Truly Myanmar

Yangon, or Rangoon as it was once known, is the gateway to Myanmar for most travelers. Though no longer the capital, Yangon remains Myanmar’s commercial heart and also the core of its spiritual life. The city has got a lot of contrasts, with the gentle bustle of traditional shophouses sitting side by side with the stark grandeur of 19th-century facades. A city tour might begin with the gleaming golden Shwedagon Paya, one of Yangon's most compelling attractions. Wandering around the warren of historic streets closer to the waterfront is a great way to learn about the city's colonial-era history. Further afield, visit the intriguing old cities of Amarapura, home to an ancient and famous teak bridge, over a kilometer long, and the incredible stupas from Sagaing. Jump aboard the Yangon Circle train, the most popular form of travel for local Yangonites, as it trundles along 29 miles of bumpy track through the city’s suburbs. Commuters, monks and snack-selling vendors hop on and off; spend time at some stops visiting tea shops and local markets nearby. Explore the Chinatown lying between Shwedaungtan and Shwedagon Pagoda streets. Starting from the 19th street to experience the street food in Yangon; outside seating, bustling local life and a boozy night scene. The Maha Bandula road is one of the busier for street food in Yangon. The area varies from with street food from delicious shan noodles and fried street foods to insects and cooked innards.

Bagan is located on the banks of the Ayeyarwady River (Irrawaddy), a few miles south of Mandalay and north of Yangon. During the heyday of Bagan, this was the center of the Pagan Kingdom from the mid-9th to the end of the 13th centuries. More than 10,000 Buddhist strutures have been built here, nevertheless, only 2,000 remain until now. Formerly inhabited by between 50,000 and 200,000 people, the lost city is now largely deserted, with most of the local population confined to settlements on the peripheries, leaving the monuments rising in the grassy plains. Known as the “Bagan Archaeological Zone”, the ancient monuments of different periods stretch over a vast area on the bank of Ayeyarwady river up to the Turintaung range. Although the best way to explore these temples is on foot, a unique way to enjoy a panoramic view of the Bagan temples is taking a ride on a hot air balloon for a sunrise or sunset. For those who are not interested in a balloon ride, simply climb up to the top terrace of the Bagan viewing tower and enjoy the wide expanse of temples. The town is not only about temples. One also can take a day hiking Mount Popa, an important pilgrimage site with several temples dedicated to the ancient spirit atop the mountain; take a boat ride along the Irrawaddy River, the lifeline of Myanmar, which stretches 2,170 km across the country, passing through Bagan; take a cycling trip to explore the countryside of Myanmar from the back roads.

Known as the major destination on travellers’ itineraries after Yangon, Mandalay once served as the last royal city of Burmese kingdom before the country was colonised by Britain in 1885. As a home to fascinating monasteries, gem covered temples and the huge fortifications of the former royal palace, Mandalay now is the country’s second biggest city, a major commercial and cultural center. You can get a great feel for the city and its position in the heart of Myanmar as you watch the sunset from Mandalay Hill. Remember to leave your shoes in a shoebox at the bottom since it is a pilgrimage site not allowed to bring your shoes to the top of the hill. Apart from visiting the pagodas, temples and monasteries, take time to venture off outside of the city for many attractions in the surroundings. Visit the U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world, built on Taungthaman Lake in 1849 in Amarupa, a township of Mandalay. From Mandalay, you can take a boat trip on the Irrawaddy River to the village of Mingun, famous for its brick pagoda built by King Bodawpaya in the early 19th century. It is home to one of the largest bells in the world with its 90 ton weight. The village of Sagaing, with its hill offering panoramic views over the Irrawaddy River, is also worth a visit. Like any other big cities, there’s no better way to explore Mandalay than immersing yourself in its sights and sounds of daily life. The cuisine here is an exotic blend of noodles, seafood, and rice, spiced up and enhanced by condiments and salads. Fruits, a feature of the tropical climate, are also an important part of this cuisine. The food has been influenced by the techniques, ingredients and flavors of Myanmar’s neighbors: Thailand, India and China. Head down to Zay Cho market, or one of the many other streets of bustling stalls, to sample an array of traditional Burmese and international dishes.

Pindaya is a pretty town set amidst the beautiful countryside of Shan State. Well-known for its picturesque surroundings, but Pindaya is more famous for its limestone caves. There are three caves on the ridge which runs north-south, but only the southern cave can be entered and explored. Pindaya cave is a huge cavern where thousands of Buddhist statues gathered there since the 18th century. The cave is 150m long and contains 8,000 Buddha images from materials such as alabaster, teak, marble, stone, bronze, lacquer and cement in various styles and from different eras, from the early Konbaung dynasty era to present day. As the cave serves as a religious site for monks, the statues and images are requested to be respect. Along with the caves, Pindaya is characterised by a feeling that time has taken a detour and passed it by. Oxcarts still pass through the town, the impressive, old Banyan trees are still creating shade and shelter alongside the dirt roads, and the curved temple spires still stand proud throughout the area. For adventurers, Pindaya is a great base to explore the Shan Plateau by trekking through the hills and tribal villages of the Danu and Pa-O ethnic groups which have their own languages and look quite distinct from the Burmese, both ethnically and in their dress.

Ngapali Beach is considered one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful beaches. With white sands that stretch for 3km and the crystal clear waters of the Bay of Bengal , this is an idyllic and exotic retreat after soaking up the Burmese culture. The beach was allegedly named by a foreigner to reflect the Italian city of Napoli. Seems to be untouched by tourism, Ngapali’s idyllic coastline is punctuated by little more than a few bungalow-style resorts. There are always fishermen pottering about, and ox-drawn carts traversing the soft, virtually empty sands. It has a relaxed, fishing-village vibe, free from any noisy beach bars or pushy hawkers, and you’ll feel yourself instantly relax as you gaze towards the tranquil horizon. The beach on Ngapali is a perfect setting for swimming, sunning, and watersports. Try snorkeling or kayaking around the nearby mangrove forests. Hire a boat to explore offshore islands or rent bicycles for a trip to the fishing villages. Play golf in a golf course near Ngapali village or take in the view from a hot-air balloon to explore the area around Ngapali and Thandwe. Ngapali beach offers one of the best spots for you to watch the sun sinking into the Bay of Bengal. Restaurants on the beach are an excellent place to enjoy freshly caught tiger prawns as the daylight fades to night. Like in many parts of Myanmar, the nights in Ngapali is so peaceful without crowds and noises. People just meet for a few drinks during happy hour and take their time to relax on the beach that keeps Ngapali Beach a tranquil destination.