One can find a wide range of captivating places in Myanmar which provide a window into its culture, history, religion, and environment. One can seek out travel agents in Yangon who can offer assistance in reaching these destinations while more independent minded travelers can hire a car and driver. Rental cars for self driving are not yet available in Myanmar.
East
Thanlyin
There are areas just a short distance from Yangon that seem warped in time. Thanlyin for example, is a town just a half an hour drive across the Bago River. This town is characterized by roads covered in the shade of trees alongside old monasteries and pagodas rich with history. Thanlyin was once a major seaport when Yangon was just a small town. A major landmark in the town is the Kyiak Khauk Pagoda, a smaller version of the Shwedagon Pagoda, thought to have been built over six hundred years ago and is a prominent pilgrimage site in southern Myanmar. From its platform up high, visitors can overlook the lush greenery of the town. It holds an annual festival each February which is a spectacular event.
Shin Mway Noon Pagoda sits on a hill looking towards Yangon. It is named after Princess Shin Mway Noon of Thanlyin. According to legend, she had an ill-fated love relationship with Prince Min Nanda of Okkalapa across the river which is a suburb of Yangon. While it is uncertain if the princess and prince really existed, locals believe lovers should stay away from the pagoda unless they wish their relationship to end in tragedy as well.
A real life love tragedy is the story of the poet king Nat Shin Nuag, whose rib lies near the Kyiak Khuak Pagoda. He was born in 1570 and became a military hero, a great polo player and lover. He wrote songs while courting Princess Datu Kalyaya which are still sung today. He was but 20 years old when he fell in love with a newly widowed princess, 11 years senior. After 10 years of courtship they married in 1602, but she died shortly after within seven months. He was devastated and followed her to the grave at 42 by being sentenced to death by the Myanmar King Anaukpetlum after throwing loyalty with the Portuguese invader Felipe de Brito.
Kyauktan
The main road passing through Thanlyin leads to a delightful town of Kyauktan. A mid river island shrine the Yele Pagoda. It shimmers with gold and mirrored mosaics and is reachable only by boat. It is surrounded by waters filled with catfish which visitors can feed.
Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock)
Kyaiktiyo is a spectacular pagoda about a hundred miles from Yangon built atop a gigantic boulder that sits on the edge of a cliff. According to legend, a hermit who lived during Lord Buddha’s time hid a holy hair he was given in his own topknot. On his deathbed he instructed King Tissa to search for a boulder shaped like his head and built a pagoda and enshrine the hair there. This is how the boulder is thought to keep its balance, which is located on top of Mount Kyiaktiyo. It is completely covered with gold leaf and shimmers in the moonlike like something from a fantasy. It can be accessed by foot on a four hour hike or by truck along a windy road which still requires a 45 minute walk from the drop off area. Thousands of Buddhists climb up the hill to the pagoda during pilgrimage season. Over 9000 candles are lit on its platform on New Year’s Eve and other religious holidays.
Dala is a short ten minute ferry ride on the Yangon river from Pansodan Street Jeffy. The Baundaw Choke pagoda is close by the port where a well preserved body of an abbot who passed away many years ago lies. Instances such as this are thought to happen to abbots who were considered higher beings or rahanda and who led pure lives.
Twante
Twante is a famous town for its pottery about 20 miles from Dala. The present day Twante is fairly new as the original site is a bit further inland. Its ancient pottery making techniques are still used such as hand mixing the silt with clay and turning the wheel by hand or foot and using brick kilns to fire the pots. Also famous is the town’s Shwensanda Pagoda which is a sacred monument said to hold an enshrined Buddha hair relic. Old bronze Buddha statues are on display including one believed to have been donated by King Bayintnuag, a great conqueror of the 16th century. Twante can be accessed by car from Dala or from Yangon by taking a boat through the Twante canal.
Pathein
During the 16
th to early 18
th century, Pathien was Myanmar’s most important seaport. It is approximately 90 miles away from Yangon by land and can be reached in a few hours by car or by an overnight ferry ride along small rivers that fill the delta region. The manufacturing of colorful paper parasols with bamboo frames and sweet sticky rice halawar are two local traditions. The town is also famous for its Shwemokhtaw Pagoda which is a site of pilgrimage for Bhuddhists. Deriving from the legend of Princess Ohnmar Danni who lived in Pathien years ago, whose beauty was said to drive men mad, women in Pathien are said to be unusually pretty.
Ngwe Saung is located about two hours away by car from Pathein and is one of Myanmar’s newest beach destinations. It offers nearly nine miles of perfect white sand beaches lined with plentiful coconut groves. It is a perfect setting to watch the sun set while dining on fresh lobster! There are several luxury and mid-range hotels in Ngwe Saung to stay. Also close by is an elephant camp where people can view large animals work.
Zalun
Zalun is only a three hour drive away from Yangon. It is famous for its pagoda festivals held each year during February and July. People from all over Myanmar come to offer alms to many monks. Visitors in February can also view a robe weaving contest.
Pyi daw pyan or “returned to country” is the name of a bronze image enshrined at the pagoda here. It was removed from the pagoda after the British conquered the lower part of Myanmar in 1852. According to legend, strange things started to happen when the image arrived in Bombay, India. Thus, the image was returned to Myanmar in 1857 and is said to have been left on a riverbank near Zalun.
North
Moyingyi Bird Sanctuary
Moyingyi Bird Sanctuary is roughly 70 miles north of Yangon. During October to March, waterfowls migrate and stop to rest here during their long journey. The serene lake here is the perfect place to relax and view the birds go by.
Bago
About 50 miles north of Yangon lies Bago, once called Hanthawaddy and home to Mon kings. In 1550 Tabinshwehti of Toungoo a Myanmar king conquered Bago and his successor reigned from 1551 to 1581. Kambawzathadi, the palace he built, has been reconstructed at the original location and is adjacent to a small artifacts museum. The Shwemawdaw Pagoda is believed to have been built almost 2000 years ago and holds a holy Buddha tooth relic. Various parts of the structure have suffered collapses since it was built and some of its enshrined objects are on display in the museum. The annual festival held in April is one of the greatest events in southern Myanmar. Another site of interest is the reclining Buddha called Shwethalyaung. It is said to have been built by Mon king, Migadepa II, in 994. Towards the city’s outskirts lies the Kyiak Pun Pagoda which was built in 1476. It features four large Buddha images which are seated back to back around a square pillar. One of the largest monasteries in Myanmar is Kya Khat Wain Kyaung which is home to over 1,000 monks. In addition, Bago is famous for its hand rolled cheroots. Production “factories” are places where women gossip and sing while cutting, rolling, and tying.
Htaukkyant
Just a short drive from Yangon and along the road to Bago and Mandalay is Htuakkyant. It is a beautiful cemetery dedicated to Allied soliders during World War II. There are 27,000 graves here and the cemetery is up kept by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.