1. The explorers from England have found out 39 caves with 17km in length. It belongs to cave systems of PhongNha- Ke Bang National Park (QuangBinh province)

2. “In May 7th, 2014 the explorers of Association of Caves Royal Britain, Ha Noi University of Science and PhongNha National Park carried out a survey and discovered the caves from March 16th, 2014,” PhongNha- Ke Bang’s management said.

Through this exploration lasted till April, 2014, the explorers have discovered 39 caves with 17km in length, raise the total of number Caves in PhongNha- Ke Bang up to 300 caves. There are 3 most important caves: May Cave with 1.100metre in length, VucMoi Cave with 213 metre in height and Lan Cave with 1.230 metre in length.

Beside, A Ky Cave, which is 1.260 metre in length, has a stream inside. It is  hydrography systems coming from Laos. The new Cave systems have many kinds of pattern. Such as: Dry or doline caves,…
This is 16th exploration from 24 years until now. The explorers have discovered 200 kilometre in total of length. PhongNha- Ke Bang is going to become one of the most important cave systems in Asia and the whole world

Previously, cavers explored and completed the calculation at two biggest caves: Hang En cave and Son Doong cave and hundred other surrounding caves. Recently, the authorities are studied and going to allow some testing tours trekking to Hang En cave 2days and Son Doong Cave tour from 3-6 days

According to Foreign Affairs of Quang Binh province, Hang En Cave (Swallow cave) is likely to be the location of “Peter Pan” – a fairy blockbuster beloved by kids over the world

Dated May 05th, representatives of Quang Binh Foreign Affairs confirmed that the team of 10 from Wanner Bros Feature Film (USA) arrived and taking a tour to Hang En Cave located in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in order to inspect the location for next shootings of the fairy movies ‘Peter Pan’.

In two days, the team used flying remote controlled filming equipment to calculate the scenes likely shot in Hang En cave. The scenes include Peter Pan flying in caves, on the sky over hundreds of magnificent peaks and ever green jungles.

This is the film about Peter Pan – a fictional character beloved by million children over the world for centuries.
The chosen location, Hang En cave was discovered by explorers of British Royal Caving Association. The cave is a typical sample of the earth cover moving progress from million years

The name of Hang En comes from the reason there are endless number of swallows habitat there. “En” mean swallows in Vietnamese. Hang En cave is the third largest cave over the world, after Son Doong cave, both in Vietnam and Deer cave in Malaysia

The cave is over 1.6km long (through a whole mountain range), some places bigger than 170m, the highest point is at 120m and include 3 mouths (one perching on middle of mountain, two at the mountain foot of which one toward to South East and one toward to North West, following the stream of Rao Thuong). This is a very special feature rarely seen in Vietnam’s caves

The main entrance to South East, nearly 100 m width, is blocking by a stone cylinder. The front façade is with a big sediment. Surrounded the entrance is thick jungle, the North West entrance has magnificent and magic beauty with 83m height and 35m width

Vietnam is excited to see fairy ‘Neverland’ transparenting from Hang En cave on screen. The film is slated for a July 17, 2015 release.

Just a quick update for those who plan to apply visa from 16 March 2014 for pre-arranged visa on arrival that Myanmar Immigration Department will stop receiving application to make changes.

Please advised to try to apply through Embassy if you have any chance to do so. We will update more news on 17 or 18 April about this.

Note: VOA services now pause by latest announcement of Myanmar Misnitry of Foreign Affairs. All independent tourists require to contact to your local embassy or consulate for Visa Process.

Click links to see Myanmar embassies and consulates

Inle Lake is a major travelers destination in Burma. The lake is bordered by a few villages, where local Intha people live in wood or bamboo houses on stilts. Most of the villagers are farmers or fishermen. Travelers can experience the most amazing views at Inle Lake, eat the most delicious food with fresh fish from the lake and meet local fishermen who are known for practicing a distinctive rowing style.
Inle Lake is located in the Taunggyi district of Shan State. The best time to visit is during September and October. The Hpaung Daw U festival is followed by the Thadingyut festival of lights. Like almost every festival in Burma, the people turn out in their best clothes and in great numbers.

Transport to Inle Lake

Inle Lake is 660km from Yangon and 330km from Mandalay by road. The fastest way to get there is by taxi (75 US dollar) from Bagan or Mandalay during eight hours.
Air: Air Bagan flies to Heho, 41km northwest of Inle Lake (Air Bagan).
Bus: Buses carry travelers every day to Inle Lake from Yangon, Mandalay and nearby Taunggyi (Swenyaung junction).

A few pictures of Inle lake

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The Strand Hotel Yangon is Burma’s most famous and elegant hotel. The Strand reminds travelers of the country’s colonial history. The Victorian icon, fully renovated in 1995, has two wings centred on a lobby lounge with a black and white marble floor. The hotel was built by the Sarkies Brothers in 1896, opening its doors in 1901. During the British Empire The Strand was one of the most luxurious hotels in the world with a clientele of exclusively whites. The hotel was also used for Japanese troops during Japanese occupation of Burma in World War II. After the 1988 military junta overtake, the Strand was sold to Bernard Pe Win, Burmese business man, who formed a group of investors. The Strand is currently owned by General Hotel Management.

The luxury offered is uncomparable to other hotels and ordinary life in Burma. The Strand offers large suites with lazily whirring ceiling fans, teak floors and luxurious bathrooms. Guests can outside overlook the river from the large verandah.

To complete The Strand’s ambience, there’s the River Art Gallery located adjacent to the hotel with over 30 Burmese artists represented.

For travel junkies who hold the highest expectations (and biggest wallets) for luxury hotels, the Strand stands out. As the epitome of colonial charm, the Strand should be on all luxury travelers’ Yangon itineraries.

The Strand Hotel, 92 Strand Road, Yangon. 

Source: Burma Traveler

Innwa, or Ava before, is located to the south of Amarapura. It was the capital of Burma in the past for a couple of times over several centuries, the first time in the 14th century. Innwa was established in 1364 on an artificial island, bordering with the Irrawaddy river in the North and the Myitnge river to the East. When people dug a canal was on the West and South, the Innwa island was made. The island made it easier to defend against invasion attempts.
Innwa was sufferred a very destructive earthquake in 1838. What remains today include the Innwa moat, some fortress walls, entrance gates and the ruins of the Royal Palace. The Nam Myint watch tower of the Royal Palace is tilting, therefore it is well known as the Nam Myint leaning tower.
One of the most notable landmarks of Innwa is the Maha Aung Mye Bonzan monastery, also known as the Me Nu Brick Monastery, a richly decorated building dating back to 1818. A few hundred meters to the north, you will be confronted by the Bagaya Kyaung Monastery, built in 1834 during the reign of King Bagyidaw. The entirely teak wood made structure with 57 meters long and 32 meters wide is situated on 267 huge teak stilts. It is decorated with very striking wood carvings, floral motifs, animals and mythical figures. The highlight of the monastery is a small Buddha image seated inside on a large golden throne. Not too far from this stand the famous Yadana Labamuni Hsu-taung-pye Pagoda, Hmwe Paya or Snake Pagoda in Paleik. The pagoda houses 2 pythons which live happily around the Buddha statue.
Surrounded by the modern world, like Bagan, Mrauk U, Innwa is an ideal place to explore the archaeological values containing the rich legacy of traditions, spirituality and culture of ancient Burma.

Related link Mandalay in Burma !

Burmese women’s and children’s use of thanaka is a unique custom; we uncover this tradition’s background and the reasons it continues to thrive today

Burmese women feel great pride when they are asked to explain the golden paste covering their faces. This traditional skin conditioner has been used in Burmese society for centuries and is a cherished part of national identity.
Fragrant thanaka is a Burmese household tradition. Every day, after taking a bath, women, children, and even some men paint thanaka on their faces. Burmese believe thanaka bark cools their skin, tightens the pores, and controls oiliness.
Women apply this cream in various ways, from a casual smear to elaborate patterns, as a light coating or a thick mask. Especially those who work in paddy fields or toil outside for long periods use thanaka as a protective shield on their exposed faces and arms, believing it protects their skin against the unforgiving tropical sunshine.
Wearing thanaka is also a centuries-old method of female Burmese beautification. Some women writers talk up thanaka as a traditional Burmese beauty secret. “Thanaka liquid has properties that make the skin cool and smooth, with a refreshing and chilled fragrance, beautifying the users. It also cures pimples and acne,” notes Burmese researcher May May Aung.

Thanaka is made from tree bark. Thanaka wood is found in handicrafts such as combs, boxes, and other small trinkets, and the tree’s roots are used as an “indigenous laxative,” according to May May Aung. Traditionally, Burmese women grind the bark of the thanaka tree with a little water on a flat, circular stone called a kyauk pyin. This produces a milky yellow liquid that dries quickly when applied to the skin, forming a powdery protective covering.

The history of thanaka dates from the earliest development of the country. Some believe that the legendary queen of Peikthano, an ancient Pyu city that burma3flourished more than 2,000 years ago, loved thanaka. According to historians, the Pyu people intermarried with Sino-Tibetan migrants who later became part of the Bamar (Burman) ethnicity. The earliest written reference to thanaka in Burma is in a 14th century poem written by a consort of King Razadarit (or Rajadhirat), the monarch who successfully reunited all three Mon-speaking regions of southern Burma. He ruled from 1384 to 1422 and fended off major assaults by the Burmese-speaking northern Kingdom of Ava (Innwa). According to the authoritative book Myanma Thanaka, written by Thar Hla in 1974, the revered novice monk and poet Shin Maha Ratthasara, who lived from 1486 to 1529, also referred to thanaka in his work.
Further evidence of the antiquity of thanaka came following the destruction of the Shwemadaw Pagoda in Pegu, an ancient city located 76 km north-east of the Burmese capital Rangoon, in the earthquake of 1930. Among the ruins was a kyauk pyin used by Princess Razadatukalya. She was the eldest daughter of King Bayintnaung, who assembled the largest empire in the history of South-East Asia and reigned from 1551 to 1581. The valuable antique stone was later donated to the pagoda.
Nowadays, thanks to modern scientific methods, thanaka is available as either a thick cream or a powder, making it easier to use. There are at least 200 brands in Nyaungbinlay Plaza, one of the biggest consumer markets in Rangoon.
Traders who sell thanaka estimate that daily sales of the bark paste are worth many millions of kyat. They also say that many of the thanaka products sold in the market lack the official Ministry of Wealth stamp of approval.
Sellers claim that while user-friendly cosmetic products are more convenient, many Burmese women remain loyal to the traditional organic thanaka that has been used for generations because of concerns about the purity in the newer products.
“Organic thanaka is more expensive, but it gives you a cooling sensation and protects your skin from arid weather. Ready-made versions are cheap but I have heard they are mixed with soil, so I wouldn’t dare use them,” said Aye Mya Kyi, a retailer at Nyaungbinlay Plaza.
The scientific name of the thanaka plant is Limonia acidissima. The tall, slow-growing tree is native to South and South-East Asia and can grow on dry, rocky soil in areas with little water.
While other nations use its bark, leaves, roots, fruits, and gum for medical and other purposes, only the Burmese wear thanaka as a daily cosmetic and skin conditioner. Burmese people believe the best thanaka plants are naturally slow-growing, taking three to ten years for the trunk to reach two inches in diameter.
Due to increasing demand and a dearth of thanaka trees in natural forests, privately owned thanaka plantations and seedling-selling businesses are flourishing in the Burmese dry-zone, in villages around Yesagyo, Myaing and Shinrnataung townships in Magway Division. According to farmers, around 200 thanaka trees can grow on an acre of land with seasonal vegetables such as beans and sesame.
The thanaka tree is a perennial that is mature for market after three to seven years of growth. Expert growers say the tree needs great care when young because of its vulnerability to insect attacks. This, with the normal expenses of the time-consuming plantation business, makes it difficult to make much profit.
In 2006, thanaka was approved for export, targeting Burmese communities living abroad.
An old Asian proverb says the world’s most beautiful women have a Thai smile, Indian eyes, and Burmese skin. Perhaps the Burmese have thanaka to thank for the glowing reputation of their complexion.

Based on SouthWorld.net!

“How much does it cost to travel in Burma/Myanmar?” is the most often asked question, which I get in your e-mails. The general answer should be that it depends on the style of your travel, but that doesn’t really answer anything. Tourism boom, which has hit the country last year caused many prices to skyrocket. The bad news is that Burma is the second most expensive country to travel after Singapore in Southeast Asia. The worse news is that it’s going to be more expensive in the coming 2-3 years. Let’s take a look how much money a trip to Myanmar is likely to cost you this year.

In Myanmar the local currency is kyat (MMK). The exchange rate in recent months was approximately US$1 = 840-860 MMK. In last week or so US1$ was 880-890 MMK. As no one knows if it’s going to stay that way for long let’s calculate that US$1 = 850 MMK. For a typical journey in Burma you will need a visa, accommodation, food, local transport, and entrance fees as the absolute minimum. Let’s break it down then!

Visa

Every tourist visiting the country requires a visa. At present it cost US$30. Please check with your nearest Myanmar embassy and don’t complain if it’s more expensive few months after this article was published.

Accommodation

The cheapest guesthouses and hotels go for about US$15-20 all around the major locations in the country. In that price you will get an old, worn-off, not to clean room with outdated often uncomfortable furniture. It will come with an old, loud air conditioner or a fan. The room will have a basic bathroom. If you are lucky you will have a hot water and working toilet. The standard of cleanliness varies, but is usually worse than you would normally expect. Many cheap hotels are full of mosquitos. They are also often occupied by mostly Asian sex tourists, which might not make for the quietest night. Please note that sometimes the cheapest might not be available and you will end up in an equally lousy room for US$30 or something relatively decent for US$50-60.
In some places you can sleep in the monastery. It’s free, but you should leave a donation of 5,000 MMK+ per person per night.
Homestays are generally illegal at present (some changes are on the way), but some locals are happy to accommodate you nevertheless. Due to the recent liberalization of the country, contrary to the popular opinion you should not put your hosts in trouble for staying with them if you are discreet about it. You also should leave a donation of 5,000 MMK+ per person per night.
Couchsurfing is free, but most of the locals do not host as they are still afraid of the government. Many foreigners including me do not host as they simply don’t have time to respond to 100 inquiries per week. But good luck with this!
A decent mid-range hotel will cost you US$50 – US$100, while luxury goes from US$300+

Food

You can grab a portion of rice and chicken curry on the street for up to 1,000 MMK. There are only two problems with street food in Myanmar. Firstly it’s the hygiene or lack of thereof. I hear you saying ‘Oh, I ate on the street in Thailand, Cambodia, and many other places. I’ll be fine.’ Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. This is Burma, my friend. When thinking about food hygiene think not Thailand, but India. Only worse.
Saying that I must admit that I eat on the street once in a while and most of the time I am fine. My first three weeks in the country, however, were the worst in my life when it comes to stomach issues. It’s your holidays. The choice is also yours.
The second issue with cheap street food is its value. While in Thailand you can get a decent portions of rice and chicken/pork/seafood for up to 2 USD, in Myanmar you will get a relatively modest portion of rice and very small portion of meat. And most of it will be bones anyway. A normal adult person will have to order a triple portion costing you up to 3,000 MMK to not feel hungry one hour later.
Save yourself the hustle and head straight to the local restaurants (a level up from street food) and get rice with watercress for 1,500 – 2,000 MMK, hot&sour chicken with rice for about 3,000 MMK, fried fish for 6,000 MMK, and a bottle (640 ml) of cold Myanmar beer for 1,600 MMK. Count 15,000 MMK per day and you should not be walking hungry and thirsty
Want to treat yourself? Head to one of the good restaurants like The Corriander Leaf (Indian Fine Dining), Acacia Tea Saloon (mixed cuisine) or Le Planteur (European Cuisine). Get ready to say goodbye to about 20,000-30,000 MMK in the first two. Full three-course dinner with wine at Le Planteur will cost you around US$100.

Local Transport

You should not pay more than 3,000 MMK for a taxi anywhere within Yangon. I usually pay 1,500 – 3,000 MMK depending on the distance. Negotiate in advance as there are no meter taxi in Myanmar. A taxi from the airport or bus station to the city center (45-60 minutes) will cost you 8,000 MMK or slightly less depending on the distance and your negotiation skills. Use the above prices as a reference for Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake as well.
The public buses in Yangon charge 200 MMK per ride. Try it out if you know where they are going.
A taxi for all day will cost you from US$50 to US$100. A car with a driver for a day in Myanmar will cost you anywhere between US$100 to US$200 depending on the car quality and who you organize it with.
Highway buses cost from 6,000 MMK (for example Yangon – Nay Pyi Taw) to 20,000 MMK (Yangon – Mandalay) depending on the bus quality and distance.
An overnight sleeper train from Yangon to Mandalay will cost you US$60. The prices for other trains and location depend on the distance and quality of the train. General rule is that the trains are more expensive than the buses on the same routes, but the experience is worth it. At least once.
Flights between major destinations cost between US$100 to US$200 one way depending on many factors like time of booking, who you book with, and possibly some others. It’s the fastest, most convenient, and most expensive way of traveling in Burma.

Entrance fees

Entrance fees are generally not high, but can be a pain in the ass. A visit to Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon will cost you US$5. Some other pagodas and sights around the country will usually cost anything around US&1-5 with a few exceptions of US$10. Many sights are free or charge a modest camera fee (300-500 MMK) if you have one. Entry fee to Inle Lake and Bagan is US$10 each. Depending on what you want to see in Mandalay, you might need a pass for all the sights in the city which cost US$10 as well. These prices will probably be higher very soon. US$50 should take care of all your entrance fees. The income from the admission fees goes directly to the Tourism Development Fund managed by the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism. It’s not the best idea to avoid if you want better infrastructure for your second visit.

Summary

Given the above let’s try to calculate a typical cheap, but reasonable two-weeks stay in Burma featuring Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake – the country’s most popular destinations.

Solo traveler:

• Visa: US$30
• Accommodation: US$20 x 14 nights = 280
• Food: 18 USD x 14 = 252 USD
• Local transport: 3 /medium/long distance highway buses = US$50 + US$50 for taxis in all locations = US$100.
• Entrance fees: US$50
• Total: US$713

Couple:

• Visa: US$30 x2
• Accommodation: US$20 x 14 nights = 280
• Food: 18 USD x 14 x 2 = 504 USD
• Local transport: 3 /medium/long distance highway buses = US$50 x 2 + US$50 for taxis in all locations = US$150.
• Entrance fees: US$100
• Total: US$1,094

This kind of trip should cost you between US$700 to US$800, which sets your daily budget at US$50-57  if you are traveling solo. If you are traveling as a couple the trip should cost you around US$1,100 setting your daily budget at roughly US$40 per person.
Cheap? Expensive? Share your opinion and experience!

How much does it cost to live in Myanmar? It depends on your lifestyle is the shortest, but very vague answer. Many will tell you that you that you can rent an apartment for $200-300 and eat delicious meals on the street for $1. But it’s not a full picture. I decided to take a look at lifestyles and cost of living of a few expats (including mine) based in Yangon to give you an idea of budgeting your relocation to Myanmar.

Typical apartment block in Yangon

Marc Piano, an English teacher and a freelance consultant

I rent a very simple apartment for $180 per month including the bills. I spend about $300 for food eating mostly on the street, and additional $100 for nights out (I am not drinking anymore) and other entertainment (buying video games and movies). Transport (buses&taxis) cost me no more than $70 per month. Internet access costs me $80. My monthly spendings come to around $730. (I am not factoring visa costs and flights related to that.) That’s on the high end and is often less.

Marek (Product & Marketing Manager) & Karen (Sales Manager) at local tour operator

We rent a 3-bedroom (120 square meters) apartment in a so called condominium near Inya Lake. Contrary to the popular belief there are more differences between apartments and condominiums than just having an elevator. The condominiums are usually better maintained, come with security, car park, and offer 24-hours electricity and water supply (most of the time). We pay for it $1,800, but we sublet two rooms for $500 each. The company we work for pays for our Internet access. The bills come to about $130 per month.

We spend for food about $20 per day eating mostly in local, but clean restaurants. Nights out and other entertainment come to $200. The transport costs us $50 (driving company car + occasional taxis). Other expenses include gym membership costing about $160 per month for both of us (paid in advance for six months).

Our comfortable, but by no means luxurious life costs us between $1750 and $2000 per month.

General Manager of one of the better hotels in Yangon

I rent a two bedrooms (90 square meters) apartment with balcony in a nice, newly built condominium near Kandwagyi Lake. It costs me $2,400 and the price includes cable TV and Internet. I eat mostly in high-end restaurants like The Corriander Leaf, Bangkok Kitchen, Acacia Tea Saloon, Cafe Dibar. An average meat/seafood dish with a bottle of wine to go with it, costs me $25-50. Monthly it comes to about $600-800. Groceries cost me between $150-300 and taxis about $150.

A lifestyle as comfortable as I could get in Yangon costs me between $3,300 and $3,700 depending on the month.

Summary

Life in Yangon can range from cheap to expensive depending on your lifestyle preferences. It’s certainly possible to live for less than a $1,000 (add $500 to live as a couple), but personally I would hate to do that. If you don’t mind a low quality, spartan apartment in an old, dirty, worn-off block with electricity and water issues – things with which an average Myanmar citizen has to cope on the every day basis, $1,000 might just be enough for you. You will have to eat on the street most of the time, where unlike in neighboring Thailand for example, food is of very low quality, nutritional value and questionable taste.

Relatively comfortable life as a single man in Yangon will cost you minimum $1,500 and around $2,000 for a couple. You need $3,500 ($4,500 for a couple) and up for a life, which can be considered very comfortable/luxurious in Yangon.

Are you an expat in Yangon or other parts of the country? Share your views!

Now, Burma ( or Myanmar ) is finally opening up to the world and be sure to become the next tourist destination of choice in South East Asia. Formally known as Burma, this country rich in history and culture has been all but cut off from outside influences and tourist practices, making it a very real and unique experience. Burma is changing strongly in the coming years so there is no better time to plan a travel Burma.

Travel to Burma and discover a country of mythical landscapes, ancient treasures and some of the friendliest folk you’ll ever meet. From golden-gilded Buddha’s in Yangon and the magical temples of Bagan to the tranquility of Inle Lake, Burma will be exciting, impress and intrigue you. A visit to Burma is to experience the South-East Asia of twenty years ago.
We would like to suggest you some places that can not missed when you plan a travel to Burma.

Best of Burma tour

In the travel to Burma, visitors can expect to be dazzled by shimmering cities of gilded temples, enlivened by emerald green landscapes and humbled by the warm smiles of gracious villagers.

Destination summary

Yangon
Formerly named Rangoon, Yangon is home to the holiest of all shrines at Shwedagon Paya, which glitters with gold and precious gems and is said to contain 8 hairs of the Buddha. This is the first choice for all clients who travel to Myanmar.
Bagan
Dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries, the ancient religious center of Bagan features countless brick and gilded temples which dot the skyline in many shapes and forms.
Ayeyarwaddy River
A cruise on the Ayeyarwaddy River offers a unique opportunity to witness the simple daily activities of life along the river as local villages and beautiful landscapes pass by.
Mandalay
Once known as ‘the golden city’, Lord Buddha is said to have left his mark on Mandalay Hill in the form of a footprint, signalling wealth and prosperity for the land standing before it.
Kalaw
As a former British hill station, Kalaw makes a welcome retreat from the heat of the lower-lying areas and the surrounding hills are the home to various ethnic minority groups.
Inle Lake
The resort town of Nyuangshwe lies at the northern end of Inle Lake, which is the life-blood for many ethnic communities found in stilt houses along the lake’s shallow fringes.

View full itinerary Best of Burma tour

Travel to Burma (Myanmar)’s Top Picks

Top 5 Temples of Burma

1. Shwedagon Paya: As one of the most sacred sites in Burma, this glittering pagoda located in Yangon is a must-see for travellers wishing to learn about the Buddhist faith and culture in Burma. The bell-shaped golden stupa is stunning, while the surrounding statues and satellite shrines provide insight into Burmese culture and mysticism.
2. Dhammayangyi: The largest temple in the impressive Bagan complex, centuries-old Dhammayangyi, features elaborate brickwork, dark passages filled with shrines and serene figures of Buddha. With its construction shrouded in historical mystery, the identity of the architect/builder of this unfinished temple is still unknown.
3. Shwezigon: One of Bagan’s most popular pilgrimage spots, Shwezigon is a significant place of worship for many Burmese people. With elaborate, gilded stupas, decorated staircases and golden, ornamental trees, this is one of Burma’s most beautiful temples.
4. Mahamuni: Grand columns, bright frescoes, peaceful pavilions, reflective pools and a massive golden Buddha statue combine to make this one of Burma’s most visually appealing and interesting spiritual sites. As an active monastery, school for monks and place of worship, expect Bagan’s Mahamuni to be busy with daily rituals and yearly religious festivals.
5. Ananda: While not the largest or most elaborate temple, Bagan’s symmetrical Ananda rises majestically into the sky with a certain sense of grace. Damaged by an earthquake in the 1970s, Ananda has been lovingly restored to former glory and continues to elicit admiration and wonder from both locals and visitors.