Travel Guides - Page 5 of 40

Bagan Puppetry for Excited Myanmar Culture Tour

Myanmar puppetry is popularly known as yoke tha ( This is a loose translation from the “small performance”). This contains special elements in comparison with other marionettes in the world. A wide variety of 27 characters together with stories they display make the fact that Myanmar puppets can get around circularly, unlike in other countries’ puppetry in a perpendicular way. So, this is so worth exploring during Myanmar package tours.

Mr. Khin Maung Htwe – an owner of Puppetry Home called Htwe Oo- said, “Several people think the culture of traditional puppets in Myanmar was approximately thousands of years, probably originated in the 11th century, while I’m not sure of this. Though I believe that it came from 600 –year-old ancient culture, there is some discovery showing wooden puppets as the main entertainment means for royal people centuries ago. Throughout colonialism age, this kind of art ran along the Irrawaddy River and then was embraced by the locals.”

Like other countries in this world, old traditions and cultures in Myanmar are gradually combining with a modern one. Nevertheless, Khin Maung Htwe is still adamant by maintaining its piece of heritage for burmese people through performances passed in their family-run puppet troupe in Htwee Oo Myanmar Puppetry Home. Any puppeteer, even Khin Maung Htwe’s wife as well as his daughter, has to use all fingers in order to animate marionettes made of wood in an intricate way of pulling, twisting, swinging, whirling and shaking.

From a Burma tour, you can learn that traditional Burmese puppet shows have 28 major characters such as royals, gods, monsters, and animals. Traditional puppets in Burma are usually carved, polished, sanded and then painted, before being dressed in costumes which have been stitched by hand. The whole procedure takes about 20 days. They also attach strings to all joints like eyebrows of the puppet so that it can move in a more flexible way while on performance.

There are no language barriers in this kind of performing art and therefore there are no hindrances to enjoyment as well as the connection between tourists on Myanmar holidays with the show. As a result, the art form can be preserved throughout centuries. Clearly, it seemed feasible for one puppeteer to take control over a total of 60 strings but this skill has been lost for years. Puppeteers nowadays still try to control in a minimum of 2 puppet strings.

In spite of an increase in rare traditional puppetry, several famous locals in Myanmar still try to preserve this art form so that tourists can come to enjoy during their escorted tours. Tourists should not miss a chance to visit a puppet theater group at Nanda Restaurant of the city Bagan. This group’s old leader passed down this are to his grandchildren and he described this kind of tradition as the performance from our souls. This can be seen from the way he controls and guides the puppets on the stage while both of his eyes are completely enthusiastic. The climax of this art is when a veteran puppeteer takes a twist of a puppet in a spin of 360 degrees just before he catches the puppet with shoulders, all of which are carried out in just one unstoppable move. Completely focused on the craft, the performer can express all of his dedication as well as reverence that he has for the ancient performing art.

In each scene, puppeteers will show the personality of each character on the stage. The lines of the story come from various plot lines which can be old myths or legends full of humor as well as folklore. Some singers can even make puppets without any expression become life, making an unforgettable Myanmar travel. These vocalists demonstrate personalities of characters, promote atmosphere, create a more unified as well as enchanting performance.

Fewer than a dozen of independent puppetry groups now exist in Myanmar but this art remains valuable as a special form and it will always be kept deep in the diverse traditional culture of this country, and tourists should not miss a chance to know more about it during their Myanmar escorted tours.

Essential Shopping Tips Before going Myanmar

Taking a tour to Myanmar, tourists will not only drop their jaws with exotic beauty taste delicious cuisines, but also experience shopping for gifts before you come back home. A lot of must-buy items have been suggested for travelers but could they research for some shopping tips in Myanmar?

1. Talking about prices carefully

If you are planning to pay a visit to Myanmar (Burma), the first and foremost piece of advice you will hear of is, ‘Just haggle over the prices’. Though the majority of good are now being sold at fixed prices, you will find this advice beneficial when you end up with commercial activities. You should persevere in haggling over the prices so that you can make up for the sellers’ nearly automatic answers with an aim of pushing the prices as soon as they catch the sight of a foreign visitor.

2. Be cautious of fake products

Myanmar production process has not been sophisticated enough to create successful imitations of well-known brands in the world. Nevertheless, surrounding nations definitely own that talent and then Burmese sellers will import imitation products and sell them to foreigners as well as local buyers. That is why you should pay attention to this while you are on Myanmar holidays. Just stay away from the imitations of famous brand names you might run into at some shop.

3. Think hard before buying antiques

You are not allowed to bring antiques out of Myanmar. That is why if you buy a handicraft which looks like a product of antique, you should not pay any price for it until the shopkeeper shows that it is acceptable for a certification process and it is surely not an antique.

4. Research thoroughly or have a local tour company

Holidays to Myanmar offer tourists a chance to see wonderful temples, buy souvenirs like wind-chimes, a longyi, lacquer-wear, postcards and sand paintings. All of these seem attractive and impressive to a lot of tourists. Nevertheless, tourists at times should not buy their gifts on their own or get some from intentional arrangements. Local people or several vendors will be friendly and honest enough to show you around and see the actual beauty of temples and other sightseeing spots. Afterward, you will be taken to some stalls for anything. Under this circumstance, visitors find it hard to refuse and they want to say thanks to their guides in the trip. In this way, there should be careful preparation before you take a trip so that you can save both money and time, you yourself can look out for ideal shopping places for high-quality things.

5. Think smart on buying goods

Myanmar gives visitors a rich variety of options when they are traveling here: from markets and stalls to shops, etc. As a result, the tourist must make a deal with many sellers to buy any product. The correct prices are hard to fix while the quality of goods lies in the supplier; in this way, you should have a double check of items you are intending to buy and you must make sure that when both sides come to an agreement on prices during transaction

6. Look out for most affordable shops

If you are on Burma tours, your breath will easily be taken away by various goods displayed Even walking around your luxury hotels, you can quickly notice a lot of shops which sell not only souvenirs but also a little beneficial and exotic articles as well as information in relation to these goods. Consequently, tourists have a motivation to think carefully about prices offered in the hotel as well as markets and stalls outdoors. Beneficial bargains will help tourists access ideal things they desire.

7. Allow convenient time for local markets

The majority of Burmese markets are open throughout the year but festivals. In the Buddhist Lent Festival which is organized from August to October, all of the markets in Myanmar are closed during full moon days. In this way, tourists have to sympathize and they should not buy anything during these times in Myanmar.
In the end, if any traveler wants detailed and beneficial concepts on shopping during their tours in Myanmar, it is very important for his or her to research thoroughly, talk with experienced travelers or even get the company of a well-qualified private tour guide on your trips.

5 Ways to Explore Mandalay City to Put on Your Myanmar To-Do List

Mandalay is one of the best charm city in Myanmar you should visit when you come this country. Like many things, you should do include: eating street foods, visit beautiful sites, explore unique traditions, etc. To build a “to do list Myanmar” is a must not miss any interesting things on your tour. Let’s see some good “candidates” for your list.

1. Enjoy the street food of Mandalay

The best way to explore Mandalay street foods is going on two wheels that you can stop wherever you like. I love to wandering around and stop whenever I see some things catch my eyes. One of the best things about Myanmar’s cuisine is that after enjoying the food, you will enjoy a free tea, Mandalay’s mouth-watering dishes that will make you unforgettable during your trip. It could be a big waste if you don’t put this activity on your “to do list Myanmar”

2. Discover Amarapura and U Bein Bridge

Amarapura used to be the capital of Myanmar in the past in Myanmar travel map. Today, the ancient capital is best known for its silk products, Maha Gandhayon Kyaung Monastery and U Bein – the longest teakwood bridge in the world.

Wishing to see the sunset on the U Bein bridge, I came to this bridge in the afternoon. But unluckily, it rained heavily; the sky is too gray to see the sunset and no one came to this bridge in that bad weather. However, this is probably the moment you are not easy to see, so I decided to go over the bridge, and it was a really nice experience.

Back in Amarapura, my stop was Maha Gandhayon Kyaung Monastery. At about 10 am every day, many young monks from Maha Gandhayon Kyaung monastery stand in line to beg for alms. This activity was seen in Luang Prabang, Laos. However, each place gives me different emotions. If you are still wondering “what to do in Myanmar”, you should give this site a try.

3. Enjoy the scenery from Sagaing Hill

Sagaing is the outer part of Mandalay; you have to cross the Ayeyarwady River to come there. Sagaing is especially famous for its hill called Sagaing Hill – one of the main Buddhist centers in Myanmar, which houses over 600 monasteries and towers, and 6,000 monks and nuns. It is one of the most popular sites that put on “to do list Myanmar” of many tourists.

On the way to the top of the hill, you have to overcome many small stupas and also take quite long time as the Myanmar travel guide. However, when you go to the top, you will take a great view down below.

4. Take a boat trip to visit Inwa

Inwa, along with Amarapura and Sagaing are the three oldest cities in Myanmar – and also the best places to visit in Myanmar. You have to sail from the banks of the Ayeyarwady River to get there. The road through the river is quite rough, so most tourists travel by carriage. Just like most other ancient cities of Myanmar, you will be attracted by the majestic temples, with unique architecture and beautiful scenery here.

5. Visiting Mingun ancient village

The last but not least fancy site in “to do list Myanmar” is Mingun – where the second biggest ringing bell is located. It is about 11km from Mandalay, you can get there by road but most of you travel by river. Ferries to Mingun each day only one trip, departing 8h30 and return at 13h for a fare of 4,500 kyat/person (about 2 USD). If you want more flexible time, you can rent a private ferry for about $ 30.

It is the best places to see in Myanmar, as it houses many of Myanmar’s most important historical monuments, most notably the Mingun Pahtodawgyi ruins built of red brick which if completed will be the largest brick Buddhist architecture in the world with a planned height of 150m. It was started building between 1790 and 1797 under King Bodawpaya, but due to economic weakness, this great work was halted and was left unfinished after the king’s death in 1813.

Things to Be Noted When Visiting Pagodas in Myanmar

When coming to visit any country in the world, tourists must learn the basic knowledge about the cultural behaviors of that country to make their trip more comfortable and interesting. myanmar people are very religious and they respect religious works. Therefore, coming to Myanmar adventure tours, visitors should pay attention to certain rules when visiting the pagodas in this country.

Take off your shoes Normally, you have to take off your shoes and socks right from the pagoda gate, except for some places allowing visitors to do that when they have got to the door and you should always remember this note. In the time when Myanmar was still a colony of English, Burmese people were indignant when the English went to their pagodas without putting off their shoes. It can be said that this custom was one of the motivations for the Burmese successful revolution and independence.

The similar rule is also applied in churches, but some places still allow visitors not to walk barefoot. It is recommended to observe the local people and imitate them.

Dress politely

When going to pagodas, temples or churches, you should not wear shorts, sleeveless T-shirts, tank tops or unsuitable clothes when going to the religious sacred areas of the Burmese. This rule is applied for both men and women in Myanmar adventure tours. Women are supposed not to wear skirts (which are shorter than their knees), leggings or clothes which show too much of cleavage.

Do not make noise

Coming to religious constructions, tourists should avoid making a big noise, yelling, screaming and laughing aloud. At Shwedagon Pagoda, you are not allowed to turn music on in the pagoda’s campus as well as bring musical instruments to the tower.

Avoid annoying others for photographs

Some pagodas or temples in Myanmar require a sum of money when tourists want to take photos, while others entirely do not allow taking photos so that the sacred atmosphere is not affected. And do not let this affect your Myanmar holiday’s enjoyment. Therefore, you should pay attention to the signs showing whether you are allowed to take photographs.
Besides, tourists should also avoid inappropriately posing with the images of pagodas and Buddha statues, leaning on or using Buddha statues as properties. Monks dislike being taken photos, so you should ask for their permission if you want to do that.

Do not turn your back to Buddha statues

If you want to sit for some rest, remember not to turn your back to the Buddha statues because this action is considered disrespectful to the religion of the Burmese. As pagodas are always on the list of best places to visit in Myanmar, you should always show respect to Buddha.

In addition, when sitting on the ground, you should also pay attention to your feet. Do not stretch your legs with your feet toward statues or towers.

Show respect to the monks

People who lead a religious life in Myanmar are really respected here. Tourists should not try to shake their hands. Women need to avoid touching them. When giving presents or sacrifices to the monks, you need to use both hands, stand an appropriate distance away from them so that they can receive the offerings easily. That is kind of complicated, but for enjoyable Myanmar adventure tours, you should keep the advice in mind.
Do not sit in the same or higher position to the monks. If you want to give money, you had better put the cash in an envelope or a wrapped piece of paper before asking the monks to receive it. This Myanmar travel guide is really important to make your trip easy and comfortable with memorable experiences.

Besides, it is better not to step on the shades of the monks when they are standing, especially on the head part. This is considered disrespectful to them, even when you are not on purpose.

It seemed to be so many to remember and pay attention to when you choose a pagoda to visit in Myanmar package tours. However, coming to a religious country like Myanmar, knowing the basic rules is always better for making your trip more convenient. Furthermore, complying with all of them, you can totally enjoy the interesting experiences about these impressive Burmese sacred constructional works.

Discover Wildlife in Myanmar

Myanmar is recognized as a hotspot of biodiversity. Many tourists are being encouraged to take Myanmar escorted tours to sites of ecotourism which show protected areas with values in terms of commerce and help create economic advantages to locals.

Myaing Hay Wun Elephant Camp

Myaing Hay Wun Elephant Camp is the closest one to Yangon and it is situated on Pyay Road. You can start your burma tours with a drive of 2 hours to Hpalon town. Next, you can reach the camp through an unsealed road, which can take around 90 minutes by car. Elephants stay most active in cool hours so it is recommended that you should spend 1-2 nights in this camp where there are comfortable places for rest. Prices of this tour include meals, transport, accommodation as well the services given by a guide who will help you interact with staff.

Hukuang Valley Tiger Reserve

With an area of 5,220 square miles, Hukuang Valley is now the largest reserve of tigers in the world. In here, you can see the rarest large contiguous forests across South East Asia during your holidays to Myanmar. The majority of its landscape is lowland forest which rises to hills full of coniferous forest. The lowlands have a lot of rivers, swamps as well as lakes of Oxbow. That is why this is ideal for rare waterbirds like a white-bellied heron, masked finfoot, and white-winged duck.

A survey took place at the same time with the building of this park and it showed many species with camera traps:
The place is a shelter for elephant as well as Gibbons Tiger, Pig-tailed Macaque, Muntjac, Leopard Cat, Asian Dhole, Malayan Sunbear, Himalayan Black Bear, Capped Leaf Monkey, Black Stork, Sambar, Gaur, Serow, Hog Deer, Pangolin, Golden Cat, Marbled Cat, Stump-tailed Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Large Spotted Civet, Crab-eating Mongoose, Wild Boar, Woolly-necked Stork and Clouded Leopard.

This area is a dream to those interested in wildlife and ornithologist. After gaining access to this park via WWII Ledo Road, your journey from Myitkyina can take approximately 8 hours by jeep or truck through this rough road to Park HQ in Tanai. Taking visits to this exotic landscape should be accompanied by a well-qualified guide and you can stay overnight in the park or in a surrounding village. An acceptance is needed if you want to travel but you may have to wait a maximum of 2 months before obtaining one. That is why you should make early bookings. Taking escorted tours to this park in Myanmar is acceptable from October to May.

The ASEAN Heritage Site, National Park of Lampi Marine

Lampi Island Marine National Park was founded in the year 1996 it is situated in the south of Myeik (Mergui) Archipelago. It spreads across a large island together with its surrounding sea. This island has the same size of the country Singapore and it is now kept in a good preservation condition. You can learn that tropical evergreen forest is remained untouched and there is a rich variety of wildlife. This island is around 48 kilometers long, and it can rise gradually to the maximum height of 350 meters, being fringed with mangrove forests in old-growth, beaches as well as bays.

This island’s wildlife includes Lesser Mouse Deer, Small-clawed Otter Asian Elephant, Wild Boar, Muntjac and Crab-eating Macaque. There are a lot of flying foxes and some nests of turtle species easily found on beaches, which are ideal for Myanmar holidays. Typical sea mammals in this area are Spotted and Striped Dolphins, False Killer, Spinner, Bryde’s, Long-finned Pilot and Minke Whales. You can also notice the appearance of Dugong as well as Estuarine Crocodile. These forests are also well-known for birdlife full of Pacific Reef Egrets, Nicobar Pigeons, Kingfishers, White-bellied Sea Eagles, and Hornbills.

You can visit Lampi Island on boats hired in the resort of Myanmar Andaman or you can travel on live-aboard boats in Kawthoung and Myeik. Such activities for you to join during Myanmar escorted tours as hiking, bird watching, fishing, snorkeling, and kayaking. One kayak trip on a mangrove river serves as a specialty.

Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar) – Emerging Luxury Stop for MICE Travel

Nay Pyi Taw has been Myanmar capital city since the year 2005. Huge gaps between few ministries, malls, government buildings and hotels become the feature of this place and there are separate ‘zones’ having hotels preferred by a foreign tourist. These hotels are placed in hotel zones which are quite ideal for you to take myanmar luxury tours.

THE MICC (Myanmar International Convention Centers) AND EVENTS

Recently, Nay Pyi Taw has been in charge of many events of the large scale, such as World Economic Forum or the Southeast Asian Games. That is why this city has a big motivation for the development of the infrastructure of accommodation and you will have to consider more choices of hotels with reasonable prices for your luxury travel Myanmar.

Many conferences or events are held in the huge International Convention Centres (MICC 1 or 2) of Nay Pyi Taw, both of which are near the major zones of hotels, have quick and free wifi. Different from other places in the country, Nay Pyi Taw’s hotels are always equipped with electricity and excellent internet access.

WHAT TO DO WHILE YOU ARE IN NAY PYI TAW?

Nay Pyi Taw’s priority may be related to the governmental business but it has a rich variety of interesting things for people to enjoy themselves:
The Water Fountain Park is an ideal destination for your Myanmar excursions and there you can see most exotic sunset scene. Another attraction lies in the fountain show in which you can see fountains dance gracefully on the accompaniment of some music. It is also a large area for playing with the tower which tourists might climb up for broad views over this city.

Uppatasanti Pagoda is the replica of the pagoda of Shwedagon in Yangon and it was built in the year 2009. Its impressive beauty has added more attraction to this city because tourists can travel inside the domed interior. The pagoda was constructed just 30cm shorter than the Shwedagon so that its historically revered counterpart cannot be upstaged. There are 6 white elephants outside which are seemed auspicious but quite depressing view actually.

The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw offers tourists an opportunity to see the biggest highway of Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar. This highway has 12 empty road lanes for you to enjoy luxury tours. Usually, tourists can see Hluttaw from a faraway place, but with a pre-arranged permit, you can join a guided tour to buildings. The permits can be given to you within at least 10 days and you will be required to show your passport page for a scan.

There are towering statues with 3 old kings which are seemingly designed for the generals’ power. This is also a feature easily found on postcards of Myanmar and there is often the accompaniment of military parades. In fact, there is a limit on the numbers of visitors on myanmar day tour to this place.

After a 45- minute drive to the northeast of this city, you can see a lot of things such as a planetarium, safari park a zoo, Defence Services Museum, SEA Games athletics complex and a sprawling place in which most beautiful exhibits are displayed. Moreover, you can take a climb on boats, old tanks, planes, rockets, and helicopter.

You can travel to the south for the favorable National Landmark Garden. This park covers around 400 acres and it is constructed in the form of Myanmar. In this place, you can be driven to golf buggies and admire popular sights of the country. It costs around $10 each foreigner which includes a guided tour lasting 60 minutes, not places like haunted house, the log flume, and bumper carts. You can fine 2 large observatory towers on the grounds where you will be given spectacular views.

You will pay about K40,000 for a taxi trip from any Nay Pyi Taw hotel. In case you want ot take a detour of 15 minutes on the way back, you should be ready for many beer stations on the river of Sittang. These places are an ideal place for drinking and eating a little bit before you continue your Myanmar luxury tours.

Attractive Myanmar Pottery Workshops

In every corner of a society full of mods and gadgets as well as automation, many traditional practices all over the wold have fallen into oblivion for times. However, due to the fact that Myanmar was closed for years from other countries, several skills of burmese people are still in their primary form. Not only for tourists on myanmar tours, these skills are also maintained for raising families.

Tourists can pay a visit to pottery workshops in a riverside town called Twante, which is situated in the delta of Ayerawaddy. This town cannot be seen from a traditional map for tourists so many of the experiences are the true one for the rural areas in Myanmar.

In the country of Myanmar, people believe that the majority of posts come from the town Twante while its proximity to the city of Yangon only even helps more in a broader reach. These pots are always made from the soil dug out of the delta of Ayerawaddy. This soil contains a lot of clay content. As soon as you come to a typical pottery workshop on Myanmar travels & tours, you can notice large soil mounds as well as the final products of large pots in bright colors and carefully arrange in neat straight lines.

A pottery workshop is normally a thatched setup of mud walls which might come from the same kind of mud used to create pots. Coming into a pottery workshop, tourists can see various tools, together with burning furnaces as well as areas for potters to work.

These artisans are locals and their families have relied on this old art for many centuries. They kept working in this field despite its considerably smaller incomes than that of working on paddy fields on the Ayerawaddy delta which is very fertile.

Visiting the pottery workshops in this town costs tourists nothing and people can easily walk through and admire how the work is carried out from the start to the end during Burma tours. However, if a tourist wants to contribute to the lives of villages, they can donate as much as they can because even $3 equals a lot of things to these people.

Pottery workshops in Myanmar can be a major attraction for visitors on tours to this pottery town, but you can go to visit the pagoda of Twente which has some similarities in terms of design as well as structure with the pagoda of Shwedagon. However, the outstanding part lies in free charge for all kinds of people. After the visit to this pagoda, you can take some time to walk around a nearby riverside or even ride on a boat of the long tail on the delta waters.

For those interested in making their hands get dirty, they can join the workers working in paddy fields during the day. This experience can be extremely attractive when it is planting or harvest period.

To reach the town Twante, you can start your trip from the city Yangon. You are advised to leave early in the morning, probably 7 or 8 AM. Do not forget the passport as well as US Dollars, then just get on a ferry departing from the ferry terminal called Pansodan to Dalla. A way of this trip costs you each around US$1. Tourists may take a taxi from Dalla to Twante, which is about 2500 kyat each person; or go on a public bus at 500 kyats per tourist. This means of transport is not fast, but it means a wonderful way to learn about the traditional culture of the local people on your Myanmar travel tour.

For travel within Twante, one can hire a tricycle. Full Myanmar tours around this city on a tricycle for 2 people should cost you 2500 kyat, but you can pay more if you feel like as these tricycle drivers are poor and do a lot of hard work. For your return, you can follow everything similar to the onward journey and if you feel like you can spend some time at the Dalla local market to see how the locals go about their business and what products are consumed by the local Myanmar people in this belt.

Myanmar Charming Handicrafts for Enjoyable Shopping

For those who are interested in an exotic culture of shopping, Myanmar is an absolutely suitable choice. Various ethnic groups across the country have spent many years on revolutionize procedures which help to produce attractive handicrafts from local materials. These handicrafts are a symbol of traditional culture as well as heritages of Myanmar (Burma). Whether or not you are eager to buy souvenirs for your own loved ones, for decoration at your home or offices, you should demonstrate your skills of bargaining in Burmese authentic markets, which can be a source of educational and satisfactory experience and make best myanmar tours.

#1. Carvings on wood

Woodcarvings are among architectural features in Myanmar. This is because they are used to decorate most of the temples, pagodas, and monasteries all over the country. Smaller patterns of these sophisticated carvings are for souvenirs offered to shoppers who are looking out for pieces of traditional culture to bring home.

The procedure of production

Carvings on wood are a traditional product made from the softwood teak, a high-quality wood which can be seen in large quantities on myanmar country. As children, young men born and raised in artisan families were under the training of woodcarving, and they have been improving in production since then during times of their lives.
Experts in carving usually get so well-qualified that a lot of burmese people think highly of their skills which seem intuitive to families of woodcarving. Just like other traditional forms of art in Burma, wood carvings routinely shows spiritual sights like creatures of myth and deities, or images of flowers, people.

Notable shops

Wood carvings can be bought in any part of this country, unlike other products of handicraft whose centers lie in few regions. Out of shops, Asia Highlights is quite ideal for shopping in convenience.

If you are traveling in the city Yangon, you are advised to check the Sun Myanmar Elephant House Company Ltd and Golden House Wood Working, Carving & Handicrafts for your expected woodcarving on holidays to Myanmar.
While in Mandalay, you should visit Amar Waddy and The Aung Nan Myanmar Handicrafts Workshop.
With regard to Bagan, it is a good idea to spend some time at the New Bagan Market to search for your favorite woodcarvings as well as other locally produced things.

#2. Lacquerware

Lacquerware items are also among most beautiful and authentic handicrafts available to shoppers throughout Myanmar. The production process of lacquerware has been developed over a course of 400 years in many regions of the continent Asia, despite the fact that the style of Myanmar is most unique.

Notable shops

Bagan is an ideal place for buying lacquerware while this kind of souvenir can be easily bought from any shop in the country. HIT Myanmar is also highly recommended if you are shopping in the old city of Bagan.

Situated on Main Road, Myo Thit has a large showroom containing several finest lacquerware goods across this area.
You can visit Golden Cuckoo Lacquerware – a small one in Minka bag village which is to the south of Bagan. It is such a fascinating place for those on Myanmar holidays and interested in know more about the production process of Lacquerware as well as looking out for more ancient wares.
Ever stand Lacquerware is another nice option if you want to have lacquerware in the city of Bagan because it has an array of high-quality products while the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable.

#3. Embroidery and Tapestries

The locals in Myanmar usually decorate their homes, shops and with sophisticated embroidered fabrics as well as tapestries. These products used to be limited to royal or elite people during the early days of this country but they has now become a common kind of souvenir for tourists who are traveling in Burma.

Notable shops

Here are some ideal destinations for tapestries as well as embroidered souvenirs in this country:
In Mandalay, you should go to Thu Zar Hlaing Myo Gold Embroidery Workshop. This is a welcoming shop which has 7 workers

The New Bagan Markets and the Nyaung U of Bagan have a rich variety of high-quality fabrics made in different styles.
Just make sure that you stop by the Village of Inn Paw Khon to search for tapestries, shawls, sarongs and other fabrics and you will find the best items when traveling to Myanmar with us.

Myanmar Shopping Malls Blooming

If you have yet to have any idea of where to visit and go shopping in Myanmar, you should not be worried because our tips are always available for you. Here are the most famous shopping malls in Myanmar (Burma) in which you will see many rare and high-quality and cheap things for your Myanmar package tours:

1. Bogyoke Aung San Market

On a visit to a particular place, it is advisable to see its places of local people in Yangon. Bogyoke market will give you a clear and interesting insight into the country you are traveling in as well its culture. So, in the end, you can have a lot to share on the topic of your Burma tours. Bogyoke Aung San Marke used to be called Scott Market. It is situated in the center of the city Yangon and this place is a symbol of the colonial era as well as architecture. Shopkeepers in this market are quite friendly while you can easily buy tapestries, wood carvings, cotton fabric lacquerware, and silk. You should spend time on searching for what to buy in Myanmar so that you can take advantages of your trip to this market.

2. J’s Irrawaddy Dream

J’s Irrawaddy Dream is an ideal destination for anyone who is searching for some special handicrafts made locally and then tourists can have cheap, lovely items in Myanmar tours. This place is specialized in all types of silk fabric, crafts, jewelry, lacquerware and Buddhist statues that are very difficult to find at any other places. The best thing about this shopping site lies in it displaying both antique and contemporary pieces of art. If you desire to bring any kind of Myanmar souvenirs or memorable pieces home on your own as presents for your friends and families, Myanmar Shopping Mall is recommended.

3. Blazon Shopping Centre

This shopping center appeared in 2000 and it has now become a main shopping one in the country with various famous brands like Guess, Adidas or Espirit. This center has three stories, the first of which demonstrates a lot of branded clothes and it also offers a wonderful experience of entertainment for young children. There is a separate section for kids in which parents leave their kids there so that they can do some shopping. Apart from the shopping mall, this place also contains a huge supermarket indoors which has many different products and satisfy any kind of needs from tourists on their Myanmar holidays.

4. Taw Win Centre

The Taw Win Centre is situated on the road of Pyay while the latest renovation in this shopping mall lies in the city of Yangon. This mall has five floors and it demonstrates many top-branded furniture, clothing, jewelry, and electronics. Another interesting fact about this shopping mall is all about 3D Cineplex, game center, the largest book shop in Yangon, The Body Shop and hair products by Paul Mitchell.

5. Sein Gay Har Super Centre

Like Taw Win Centre, this is also one of the newest shopping center constructed in this country. However, it is marginally older. This mall’s shops mainly focus on clothes, apart from a number of eateries like Burger Star, electronic appliances, cosmetics, mobile goods, and shop of ice cream as well as an incredible collection of liquor. The most interesting fact about the center is that its prices are relatively cheaper and products of high quality for you to enjoy holidays to Myanmar.

6. Jewelry Souvenirs & Treasure Land Gems

Bringing souvenirs home is a good idea in order to maintain a healthy collection of your own. Jewelry Souvenirs & Treasure Land Gems own a wonderful collection of handicrafts and gemstones such as jade or rubies, puppets (Marionettes), traditional jewelry and tapestry. This shop was constructed in the year 1996 so it is very reliable when it comes to the quality of products. You should learn more about Myanmar Gold Shop to find out more interesting places for shopping souvenirs in Myanmar.

Myanmar is famous for its own traditional products; however, the appearance of brand new shopping centers has brought more attractiveness to this country’s culture as well as tourist attractions.

Enjoying the 2-day Kalaw elephant camp trek in Myanmar escorted tours

Visiting Myanmar, it is very important to enjoy the natural beauty of this country and some special activities here. For that reason, one of the most interesting suggestions for tourists when choosing Myanmar escorted tours to come to this country is a trekking adventure in Kalaw which lasts for two days. The special feature about this trip is that instead of being served with normal tourism service, you can enjoy the feeling with elephant camp.

You will start your adventure from Kalaw, where you can choose the most favorite guide for your trip. Because the trip is trekking, so you can spend your first day time to experience almost all beautiful landscapes of Myanmar high lands and a variety of foods while watching the tea plantations and explore the daily life of the local people in the very peaceful villages. On your Myanmar travel tour, the homestay time must be the most interesting because you will have a chance to connect with the inhabitants and ask them about their customs. These days, homestay service in Myanmar is quite popular so that you can easily find out one house to spend your night and try living with them.

In the next morning, you can continue your trekking travel and explore the humid tropical jungle with tremendous green shades of plants. The flora and fauna system in jungle here will surprise you and leave a huge impression in your mind for holidays to Myanmar. Normally, the most attractive creatures in there are various types of birds, butterflies and plants such as orchids. It is quite a strange and exciting feeling as you will be covered by lush shades of trees and green color everywhere. However, do not panic because this trail will not last so long, so it is better to enjoy every moment of your trek.

This trekking trail of Myanmar escorted tours will last for one day before you arrive the destination, which is called the Green Valley Elephant Camp. The people in this place are in charge of caring for the retired working elephants. Visiting here, you can experience exactly what they have to do daily: taking care of the elephants. For example, it is hard to find an opportunity to feed elephants or wash them at the rivers nearby jungle. Then obviously, you will find this experience worthy and interesting in the end.

Furthermore, you can also take part in a re-plantation project in this area, which is to make sure that the pristine beauty of the place will be preserved for the next generations or the next tours to arrive. Mostly all tourists in burma tours are really excited with this plan and they are willing to join hands and protect the environment with no hesitation. To be part of the work is a big joy and fun, and this is surely a very worthy experience in your trip to Myanmar in general, and to Kalaw trek in particular.

In sum, there are so much activities that you can enjoy and experience in your two Myanmar holidays to Kalaw. The daily life of the local citizens, the pristine and wild beauty of the nature and the participation in the useful work such as taking care of the elephants and regenerate the sceneries will all bring about a lot of fun and lessons for you.

So, in detail, what is the exact things you will experience in your two days spent for this trip? The following information can be all of what you need to know. This article will provide you a detailed plan for each special day during you trekking trip tour to Kalaw.

In your first day of these Myanmar escorted tours, the guides will lead you to trek to local villages in Kalaw. You are supposed to meet your guide at about six o’clock in the morning and together you can be informed about the detailed schedule of the trip. Try to go to sleep early in the previous night so that you have the best mental status and are alert enough not to miss any important information in the next morning. Next, your trip will start with a path through tropical pine forests, orange and tea plantations and local villages. This part of journey will take you about 6 to 7 hours to get to the final destination. Do not worry as your trip would be really interesting. You can take photos whenever you want to save every special moment that you like, as long as you follow the myanmar travel guide. After the trip, you can enjoy the lunch break at a local house or monastery. The food or dishes may not be luxurious, but the deliciousness is ensured. The afternoon journey will be continued with the trip to another rural village where you will definitely feel the peace of the nature and the hospitality of the local people. That would also be your stopover to spend the night. The local guide will arrange your dinner with other attractive and tasty with cheap price dishes. Because you are supposed to spend your night in a local house, it may not be like in a luxury travel in Myanmar, but instead it is the sense of belonging and family that will help you to feel the warmth. When going to sleep, you will be provided with mattress, pillow and blankets. For normal backpackers, those facilities are already enough.

The second day of the journey is the most interesting and the most anticipated part during this trek. Firstly, as usual, you will be served with delicious breakfast in the early morning. After that, you can join your companions to continue the forest trek which last for further 5 to 6 hours. This jungle, like the previous one, is dotted with colorful butterflies, birds and plants. When reaching the destination, an elephant camp, you will be surprised with a variety of elephants and this is among the most interesting part for things to do in Myanmar: feeding and washing for those elephants. Through this activity, you will know more about the way to take care of a kind of wildlife animal, together with other valuable information about them. After that time, the guide will lead you hike up to the main camp and enjoy the lunch together. From there, with a considerable altitude, the air is fresh and the natural view is captivating, you will absolutely relax and be comfortable. In the afternoon, your group will be led back to Kalaw as the trip is finished.

One more important thing to note down for visitors coming for those Myanmar escorted tours is, of course, the price for homestay. Currently, it is reported that the estimated price per person in a shared room when 2pax travelling is $291, while when 4pas travelling is $284.

Totally, there are some categories that are included in the cost you have to pay before your trip. Firstly, it is the elephant camp visit. This fee include the cost for feeding, washing, short riding and taking photos in the elephant camp. Secondly, you have to pay for the local guide from Myanmar tour company who will lead you through the trip, tell you in detail about the schedule and introduce to you beautiful sites. Besides, it should also be noted about the cost for refreshment for welcoming, lunch in the main camp, one soft drink for lunch, water bottles, bedding with mosquito net at night. On the other hand, you need to prepare another amount of money in case some other things also require you to pay for. They can be named such as the transport fee from and back to Kalaw, personal expenses, other services which are not included or mentioned in the previous programs.

In short, there is a great fun to join in this trip and spend your two days in Myanmar for a trek to elephant camp in Kalaw. By taking part in this trip, there will be various new things to learn about, to explore and experience. Beautiful nature and landscape in these Myanmar escorted tours will be different discoveries of your own about this country and its people. By and large, if you have chosen to experience this journey, be aware about all of the useful information above. And enjoy your trip!

28 AUG] Myanmar continues to be a very safe country

Yangon 28 Aug 2017 – This is the official announcement by Ministry of Hotel and Tourism: Myanmar continues to be a very safe country for foreign tourists and currently, continuous arrival of tourists through international airports, seaports and border gates. The full TRAVEL ADVISORY by Ministry of Hotel and Tourism is below. Travel Advisory

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With reference to recent happenings at Northern Rakhine areas, the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism would like to advise the member travel agencies and tourism companies how best to answer in case they are questioned by their overseas travel agents and clients. We would appreciate if you could review this message and kindly advise and guide us on the most suitable approach.

The Ministry of Hotels & Tourism joins the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Anti-terrorism Central Committee, the United Nations and the many foreign governments in condemning the attacks on police posts in Rathedaung Township close to the Bangladesh border last Friday. It happened in an area that has always been closed for tourism.

Recommended communication from the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism regarding attacks near Bangladesh border .

https://www.facebook.com/moht.mm/ and https://twitter.com/tourismmm as well as www.tourism.gov.mm.

Myanmar continues to be a very safe country for foreign tourists and currently, continuous arrival of tourists through international airports, seaports and border gates, we do urge travelers to stay always within the permitted areas as indicated on the website of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism http://tourism.gov.mm/en_US/information/permitted-area/ .

All tourist sites including sunny Ngapali beach and the ancient temple ruins of Mrauk U continue to be safe to travel. The weather all over Myanmar is excellent so don’t wait for the high season but visit now.

Follow the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism for regular updates about tourism in Myanmar at www.facebook.com/moht.mm .

Ministry of Hotels and Tourism

Myanmar highlights in a day trip to Kyaing Tong

Mentioning Burma or Myanmar, people will immediately think of a peaceful country with the beauty of pagodas and religious values. Nowadays, with various Myanmar highlights this beautiful land has become a destination for tourists everywhere in the world to come and visit. Not to mention most famous places in Myanmar such as Bagan, Yangon or Naypyidaw, there are still tremendous sceneries that need exploring throughout this country. In this article, let’s visit a nice and charming town in the middle of Shan State, Kyaing Tong.

Talking more about the position of Kyaing Tong, it is 281 miles from Taunggyi and 102 miles from Tachilek. Getting to Myanmar from this place, tourists can easily catch a taxi to move to Loimwe National Park, which is situated 5,542 feet above the sea level. There are still many tribes in here, but they are learning to join in the society with other modern people, while maintaining the long-time traditions. The roughly precise number is 135 races, but most outstandingly, the Akha, Wa and Lahu are adjusting to the new environment, which is shown through their hospitality in their pretty small villages.

Kyaing Tong is not only famous for being one of the most outstanding Myanmar highlights, it is also well-known for being the capital of the Golden Triangle in the Southeast Asia, as it shares boundaries with China, Thailand and Myanmar. There is an airport in this town to provide domestic flights for tourists to go conveniently to somewhere else in Myanmar.

Many tourists have come and chosen Taunggyi as the stopover among lots of Myanmar sites. If you have reached there, it is very convenient to take a quick trip to Kyaing Tong as well, as it is just about 456 kilometers from the central town of Taunggyi. The reason why this place has become so famous and attracted tourists from all over the world is that it is located between an extremely picturesque and misty plateau and the poetic Mekong and Thanlwin Rivers. The combination of the two captivating landscapes make up the breathless charm of this town.

The place has been taken into accommodation by many different ethnic minorities in Myanmar such as the Gon Shan, the Lisu, the Lahu, the Akhas and the Wa. As being considered a mountainous area, this is the place for hill tribes and their lives almost base on wildlife totally. As the result, visiting this town in Myanmar with less travel cost, tourists will still surely feel an entirely different atmosphere that nowhere else can have in Myanmar.

The inhabitants are very hospitable, and they are also friendly and kind to guide tourists with all their enthusiasm about their hometown and its most outstanding attractions. What is more, this place is also characterized with most famous feature of the country of Burma, with temples everywhere and traditional architectures. From old-designed house to wooden house and even colonial buildings, this places always recalls us about a very memorable time in the past. Having a trip to Kyaing Tong, this is a very good chance for you to experience a thoroughly strange life of Myanmar highlights with tribal dance around the big flame at night, with old people sitting beside the fire and telling others about the very tales of the land. That must be highly exciting to live and explore the live that we have not experienced before, but still feel the sense of belonging like this.

Waking up early in the morning, you will never feel regretful because of the nice weather and interesting activities in the local morning market. Do not be worry about the money, because you can just go around with Myanmar backpack and enjoy yourself. The market is held by tribal people from all around the surrounding areas. They gather together and exchange their daily products with a very reasonable price. Going after them, you can also get to the pretty villages around, the accommodation of the tribes above. In the altitude of almost 4,000 meters above the sea level, the villages can also be good destination for you as in some short treks. Furthermore, the treks are likely to be suitable to every age and fitness.

The climate in Kyaing Tong is typical for the tropical type, as well as typical for Burma tourist attractions. There is not cold season, and the average temperature annually is always high. However, in the winter, there are still some days with chilly wind and it is cool at night so tourists should go to sleep with blanket to protect themselves if going to the town this season. The winter dry season lasts from December to April, while the summer wet is from May to November every year.

Without wonderful and stunning sights like Bagan or Yangon, Kyaing Tong still attracts tourists with its peaceful and simple beauty like many other Myanmar highlights. Having a chance to come to this town, you will have unforgettable moments with new friends from the local tribal villages. With people who enjoy explorations and adventures, the trip to Kyaing Tong is highly suitable. Want to have meaningful moment for a short trip to Myanmar and save money as much as possible? Just consider this once.

Cheap Myanmar tour to visit Pindaya cave – all best guides

Mentioning Shan state, located in the East of Myanmar, Vietnamese tourists often only talk about Inle Lake. However, if you have ever had more time to spend here, many of you will realize that apart from Inle, Shan also has tremendous interesting destinations for visitors who love the long-standing cultural values to explore in a cheap Myanmar tour. For Western tourists, Pindaya caves which are located about 100 kilometers far from the Inle Lake is a remarkable stopover in Shan if they have a chance to come here for a trip to Myanmar.

Traveling by car from Heho airport to Inle Lake will take you around 45 minutes. Along the way leading to the destination in this Burma tour, the road is quite narrow but it is flat and extremely peaceful with the beautiful basalt highland picture on both sides. And also, by the way coming to Shan state, tourists may experience the life of the local people, which is based on growing plants whose products are materials for making cigarettes in Myanmar. Therefore, it would be a very interesting exploration for tourists in a Myanmar travel tour to learn about the process from when they pick the leaves and dry them, then arrange them in a crate and sell them to families who make cigarettes.

Before reaching Pindaya caves, tourists will also have some times to visit a local market and buy any souvenir or things they need for the trip. In here, except for the variety of goods and specialties, tourists, when enjoying their holidays to Myanmar, are also allowed to take photos of women and children whose faces are made up with “tanaka” – a ground powder made from wood. The local people are really hospitable and open-minded to communicate with tourists because this is indeed a popular destination for international tourists when they seek for a cheap Myanmar tour.

Pindaya caves are located in the mountain ranges whose height is about 1,200 meters to the sea level. They are extremely suitable for those who love biking Myanmar. Along both sides of the road leading to the cave area, there are hundreds-year-old banyan trees whose shades cover a really large space and acreage.

Watched from the outside, Pindaya cave has the appearance of a pagoda, with walking paths for visitors roofed from the mountain foot up to the cave entrance. Inside the cave, just like anywhere else in Myanmar, there are tremendous Buddha statues varied in shape and size. All of them are gilded with brilliant gold lacquer. According to the tour guide instructions, there are nearly 8,000 Buddha statues located along the length of 150 meters of the cave. Among them, there include many rare and precious antique statues.

Some statues are shaped and designed distinguishably. They symbolize the styles in different times in the history. There are so many statues in the cave that there is only enough space for two people in some places.

In the second part of the cave, there is an open space with other thousands Buddha statues. They are arranged alternately with the natural rosin in the cave, which makes up twinkle light in the mysterious space. All of them create a solemn but gorgeous beauty for the cave. In this second part, there is also an area which contains a collection of Buddha statues surrounding a circle of reincarnation. Another interesting experience for tourists in such a cheap Myanmar tour. Tales tell that if pilgrims walk seven times around the circle of reincarnation and recite the Buddha at the same time, they will be very lucky during their lives. A thing to add in your to-do list Myanmar.

People here do not incense in the cave. They only bring fresh flowers to express their sincerity. The salespeople also sell only souvenirs but not offerings for pilgrims to come into this cave. After an interesting trip around Pindaya cave, tourists can enjoy their meal in a local restaurant. Restaurants are always best places to see in Myanmar. They are built in the traditional style, so their spaces are very nice and airy. Furthermore, dishes provided are also delicious with reasonable price. Normally, an eating portion consists of three main dishes and a glass of fruit juice. This costs you about 11,000 kyats.

With the above information, hopefully all readers will have another choice for tourist destination if you have a chance to go to Myanmar, in general, and to Inle Lake, in particular, for a short cheap Myanmar tour. For sure, you will save a lot of money and time if you follow the instructions of the article as well as advice from the experienced tourists. Beautiful Myanmar has even more to explore and learn, spend your memorable time here and enjoy your life!

Have a Mergui trip with the best Myanmar tourist sites

Myanmar is not only famous for pagodas and their valuable religious life, tourists coming to visit Myanmar will be very interested in exploring some captivating areas of islands and archipelagoes. Among them, the most well-known must be named as Myeik (or Mergui). This off-coast extraordinary archipelago is located in the Andaman Sea, southern Myanmar. This is very easy for any visitor to come to this tourist destination, as you can join a tour to experience the most exciting Myanmar tourist sites in an unexploited island with colorful and lively wildlife.

Mergui Archipelago consists of over 800 islands appearing in all shapes and sizes. The smallest is only enough for a few palm trees, while the largest is estimated to be about several hundred square kilometers. What is more to explore in this exceptional island in Myanmar, you can spend your days with Myanmar trip blog freely enjoying diving and watching the spectacular marine life with colorful coral reefs or witnessing sunset and sunrise sights in luxury yachts and cruise boats.

Besides, another point that makes the attractions of Mergui is the inhabitants living in here. They are called the Moken, also known as the Salone, one of the most distinct ethnic minorities in Myanmar. Their life is based on sea and marine world, as they are really skillful in diving, seeing under water and holding their breath for such a long time that no other people group can do. It is said that the Moken has lived their life in Mergui Archipelago for several hundred years, and that is the reason why when tourists coming to Mergui for a trip, they want no guides but these inhabitants to lead their trip and tell them about the most interesting features and daily life in this fascinating island. That maybe the most wanted Burma highlights for tourists coming to this place.

If you are worried that your trip would be boring as there is nothing to do except for going around and watching the seashore and marine life, you should read these lines. Indeed, tremendous exciting activities are waiting for you to explore. For tourists who have big love with hiking through beautiful Myanmar tourist sites, the tropical valleys are extremely suitable for you. There is nothing can be compared with walking through the endless green in there and watching the natural beauty around us. Furthermore, there is also kayak service for those who like to go up rivers and explore the sceneries there. It is also a good idea to wander along the long deserted white sand beaches.

Of course, among the most attractive features of Mergui archipelago, tourists always choose to spend most of their time on learning about the wildlife in here. There are some interesting species that you can hardly find anywhere else such as monitor lizards, pythons, civets, gibbons, chevrotains and crab-eating macaques. The wildlife world in the air is also diverse with big creatures like hornbills, white kites, kingfishers or emerald doves. Even with 3 weeks in Myanmar, it is still difficult to explore all the interesting sites in this archipelago.

As an archipelago, Mergui includes many captivating islands, the most outstanding ones can be named as Lampi Island, 115 Island, Nyaung Wee Island, Phi Lar Island, Myauk Ni Island. They are all very rich in biodiversity, coral reefs and mangroves. Tourists will feel free to explore all the beauty in these islands, from the flora to the fauna system. Some islands offer smooth white sand beaches and tropical fish darting so tourists can enjoy their trip in the sea shores. There are also various attractive services available such as kayaking, snorkeling, diving and jungle trekking. From many Myanmar travel review, visitors find it not a bad idea to wander around the peaceful fishing villages and learn about the interesting unique cultures of the islanders. They can be told tales, fishing skills and experience themselves with the daily life of the local people.

Within these islands, there are also tremendous captivating sites for tourists to visit and explore.

The very first site to mention is the Burma Banks, which is one of the most beautiful and well-known Myanmar tourist sites for diving in the Southeast Asia. It includes Rainbow, Silvertip, Coral, Roe and Heckford banks and all of them are located on the archipelago to the west. Many divers love to experience this site and challenge themselves with strange feelings. However, for normal tourists, you should also be careful as there are sharks in this areas and they did attack people.

The next beautiful landscape to watch is Black Rock, basically an islet which is included in this archipelago. Black Rock is 100 miles to the northwest of Kawthaung. The reason why divers are interested in exploring this site is due to its wild beauty, with dangerous steep cliffs in the middle of the sea, and they are home for a variety of marine-life creatures. There are many rare and precious animals in this sea area, namely Manta rays, Sting rays, Blacktip, Silvertip and Whitetip sharks.

Of course, mentioning sharks in Mergui, we should not skip Shark Cave, which is located 40 meters under the surface and rises above the waves. This is also the habitat of various colorful fish. If you dive at one time, you cannot feel all the beauty and attraction of these creatures as they are big and there are too many to discover.

And last but not least, Little Torres Island must be the choice for many people who want to explore the diversity of vegetation in here, from red whip, mosaic to table corals. With the breathtaking beauty in here, this is the perfect answer if someone ask you why visit Burma.

Mentioning Myanmar top attractions related to this place, unlike some other tourist destinations, Mergui archipelago allows tourists to catch fish and whatever they like in the sea and take them home to make their own dinner. It does not matter whether it is sailfish, marlin, snapper, tuna or mackerel, tourists can all feel free to catch themselves. Normally, many cruise boats buy cuttlefish and squids from local fishermen to make dinner for their tourists.

Despite the beauty and inescapable attraction of the natural sights in Mergui Archipelago, there are also some particular time that tourists are advised to go and visit this tourist destination with exceptional Myanmar tourist sites. According to the climate features in Myanmar, like other places in Myanmar, the time from November to April is when most tourists to come and enjoy their holidays in the archipelago. However, the most suitable time for a trip is from December to February as the nature during this time is very beautiful and comfortable. It is warm with sunshine, steady wind and calm seas. From March to April, many divers also like to visit this place due to the calmer sea, less wind and higher temperature, so they can find it easier to catch their own sea foods.

Not many people choose to visit Mergui from May to July because at this time the winds onshore is quite strong, it rains a lot while there also happens hurricanes which can be dangerous for the tourists. Even many cruise companies do not operate during this time. Then, is it safe to go to Burma? Do not worry if you have booked a cruise tour to Mergui at that time because there are numerous huge islands to protect anyone who copes with natural disasters.

In sum, there are indeed tremendous places to spend your holidays and enjoy that time with your family, friends or lover, but among them, if you like the wild nature of Myanmar tourist sites as well as some risky adventure under the water, Mergui Archipelago must be your dreamt heaven. With the increasing investment in tourism development, this place is expected to provide more interesting services to better meet the requirements of tourists about the quality of relaxation in the foreseeable future.

Visiting Mogok to make your Myanmar tours become intereting

Mogok is famous for the largest quantities of ruby all over the world. Since its tourism opening up in 2013, there are more and more people coming to this ruby land, which means that it has become the most attractive tourism destination for myanmar tours. You should not miss a chance to this must-to-visit place.

In Myanmar, Mandalay is the ideal starting place in your tours to Mogok Valley. At first, it will take tourists around 5 hours to reach Thabeikkyin. You can enjoy local markets and jetty while travelling along the Ayeyarwaddy River. The Mother Nature also treat you well with picturesque jungle covering ranges of mountain or some fascinating villages as stops.

After an 2-hour drive. Mogok will be reached around late hours in the afternoon. You should end up the first day strolling through local houses and catching a panoramic view of appealing Mogok valley. When you have reached the destination, do not forget to discover markets, mining industry and slopes full of trees.

On the second day, a street market is highly recommended for tourists to visit during Myanmar tours. There are gems traders getting around, and you can find out an insight and the history among generations of traders. You should buy many types of beautiful stones as souvenirs. At the end of the day, there is a big market in which you will see more beautiful works. You will be guided to visit a family-run workshop and see how they create valuable products from rubies and gemstones.

Just try to find out local mines and you can learn how interesting the methods of mining are. The second day will finish when you have visited some famous Mogok pagodas. This is a chance for tourists to enjoy peaceful and relaxing walks through small villages.

The third day starts with hiking to minority villages in Lisu. You will then visit some Buddhist monasteries which were erected in the honour of Nan Kyi. These are most attractive with a lot of huge rubies and golden gems used for decoration. There are also many gems and valuable jewely collected from local people.

You can ask your guide to show you how to make gemstone paintings.

At the end of your journey, you will be driven back to Mandalay. Take time and enjoy some interesting things in this beautiful city.

Useful tips:

Beside Mogok, you can visit more places like Shewdo, Pyin Oo Lwin and Kyaukse during Myanmar tours. These destinations offer tourists historic ruins and tribal culture.

Remarkable notes to obtain Myanmar visa

Myanmar is currently a highly exciting tourist destination internationally. This place has tremendous captivating sceneries and it is attractive to foreign tourists from the nature, culture to the agriculture. Moreover, it is becoming increasing easy to visit this country in a trip with new policies in terms of visa. This article will provide the most useful information about visa policy, how to obtain Myanmar visa and some guides when travelling in Myanmar so that tourists will find it easier to go and visit this country.

Firstly, to have a convenient and comfortable trip to Myanmar, you should get to know about the weather in this country through some Myanmar travel guides. Myanmar has three seasons: the autumn from October to the February of the next year; the rain season from July to September and the other months is the dry season. The time which is considered the best to start your plan to go to Myanmar for a trip is the autumn, when the weather is cool and there is not much rain.

There are so many things to prepare before starting your trip to Myanmar, but one of the most important things to be concerned is obtaining an eligible visa. We all know that it is essential for a foreign citizen to have a visa to Myanmar before entering a country, either for doing a business or visiting that country in a short trip. If you wish to visit Myanmar, unless you come from one of the eligible visa exempt countries, you will need to have a visa. Besides, each tourist need to have a passport which is valid for at least 6 more months.

Passports and entrance visas is compulsory to all tourists. The current visa policy in Myanmar allows passport holders in 8 countries in Southeast Asia to freely enter for Myanmar excursions and business up to 14 days. These 8 countries include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. However, this policy is only adapted for Thai citizens in case of air arrival and for Singaporeans in case their trips in Myanmar last for only 30 days.

The eVisa system is established in Myanmar to help the process of application simpler for visitors when they want to enter this country, especially those who come from states which do not have their own embassy in Myanmar. This country started to run the eVisa system on the September 1st of 2014. This system is issued online only for the purpose of tourism and business visit. Within 3 days working, eVisa is issued for foreign tourists and its validity is up to 90 days from the day the eVisa was issued. If foreigners obtain Myanmar visa in this way, they are allowed to stay in this country up to 28 days. This number is adapted for the case of tourists. In case of business men, foreigners are allowed to stay in Myanmar up to 70 days. This period of time can be extended by a further 14 days with the cost of 3 US dollars per day plus a possible 3 dollars for administration fee. In case the foreigners overstay, they might encounter difficulties when booking their trips for travelling or hotels to spend their time in Myanmar. It is because there are many staff in myanmar hotels do not aware of the policy related to this overstay allowance, especially in some Myanmar travel companies. The fee for a business eVisa is 70 US dollars, while the fee tourism eVisa is slightly lowler, 50 US dollars. Currently, there are 100 countries whose citizens are eligible for Myanmar eVisas.

The period of validity of visa in Myanmar is valid within one to three month. Therefore, you do not need to apply for your visa too early, as long as you always aware of your time validity. Instead, you can spend your time planning things to do in Myanmar. On the other hand, it is also not a good idea to apply your visa too late because it may require two weeks or more to process your application by the embassies and consulates. The period of time will vary in different countries. It must be longer in some not having embassy or consulate.

The list of eligible countries has been expanded twice. The first time was in October of 2014, and the second time is in January of 2015. In July of 2015, Myanmar first adapted issuing eVisa for business men. Foreigners who obtain Myanmar visa this way need to enter Myanmar from a particular port of entry which has been decided by the Burmese government. The list of entry ports include Yangon international airport, Naypyidaw airport, Mandalay international airport, Tachileik Land Border Checkpoint, Myawaddy Land Border Checkpoint and Kawthaung Land Border Checkpoint.

Besides the notes about visa policy, it is necessary for tourists to know about some to do list in Myanmar when entering the entry to this country. Your luggage will be checked carefully when you enter the entry of Myanmar. You are allowed to bring along only 200 cigarettes, a 1-liter bottle of wine and a half-a-liter bottle of perfume into Myanmar. You should be careful in case you bring along jewelry, electronics or film camera because they can be confiscated if you do not tell the checkers.

Unlike other Southeast Asian countries, shooting and filming is a sensitive problem in Myanmar, even in case you come for a Myanmar travel tour. This is one of the hardest troubles that many tourists have to cope with. You should avoid shooting or filming at some sensitive sites which relate to politics, medicine or security… in Myanmar. If you are caught shooting by the police and they force you to delete the images, it is better to delete them and apologize instead of running away or trying to persuade them because that action only causes you more troubles.

Moreover, it is also necessary to note down some basic things about the procedures when entering this country and enjoying Myanmar holidays. According to the current policy in this country, foreigners should always remember to bring about the original passport to complete the procedures at the border gate. For the best convenience, tourists should be present 2 hours earlier to the estimated time of departure. You have to declare the money amount you bring along carefully. If the money is foreign currency, the total amount you bring when leaving must not exceed the amount you bring when entering this country. The currency amount that you are allowed to carry along must never exceed 2,000 US dollars. Therefore, plan your trip carefully with specific what to do in Myanmar so you can manage the expenditure well. Besides, you can carry along any currency to Myanmar as long as you declare them in detail to the customs in case the amount exceed 200 US dollars. Furthermore, you are also not allowed to bring the Kyat currency out of the Burmese border.

In some border regions in Myanmar, since there are sensitive political situation versus the neighbor countries, the entry and exit across these borders are restricted. There are four border points that do not acquire permission for crossing except the case of Indian and Chinese arriving or departing.

For further instruction and guides, the Internet with various article will help you. However, it is necessary to realize the reliability of those articles so that you will not be misled and misunderstood. In order to obtain Myanmar visa easily, you should at least know clearly about the tips provided in the article. Hopefully this writing will be helpful for you and your trip to Myanmar to some extent. And enjoy your trip and work in the beautiful and attractive Myanmar.

Rough guide Myanmar with 6 most wanted dishes by tourists

When going to visit any country, one of the most attractive and interesting things for tourists is the cuisine culture. In this article, let’s come to Myanmar and discover the most wanted dishes in this Asian traditional country through this list of rough guide Myanmar.

Lephet thoke (green tea salad)

Mentioning the country of golden pagodas, we cannot ignore the specialty Lephet – fermented green tea leaves. This can be considered light meal or appetizer. Green tea leaves are fermented so they are slightly sour and bitter. The burmese people mix these leaves with sliced cabbage, tomatoes, fried tofu with some garlic oil and chili pepper slices. All of them make this food special and a Myanmar highlight for tourists. However, with this dish, you should not eat too much because it can cause sleeplessness.

Nga htamin (rice with fish)

This dish is also called Shan rice. This is a unique dish of the Shan people in Myanmar. The main ingredients of this dish contain: rice cooked with yellow turmeric water and put on a round plate before adding a slice of fish above, garlic oil is poured above with some spices including peppercorn and chili pepper. The dish is served with fried greaves, which bring about the greasy and fragrant taste. Rice made in Shan style is the favorite food for people who love spicy dishes. They also sprinkle a mixture of leek, clove leaves and fried pork skin to make the dish more eye-catching. This is only a rough guide Myanmar, so you cannot imagine how amazing the dish is if you have not tried it.

Curry

This is a traditional food in Myanmar. There are many types of spices and herbs of the native speakers. All the types of meat from pork, beef, sheep meat, shrimps to fish can be used with curry. You can find it in any eating house in Myanmar so never skip it when talking about your Myanmar travel budget. This dish is also unique as it is served with Ngapi ye – a sauce made from fish and Balachung. This bowl of sauce which brings the spicy, sweet taste from chili pepper, dry garlic and shrimps. Curry is an interesting and tasty dish in Myanmar. After the meal, you will be served with a traditional dessert of Myanmar, which is the tea made from palm tree and it is used with kinds of seeds.

Best Way To “Get Lost” In Yangon – Myanmar Day Tour

With dozens of famous sites, street food, and salty people, Yangon deserves the perfect destination for your myanmar day tour. Today I will introduce you best way to “get lost” in this beautiful city.

Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda – Photo: Wikipedia

This is one of the most important and famous religious sites in Yangon as well as Myanmar.

You can see the golden chedi of the pagoda throughout the city because it highs 99 meters. Especially in the sunlight, you can see it twinkles with its golden surface. When you have chance to see it closer on your Myanmar day tour, it is hard to see this pagoda with open eyes, there is so much gold.

The capital well preserves the pagoda so Shwedagon Pagoda still retains its pristine beauty. Visiting this pagoda on your tours in Yangon, you are not only glittering with unique designs but also witness the characteristic rituals of local people.

Another interesting thing at this Shwedagon Pagoda is the umbrella on the top of the pagoda. The umbrella is made of gold, diamonds, and gemstones with small size and is located at the top of the pagoda so many tourists arriving here may miss this highlight. Do not forget to watch it when you visit this sacred place on your Yangon sightseeing tours.

Local fresh market

The Fresh Markets In Yangon – Photo: Mark Wiens

My favorite thing about Yangon sightseeing tours is the local fresh market. The best local market I recommend to visit is Thiri Mingalar market on the outskirts of town. Visiting this market, you will not only see the stalls, buy fresh food, but also have the opportunity to experience the life and culture of the local people.

You can also visit lots of fresh market within downtown on your tours in Yangon. The market which I was most impressed when I came here, places on Street 26, known as Thein Gyi Market. When I first came to this market, I was surprised to see vendors and businesses selling their stalls, while small vehicles can pass through.

You should explore this market on foot, it would be so sweet if you can hold your homie’s hand and go through the shops and talk about somethings weird you may catch

Sule Pagoda

Sule Pagoda – Photo: Sieng_kyak

Although it is not the most beautiful and sacred temple in Yangon, Sule Pagoda is one of the navigational landmarks of the city and must be added in your “what to do in Yangon Myanmar” list. Not only that, you can come to this temple conveniently as it is the center for bus and road transportation.

If you want to see sightseeing close then you have to pay the entrance fee of $ 3. However, if you have ever visited Shwedagon Pagoda, you will definitely find the design of this temple less delicate and colorful. Therefore, to explore the temple from outside and visit the surrounding area is the best idea for your Myanmar day tour.

Bogyoke Aung San Market

Bogyoke Aung San Market – Photo: Mark Wiens

Bogyoke Aung San Market was built in 1926 under the insurrection of the British colonial period, its former name is Scottish.

My first impression of this place was that the European style was the inspiration in the streets on the outside of the market. Do not forget to walk through the large indoor section which setup like a bazaar when you come to this market on your Yangon sightseeing tours.

Although this market is quite expensive you can find a lot of items here, especially jewelry (just use discretion), artwork, Burmese dresses and fabric, souvenirs, or handicrafts.

In general, the market is the ideal destination for you because the location is not too far from the center of Yangon, do not forget to put the name of this market to your places to visit in Yangon Myanmar list.

Beside popular sightseeing sites, Yangon also attracts visitors by offering mouth-watering street foods that are sold by road vendors, as well as colorful handmade souvenirs. There are still many other exciting things awaiting you in Yangon, arrange work and time, prepare your budget, plan and pick your backpack then move to this beautiful city.

Hope you have fun and memorial Myanmar day tour.

Yangon travel tips – Things must do when you travel to Yangon

Yangon is worth place to visit. It has its own charms for “moving lover”. For those who are fresh to this city, it will be hard to find out for themselves the hidden charms of Yangon. Do not worry, this article will give you useful Yangon travel tips, ensure you will have a memorable and extremely meaningful trip.

Bogyoke Market

Yangon travel tips – Things must do when you travel to Yangon

Bogyoke Market – Photo: Justgola

Bogyoke Market was built in 1920. I have read so many Burma travel review about this amazing market. Bogyoke Market is always crowded with people and vendors. Come to this small market, you can find nearly everything you need for your daily, from ingredient for your meal to fabrics for your new costume.

The first time I came to this market, I was really impressed by so many strange spices and herbs. You also can meet some familiar fruits such as papaya, chilies, and watermelon. But don’t waste the chance to taste new foods here. I’m sure this is worth Yangon travel tips you should not forget.

Street Food

Street foods in Yangon Chinatown – Photo: Jenny_yen

One of the funniest parts of my trip must be street foods. I tasted so many fascinating and culinary genre street foods in Yangon Chinatown. Even all the vendors have the tag “safe food” on their cart, you should be careful with the colorful and oily foods. Of course, you should find and have the basic knowledge of “safe food” before visiting street food as Yangon travel tips. It can save you more than you think. And be sure you can eat spicy foods because almost dishes you taste there is “hot red” as I read in Myanmar travel warnings.

Nightlife

Beer stations in Yangon – Photo: Khiri

In a few years ago, somethings changes happened in Yangon, so that the nightlife here is flourishing now. The increasing of bar, pub, and club makes you have more choices if you love nightlife or simply want to find a place to have a drink. But don’t be over expected, as Yangon travel tips, almost choices you have are street-side beer stations, which is in the lower class in compare with nightlife in Hong Kong or Bangkok.

As my experience and base on so many Yangon trip reviews, I think you should move to 19th to soak up Yangon’s atmosphere at night. I love the atmosphere in street side beer station where I can chat with local people while watching the croweded street. Don’t stick in your model life in bar or pub, if you have a chance to travel to Yangon, try beer stations once.

Yangon Festivals

Water festival in Yangon – Photo: The_nation

There are many festivals celebrating in Yangon throughout the year for you to join in your myanmar tours. For instance:

Occurred between February and March the time for rice harvest is the Full Moon of Tabaung Luman Month. Then in April and May is the Myanmar Water Festival which honors the Burmese New Year. In between June and July is the Waso festival celebrating in three months. The festival celebrating in October is the Festival of Lights AKA the festival of Thandingyit.

The most famous and popular tourist attraction is the Water Festival. It occurs in three days to honor the Burmese New Year. Come to Yangon in this festivals, you will catch the streets are filled with celebration and color on the various waterways. As Yangon travel tips you also can join the watering festival. They said the water can bring away your bad luck in the previous year, so don’t miss the chance to get wet in this festival.

Each festival has its own meaning, you can google information about these fetivals. Chose the one you love the most and plan your trip.

Hope some Yangon travel tips in this article can help you have an amazing trip and lot of fun in Yangon!

Interesting features about cuisine for Myanmar travel guide

Coming to Myanmar, visitors come to a country with fertile land and wide variety of resources. These advantages have provided great source of food throughout the year for this country. People in Myanmar have a long list of traditional food. Until now, they have still kept their culture in modern cuisine. This is a myanmar travel guide for tourists when coming to this country and enjoying foods in here. Myanmar cuisine consists of dishes from different regions between three big cultures of China, India and Thailand. These cultures have influenced traditional Myanmar cuisine. Through the flexible transformation, people have created unique features that anyone can easily recognize when learning about the history of cuisine here. The diversity of Myanmar cuisine has also been contributed by local ethnic minorities. All of them have created unique Burma attractions.

Myanmar cuisines are characterized by the use of a variety of fish. Seafood is popular in coastal cities such as Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, Mergui and Dawei while freshwater fish and shrimp are used in the interior. They are introduced in many Myanmar trip blogs. Myanmar soups also include salads, starchy dishes such as rice, wheat, potato, vermicelli…

Traditionally, the Burmese eat meals from foods set on a low table and sit on a bamboo mat. The dishes are served at the same time. Along with traveling to outstanding Burma tourist sites, having Myanmar meals is also interesting. The typical meal consists of hot rice as the main dish with accompanying dishes. They can include fresh or dried fish curry, broccoli and raw vegetables, along with salty ingredients, as well as fried foods.

Joining in an adventure trip in Myanmar, you will hear the Myanmar travel guide talk about the eating tradition of the country. During meals, the oldest people are always served before the others start. Even when they are absent, a meal portion is still cooked separately to show the respect of family members to their grandparents and parents. This custom is called ”Ucha” in Burmese.

burmese people squeeze the rice into small balls with fingertips and mix with sauce before eating. Chinese chopsticks and spoons are often used to eat pasta. Knives and forks are rarely used. They are also always available at restaurants and hotels. Drinks are often not served with meals. Instead, they usually have soups served in a big bowl. Their drinks are green teas. Of course, the above are such rough guides for a Burma travel.

Nowadays, in the trend of globalization and trade liberalization, it is not a problem about how to get to Myanmar. Besides, all of the famous dishes in the world are learned and adapted in Myanmar. However, many people still preferred their own foods. So far, they have kept the unique features of their traditional dishes.

Any Myanmar travel guide, when talking about the cuisines of the country of Golden Pagoda, will also mention Lephet (green tea leaf). This is the main ingredient for making green tea salad. The dishes made with lephet are slightly bitter and sour. They are often mixed with cabbage, tomatoes, roasted peanuts, garlic and yams. Visitors can also enjoy tomato salad with tomatoes picked from Lake Inle – one of Myanmar’s two largest freshwater lakes.

The second special dish is rice fish – Russian htamin. Shan rice is cooked from rice and fresh turmeric to make rice color look more attractive. Then they were covered with layers of fish oil and garlic oil, roasted peanuts and some vegetables. This dish is served with fried shrimp pancakes and spicy sauce, giving fatty and delicious taste. This is another Burma attraction that we should note down when visiting this country.

Curry is also a traditional food of Myanmar cuisine. This is a traditional dish with lots of spices and herbs from indigenous people. As a smart traveler in Myanmar, you should definitely try it. There are many types of meat that are eaten with curry such as pork, beef, lamb, shrimp or fish. Curry is usually served with rice, soup, fresh vegetables, vegetable salad, fried vegetables and other herbs.

Many American traveling to Myanmar fall in love with tofu soup – Hto nu. This dish is made from a kind of bean, cooked into porridge and covered with a layer of yellow powder, herbs and chili powder. This dish can also be served with chicken or pork.

The fried dishes are popular with Myanmar people, so Nangyi Thoke is indispensable. Nangyi Thoke is a kind of fried and thick noodles, mixed with chicken, some slices of fish, bean sprouts and boiled eggs. Then they also add bean flour, turmeric and chili to bring the better flavor to the dish. You should ask your Myanmar travel guide about this special food in your trip to Myanmar, so that you will not miss a good chance to enjoy it.

There are still many other dishes that travelers should not miss when visiting Myanmar. However, you also have to follow some rules when eating. Actually, from many Myanmar travel reviews, you can hear or read about them. When you come here, you are only allowed to eat with your right hand. It is because according to Burmese, the left hand is used for personal hygiene. Visitors should aware that Buddhists often avoid beef and Muslims do not eat pork.

Burmese cuisine is an interesting thing that any tourist visiting Myanmar would like to enjoy once in a lifetime. After learning about Myanmar cuisines, you will want to come here to learn more about this interesting culture. Take a look in some Myanmar travel guide first, you will feel more easy to travel to this country.

Visit Ananda Pagoda and attend its famous festival – one of Myanmar top attractions

Visiting Myanmar, there is a city among Myanmar top attractions that every tourist should come once. It is Bagan, an ancient city with over 3,000 Buddhist pagodas, temples and monasteries. This place was recognized with valuable buildings as the most gorgeously majestic and surprising archaeological relics in Asia.

The ancient city Bagan, inlike many other travel highlights in Myanmar, attracts tourists right from the first sight with the antique, peaceful and fresh beauty of magnificent archaeological relics. This sacred land is the home for thousands of grand Buddhist pagodas and towers. Among them, there are of course some outstanding structures that attract visitors the most. We can name some famous names such as Shwedagon, for its sacredness, or Ananda pagoda, for its splendid beauty.

Indeed, not too far from Shwezigon pagoda, Ananda pagoda in Myanmar was built in 1090 with surprising beautiful art works about Buddhism, which Myanmar is known for. On a travel to Myanmar and visit Ananda pagoda, tourists will see that besides the unique features of pagoda architecture, Ananda pagoda also symbolizes the immense knowledge of the Buddha.

This pagoda was completed under the rule of King Kyanzittha of Pagan dynasty (1084 – 1113). This is an outstanding religious architectural masterpiece in that time and it is almost well-preserved until now. Therefore, at this moment, when mentioning Myanmar top attractions in Bagan, Ananda pagoda is always one of the first names to be called.

It is retold from many tourists travelling in Myanmar reviews that there is a legend about the story of this pagoda. They said the creators of this building have ended up their lives with tragic. There were eight priests providing King Kyanzittha with the drawing draft about the architecture of the pagoda in the Himalaya range, where they meditated. The King was satisfied and required the priests to build a pagoda in Bagan delta. When they finished the work, to make sure that the building was unique and there would be no similar structure to be built anywhere else, the King ordered his soldiers to kill all these architects and priests.

The most impressive feature of this pagoda often mentioned in best Myanmar books is four gilded Buddha statues with the height of over 10 meters located in four directions. Among them, the two original gilded Buddha statues in the North and the South show different facial expressions when you look at them in different distances. If watching them from a distance of roughly 10 meters or less, you can realize the face of the Buddha is slightly strict and sad. However, if you step back a little and watch the statue again, the face starts to express the joy, kindness and happiness. This exploration is so exciting that it is considered one of most attractive travel highlights in Myanmar for tourists coming to Bagan. Unluckily, the two other statues in the East and the West, due to being restored after a fire, cannot remain the special expressions on the face of the Buddha anymore.

Ananda pagoda has been damaged badly in an earthquake in 1975. However, after that, it was rebuilt and preserved really well to restore its original attraction as a Myanmar top attraction as much as possible. In 1990, the high tower in the pagoda was gilded on the anniversary of 900 year-old of the pagoda. This made the beauty of this pagoda become more attractive and outstanding over the other architectural buildings in the area.

Ananda pagoda is already well-known for its exceptional beauty and valuable meaningful religious works. However, when mentioning this pagoda, people also think about a special event that is held every year and attract tremendous people to take part in. Actually, when asking a tourist about the reason why they visit Burma, the answer must also include Myanmar attractive festivals and traditional customs. It is the Ananda pagoda festival. Indeed, Myanmar is not only known for sparkling golden pagodas, temples and Buddhist architectural structures. It is also famous for many traditional festivals held each year. There are hundreds of festivals to be held annually in Myanmar, but they often take place in the spring, especially in March or April, when Burmese farmers are free from their farm work to enjoy the festivals.

In January annually, there is a festival in Ananda pagoda held for pilgrims and tourists from all over the country and even foreign tourists to come and explore the cultural special characteristics of this pagoda, in particular, and myanmar country and people, in general. This is one of the most outstandingly famous pagoda festivals in this country. The following is just a rough guide for visitor to Myanmar to take part in the festival of Ananda pagoda.

Traditionally, people from everywhere in Bagan will come to the festival on their rustic ox carts. They also go camping during the time the festival is held. So how long should you spend in Myanmar in order to take part in this interesting festival? Actually, this festival often takes place during 15 days. Local circuses also take part in with tremendous interesting activities and stages for audiences. Besides, there are also hundreds of stalls selling a variety of products from foods to agricultural tools. Often times, these stalls attract many tourists and local people to come, manipulate and buy. As a smart traveller to Myanmar, this is an occasion that you cannot miss to explore and learn more about the culture of burmese people. Attending this festival, tourists will enjoy and learn more about the custom and traditions of the local citizens in Bagan.

There are many other interesting festivals over the country of Myanmar. However, Ananda pagoda festival is always one of the best options for you. Coming to visit this beautiful pagoda, you also have an opportunity to experience a trip to Myanmar top attractions. This is an exceptionally good chance to explore the culture, custom and traditional life of the people in this country and in the beautiful city Bagan.

Top 5 Yangon travel tips you must know before starting your adventure.

Yangon, capital of Myanmar, one of the most famous destinations in Myanmar, is now more and more popular to all over the world. Every year, streams of people come to visit its beauty of ancient and modern buildings, special street food and many of pagodas. So what to prepare for your trip to Myanmar? These Yangon travel tips will be very useful for visitors.

1.Clothes: Longyi

When travelling to somewhere, we often think much about clothes to wear. So what to wear in Myanmar? Weather in Myanmar is very hot, and it hot all around the year. That is why Burma men use dress like women instead of trousers. Dress for men is called longyi, and tamain is used for women. Both longyi and tamain are long cloths tighted around your waist, but the way to tight is different.

You can find many shops selling longyi and tamain all the time. People in Myanmar use this traditional dress all days, all year, which is very different from other countries. This traditional dress is a part of their life, very close to them. It is not only to make them feel more comfortable and easy to move, but also a special costume to distinguish Myanmar with others.

It is not strange to see many both young and old, men and women using longyi and tamain on the street. Tourists also try this much to have a new experience. Many even take much photos and add their great pictures to their Burma guide books. It helps others much.

2.Money: new cash

Economy in Myanmar is not very strong, and it is quite difficult to find ATM or charging money. So the best way for you to stop stuff things is to bring cash with you everywhere, everytime you get out. Shopping at the supermarket will take long time if you do not have cash with you. This is very important. This Yangon travel tip will help you much during your trip.

One more thing, also important and may strange to you: new cash is better than old one. Why? In other country, one dollar, no matter it is new or old, clean or dirty, it is the same. But in Myanmar, clean and new money is charged more than bad ones. You do not believe me? Try one time and see what you get.

Money of Myanmar is called Kyat. They have 1 Kyat to 5000 Kyat cash, but 5000 one is not often. So if you want to exchange 100 dollar, you will have a heavy pocket with many small Kyat cash.

3.Sandals

Myanmar believe that it is not polite and bad when wearing shoes or high heel when visiting their pagodas, where they pray to their god. Myanmar is an Asia country famous for its many pagodas, from huge to small ones. You can drive short distance to visit many temples during your Yangon trip. People here use sandals to make it easy for their life and habits. Every day, they spend time to visit their god even they are busy, so it is difficult and will take time when using shoes or high heel instead. This Yangon travel tips should always be in your list, men!

If it is great and polite to wear suit with bright black shoes in our opinion, so your vie will change when you come here. No shoes, even on important occasion, sandals are Myanmar friends forever. That is why visiting Myanmar will save your time to come and go, more time for you to discover its beauty.

4. Kiss sound for beer

Do not just sit and wait for anyone, you can’t be enough with just one cup of beer! Make a kiss sound will help you much in this case. Burma call beer in this way make many tourists feel strange, but it makes life better, right? You can hear kissing sound at many places, all days.

The weather in Myanmar is hot, so people tend to drink much of beer. Cost for beer is very cheap, you can call Myanmar beer , the most popular one in this country. Take a sit, rest some minutes during your visiting time, drink beer and see how life is going on. How peaceful! Can you visit Burma and enjoy life with us?

5.Use right hand to eat

Using both hand to eat is of course easier, faster. So why you can only use right hand to eat in Myanmar? Please listen carefully, be a smart tourist, or vice versa, a bad one? Your hands make this. Burma believe that right hand is clean and clear, and it is polite and good to use this hand when eating. So remember in your mind: Right hand right hand, if you see any Myanmar sites, never left hand is using to eat.

Left hand is only for doing personal hygiene, do you think so ? But Myanmar think like that. This is really what you must remember. Please find more and carefully if you really want to start your trip.

Now, there are many ways to find great tips whenever you want to travel, Myanmar guide books, Myanmar travel blogs, tour guide companies,… These 5 Yangon travel tips are what we really appreciate and want to share with you, hope you have great experiences with us!

The most famous tourist attractions and Yangon travel tips

Yangon is one of the most attractive destinations while for a Myanmar tour. Visitors when traveling to Yangon will be completely overwhelmed by the emerald clear lakes or shady and greenery parks. This is the reason why the capital Yangon always attracts a large number of tourists. In this article, we will spend some time to take a glimpse through the most attractive places for tourism in Myanmar together with best Yangon travel tips. Yangon is one of the most attractive destinations while for a Myanmar tour. Visitors when traveling to Yangon will be completely overwhelmed by the emerald clear lakes or shady and greenery parks. This is the reason why the capital Yangon always attracts a large number of tourists. In this article, we will spend some time to take a glimpse through the most attractive places for tourism in Myanmar together with best Yangon travel tips.

1. Shwedagon Pagoda

As the most famous and sacred temple in Myanmar, Shwedagon Pagoda, also known as the Golden Pagoda, is located in Myanmar’s capital Yangon.

It houses the four most sacred treasures of the Buddhist religion, including the stick of the Buddha, one piece of the Kashapa, the Buddhist water filter and the eight hairs of Shakyamuni Buddha. The temple is 98 meters high and is gilded entirely. It is located on Singuttara Hill, from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of Yangon. Not only suitable for an independent travel in Burma, this place also match the need of many in-group travel tours.

2. Maha Wi Zaya Pagoda

Built in 1980, this pagoda seems to be a replica of Shwezigon Temple, located at Nyaung Oo in Bagan. This place is quite close to the Shwedagon Pagoda, so no wonder why it is the next recommended destination in this list of Yangon travel tips. Situated on a small hill, it is where Queen Shin Saw Pu came for meditating and chanting whenever she visited the Shwedagon Pagoda. It contains the relics of the Buddha given to king Nepal when he visited Myanmar. Modern and classic architecture created a painting on the ceiling and displayed the location of the constellation when the construction began.

3. Sacred Tooth Relic Pagoda

When the Sixth Buddhist Synod was convened in Yangon in 1955, the People’s Republic of China sent a mission of goodwill to the religious delegates along with a genuine Tooth Relic of the Buddha. According to some Myanmar travel blogs, it is sheltered in the Cave of Maha Pasana for the respect and admiration of the virtuous monks, lay people and abbot of the National Buddhism attending the Synod.

4. China Town

Like other cities in Southeast Asia, arriving in Yangon, visitors will easily find Chinese communities intermingled with indigenous peoples.

The Chinese living and working here are so crowded that, in Yangon, there is a town with Chinese identity, whose name is China Town. The reason why this town is included in these Yangon travel tips is it is like a miniature Chinese country with a lot of shops selling Chinese food, clothing and household goods.

Coming here, visitors can observe the interesting and attractive culture of the Chinese community. Besides, this is also a chance to enjoy the delicious Chinese and Burmese food in night markets.

5. Local markets

For travelers, there is nothing better than experiencing the lives of locals by exploring cuisine, through local markets. And by exploring the colorful markets of Yangon, you will have more exciting experiences.

Bogyoke Aung San, the largest market in Yangon, was built in 1926 with British architectural features. This market is always busy, and people joining in its activities are mostly foreigners. And like in other countries in the area, Myanmar travel cost is really saving, which is clearly proved when you go to some markets like this. Bogyoke Aung San is considered as a miniature Myanmar, because you can find any unique items of myanmar culture here. However, visitors when coming to Bogyoke Aung San market, mostly cannot ignore the purchase of handicrafts, especially the exquisitely designed jewelry sold here.

The above are just a small part of Yangon attraction that you can only feel the entire when you obtain a Myanmar visa and enjoy your own trip to this Burmese city. There are more than religious uniqueness for a modern city like it, and through a memorable tour with usefulYangon travel tips, you can experience the singular life culture of an Asian country and have more interesting things to note down in your own tourist blog for best destinations of tourism in the world.

Burma travel reviews – Do you want to get lost in Yangon street food?

Getting the knowledge and information about the new land that you are going to visit is extremely important and essential for a memorable trip. Therefore, before coming to Yangon Myanmar, I have consulted many reviews on Yangon blogs to be able to prepare the best for my trip. I discovered that one part cannot be ignored in every Burma travel reviews must be Yangon street food with mouth-watering dishes. Let spot the most famous street food in Yangon.

19th Street in Chinatown

Burma travel reviews – Do you want to get lost in Yangon street food

Grills on 19th Street in Chinatown – Photo: Travelfish

The Chinatown always make the tourists impressed with colorful vendors and strange foods. As Burma travel reviews, the Chinatown in Yangon is no exception. Come here on your Myanmar tour and soak in the nightlife, you can meet up many vendors stand up to the server you many kinds of foods. The 19th Street is an ideal place to come and explore on your Yangon trip. Although this place is not popular, I’m sure it worth you a walk with dim sum restaurants and Chinese noodle shops.

In Yangon, the 19th Street is the busiest with hungry diners after dark. The tourists of Myanmar tour package and local people come here to eat the wide array of barbecue skewers and drink cold beer. The seafood, meat, and vegetables are stabbed with tiny wooden spears waiting for you to roast. As Myanmar travel reviews, the food here is a bit more expensive than foods in other destinations. But trust me, it worth you a try because you will not taste the food but also “taste” the nightlife in this town.

Night Market on Strand Road

Night Market opens on Strand Road – Photo: Eleven Myanmar

As Burma travel reviews, the night market along the Strand Road has almost types of cuisine belong to Shan, Chinese, Thai, Burmese that you can name. It is a whistle street full of the shouting out orders of vendors and the diners waiting for the dishes.

The Night Market on Strand Road is less popular than 19th Street so that almost diners here are local people. If you love experiencing the local life and the place full of expats, you should come here on your Yangon trip. It just takes you some minutes walking from 19 Street. Because the night market stays along the river, it is hard to see it at night especially in the busiest time.

Yangon guide book said that you can find out the food stalls underneath colorful tents, where filled with food ingredients which are ready to cook up. Because there are very few tourists, most vendors don’t write their menu in English, so you can find it hard to order your dishes. In some cases, you can point to the dish you want to eat and the vendors will cook up them for you. But the price is affordable so that you can eat all the dishes you love and don’t have to worry about your budget.

Little India

A corner of Little India in Yangon – Photo: Hynos Travel

A good news for vegetarians and vegans is you can find a Little India in Yangon. Many Indians come to Yangon to work and live, they bring their traditional cuisine along. Yangon travel tips said that tourists come to Little India have a wide range of dishes to order not only the traditional dishes but also the dishes that adopted with most delicious dishes of the neighboring country.

As many articles on Yangon blog, you can find chapathi with curry and restaurants dedicated to vegetarian and vegan travelers in Little India. Some Nepalese dishes also served in this place as some Burma travel reviews.

Note: you should try street food especially grills with the cold beer, I’m sure that you can not forget that fascinating taste.

Taste delicious and fancy food on the street food and do not miss the chance to get into the hustle and bustle of busy night markets filled with diners and food. Hope that you can find the best street food for your Yangon trip!

Where to go in Yangon and Bagan among many Burma attractions?

There are many great destinations in Myanmar for you to choose to visit. Among them, today we will name some of the most famous places that become Burma attractions in tourists’ eyes.

1.Yangon-ancient capital of Myanmar

Yangon, ancient capital of Burma is also the largest city of this country. Its beauty is the mixture of both nostalgic and modern buildings, which remind you of your past and wake you up for your new day.

There are many great places to come, to get experience and to feel life moving around you.You can choose among of them to add in your must-visit-list.

Wake up and enjoy sunset at the top of Sule Pagoda

Located at the heart of the Yangon , this pagoda is the unique pagoda among many other ones. Why? The beauty of the city when a day start is from the view of Sule when the sunset is overwhelming Yangon. If you have time to visit this city at this time, you can’t take your eyes off it. Romantic, peaceful and beautiful! Try to wake up early is a smart way to adventure Myanmar!

Walking along Downtown route

The peace of this road will ease your mind and help you to get away of stress and bad things. Start a day walking along the street is a good way to live slowly but better to enjoy life. Many people get to this road early and prepare for a busy days selling different things. There are many alleys for you to discover and take a rest. When you walking along all the street, it is time for normal noisy time.

Many tourists like this place, maybe it is like a stop in their day, to stop working and renew their souls. That is why Downtown route is listed among Burma attractions.

Discover Myanmar traditional Mingalar Market

Mingalar Market is located at the corner of Natmauk Road and Banyadala, Mingalar Town Taung Nyunt. There are many things sold here every day. You can find Myanmar costume to accessories and souvenirs for friends and families. But of course, asking carefully about prices is what every tourist should do. This market is also one of Burma highlights. Thiri Mingalar operates 24/24, providing many agricultural products for domestic and export. Many burma people come here to have fresh food for their families.

Discovering 19th Street culinary heaven

Located between Anawratha Road and Mahabandoola Road, Latha Township, Yangon, 19 street is known as culinary heaven of Yangon. Tourists spend time here overnight with friends and enjoy great different dishes. Customers can find many kinds of food here to get Yangon’s best barbecue experience. 19 Street is also known as one of the best of Myanmar tourist sites.

2.Bagan

Bagan also called Pagan or Baga is in the center of Myanmar.This ancient capital has mỏe than 4000 temples and monasteries. That is why people consider this city as an “archaeological city”. Like Angko Wat of Cambodia, this is a great destination for love-moving people.

Bagan has 3 different areas: Old Bagan, New Bagan and Nyaung – U.

How to get to Bagan, Burmas? You can use plane or bus and get off at Bagan market. This place is also close to many hotel and resort, which helps you save time and easy for check in.

Hotels and restaurants are usually located in New Bagan. Let come to visit New Bagan to see how Myanmar has changed.

If you want to take time for pagodas, Old Bagan is the best place to choose. More than 2000 temples will be great experience. We can name some of them: Bagan Temples, Shwesandaw Pagoda, Bulethi,…

Queen Restaurant, Golden Emperor Restaurant are some restaurants in Bagan. We can also discover Moon vegetarian to enjoy vegetarian food. Myanmar Foods House is where to find normal food like habitants. Because of religion, people in Myanmar are kind and friendly. That is a good news for those who wonder if it if is safe for travel to Myanmar.

Timax, beer and Lime are main drinks here.

DhammaYangyi temple

This is one of the biggest temples of Bagan. This temple is quite like a pyramid. There are many traditional puppets which are sold in the yard of the temple. You can buy this as a kind of souvenirs for friends.

Shwesandaw temple

This is the hottest destination for all tourists who want to see sunset and dawn. With great architect, Shwesandaw is enough for customer to take photos.

Many visitors come here just to take photos with great view. If you have time, 3 weeks spending in Myanmar is good time for visit from Yangon to Bagan…This site is really great choice for unforgettable moments.

With many Burma attractions, tourists have a great choice to get new experiences. These destinations are a short sum-up, hope you get new ticket and enjoy moments with us.

Experience the trip to Bagan – one of the most Burma tourist attractions

Located near the Irrawaddy River bank in the middle of Myanmar, Bagan is the most prospect ancient capital of Empire Pagan during the century 11th to 13th. This is the place that remains the most Buddhist cultural values such as temples, stupas and monasteries. In this article, let us together explore the most worthy experiences voted by tourists when coming to visit this Burma tourist attraction. Located near the Irrawaddy River bank in the middle of Myanmar, Bagan is the most prospect ancient capital of Empire Pagan during the century 11th to 13th. This is the place that remains the most Buddhist cultural values such as temples, stupas and monasteries. In this article, let us together explore the most worthy experiences voted by tourists when coming to visit this Burma tourist attraction.

The ancient capital of Myanmar consists of three towns: Nyuang U, Old Bagan and New Bagan with a spreading area for sacred temples. Nyuang U is a large town which was constructed with stations, trains, harbors and airports. Due to the investment in tourism development, nowadays it is no longer difficult for tourists getting to Burma, especially a developing city like Bagan. New Bagan is a new village which was built in 1990 for inhabitants who are the immigrants from Old Bagan. The last one, Old Bagan is a captivating landscape with tremendous ancient relics and temples which are carefully conserved and restored frequently.

Experience the trip to Bagan – one of the most Burma tourist attractions

Exploring Old Bagan on bicycles, horse carts or on foot

One of the most interesting experiences in Bagan tourism is you are allowed to explore and visit remoted and unexploited lands. Although there are not many luxurious facilities for you to enjoy like in the center of Bagan, you can still learn many different things on your own. According to many reviews from tourists, there are some best ways to travel in Bagan, Myanmar if you want to enjoy your trip the most. For example, you may like the feeling of walking, riding bikes or horses in Old Bagan through the basalt roads to watch the collection of temples, pagodas and monasteries under the immense sky.

Temples in Bagan are relatively close to each other so it is quite easy to make a tour throughout the area and explore all the most beautiful scenes here. If by walking, you can stop at wherever you want to take pictures and visit, riding bikes helps you to go much further and quicker without losing too much energies, especially when visiting large areas of temples. Another choice for tourists is horse riding because of the strange experience and the sound it makes on the way by its wheels. Furthermore, these options are also chosen pretty much since they ensure the Myanmar travel safety for tourists.

On the way to visit various tourist sites like temples or pagodas in this Burma tourist attraction, one important thing to remember is that you should put off your shoes and socks and leave them outside before walking into temples on your bare feet. This action is considered the respect and your sincerity to the Buddha. Temples in Bagan are made of earthenware bricks with their yards covering hundreds of meters to absorb the heat, so it is very hot when the outdoor temperature is high. Therefore, it would be advisable for you to visit there in the morning of in the afternoon as the weather is far more comfortable.

Do not hesitate to ask the local people for help when you are lost or wonder about the direction to your destination, because there are many people here can speak English thanks to Myanmar open to tourism policies. You can also take your chance to buy handicraft or lacquer pictures with reasonable prices as your souvenirs when backing home.

Explore every unique temple in Bagan

Manuha is one of the most famous pagodas in Bagan due to the offering custom of the Burmese here. They have a big golden bell placed on a cement pedestal right at the center of the large room in the pagoda. The offering ceremony has long been a cultural uniqueness and the pride in the life of the Bagan inhabitants. You should not forget to explore this interesting custom of the local people through this adventure in Myanmar.

If you are tourists coming to visit Bagan, you should never skip the most important and sacred temple in this place, whose name is Ananda. This temple was built in 1150 B.C but it was damaged seriously in the earthquake in 1975. However, after that, it was restored and gilded in 1990 to meet the requirement of tourism development. The most impressive thing to tourists when coming to visit Ananda might be the giant Buddha statues which look to four directions: Kakusandha (the North), Konagamana (the East), Kassapa (the South) and Gautama (the West). It must be better if you hide an English speaking guide here in Myanmar to help you know everything more clearly and quickly.

Mahabodhi pagoda is a significant remark for tourists as well. Its name and structure resemble which of Bodhigaya temple in India. The difference is that there is a gilded gate which is locked with a specially made steel lock.

You should also make a stop in the biggest pagoda in Bagan whose shape is like a pyramid. Its name is Dhammayangyi, a pagoda built by King Narathu.

The tallest temple of Bagan is Thatbyinyu Phaya, which is 61 meters high and built in the middle of the 12th century by King Alaungsithu. This place has been recorded in many myanmar travel guide books as a good suggestion for tourist destinations. Standing on the highest position of the temple, your view can cover all area of Old Bagan. It is such an amazing and unforgettable moment of your life.

Known as the “Sun set pagoda”, Shwesandaw is located in a perfect situation for tourists to feely watch the breath-taking beauty in the twilight of the day, with the gorgeous red color of the sun. According to some fairy tales in this Burma tourist attraction, this temple was built in 1057 B.C by King Anawratha to keep one of eight hairpieces of the Buddha. Many tourists are highly interested in being told these tales as well as other exciting mysterious stories of the area. You can ask old people here to tell you about them. During a period of half an hour to an hour, the sight in this place changes extremely quickly in terms of color, from reddish to light purple and gradually fall deeply into the darkness.

Besides, Bagan still has many other temples for your visit such as Shwezigon, Shweguyi, Sulamani, Gubyaukgyi, Gawdawpalin and Bupayastupa.

Conquer the sacred mountain Popa and explore countryside life

Down to the South and located 50 kilometers far from the center of Bagan, Popa Mountain has become a famous destination for pilgrims in Myanmar. The mountain is well-known for the monastery Taung Kalat on the top of the 737-meter-high volcano, which has decommissioned. Tourists have to pass 777 steps and walk through a herd of monkeys to get to the monastery. This mountain’s height is more than 1,520 meters and it is considered the legendary home of the supreme God “NAT”. Although it takes time and energies to get to the top and end the journey, it is a pity if you cannot finish it because by conquering the challenge of this Burma attraction, you can take many stunning photos on the top of this mountain.

After leaving Popa Mountain, you can take time to visit the villages located on the mountain foot or along the rugged roads in Bagan. These experiences are also Burma worthy highlights for your trip. The local people are known for their hospitality so they will make you feel like home when you spend your night there. You can also freely ask them for one night homestay with a Burmese dinner right at their home without worrying about the cost.

Indeed, there are not many opportunities for every tourists to come to Myanmar and enjoy a trip to Bagan, the home of golden pagodas. Of course, there are still many other Burma tourist attractions, but for typical trips to Myanmar, Bagan seems to be the choice for many tourists. Therefore, do not hesitate too much to learn from those most worthy experiences to explore this wonderful and beautiful land.

Visit the village of long-neck women in an adventure to Myanmar

Coming to visit any country in the world, one of the activities that make tourists curious the most is exploring the special features in the traditional culture of the native land. In this article, let’s continue our trip with an adventure Myanmar to one of the most unique and ancient custom which has been maintained and preserved until now. The custom is shown clearly in a village with long-neck women. Coming to visit any country in the world, one of the activities that make tourists curious the most is exploring the special features in the traditional culture of the native land. In this article, let’s continue our trip with an adventure Myanmar to one of the most unique and ancient custom which has been maintained and preserved until now. The custom is shown clearly in a village with long-neck women.

Visit the village of long-neck women in an adventure Myanmar

Located on the top of Karen Hills, the tribe of long-neck women attracts tourists by the special custom of carrying many metal necklaces on their necks. The weight of their necklaces can be up to 16 kilograms. The tribe is called Kayan, and they live in the remoted Karen Hills in the Eastern of Myanmar. Women in this Myanmar tourist site have a custom to wear metal rings and necklaces on their wrists, ankles and necks with the perspective that the more they wear, the more they show their family richness and high status. Nowadays, women in this area are no longer interested in wearing such rings and necklaces for beauty. However, some of them still keep the custom for the purpose of service trading.

Traditionally, necklace is a valuable and fashionable stuff which is often an indispensable accessories of girls in many families. There are ways of explanation for this custom if you want to know more about the adventure Myanmar. The local citizens believe that wearing necklaces can help them to prevent animal attack on their necks and make women look more beautiful. They also believe that the more rings they wear, the more men will chase them. Therefore, there are even some women who can wear up to 16 kilograms of metal rings on their necks. Because of wearing too many metal rings, the local women’s neck can be up to 40 centimeters long.

This custom now gradually disappears as this community opens to outer tourists, which leads to the suffering from Western culture. Girls and women, in general, in this village feel that their necks are no longer beautiful to them, so they give up this tradition although it is one of Myanmar top attractions. The modern culture has shown its strong influence in the traditional habit and custom of the local inhabitants.

Nowadays, girls and women in general living in the village feel free when they can give up wearing such rings on their neck. They realize that they look more attractive and natural without these rings and necklaces. On the other hand, some even say that they think the long neck is odd and ugly. Some young girls still stick to this custom, not for keeping the tradition but for tourism purpose, so this travel highlight is still remained in Myanmar.

Visiting this village, you can see goods stalls along the road which sell tremendous products, mostly silver and copper rings, necklaces and other jewelries on general. Besides, there are also brocade and colorful scarves or handkerchiefs which are made by hand, or postcards with the picture of the tribal girls with their bright smile. The long-neck girls are weaving behind their looms. They are all most beautiful girls who are chosen from hundreds girls in the village. In such adventure Myanmar, tourists will look at the pictures and wonder how the girls can look down on such weird long necks and do other work because the action is very difficult.

Thanks to tourism development, the economic situation of the long-neck tribe is getting better. Every day, there are many curious tourists coming to visit and learn about the daily life of one of the most eccentric tribes in the world. One rough guide to travel in Myanmar for tourists who like strange experience is fake metal necklaces sold in whatever stall here. They can help tourists become a long-neck person in some minutes, of course in case they raise their necks up.

Although no longer being passed on as a perception for the traditional beauty, the uniqueness about the custom of wearing metal rings on neck in Myanmar always attracts tourists from all over the world to come and explore. This is also a very interesting experience for visitors in an adventure Myanmar and hope to learn more about this wonderland of golden pagodas.

Explore Mrauk U – a regretfully forgotten Myanmar tourist attraction

The archaeological city Mrauk U is located near the Western border and is the second largest pagoda and temple center in Myanmar, just behind Bagan. Temples and pagodas in here are built with brick, unlike those built with clay and mud in Bagan. Although being the second biggest center for pagodas and temples, Mrauk U is not a quite popular Myanmar tourist attraction. It is such a pity since like anywhere else in Myanmar, this place also has various attractive landscapes and sceneries which need to be explored by tourists. The archaeological city Mrauk U is located near the Western border and is the second largest pagoda and temple center in Myanmar, just behind Bagan. Temples and pagodas in here are built with brick, unlike those built with clay and mud in Bagan. Although being the second biggest center for pagodas and temples, Mrauk U is not a quite popular Myanmar tourist attraction. It is such a pity since like anywhere else in Myanmar, this place also has various attractive landscapes and sceneries which need to be explored by tourists.

Mrauk U used to be the capital under the powerful Arakan Empire. Nowadays, however, it is a peaceful village and you can easily catch the very usual moments in the daily life of people in here. Some men are leading their goats across the street, peasants are working on their fields and women are taking water from the well which is situated among hundreds of pagodas and temples in Myanmar. That must be a very valuable experience for your independent travel in Burma. The Arakan Kingdom was set up in 1430 by King Min Saw Mon, with the capital Mrauk U. This city was still chosen to be the capital of the Kingdom during the next 350 years until 1785. In the most prosperous time, Arakan controlled roughly a half of Bangladesh territory and the western part of the today Myanmar. The popularity of Mrauk U was known even in the Europe and it became a gorgeous oriental city after the Portuguese propagandist Sebastien Manrique entering this place in 1635. When Mrauk U developed, the Kings and rich citizens had built numerous Buddhist temples and pagodas. Many structures are still being used as the worship places and become the most interesting Myanmar sites for tourist attraction of the city.

Having been through a long time of history, under the effect of the nature and time, many pagodas in Mrauk U are suffering from serious damages. However, with tens of millions of Buddhist statues as well as uncountable Buddhist architectural structures featured with Indian style covered in the mysterious mist, Myanmar tourist attraction Mrauk U will make whoever coming to this place impressed on the surrounding natural beauty, which is like a real fairy garden.

To get to Mrauk U, you can catch a coach from Mandalay. However, before the trip, you should prepare your luggage carefully. Some essential stuff you may need in the Myanmar adventure include outer jacket, gauze masks, and sunglasses if you do not want to be stuck with dust and dirt during the way. Unlike the crowded Bagan, Mrauk U seems to be a forgotten city which is unattractive to many tourists. It is because there is no airport and the only way to get to tourist destinations is by ships during a journey which lasts for about 7 to 8 hours.

One more thing to make Mrauk U different from other archaeological relics and other Myanmar tourist attractions is the life of the local people which happens right among the site of ancient architectural structures. Temples in Mrauk U are also very unique, when they were built from brick instead of mud and terracotta. Some temples are built in the style of bunkers with thick walls which can be used as shelters in wars. Used to be the capital of the Arakan Empire, Mrauk U is surrounded by outer walls and trenches. The center of this Burma attraction is the royal palace, one of the very few remained Mrauk U architectural structures.

By and large, Mrauk U is really another perfect choice for those who want to explore the mysterious and sacred beauty of Myanmar. Surely, a trip to Mrauk U will leave unforgettable and unique impression on tourists once coming here. Do not hesitate to spend some of your meaningful holidays with families, friends and your lovers in this peaceful Myanmar tourist attractions.

Inle Lake – paradise for Myanmar tourist attractions

Traveling to Myanmar, you not only explore the impressive beauty of ancient temples and pagodas, but also many beautiful landscapes. One of the Myanmar tourist attractions is Inle Lake. Spending your valuable holidays in this beautiful destination is a good choice for every tourist when coming to this religious country. This trip, indeed, is worth looking forward to with unique adventures in Myanmar that you can feel in nowhere else.

Inle in Myanmar language means “big lake”. Inle Lake is located in central Shan State, about 40 kilometers south of Taung-kyi City. The lake is about 889 meters above sea level, surrounded by high mountains and covers an area of 220 square kilometers. Mentioning Yangon travel tips, Inle Lake cannot be missed. It is one of the two largest freshwater lakes in Myanmar and is a popular tourist destination that visitors always want to come when travelling here.

Inle Lake has a tranquil beauty. It makes visitors relaxed and comfortable when watching. On the way to the lake, you will see many large green fields and white storks fluttering in the sky. This is home to the Inthar people – an ethnic minority of Myanmar. If you have read some Myanmar travel blogs about Inle Lake, you must have known about them. This ethnic has lived here for thousands years. There are seventeen villages surrounding the small islands. The Inthar people are Buddhists, so there are about 100 monasteries and thousands of small towers around the lake. Religious architectures and sculptures at Inle Lake are influenced by Shan. The Inthar live on the lake. This feature makes them special and become a Myanmar highlight for tourists who first come to visit this beautiful and attractive country. The scenery on Inle Lake is extremely quiet and beautiful with wooden floating houses. Simple silver bridges connect houses together. Beautiful flower pots make the entrance warmer and friendlier.

In the morning you can watch the dawn and breathe the fresh air. The sun rises behind the distant green mountains. Warm golden sunlight shining above the lake surface creates a beautiful natural picture for this Myanmar tourist attraction. You should also watch the spectacular sunset. The scenery becomes sparkling and mysterious. You will drop your soul into this peaceful and romantic space. It would be interesting if you stay at floating houses all night with candles. The night is extremely quiet. You can also hear the singings from somewhere far away.

There are ten thousand pagodas on Red Mountain. This is the place that is famous for producing the well-known grape wine of Myanmar. With a trip to Inle Lake, you can also feel free to visit this destination without any hesitation concerned your Myanmar travel budget, because it is totally open to tourists. From this mountain you can have a good view over the panoramic scenery of Inle Lake.

What makes Lake Inle special is not only the beauty of nature, but also the life of the Inthar. The great invention of the Inthar is cultivating the plants on the water. They make their boats from duckweeds, and make them float on the lake with bamboos. Your travel would even become more interesting if you spend your time with some Myanmar trekking tours and discover the life of these people. The most popular plant of the Inthar is tomatoes. This plant considered a specialty of this place. myanmar people often say “Coming to Inle, it is a waste if you do not try eating tomato salad”. Apart from cultivation, the Inthar also live by catching fish in the lake. Image of Inthar men rowing a boat with their feet has become a typical cultural feature to attract tremendous visitors for an independent travel in Burma.

The daily life of the Inthar people, who are living here, is very normal. They are friendly, hospitable and always willing to help visitors. They know clearly that tourism service is an important part of their income and helps them to make a living. However, it does not mean that your Myanmar travel cost will be increased when you try experiencing the life of the ethnic people. Like a normal trek to the Myanmar countryside, you can feel entirely the simple beauty of their daily life with special attractions that hardly can you feel somewhere else. Their clothes and clothes-making techniques are very simple. Although their life is strenuous, their lives are still based on Inle Lake.

All cultural and produce activities of Inthar people take place on the lake. There is an important festival is held every September in this Myanmar tourist attraction. It is Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival. Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is one of the most typical festivals in Shan State in particular and Myanmar in general. It lasts for 18 days with all people’s respect for the Buddha.

Inle Lake also attracts Myanmar backpacks with natural resorts and beautiful floating restaurants. They are located along the lake bank. The floating villages have many traditional industries for both preserving and creating their own identities and also for serving tourists.

This is also the ideal place for many tourists who want to learn about the long history of this cultural area. To the south of Lake Inle locates an impressive city called Indein. This is also an attractive Myanmar sites for tourists worldwide because of its unique and meaningful architecture. This city was built of 11th – century brick architecture, one of the capitals of Shan. There are also cultural beauties of ancient ethnic minorities such as Padaung.

Getting to Myanmar and travel to Inle Lake, you can enjoy the traditional meal of the Inthar on floating houses in Nyaungshwe village. The meal includes green tomato salad mixed with garlic vinegar oil, fried vegetable, grilled crayfish and sticky rice. You can also try smoking long cigarettes wrapped in wild highland leaves. They have cinnamon flavor, licorice or honey. These are special things that none of other places have.

There are hundreds of interesting and attractive places in Myanmar for tourists. However, it is not a bad idea to choose Inle Lake as your next stopping poin among the list of top Myanmar tourist attractions in this traditional and cultural country. A memorable travel to Inle Lake will make impressive experiences for you when returning, which not many other places can do.

Explore the mystery of one of Myanmar highlights, Mahapasana Cave

Myanmar is a mysterious and peaceful country with many unique and Buddhist monuments. Among them, we must mention Kaba Aye Temple, World Peace Pagoda along with the Mahapasana Cave once we have a chance to visit Myanmar highlights.

You will be surprised to look at Mahapasana The Great Sima at first sight. It is also called Great Stone Cave. The cave was like another version of Satta Panni Cave in India. It is used for big Buddhist festival in Myanmar, and also an outstanding Myanmar tourist attraction. Not many people know that the Mahapasana Cave had the honor of hosting the sixth World Buddhist Sutra Congress, which lasted two years, from 1954 to 1956, on the occasion of the 2500th anniversary of the enlightenment of the Buddha. More than 2,500 monks attended the congress. Mahapasana cave is still used for sacred rituals and many international conferences about Buddhism.

There are 8 philosophies – wonders of Buddhism in the cave. These are the eight most precious teachings of the Buddha, which are passed down over generations. The letters are made of gold, solemnly hung in the frame in both Burmese and English. Many Myanmar blogs mention it, and visitors show their excitement and curiousness to see the words by themselves. All over the country, temples and religions are always the center of cultural life. The monks are highly respected and people even kneel down in front of them to show respect.

After visiting the famous and sacred Mahapasana, the Great Sima, Myanmar backpackers should also drop in Chauk Htat Gyi Temple to see giant statue of Buddha. The Buddha statue was built in 1966 to replace the old one built in 1907 by Hpo Thar. The former has been degraded and severely damaged under the effect of the climate for decades. The exact length of the statue is 65 meters. Giant Buddha statue is really beautiful and attractive. If you have a chance to go to Myanmar, you can find Chauk Htat Gyi Temple is worth one of most attractive Myanmar highlights, with outstandingly large Buddha statue on Shwe Gon Taing Street in Yangon.

The temple next to Mahapasana Guha Caves is called Kaba Aye, also known as the World Peace Temple, a relatively new temple in the city of Yangon. burmese people in general and the local people in Yangon always pay tribute to the Theravada Buddhism, of which this pagoda is typical. The temple was built in 1952. Until now, it has become an attractive destination for visitors, especially in the pilgrimage season. Visiting this place is a saving option if you also care about your Myanmar travel budget.

The pagoda, dislike many other Myanmar highlights, has a traditional architectural style with floral icons, lotus and motifs in the carved mortar placed from the five entrances to the main staircase. The huge pillar in the center of the pagoda is hollow and colorful. Around the pillars, there are the golden images of the four Buddhas who came to Nibbana. Joining in a Myanmar independent travel is not boring at all with a choice to visit this pagoda.

In the past, Kaba Aye temple was bombed and involved in imprisonments during wars, so that it was called World Peace. That is a warning for the preservation and promotion of peace everywhere as the Buddha taught. At present, Kabar Aye Temple is a peaceful and spiritual place among many other beautiful Myanmar sites for monks and lay devotees to pray for peace. This peaceful pagoda is also a prominent landmark of Burmese temples, and is one of the most beautiful temples in the world.

In Myanmar, there are many other famous Buddhist Myanmar highlights await visitors, such as Sule Pagoda or Shwezigon Pagoda, … Traveling to Myanmar, the wonderland of Buddhism, visitors should not exploring the architectural culture of the temples and pagodas here. Mahapasana Cave is a good choice for you for a memorable travel in this country.

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1. Talking about prices carefully

2. Be cautious of fake products

3. Think hard before buying antiques

4. Research thoroughly or have a local tour company

5. Think smart on buying goods

6. Look out for most affordable shops

7. Allow convenient time for local markets

1. Enjoy the street food of Mandalay

2. Discover Amarapura and U Bein Bridge

3. Enjoy the scenery from Sagaing Hill

4. Take a boat trip to visit Inwa

5. Visiting Mingun ancient village

Dress politely

Do not make noise

Avoid annoying others for photographs

Do not turn your back to Buddha statues

Show respect to the monks

Myaing Hay Wun Elephant Camp

Hukuang Valley Tiger Reserve

The ASEAN Heritage Site, National Park of Lampi Marine

THE MICC (Myanmar International Convention Centers) AND EVENTS

WHAT TO DO WHILE YOU ARE IN NAY PYI TAW?

#1. Carvings on wood

The procedure of production

Notable shops

#2. Lacquerware

Notable shops

#3. Embroidery and Tapestries

Notable shops

1. Bogyoke Aung San Market

2. J’s Irrawaddy Dream

3. Blazon Shopping Centre

4. Taw Win Centre

5. Sein Gay Har Super Centre

6. Jewelry Souvenirs & Treasure Land Gems

Lephet thoke (green tea salad)

Nga htamin (rice with fish)

Curry

Shwedagon Pagoda

Local fresh market

Sule Pagoda

Bogyoke Aung San Market

Bogyoke Market

Street Food

Nightlife

Yangon Festivals

1.Clothes: Longyi

2.Money: new cash

3.Sandals

4. Kiss sound for beer

5.Use right hand to eat

1. Shwedagon Pagoda

2. Maha Wi Zaya Pagoda

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3. Sacred Tooth Relic Pagoda

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4. China Town

<img alt="The most famous tourist attractions and Yangon travel tips" src="/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/the-20most-20famous-20tourist-20attractions-20and-20yangon-20travel-20tips-4.jpg" style="border:0px;height:366px;max-width:100%;vertical-align:middle;width:550px">

5. Local markets

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19th Street in Chinatown

Night Market on Strand Road

Little India

1.Yangon-ancient capital of Myanmar

Wake up and enjoy sunset at the top of Sule Pagoda

Walking along Downtown route

Discover Myanmar traditional Mingalar Market

Discovering 19th Street culinary heaven

2.Bagan

DhammaYangyi temple

Shwesandaw temple

Exploring Old Bagan on bicycles, horse carts or on foot

Explore every unique temple in Bagan

Conquer the sacred mountain Popa and explore countryside life

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