 1287 and never rebuilt. There are some 5000 temples, the
most interesting of which are Ananda, Thatbyinnyu and Gawdawpalin.
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Bago (Pega)
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Mandalay
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comparable size. At night, Yangon's wide
boulevards come alive with hordes of stalls selling delicious food and piles
of huge cigars. If you can close your eyes to the decay of the old colonial
architecture downtown, you'll probably agree that this is one of the most
charming cities in Asia.
Sedona
Hotel Yangon
The country’s ancient city of Bagan (or Pagan, founded 874 AD) is a
historical wonder that’s been overlooked by Western historians and
travellers. The flat, semi-barren central plains here are dotted with brick
structures as far as the eye can see – most are almost a thousand years old.
During the Mon dynasty, Bago was a fabulous city, a major seaport and
capital of lower Myanmar. The city was destroyed by the Burman in 1757 but
partially restored in the early 19th century. When the Bago River changed
its course and cut the city off from the sea, Bago failed to return to its
previous grandeur. Sights include the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which dominates the
town, the Hintha Gone Pagoda and the 55m-long (180ft) reclining
Shwethalyaung Buddha.
This sprawling cultural centre is the most Burman of Myanmar's cities. It
was the last capital of Myanmar before the British took over and is the
country's second-largest city. Highlights of Mandalay include Shwenandaw
Kyaung, the sole remaining building of the once extravagant moated palace;
Mandalay Hill, with its spiralling stairways, temples and sweeping views;
and the ancient Rakhine Buddha image at Mahamuni Paya. Bustling markets with
produce and handicrafts from all over Upper Myanmar are another feature of
Mandalay. There are four 'deserted cities' nearby: Amarapura, Sagaing, Ava
and Mingun. Mingun is the most appealing of the four; not only are there
some wonderful monuments in various states of disrepair, but just getting
there is half the fun. Mingun is only accessible by river, and the boat ride
from Mandalay is a treat.
Sedona
Hotel Mandalay|
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