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Magic Myanmar
Myanmar is a country steeped in ancient cultures and deep Buddhist belief. Therefore, we designed this tour for travelers to have chance to explore this side of this magnificent country. Start from the garden city of East of Yangon then pass thru endless paddy fields, coconut plantations and small village to reach Thaton, Hpa An, Mawlamyine to discover the ancient temples and majestic caves. You also have chance to experience the bustle markets to learn more about local daily life.
Overview
Overview
Myanmar is a country steeped in ancient cultures and deep Buddhist belief. Therefore, we designed this tour for travelers to have chance to explore this side of this magnificent country. Start from the garden city of East of Yangon then pass thru endless paddy fields, coconut plantations and small village to reach Thaton, Hpa An, Mawlamyine to discover the ancient temples and majestic caves. You also have chance to experience the bustle markets to learn more about local daily life.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore the garden city of the East of Yangon
- Visit beautiful temples and bustle market in Thaton, Hpa An, Mawlamyine
- Discover the famous Golden Rock temple on Kyaiktiyo mountain
Itinerary
Warmly welcome you on arrival at Yangon International Airport. We will pick you up with a comfortable vehicle to the center of Yangon to check-in your hotel, then and take your time to have a rest after a long flight.
In the evening, we will pick you up to visit and have dinner at Karaweik Hall, (or Karaweik Palace) is a concrete structure that looks like two giant golden birds with roofs built in the shape of Pyatthat. It was built in the image of Karaweik, a bird in Burmese mythology. We will have dinner while enjoy leisure activities such as elephant dance, Burmese puppets and traditional Myanmar dances with traditional dancers in Burma. There is also an exhibition of traditional Myanmar handicrafts, Burmese art and traditional Burmese costumes and Karaweik costumes.
Accommodation: At the hotel in Yangon
Meal: Dinner
In the evening, we will pick you up to visit and have dinner at Karaweik Hall, (or Karaweik Palace) is a concrete structure that looks like two giant golden birds with roofs built in the shape of Pyatthat. It was built in the image of Karaweik, a bird in Burmese mythology. We will have dinner while enjoy leisure activities such as elephant dance, Burmese puppets and traditional Myanmar dances with traditional dancers in Burma. There is also an exhibition of traditional Myanmar handicrafts, Burmese art and traditional Burmese costumes and Karaweik costumes.
Accommodation: At the hotel in Yangon
Meal: Dinner
Today, we spend the whole day on visiting some sites of Yangon capital. Start with Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda, which was built in 1907 with the famous huge reclining Buddha statue carved in 1966. The head of the statue turns east and the face turns south. The costs of building the temple are donated by people around the area. The porcelain face of the statue was separated by large eyes (made of special imported Japanese glass), vermillion lips and light blue eyes. Even the nails are painted red. Buddha statues are decorated with 108 sacred Buddhist symbols. All of these make the pagoda impressive.
We continue to visit Shwedagon Pagoda. Magnificently golden plated and decorated with diamond and gemstone, Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most beautiful and sacred Buddhist constructions in Myanmar. Archaeologists considered that the pagoda was built in the 6th century. The temple holds four treasures for the followers of the Buddha: the stick of the Buddha, the water filter of the Buddha's Na, the piece of the Buddha's Lettuce, and the eight hair of Shakyamuni Buddha. Being built on the sacred Singuttara hill with the highest chedi is 99m, you can see the pagoda from wherever of Yangon.
Keep going to visit Bogyoke Market built in 1926, consisting of more than 1.600 stalls selling everything from handicrafts, food, clothing, jewelry, fashion and consumer goods. Bogyoke Market is also the place holding Thingyan festival, known as Zay Thingyan meaning water festival, usually held on the 11th or 12th of April. Children from all over the city come dressed in festive outfits. The shops serve traditional dishes free of charge such as Monte Lone Yay Paw. Thargu. And Shwe Yin Aye.
It seems that no matter which way in the city you go, it still leads to Sule Pagoda. According to legend, this sacred pagoda has a rather long life about 2.500 years, where one of the 8 hairs of the Buddha was preserved, which he donated to two Myanmar merchants. Sule Pagoda has an octagonal structure up to the top of the tower and is characterized by the Mon ethnic. The interior details at the temple are sophisticatedly sculptured, that visitors to this place must be surprised by its beauty.
The last destination today is Kalaywa Tawya Monastery. This monastery seems to be the Buddhist University where thousands of Buddhist monks dwell and learn Buddhist Scripture. Orphans from all over Myanmar are also brought here to be cared for.
Return to the hotel and you are free to relax.
Accommodation: At the hotel in Yangon
Meal: Breakfast
We continue to visit Shwedagon Pagoda. Magnificently golden plated and decorated with diamond and gemstone, Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most beautiful and sacred Buddhist constructions in Myanmar. Archaeologists considered that the pagoda was built in the 6th century. The temple holds four treasures for the followers of the Buddha: the stick of the Buddha, the water filter of the Buddha's Na, the piece of the Buddha's Lettuce, and the eight hair of Shakyamuni Buddha. Being built on the sacred Singuttara hill with the highest chedi is 99m, you can see the pagoda from wherever of Yangon.
Keep going to visit Bogyoke Market built in 1926, consisting of more than 1.600 stalls selling everything from handicrafts, food, clothing, jewelry, fashion and consumer goods. Bogyoke Market is also the place holding Thingyan festival, known as Zay Thingyan meaning water festival, usually held on the 11th or 12th of April. Children from all over the city come dressed in festive outfits. The shops serve traditional dishes free of charge such as Monte Lone Yay Paw. Thargu. And Shwe Yin Aye.
It seems that no matter which way in the city you go, it still leads to Sule Pagoda. According to legend, this sacred pagoda has a rather long life about 2.500 years, where one of the 8 hairs of the Buddha was preserved, which he donated to two Myanmar merchants. Sule Pagoda has an octagonal structure up to the top of the tower and is characterized by the Mon ethnic. The interior details at the temple are sophisticatedly sculptured, that visitors to this place must be surprised by its beauty.
The last destination today is Kalaywa Tawya Monastery. This monastery seems to be the Buddhist University where thousands of Buddhist monks dwell and learn Buddhist Scripture. Orphans from all over Myanmar are also brought here to be cared for.
Return to the hotel and you are free to relax.
Accommodation: At the hotel in Yangon
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, we will drive about 1.5 hour to reach Bago.
First of all, we visit the pagoda called Kyaik Pun. This pagoda has the name coming from the language of Mon people. “Kyaik” means Buddha, “Pun” means four. The pagoda has four Buddha statues leaning back on each other, so it is called Kyaik Pun. This is also the feature that attracts visitors. Statue of 27m height, bearing the four Buddha face in four directions: Kakusandha, Konagamana, Kassapa, Gautama. Previously, in the 15th century, the statue was improved by King Dhammazedi.
Have a lunch nearby Kinpun base camp, and from here there is a steep and rough 11km road leads to the upper staging point, a journey made in opened trucks. We start the light trekking about 45 minutes to reach Golden Rock Pagoda (Kyaikto Pagoda), one of the oldest and most famous pagodas in Myanmar. It is also the World’s Heritage Site. The pagoda is famous for its huge rock lying on the mountainside over 2.500 years. The contact surface between the stone and the ground is only 78 cm². The rock is covered with gold leaf, carrying a legend in it. Being close to the edge of the mountain, the rock has a tower with 7.3m high on the top.
Checking-in the hotel in Kyaikto and you are free to relax.
Accommodation: At the hotel in Kyaikto
Meal: Breakfast
First of all, we visit the pagoda called Kyaik Pun. This pagoda has the name coming from the language of Mon people. “Kyaik” means Buddha, “Pun” means four. The pagoda has four Buddha statues leaning back on each other, so it is called Kyaik Pun. This is also the feature that attracts visitors. Statue of 27m height, bearing the four Buddha face in four directions: Kakusandha, Konagamana, Kassapa, Gautama. Previously, in the 15th century, the statue was improved by King Dhammazedi.
Have a lunch nearby Kinpun base camp, and from here there is a steep and rough 11km road leads to the upper staging point, a journey made in opened trucks. We start the light trekking about 45 minutes to reach Golden Rock Pagoda (Kyaikto Pagoda), one of the oldest and most famous pagodas in Myanmar. It is also the World’s Heritage Site. The pagoda is famous for its huge rock lying on the mountainside over 2.500 years. The contact surface between the stone and the ground is only 78 cm². The rock is covered with gold leaf, carrying a legend in it. Being close to the edge of the mountain, the rock has a tower with 7.3m high on the top.
Checking-in the hotel in Kyaikto and you are free to relax.
Accommodation: At the hotel in Kyaikto
Meal: Breakfast
Having a breakfast and we start a 2.5 hours driving to Hpa An. We enjoy a brief stop in Thaton, former capital of the Mon Kingdom. And drive along endless paddy fields, coconut plantations, and small farm villages to reach closer to Hpa An. Upon arrival in Hpa-An, we transfer to hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon, we visit Kawgun Cave. Generally believed that the cave temple was given to a Mon queen in the 7th century, it is a sacred place for Mon people to come here and worship. In spite of the ancient construction, thousands of Buddha statues in Kawgun Cave are still in excellent condition with various ages, shapes, expressions and postures. There are many small Buddha statues carved extremely delicate on the wall and ceiling. The Kawgun Cave has great value for history, religion, culture and architecture to study the old Burmese.
At sunset, we will have an opportunity to visit a beautiful site of Kyauk Kalat Pagoda - a stunning stupa-topped limestone pinnacle pagoda, set on a tiny isle dotted with monastic buildings with white egrets and surrounded by paddy. The isle is reached by a wooden footbridge and visitors are permitted to reach as high as a shrine halfway up the outcrop. This pagoda is such a great view at sunset with the Mount Zwegabin in the background. Here you can take the beautiful pictures and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Checking-in the hotel in Hpa An and you are free to enjoy the fresh air there.
Accommodation: At the hotel Hpa An
Meal: Breakfast
In the afternoon, we visit Kawgun Cave. Generally believed that the cave temple was given to a Mon queen in the 7th century, it is a sacred place for Mon people to come here and worship. In spite of the ancient construction, thousands of Buddha statues in Kawgun Cave are still in excellent condition with various ages, shapes, expressions and postures. There are many small Buddha statues carved extremely delicate on the wall and ceiling. The Kawgun Cave has great value for history, religion, culture and architecture to study the old Burmese.
At sunset, we will have an opportunity to visit a beautiful site of Kyauk Kalat Pagoda - a stunning stupa-topped limestone pinnacle pagoda, set on a tiny isle dotted with monastic buildings with white egrets and surrounded by paddy. The isle is reached by a wooden footbridge and visitors are permitted to reach as high as a shrine halfway up the outcrop. This pagoda is such a great view at sunset with the Mount Zwegabin in the background. Here you can take the beautiful pictures and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Checking-in the hotel in Hpa An and you are free to enjoy the fresh air there.
Accommodation: At the hotel Hpa An
Meal: Breakfast
Today after breakfast, we visit Shweyinhmyaw Temple. Being constructed on rocks surrounded by the streams of Than Lwin river or Salween, the temple includes a number of platforms connecting to each other by staircases and walkways, an old pagoda tree as well as some sightseeing points. The temple buildings contain huge golden stupas and the huge frog statue. Although it’s interesting, its location really is the view that makes this the town’s top tourist site.
We continue explore Sadan Cave, the great cave with 2260 feet length and many stalactites/stalagmites and the must at the end of the cave a place where daydream can grow: a natural lake at the end of the cave.
Leaving Hpa An, we proceed to Mawlamyine, which is the capital of the Mon State in the Union of Myanmar. It is also the third largest city in the country after Yangon and Mandalay. On the way, visit to U Na Aung’s Monastery which is a bit forbidden place and to enjoy fine wall painting and mirror arts.
In the afternoon, we pay a visit to Kyaikthanlan Pagoda. This is the highest construction in Mawlamyine, 150 feet high on the mountain side overlooking the town center. It can be seen for miles, especially at night, where its brilliance dominates the horizon. From the top of the temple grounds, a fantastic 360 degree panoramic view of the entire city can be seen. The temple was built in 875 AD and kept the Tripitaka manuscript as well as a relic from the Buddha. The perimeter at its base is 450 feet and is surrounded by 34 small Zediyan temples.
Continue to Mahayatmuni Paya - the largest and most beautiful temple complex in Mawlamyine. It was built in a typical Mon style with a brick walkway connecting the various temples. The highlight is the temple, a shimmering jewelry box with mirrors, rubies and diamonds, and is a replica of an ancient pagoda in Mandalay. Seidon Mibaya-gyi, queen of Mindon from Mandalay, came to live in Mawlamyin. She and other members of the royal family of Myanmar in Mawlamyine.
Checking-in the hotel in Mawlamyine and you are free to relax.
Accommodation: At the hotel in Mawlamyine
Meal: Breakfast
We continue explore Sadan Cave, the great cave with 2260 feet length and many stalactites/stalagmites and the must at the end of the cave a place where daydream can grow: a natural lake at the end of the cave.
Leaving Hpa An, we proceed to Mawlamyine, which is the capital of the Mon State in the Union of Myanmar. It is also the third largest city in the country after Yangon and Mandalay. On the way, visit to U Na Aung’s Monastery which is a bit forbidden place and to enjoy fine wall painting and mirror arts.
In the afternoon, we pay a visit to Kyaikthanlan Pagoda. This is the highest construction in Mawlamyine, 150 feet high on the mountain side overlooking the town center. It can be seen for miles, especially at night, where its brilliance dominates the horizon. From the top of the temple grounds, a fantastic 360 degree panoramic view of the entire city can be seen. The temple was built in 875 AD and kept the Tripitaka manuscript as well as a relic from the Buddha. The perimeter at its base is 450 feet and is surrounded by 34 small Zediyan temples.
Continue to Mahayatmuni Paya - the largest and most beautiful temple complex in Mawlamyine. It was built in a typical Mon style with a brick walkway connecting the various temples. The highlight is the temple, a shimmering jewelry box with mirrors, rubies and diamonds, and is a replica of an ancient pagoda in Mandalay. Seidon Mibaya-gyi, queen of Mindon from Mandalay, came to live in Mawlamyin. She and other members of the royal family of Myanmar in Mawlamyine.
Checking-in the hotel in Mawlamyine and you are free to relax.
Accommodation: At the hotel in Mawlamyine
Meal: Breakfast
Today we start our journey with Zeigyi Market. The market stood in front of a large fire that extinguished the area in December 2008, destroying every booth in the area. The fire was so intense that it continued to burn all night and was eventually extinguished the next day. Many booth owners were injured when they tried to save their goods in the fire and were admitted to the local hospital. At the end of January 2009, the work to rebuild the southern end of the Zeigyi Lower market began and some of the stalls ran back normal dry sales that were originally marketed. The north end was cleared for the development of a new, two-storey market.
We keep visiting Win Sein Taw Ya, the largest reclining Buddha statue in the world, and at 30 meters high and 180 meters in length can be seen for miles. Located opposite of the Buddhist shrine of Kyauktalon Taung, the reclining Buddha is filled with rooms that showcase dioramas of the teachings of Buddha and a shrine. After almost 15 years of construction, the reclining Buddha is still not complete.
Have lunch and we continue visiting Seidon Mibaya Kyaung, which has the huge reclining Buddha statue in the pagoda that you can go inside it.
At the end of today’s journey, we go to the first Baptist church in Mawlamyine, built in 1827 by Adoniram Judson, an American missionary spending 40 years in Myanmar. Besides this place of worship, Judson was also the first to translate the Bible into Burmese. As a result of the work, Myanmar today has the third highest Baptist population in the world, after the United States and India.
Return to the hotel and you are free to relax.
Accommodation: At the hotel in Mawlamyine
Meal: Breakfast
We keep visiting Win Sein Taw Ya, the largest reclining Buddha statue in the world, and at 30 meters high and 180 meters in length can be seen for miles. Located opposite of the Buddhist shrine of Kyauktalon Taung, the reclining Buddha is filled with rooms that showcase dioramas of the teachings of Buddha and a shrine. After almost 15 years of construction, the reclining Buddha is still not complete.
Have lunch and we continue visiting Seidon Mibaya Kyaung, which has the huge reclining Buddha statue in the pagoda that you can go inside it.
At the end of today’s journey, we go to the first Baptist church in Mawlamyine, built in 1827 by Adoniram Judson, an American missionary spending 40 years in Myanmar. Besides this place of worship, Judson was also the first to translate the Bible into Burmese. As a result of the work, Myanmar today has the third highest Baptist population in the world, after the United States and India.
Return to the hotel and you are free to relax.
Accommodation: At the hotel in Mawlamyine
Meal: Breakfast
Having a breakfast and you are free until we transfer back to Yangon. The journey takes about nearly 6 hours. En route, we visit Shwethalyaung Pagoda, famous for the reclining Buddha statue 55m long and 16m high, which is the second largest Buddhha statue in the world. It is considered that the statue was created in 994 under the reign of King Migjithepa. This statue was lost in 1757 when Pegu was plundered. During the British rule of Burma in 1880, Shwethalyaung Buddha was re-discovered and restored in 1881.
Continue the way and we meet Shwemawdaw Pagoda. Being built in the 10th century by the Mon King to enshrine two hair relics of the Buddha. with the height 114m, Shwemawdaw Pagoda is the highest pagoda in Myanmar. It is one of Burma’s most sacred sites, because it enshrines several relics of the Buddha. The annual festival of the pagoda is a 10-day event taking place in the traditional calendar of the Burmese.
Checking-in the hotel in Yangon and you are free to relax, or you might want to explore Yangon yourself.
Accommodation: At the hotel Yangon
Meal: Breakfast
Continue the way and we meet Shwemawdaw Pagoda. Being built in the 10th century by the Mon King to enshrine two hair relics of the Buddha. with the height 114m, Shwemawdaw Pagoda is the highest pagoda in Myanmar. It is one of Burma’s most sacred sites, because it enshrines several relics of the Buddha. The annual festival of the pagoda is a 10-day event taking place in the traditional calendar of the Burmese.
Checking-in the hotel in Yangon and you are free to relax, or you might want to explore Yangon yourself.
Accommodation: At the hotel Yangon
Meal: Breakfast
The time is on your own until we transfer you to Yangon International Airport, taking an international flight back to your hometown.
Accommodation: Not available
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Not available
Meal: Breakfast
Trip notes
Tour includes:
- Accommodation in a double or twin share room with daily breakfast
- Private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
- Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
- Experienced English speaking station guides during all tours and transfers
- Lunch or dinner as specified (B, L, D) in the itinerary
- Water & cool towels
- Government taxes & service charge
Tour excludes:
- Myanmar Visa stamp fee
- International airfare and departure taxes
- Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
- Early check in/ late check out
- Domestic flights and domestic airport taxes
- Compulsory Gala dinner on 24th and 31st December
- Surcharged for Public holidays
- Drinks and meal not mentioned
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks … etc.
- Personal travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).
- Gratuities/ Tipping
- All other services not specified in the itinerary
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