About Myanmar
Geography
 Myanmar is situated in the southeast of the continent of Asia,
with an approximate area of 676,577 sq.km. 2,090 km long from north
to south and 925 km at it's widest from east to west. Myanmar is the
largest country in South-East Penisula sharing borders with
Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand.
Historical Background
Myanmar history dates back to the early 11th century when King ''Anawrahta"
consolidated the Kingdoms and founded the First Myanmar Empire at
Bagan in 1044. He established the ''Theravada" Buddhism.
The Bagan Empire encompassed the areas of the present day Myanmar
and the entire Menam Valley in Thailand and lasted two centuries. It
was plundered by the Mongol hordes in 13th century.
The Second Myanmar Empire ''Hansawady dynasty" was founded in mid
16th Century by King "Bayintnaung", stretched from the borders of
India to parts of Thailand and Laos. The Second Myanmar Empire
collapsed in 1599.
King Alaungpaya founded the Last Myanmar Dynasty in 1752. After
three Anglo-Myanmar Wars in 1825, 1852 and 1885, Myanmar became a
British colony.
During the Second World War the Japanese forces occupied Myanmar in
1942 to mid 1948. After two and half years of re-occupation by the
British, Myanmar gained Independence as a Sovereign State on 4th
January 1948.
Climate
Myanmar enjoy a tropical climate with three distinct seasons,
Summer (March to May), Rainy Season (June to September) and Cold
Season (October to February)
Religion
85% of the people profess Theravada Buddhism. There is full
freedom of worship for all religious. Thus, we find Christians,
Muslims, Hindus and even animists and Nat Worshippers living
together peacefully in Myanmar.
Culture
Myanmar lies between two of the World's great and ancient
civilizations, China and India. Its culture is a blend of both
interspersed with Myanmar native traits and characteristics. Myanmar
has preserved the tradition of their simple native dress.
Myanmar traditional cosmetic is made from ''Thanakha''. Thanakha is
a kind of tree, the bark and roots of which are used in making a
fragrant paste for cosmetic purposes. It is ground into a paste on a
flat stone and applied on the face and body to protect the sun.
People & Races
The population is over 52 million. There are 135 different ethnic
groups. More than 70% of the population is Bamar and the other major
ethnic groups are Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakkhine and
Shan. There are minorities of Chinese, Indians and others.
Language
The official language is Myanmar (Burmese) which belongs to the
group of Tibeto-Burman language. English is also widely used,
especially in the cities.
High Light Of Myanmar
 The capital city; is the gateway to Myanmar by air and sea.
Places of Interest :
The world famous Shwedagon Pagoda, 98 meters above its base and is
covered with 60 tons of pure gold.
The colossal reclining Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda. National Museum.
Shopping at Bogyoke (Scott) Market
THANLYIN (SYRIUM)
It was an important trading port of Portuguese, Dutch, French and
British merchants. The Portuguese adventure established his own
private kingdom.
Places of Interest :
Kyaikkhauk Pagoda,
Yele Pagoda situated in the centre of the Island, hand-feed fish
that come right up to you.
TWANTAY
It is located 24 km from Yangon. A small town of Twantay canal, and
center of pottery. Twantay canal is two hours away by boat from
Yangon.
 Situated in 80 km north of Yangon. It was the capital of 16th
century of Second Myanmar dynasty.
Places of interest : Kyaikpun Pagoda, four gigantic seated Buddha Images.
Shwemawdaw Pagoda, one of the most venerated monuments in Myanmar Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha
PYAY
 Situated about 280 km to the north of Yangon. It was the Pyu capital
called ''Thirikettaya'' from 3rd to 8th century. Pyay is an
important trade centre between the Ayeyarwady delta, central and
upper Myanmar and the western Rakhine state.
Places of interest :
Shwe Sandaw PagodaThe unique Buddha Image with golden eye spectacles at Shwemyetman
Pagoda. The ancient ruins of Sri Ksetra & HmawzaAkauk Taung-beautiful Buddha images carved in the rock banks along
the Ayeyarwady River.
 Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda
known as The Golden Rock Pagoda. It is one of the
most important pilgrimage sites in Myanmar. The rock top stupa was
built on the huge boulder balanced on the very edge of a steep cliff
standing (1200 metres) above sea level.
 It is the second busiest seaport & thiral largest city in Myanmar.
Mawlamyine lies on the Southern coast lies, a picturesque old
colonial town once an important teak port.
Places of interest :
Mahamuni and Uzina PagodasMon Cutural Museum
Thanbyuzayat World War II cemetery of 3771 allied soldiers who
captured by Japanese and perished while constructing the infamous
''Death Railway" that connect to Thailand.
PATHEIN (BASSEIN)
Capital of Ayeyarwady delta region. The landscapes are predominately
rice fields with other colourful crops such as growndnuts, maze,
sesames, jute, pulses, chilies, tabacco, sunflower, etc.
Places of interest :
Chaungtha beach,
Ngwesaung beach
 Mandalay is the royal capital of Myanmar's last dynasty. It was
founded by King Mindon. The palace, palace walls, a beautiful moat,
pagodas and monasteries were built in 1857. It is the second largest
city of Myanmar. Mandalay is not only an important city for it's
rich traditional, cultural, but also the principle centre for
Buddhism studies in Myanmar.
Places of interest :
Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its venerable statue of Buddha covered
with gold leaf
Shwe Nandaw Monastery, a special specimen of Myanmar Wooden
architecture
Kuthodaw Pagoda which Knows ''The World's Largest Book" for its 729
marble slabs
Mandalay hill, one can have a panoramic sunset view of the city
including the royal moat and the palace.
Silk weaving factory, gold leaf working sites, embroidery, stone and
wood carving, bronze casting workshops are cultural spots for
tourists.
AMARAPURA
 Situated about 11 km south of Mandalay. It is an ancient capital of
Konbaung Dynasty in 1783. As in 1857 all the important buildings of
Amarapura had been transferred to Mandalay.
Places of interest :
U Bein Bridge, 1.2 km long teak wood bridge over the Taungthaman
lake. It was built in 1784.Maha Gandayon Monastery, the largest monastery in Myanmar with more
than 1,000 monks during theBuddhist Lent. It follows the original
teachings of Buddha and has very high academic standard.
INNWA
Located at the confluence of the Ayeyarwaddy and Myint Nge
rivers.From 1364, Inwa was the capital of Myanmar Kingdom for nearly
400 years. It is a pleasant place to see around the environs by
riding a pony cart.
Places of interest :
Bagaya monastery which is famous for it's teak pillars amounting to
267 in total Watch Tower known as the ''Leaning Tower of AVA''
Maha Aung Mye Bonzan monastery decorated with stucco and bricks.
SAGAING
20 Km west of Mandalay on the west bank of the Ayeyarwady River.
Sagaing is the famous religious centre for Buddhist. There are more
than 600 pagodas, temples and monasteries in Sagaing Hill.
Place of interest :
Silver Smith workshop
MINGUN
 Located accross the Ayeyarwady River, about 11 Km north of Mandalay.
A 50 minutes boat trip to Mingun is a very pleasant way to see the
life along the river.
Places of interest :
Mingun bell, weighs 90 tons and the World largest ringing bell.Mingun Pagoda, a huge unfinished pagoda, it was dedicated to be the
world largest monument.
PYIN OO LWIN (MAYMYO)
 Located 60 km north of Mandalay, and at 1100 metres above sea level.
Formely known as Maymyo. It is the best known colonial hill station,
still impresses with many colonial styled buildings.
Palces of interest : Botanical garden of 432 acres.Peikchinmyaung Cave with numeraus Buddha statues.
MOGOUK
200 km north of Mandalay. Mogouk is famous for its gem, ruby,
sapphires, spinal, etc.
MONYWAR
Lies on the eastern bank of the Chindwin River. Monywa is the
commercial centre of the Chindwin valley.
Places of interest :
Thanbokde Pagoda with 582357 Buddha images
Powintaung caves with murals dating from 14th to 16th century
SALAY
A small town and is easy day trip from Bagan.
Places of interest :
Yoke Son Kyaung which is known for its beautiful wood carvings.Nan Paya, a largest lacquer Buddha image, 6 meter high dated from
13th century.
Mt. POPA
50 Km far from Bagan. Mt. Popa is an extinct volcano and covered
with a recently-grown forest. The most important Nat (spirits)
worship center in Myanmar.
 Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. 500 km
north of Yangon. Bagan Dynasty lasted from (849-1287) AD. King
Anawrahta was the founder of the first Myanmar Empire. The ancient
capital Bagan covers an area of 42 sq km containing some 2,200
remains today.
Places of interest :
Nyaung Oo Market
Shwezigon Pagoda, a proto type of later Myanmar stupa.Wetkyi-in Gubyaukyi temple with fine mural paintings of jataka
scenes,
Ananda temple, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style.Traditional lacquer-ware workship.
TAUNGGYI
 Situated in the Southern Shan State and is the capital of Shan State
About 1500 metres above the sea level. It is surrounded by high
mountains and has a moderate climate. The most significant festival
is the Tazaungdine Lighting Festival. (Nov) During this festival,
hot-air balloon competitions are held.
Places of interest :
Taunggyi museum,
Kakku Pagoda, remains thousands of pagoda of various centuries.
 The second largest natural lake in Myanmar. It is situated in the
southern Shan State. 22.4 km long and 10.2 km wide. The lake is
about 900 meters above sea level, sheltered among the hazy blue
mountains. It is famous for its unique leg-rowers, floating villages
and floating gardens colourful floating markets and festivals.
Places of interest :
Paung daw Oo pagoda, the shrine of five Buddha statues are widely
believed to have miraculous powers. Pagoda festival is held every
year during the month of October.
Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, Known as Jumping cats monasters.
Silk weaving village of Inpawkhone.
KALAW
 Situated about 71 km west of Taunggyi. It is the most peaceful
summer resort and the main attractions of kalaw are its colonial-era
bungalows, cottages and villa. Its environs are great for trekking
and some distance from the town come upon the Palaung villages where
the villagers still live in long house.
PINDAYA
 It is a small picturesque town at the foot of Shan plateau. It is
famous for its lime stone Pindaya caves contain a maze of chambers
with 8,094 Buddha statues.
Places of interest :
Pindaya Shwe U Min Cave
Shan traditional paper and Shan umbrella Home Industry.
KYAING TONG
It is situated 456 km north-east of Taunggyi. It is the capital of
the Golden Triangle Region. It is surrounded by the villages of the
hill tribes in colourful dresses.
Places of interest :
Colourful market,
Akha hill tribes villages
SITTWAY
The capital of Rakhine State. Lies in Southwestern Myanmar on the
coastline along the Bay of Bengal.
Places of interest :
A view point of Sittway
Rakhine cultural Museum
MRAUK-U
 The ancient city of Rakhine Kingdom of 15th century. Mrauk-U was one
of the richest cities in all of Asia but today the town is more like
a sleepy village. 5 hours voyage along the Kalatan River from
sittway.
Places of interest : Sittaung Pagoda built in 1535 AD by 1,000 architects.
Dukkanthein Pagoda, the huge fortress-like temple, built of rock
with vaulted passages containing interesting stone sculptures. Archaeological museum.
Local market
Easily reachable by flights from Yangon. Myanmar's best known resort
with un-spoilt white sand beaches, situated in Rakine State and
stretches for over 3 Km along the western coast.
MYITKYINA
 The capital of Kachin State. Kachin State is famous for Myanmar's
snow capped icy mountains of the descendent from eastern Himalayan
Region. Jate is primarily found in this region.
Places of interest :
Myit-son, the start of the Ayeyarwady River
Indawgyi lake.
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