YANGON

Yangon is the biggest city as well as the former capital and gateway to Myanmar. Today some of the unmistakably colonial style buildings and a square pattern of city planning still stand and make orientation in the heart of the city. It was constructed by Lieutenant Fraser of British Engineering corps, who had also drawn the city plan of Singapore. The present day, Yangon covers 350 sq. km with over 5 million populations. The start of your tour will be in Yangon as all airlines serving Myanmar fly to Yangon International Airport. At least one-night stay is highly recommended before departure up the country and one night at the end of the trip.

Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda, the landmark of Myanmar which is proud of the towering 2,500 years old gold crusted, as well as the highlight of the cityscape, especially around sunset. Its 98 meters tall and golden dome is covered with 11 tons of pure gold with 1,800 carats of Diamond and other precious gems.

Sule Pagoda

Originally built by the Mon people, this 48-Meter high distinct octagonal-shaped stupa actually dates over 2000-years. Once stood on the bank of Yangon River in the muddy swampland, now Sule is paid homage by the bustling Yangon’s motor traffic of from whichever direction, as British town planners laid out the grid system by setting up the stupa in the center and made the heart of Yangon.

Botahtaung Pagoda

This pagoda is renowned for its age dating back to over 2500-years, and the relics it contains inside, the hairs of Buddha, which are kept inside the decorated glass case. One can attain merits by feeding foods to the catfish and tortoise from a lake next to the pagoda.

Chaukhtatgyi Buddha

This colossal reclining Buddha image is a 20th century monument and less proportionate comparing with the other ones throughout Myanmar, it has the length of 70 meters and makes the third biggest in Myanmar. According to the Buddhist iconography, there are many different positions from standing, walking, sitting with various hand postures… but reclining style is most difficult to express in terms of architectural beauty if it is especially a gigantic size.

Kabaraye, the world peace pagoda and Maha Pasana, the great cave

The Maha Pasana or the Great Cave is an artificial one, where the sixth Buddhist synod was held to coincide with 2500th anniversary of the Buddha’s enlightenment. It was constructed by the voluntary labors and finished just before the conference started. Inside around 10,000 people can be seated and it is now used for the state level religious occasions and ceremonies like rewarding of highly achieved Buddhist monks. The cavern measures 139 x 113 meters.

Bogyoke Aung San Market, the oriental bazaar

Built in the 1920s, the sprawling market makes sense to buy things from the place where they are produced, Bogyoke Market (aka Scott Market) has a wide range of Burmese handicrafts, woodcarvings, lacquerware, musical instruments, shoulder bags, precious stones & pieces of jewelry, longyis, and various imported goods.

National Museum

The new national museum is relocated to the present site in 1996 and has a range of interesting cultural & historical exhibits, including 8m-hight Lion Throne (Sihasana) used by King Thibaw of Mandalay; royal regalia, furniture, paintings, inscribed stones of Pyu & Bagan periods; prehistoric findings; woodcarvings; folk cultural items; archaeological findings; and mannequins dressed ethnic groups in the country.