Tourist numbers are rising steadily. Certain areas in Upper
and Lower Myanmar are currently out of bounds owing to the past
civil war - check with the embassy or consulate for the latest
information. Tourists should also be aware that foreign nationals
are liable to arrest or imprisonment if they criticise the regime
in public. Most coastal resorts have now been opened to tourists
and Sunday round-trip flights are arranged by Myanmar Travel
and Tour to Napali and Sandoway beaches during the dry season.
For the purposes of this guide, Myanmar has been divided into
three sections: The South (including Yangon); Central Myanmar
(including Bagan and Mandalay); The East and The Northwest.
Yangon (Discount
Yangon Airfare)
Yangon (or Rangoon), the capital, is a city of Buddhist temples,
open-air markets, food stalls and ill-repaired colonial architecture.
It has a population of over two million. Although most of the
city has been built in the last hundred years, and although
it suffered considerable damage during the Second World War,
there are still several examples of a more ancient culture.
These include the golden Shwedragon Pagoda, one of the most
spectacular Buddhist shrines in Asia and reputedly 2500 years
old (although rebuilt in 1769); the Sule Pagoda, also over 2000
years old; the Botataung Pagoda, hollow inside with a mirrored
maze; and the Maha Pasan Guha or 'Great Cave'.
Pagan
Bagan is one of the greatest historical areas in the country.
It is best seen at sunrise or sunset. More than 13,000 pagodas
were once spread over this dry plain during the golden age of
the 11 great kings (roughly 1044-1287); this came to an end
with the threat of invasion by Kublai Khan from China, and this
extraordinary area was abandoned. Now there are fewer than 3000
pagodas. The actual village of Bagan has a museum, market and
places to eat and stay; within walking distance of Bagan, there
are lacquerware workshops and an attractive temple. There are
dozens of open temples in the Bagan area (about 40 sq km), but
places of special interest include the Shwegugyi Temple, built
in 1311 and noted for its fine stucco carvings; the Gawdawpalin
Temple, badly damaged in the 1975 earthquake, but still one
of the most impressive of the Bagan temples; and the Thatbyinnyu
Temple, which is the highest in Bagan.
Mandalay (Discount
Mandalay Airfare)
This old royal city is rich in palaces, stupas, temples and
pagodas (although the city has suffered several bad fires which
have destroyed some buildings), and is the main centre of Buddhism
and Burmese arts. There are some excellent craft markets and
there are thriving stone-carving workshops and gold-leaf industries.
Taking its name from Mandalay Hill (rising about 240m/787ft
to the northeast of the palace), the city was founded by King
Mindon in 1857, the old wooden palace buildings at Amarapura
being moved and reconstructed. Sights of interest include the
huge Shweyattaw Buddha, close to the hill, with its outstretched
finger pointing towards the city; the Eindawya Pagoda, built
in 1847 and covered in gold leaf; the Shwekyimyint Pagoda containing
the original Buddha image consecrated by Prince Minshinzaw during
the Bagan period; and the Mahumuni Pagoda or 'Great Pagoda',
housing the famous and revered Mahumuni image. Covered in gold
leaf over the years by devout Buddhists, this image was brought
from Arakan in 1784, although it is thought to be much older.
The base, moat and huge walls are virtually all that remain
of the once stupendous Mandalay Palace, which was an immense
walled city (mostly of timber construction) rather than a palace.
It was burnt down in 1942. A large-scale model gives an indication
of what it must have been like. The Shwenandaw Kyaung Monastery
was at one time part of the palace complex and was used as an
apartment by King Mindon and his chief queen. Like the palace,
the wooden building was once beautifully gilded. There are some
extraordinary carved panels inside and also a photograph of
the Atumashi Kyaung Monastery, destroyed by fire in 1890. The
ruins can be seen to the south of the Kuthodaw Pagoda, called
'the world's biggest book' because of the 729 marble slabs that
surround the central pagoda - they are inscribed with the entire
Buddhist canon. |
Myanmar Airport Guide
