THE COUNTRY OF MYANMAR
"There's the old Shwedagon, the golden
dome. This is MYANMAR (Burma) unlike any land you know about"
Rudyard Kipling had put into words at his first impression of
Yangon's "Rangoon" Shwedagon pagoda.
People were traditionally clothed; women
smeared their faces with thanaka pastes men on continually
chewing betel and some smoking the typical cheroots. There are
most Myanmar people like.
Myanmar (Burma) is the second largest country
of Southeast Asia with an area of 261,789 square miles (676,577
q in) to the west, it's bordered by the Bay of Bengal,
Bangladesh and India to the north and east by China, Laos and
Thailand; and the southern part of the country extends along the
Andaman Sea.
The first civilizations to live within its
borders flourished more than 2000 years ago from the foundation
of these early culture, the empire of Bagan was founded in 1047,
even today its ruins are among the most impressive sights in all
of Asia.
After 13th century, however, this great
empire began to dissolve into city status of which Kingdom of
Inwa(Ava) soon established itself as the new centre power in the
Burmese region. In 1851 King Mindon founded the last Royal City
of Mandalay; Shortly there after, all of Myanmar became a part
of British east India. Not until January 4 ,1948 at 4:20am did
it finally achieves its independence the Bamar- also know as
Burma-make up the majority of the population 65 %.
Officially Myanmar is divided up into eight '
national races' the Bamar, Shan, Mon, Kayin, Kayah, Chin, Kachin
and Rakhaing further subdivides these eight groups into 67
subgroups. Ethnologist have suggested that there are actually
over135 district groups living in Myanmar. The Bamar language
(Burmese) is the national language throughout Myanmar.
Yangon is a city of magnificent pagodas,
colonial style building, shady parks, lush tropical trees,
beautiful lakes and also its first few skyscrapers. Yangon's
current process of transformation began, and it is to be hoped
that will be able to retain some of its unique charm as the
changes continues. The city of the first stop for visitors enter
Myanmar, and also represent the first highlight the country has
to offer..
It was in 1752, the founder of Konbaung
dynasty, King Alaungpaya, moved southwards to crush the
rebellious Mon, this place was known as Dagon at that time the
King rechristened the settlement "Yangon". the end of strife".
Today more than 5 million people live in
one-time Rangoon which has been officially known as Yangon since
1989.
SURROUNDING YANGON
 A Buddhist traffic island served as the new
city center, the Sule pagoda, located around this pagoda are
city hall. Filigree decoration, a few turrets and towers and the
attractive peacock ornamentation above the entrance are supposed
to give a Burmese touch to this massive edifice, by contrast,
the red brick high-courts are totally colonial in style. St.
Immanuel Baptist church and Maha Bandoola Park, which contains a
monument of independence. A massive 157 foot a white obelisk
surrounded by five smaller columns and bronze chinthei lions.
Around at the eastern end of Strand Road is the Botataung pagoda
which dates back to 2500 years ago.
THE SHWEDAGON PAGODA
 The
most important highlight of YANGON located atop 164 foot
Singuttara Hill, the golden spire rises 327 feet above its base
appears at once majestic and graceful even from a distance. The
legend goes right back to the dawn of time which is about 2500
years ago the legend has it, there were two merchant brothers
who received eight of Buddha's hairs as relics for the holy hill
which is the first pagoda in all of Myanmar to house this
holiest relic. The Mon queen Shin-saw-pu who ruled in the 15th
century that she had herself weighed of gold contributed to the
pagoda. Her successor, Dhamma-zedi contributed four times of his
weight. Thanks to this patronage the pagoda grew ever larger as
the centuries passed reached its present height of almost 327
feet as in 1744.
 Situated
only about 80 km from Yangon, which was reputedly founded in AD
825 by two Mon princed from Thaton .Its classical name was
Hamsavati, and during later Mon dynasty periods
(1287-1539),Hamsavati became the centre of the Mon kingdom . In
1539 King Tabinshwehti annexed Bago to his Taungoo Kingdom, his
successor king Bayinnaung moved to Bago and founded the second
largest Myanmar great empire. His domain reaches to their
farthest in southeast Asia.
THANLYIN & KYAUKTAN
If you've got a morning or afternoon spare
time in Yangon, it is the best way to make an excursion across
the river to Thanlyin and on the mid river paya at Kyauktan .
TWANTE
An interesting day trip from Yangon to Twante
, a small town noted for its pottery, cotton- weaving and for an
old Mon paya complex.
 In
the heart of Myanmar on a bend in the Ayeyarwaddy river is the
cluster of ancient Royal cities Sagaing, Inwa(Ava), Amarapura
and Mandalay. A region of fertile rice paddies and countless of
pagodas. Became the actual center of the country after the fall
of Bagan and the center skilled artisan and the most learned
monks. It is particularly famous for its centers of Buddhist
learning and above all for the most sacred statue of the Buddha,
the Mahamyatmuni Buddha Image from Rakhine.
INWA
A long time capital of northern Myanmar after
the fall of Bagan. The city's classical name was Ratanapura.
"the city like a jewel". Today, however, hardly any of the old
building survive, and most of the sights dates from the 19th
century, when king Bagyi-daw shifted his capital back to Inwa
for a brief period.
SAGAING
 From Inwa, there is a magnificient view
across the Ayeyarwaddy over to Sagaing Hill with its many
pagodas on the other side. Today more than 10 thousands of monks
and nuns live in 735 monasteries and convents in the hills
between Sagaing and Mingun.
MINGUN
Up river from Mandalay Lies Mingun, which can
be reached by ferry boat.
 In
the low precipitation dry zone, on a bend in the Ayeyarwaddy
river, lies the pagoda strewn plain of Bagan the largest area of
Buddhist ruins in the world and one of the most magnificent
sights all of southeast Asia.
In the year 849, Bagan was fortified with a
city wall for the first time and officially known as Ari
maddanapura, or town of the enemy-destroyers. King Anaw-rahta
founded the first Myanmar dynasty and began rises to the
greatest empire in AD 1057 and also introduced therawada
Buddhism to Bagan from Mon southern part of Myanmar. Now UNESCO
has declared Bagan a world culture heritage site and officially
registered no fewer than 2229 ruins, most of which were built
with brick.
Bagan is most famous for the magnificent
architecture of into buildings. There are two basic architecture
forms the stupa and the temple.
THE REGION AROUND INLE
 The
region around Inle is the mountainous region inhabited by ethnic
minorities at an altitude averaging some 3300 feet above sea
levels in the Shan states.
At the center of this mountain region, with
its pleasantly cool climate, lies the second-largest lake in the
country, Lake Inle here dwell the Intha people, who row their
boats with one leg when they go out to fish and tend their
floating gardens on the water. In the region around the lake,
each of the larger towns hold a market every five day. So
there's a market on the lake, which they call floating market in
every five day intervals. Buyers and sellers flock here in their
flat-bottomed boats.
TAUNGGYI
 Taunggyi, which the English founded on the
administrative capital of Shan State. On the edge of Shan
plateau is the town of Kalaw which at 4300 feet above sea level.
British style bungalows with well-tended gardens and the Kalaw
Hotel is the flavor of the town's colonial past. Where tourists
can hike a trekking guide lead to the magnificent mountain
landscapes to the villages of several mountain people. Pindaya, nearly 2 hours drive from Heho, the only airport around this
region, is also one of the main destination. Shwe-u min cave
which contained 8094 Buddhas statues, it was over centuries that
the cave developed into a Buddhist shrine.
SITTWAY
Sittway, the capital of Rakhine State
situated at south West of Myanmar on the Rakhine Coast. It has a
long coasting bordering on the Bay of Bengal sharing with
Bangladesh. There is a view point to have fresh air breathing,
and enjoy the sunset. The Cultural and traditional heritages of
colorful Rakhine races are kept at Museum. It is also the gate
way to Mrauk U, an ancient city of Rakhine Kings almost
contemporary to Bagan period twelve centaury.
MRAUK-U (MRO-HAUNG)
RAKHAINE STATE
 Mrauk-U,
the ancient City of Rakhine Kingdom ( 15th Century), is known
for its old temples with paintings of Indian cultural influence.
It is reached by boat along Kalatan River from Sittwe ( Akyab),
the capital of Rakhing State. A boat trip takes about 5hours.The
high-lights of Mrauk U are the massive Shitthaung-paya a
curiously remarkable temple with countless Buddha Images and
relieves, the fortress-like passages, an octagonal temple
Andaw-thein with its unique stone carvings, Archaeological
Museum. Eight kilo-meters to the north of Mrauk-U is Wethali,
the another ancient capital (4th to 8th centuries A.D.) There is
one more ancient capital called "Dan-nya-wad-di" (3rd centuries
BC to 4th centuries AD) which is about 22 km to the north of
We-tha-li.
THE GOLDEN ROCK
KYAIKHTIYO PAGODA
 The
2/3 area of the Country is covered with the thick forest
inhabited by many wild animals. The constant flows of streams
and rivers enhance the beauty of the Forest. This Golden Rock
Pagoda is located in the deep forest, and located precariously
on the cliff of the mountain which is over 1100km above the sea
level.And about 180 km form Yangon. Is the most interesting site
not only for local pilgrims but also for tourist.
MAWLAMYAING
 The Capital of Mon State scramble with old
and new houses, the third largest city in burma with a
population of 220,000. 270 Km south east of Yangon. Taking ferry
boat for an hour from Moattama will be pleasant voyage for
visitors. A hilly ridge above the city offers panoramic views
over the harbor and the beautiful countryside. The ridge is
topped with monasteries and shrines. Walk along Strand Road for
a glimpse of the impressive Kaladan Mosque, built during the
colonial era where the old Indians settle to work for the
British in Mawlamyine (formally called Moulmein). It was the
capital of British Burma, after the first Anglo-Burmese War 1824
AD.
 Ngapali
Beach named after Naples of Italy is unique, unspoiled silvery
beach with the coast of 25 miles along with long line up Palm
trees. In 18th century, an Italian Municipal Engineer visited
there, and after his return the unspoiled virgin beach was known
as Ngapali from that time onwards. One can say that the Ngapali
is the most beautiful beach in Myanmar. It takes 16 hours by
road from Yangon through Pyay-Oaakshipin-Taunggut or
Gwa-Ngathaingchaung across delta area. Or take a flight for an
hour and twenty minutes from Yangon. It is a kind of Paradise of
which one will never forget their vacation. The early morning
visit to nearby fishermen's village "Loan-tha" about 5 km from
Ngapali, to watch the return of fish-boats and to study the
un-loading the fishes, and learn the purchasing of fishes.
Sometimes watch the processing of dried-fish making on the spot.
Otherwise, rent a boat to nearby island to catch the fishes. The
self-made roasted fish will give you a good taste like nectar.
KANTHARYAR BEACH
Rakhing State's third pleasant beach resort "
Kann-tha-ya" was unveiled on 24th March, 1995 in commemoration
of the 50th Golden Jubilee Myanmar Armed Forces Day. It is
situated in "Gwa" township only 82 miles from "Ngapali" beach.
Yangon to Gwa is about 174 miles by Motor road and the route
from Gwa to Kann-tha-ya beach is 17 miles by road.
The out-standing features of 'Kann-tha-ya'
beach are the blue sea, a very long stretch of silvery sands, a
dark green line of coconut palm groves along the wide coast
almost level beach about 8000 yards long and massive rock slabs
and boulders.People with a penchant for fishing may go out
angling in the sea reefs and rocks providing a natural fence for
the beach in safety. Life-guards have been posted along the
beach.
CHAUNGTHA BEACH
 Chaung-tha beach is located 40 km to the west
of Pathein ( Bassein) in Ayeyarwady Division. A regular
double-decker boat leaves Yangon about 4 pm every evening and
reaches Pathein early in the next day and bus drive from Pathein
to Chaung-tha takes about 2 hours. It is also reached by road
from Yangon via Pathein taking about 5 hours.
 Ngwe
Saung Beach Myanmar’s latest beach resort having the longest
shore - 9 miles. It is located 29 miles from Pathein Capital of
Ayeyarwaddy Devision. One can suddenly enjoy upon the open
crescent beach a breath taking vista a blue sea rolling waves
and white sand. This long beach lies between the Bay of Bengal
with its unforgettable views at sunset and the Rakkhine Mountain
Range with the evergreen rain forest on its slopes. |
