The land of pagoda, temple and monastery

If your want to discover this magnificent country but do not have too much time, this tour is absolutely perfect for you. We will take a visit 3 can-not-miss city of Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay.

8 days 7 nights

Myanmar

Classic Highlights

Attractions

Yangon - Bagan - Mandalay

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Code

MCT11

Overview

Overview
If your want to discover this magnificent country but do not have too much time, this tour is absolutely perfect for you. We will take a visit 3 can-not-miss city of Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay. Start from Yangon, also known as Rangoon, is Myanmar's largest city, primary commercial hub, and former capital. Then catch a morning flight to Bagan and get a chance to see not only its famous temples but also understand its culture and tradition of artisan craftwork. Last but not least is Mandalay, the second largest city of Myanmar and an ancient royal capital, is known for both its traditional, timeless allure and its booming vibrancy.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Visit the beautiful temples and bustle markets
Explore the Myanmar’s largest city of Yangon
Discover Bagan with its culture and tradition of artisan craftwork
Pay a visit ancient royal capital of Mandalay

Itinerary

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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

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

This morning, transfer to Yangon Airport for domestic flight to Bagan. Upon arrival in Bagan, we start our exploration with a visit to Nyang U Market. This is a local market in the village of Nyaung U to the northeast of Bagan. The market provides tourists with an opportunity to take photos, mingle with the local Burmese and watch how they conduct their daily lives. The market is divided into different sections selling different items, and includes a wet market. There is a section selling rattan items, others selling tealeaves - a delicacy in Myanmar, yet another selling clothes.
We then head to Shwezigon pagoda, a famous temple with the ancient religious architecture and sanctuary of Myanmar. The pagoda was constructed under the reign of King Anawrahta, founder of the kingdom of Bagan. This is the first golden pagoda built in Myanmar and is also the prototype for the padoda later. The main chedi of the pagoda is gilded and then placed on a square background, making the temple a solid figure. Especially under the tower hanging many small bells make the temple more prominent and splendid.
Have a lunch then we transfer to the hotel to check-in. Continue on going to Ananda Temple - the masterpiece in the incorporation of Myanmar and India architectural styles. Although it has existed in a long historical process, almost the temple architecture remains intact to this day. The temple was designed in the style of stupa, the architectural feature of this temple is built of stone has a small chapel inside. The architecture is in the cross, in the center is the cube and on each side is the statue of Buddha standing. Ananda Temple is considered the Myanmar’s symbol for the boundless wisdom of the Buddha.
The last destination today is Shwesandaw Pagoda, looking like an Egyptian pyramid from far away with four sides, five floors and a stupa (bell tower) on the top. The temple was built by King Anawrahta in 1057 to preserve the relics as one of the eight hairs of Buddha Shakyamuni brought back from India in early AD. This is the highest ancient pagoda in Bagan; moreover, it has special steps leading up to the terrace, so Shwedagon Pagoda is always chosen to explore the architecture of temples, but also a place to watch the perfect sunset moments compared to other temples in the area.
Return to the hotel and you are free to relax.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bagan
Meal: Breakfast

Today we pay a visit to Minnanthu Village - the agricultural village specializing in the production of sesame and peanut oil.
The next destination is Tayoke Pyay. This is a large temple built by Narathihapate (1256-1287), also known as the king who fled from the Mongolian invasion. This is the meaning of “Tayok Pye” in Myanmar. It is a one of the best temples decorated with beautiful stucco. There are also glazed sandstone and terracotta tiles and some beautiful murals.People are still allowed to climb up at this temple to view the sunset of Bagan.
Keep on our journey to Payathonzu Pagoda. The “Payathonzu” means “three pagodas”, due to the complex of three connecting pagodas. The interior of the pagodas has frescoes, which are said to be Mahayana and tantric. The pagoda complex was built in the 13th century. However, it was abandoned shortly before its completed construction, it was probably because of the occupation of Mongolian. Three pagodas were constructed to worship Hindu Gods such as Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. But in another way, it is the representation of "Triple Gems" of Theravada Buddhism which as Dhamma, Buddha, and Sangha.
The other temple we will visit is Nandamanya Temple, the one is topped with a bell-shape tower, which is the mixture in architecture between a square and tower temple. The attraction is that the temple is decorated with beautiful paintings.
We end the journey day with paying a visit to Kyat Kan Cave Monastery. This is the underground monastery, remaining cool even during hot season. It is also a famous meditation retreat in Bagan, which is still being used.
Return to the hotel and you are free to relax.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bagan
Meal: Breakfast

Wake up and have a breakfast, then we go to explore Nat Htaung Kyaung Monastery. This wooden monastery was built in the 18th century and is known for its fine and detailed wood carvings. Unlike old bricks, stones and stucco used in temples, monasteries such as Nat Taung Kyaung are usually made of wood. In spite of being called a monastery, Nat Taung Kyaung is a complex of two monasteries with booths, guest houses and ancillary buildings. Most of the architecture and decorations in the monastery dates back to the Kon-baun colonial period (1752-1885).
Continue the trip with Gubyaukgyi Temple built in 1113 AC by Prince Yazakumar soon after his death – King Kyansittha of the dynasty of Bagan. The temple is famous for containing a large array of frescoes which was well-preserved on the inside walls, the oldest paintings found in Bagan. All of these were accompanied by ink caption, giving one of the earliest examples of language-using in Myanmar. The temple is a mixed-construction in architecture between Mon and Indian.
Check-out the hotel then we transfer to the airport, taking a flight to Mandalay. En route, we say goodbye to Bagan with the final attraction: Thatbyinnyu temple. The temple was built in the mid-12th century, Thatbyinnyu temple is considered the highest temple in Bagan. On the outside, the temple is massive, whitewashed, looks like a Renaissance Christian monastery in Europe. Within the Thatbyinnyu temple, there are long corridors arranged with altars and statues of different Buddhas, but all are glistening gold. Thatbyinnyu temple is said to have been a fresco of Burmese Buddhist art, but during the renovations, white lime was scorched on the wall, losing precious paintings.
Check-in the hotel in Mandalay and you are free to relax or you might want to explore Mandalay by night yourself.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Mandalay
Meal: Breakfast

Today, we take a full day city tour with the first destination is Mahamuni Pagoda, built by King Bodawpaya of Konbaung Dynasty n 1785 to worship a statue of Buddha that Burmese monks admire, since the statue is believed to have been carved during the time of the Buddha. The pagoda also experienced fires and severe damage, even be drilled by thieves who believed that there were treasure inside the statue. There is a festival held at the Mahamuni Pagoda in early January each year to commemorate the history of the temple.
The next is Mandalay Palace & Fort. This is known as the last royal palace of Burmese’s monarchy. Being built in 1857, most of the palace was designed in traditional architecture. Situated on a square of 413 hectares, this palace was built inside a solid fortified wall and surrounded by a beautiful water moat. Mandalay Palace is the main royal residence of King Mindo and King Thibaw - the last two kings of the country. Therefore, all parts are magnificent, built of wood teak and gilded and reddish.
In the afternoon, we visit Amarapura - the traditional cotton and silk weaving village. The village lies on the left bank of the Ayarwaddy River, a suburb of Mandalay. The township is known today for its traditional silk and cotton weaving, and bronze casting.
Nearby the Amarapura village is Mahagandayon Monastery. Being built around 1910, the monastery is Myanmar’s best known monastic college complex. This is a teaching monastery where monks and novices learn the Buddhist teachings and scriptures along with meditation and scholastic studies like reading, writing, languages etc. You will have an opportunity to see monks living quarters, school areas, administration buildings and the main dining halls. The monastery is set up with numerous small temples and pagodas along with other facilities including their own primary school, clinic, library, lecture hall, computer room, guest rooms and an ordination hall.
At sunset, we end the day trip with The U Bein Bridge, about 1.2km long, lying across the lake Tayngthaman. According to locals, the bridge was built from the wood harvested from the palace in Amarapura, when King Mindon decided to move the capital to Mandalay in 1857. The U Bein Bridge attracts visitors not only because of its structure but also the daily routine of the community living on both sides of the bridge. The bridge was voted as one of the most beautiful sunset views in the world by CNNGo tourism site.
Return to the hotel and you are free to relax.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Mandalay
Meal: Breakfast

Your excursion in Mandalay brings you to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, a complex of over 700 pagodas, white marble towers. Inside each tower there is a stone plate recording the Buddhist scriptures. The temple was built in 1857 under imperial rule to Mindon Min (1808-1878) as part of the Madalay Palace. The work of recording the Buddhist scriptures on the stone is not simple and it takes many days for a carpenter to seal the two sides of a plate. After engraving on the stone surface, the letters are spilled with gold. However, over a long time and many restoration, many yellow words are no longer available, only black soot or stone carvings.
Before saying goodbye to Mandalay, we visit Shwenandaw Monastery, a historic monastery nearby the Mandalay hill belonging to Mandalay. Being built in the 19th century by King Mindon (1853-1878), this is the gold monastery of royal, famous for not only the traditional architecture and the carving art on teak wood but also the magnificent of the past. The monastery is a large multi-storey bungalow with four separate, magnificent and splendid roofs, all over the house walls, roofs, corridors and balustrades are intricately carved, sophisticated with pictures. Buddhist myths and bird motifs, flowers.
Return to the hotel and check-out, then we transfer to the airport, taking a flight back to Yangon.
Check-in the hotel and you are free to explore Yangon by yourself.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Yangon
Meal: Breakfast

The time is on your own until we transfer you to Yangon International Airport, taking an international flight to your hometown.

Accommodation: Not available
Meal: Breakfast

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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 guide during all tours and transfers
Lunch or dinner as specified in the itinerary
Water & cool towels
Government taxes & service charge

Tour excludes:

Myanmar Visa stamp fee
International airfare and departure taxes
Balloons Over Bagan (optional)
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