Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon: an indelible impression on my senses
Always my entry point to the country is Yangon and always a must-visit in every trip is Shwedagon Paya (pagoda), located west of the Kandawgyi Lake in the city Yangon. So I think it is a good topic to start with.
The history of the origin of the Shwedagon pagoda can be read in the so-called Chronicles of the Great Crystal Palace (Hmannan Mahayazawin-daw-gyi), the best known Burmese royal chronicle of the Konbaung dynasty. With over 2,500 years old, it is the most important pagoda in Myanmar and a display of Myanmar cultural heritage in terms of architecture, art and sculpture.
It stands out not only for the complexity of its design geometry but also for the overwhelming presence of architectural elements and the omnipresent gold color. It is one thing to visit the Shwedagon pagoda one afternoon and be amazed at what your eyes see and another thing is try to understand, even a little, the reason for this design and architecture and elements of the many temples, pagodas and sculptures of Shwedagon pagoda.
Access to the Shwedagon pagoda can be done through 4 entrances oriented to the four cardinal points, following the Buddhist tradition. The fee is 10,000 kyats. The pagoda, with an octagonal-shaped terrace base (paccaya), stands over 100 meters high, and sits on the Singuttara Hill in Yangon. It is surrounded by 64 pagodas and there is a small pagoda in each of the 4 cardinal points too.
At the top of the stupa, there is the umbrella or hti, with numerous precious stones (diamonds, sapphires, rubies). Under the umbrella there are numerous small golden bells that ring in the wind and create a magic sound. The stupa is crowned by a large diamond.
I have visited Shwedagon pagoda more than a dozen times, arriving at the site on foot and by taxi, early in the morning and at sunset, using the elevator and walking up the stairs surrounded by sellers of flowers, incense and Buddha’s images, to reach the main central terrace, walking around the pagoda in a clockwise direction, as mandated by Buddhist tradition, or quietly sitting observing life around. For me, the best time is when it gets dark, around half past six in the afternoon, and a fascinating atmosphere is generated, full of tranquility, with the illuminated pagoda and a small wall that surrounds the central stupa full of lit candles and the smoking incense. The offerings of flowers in the pagodas that surround the great stupa contribute to create an even more special atmosphere, with the special smell of jasmine.
The great bells in Shwedagon Pagoda: learning Myanmar history
In Shwedagon Pagoda there are two large bells: King Singu’s Bell and King Tharrawaddy’s Bell. A few centuries ago there was another great bell. We will talk about it later.
King Tharrawaddy’s Bell in Shwedagon Paya (Tharrawaddy Min Bell) brings me memories of my first trip to Myanmar and the first visit to Shwedagon Paya in 2013. King Tharrawaddy (1787 – 1846) – eighth king of the Konbaung dynasty – donated this bell of 42 tons to Shwedagon Pagoda in 1841.
I visited the pagoda in the afternoon and soon our tour leader returned us to the hotel as it was raining. It was the last day of my trip to Myanmar and next day, the return to Spain. Back in the hotel, from my hotel window (Park View Hotel, Yangon), I was looking the pagoda at sunset, thinking I should not have returned to the hotel and stay more time there. As the entrance ticket allowed the visit to the pagoda throughout the day, I did not hesitate and asked my father if he wanted to join me. We returned to Shwedagon Pagoda, where there were just few locals (it was around 19:30 on a rainy afternoon) and we were able to enjoy a very quiet visit. Circumnavigating the central platform of the pagoda, I was struck by a large black bell with red painted stripes located in a pavilion located few meters from the main platform. We accessed the pavilion of the bell through some stairs and we could see it from close distance. As I descended the stairs to return to the central platform, I slipped on the marble floor as I was barefoot and floor was wet after the afternoon rain. That night at the hotel I wanted to know about the place where I had fallen: The Bell of King Tharrawaddy.
Years later, on a Prome (Pyay) road trip from Yangon – Prome is located 8 kms from Sri Ksetra or Thaye Khittaya, one of the ancient Pyu cities in Myanmar. Sri Ksetra is must visit for travellers interested in archaeology! – I passed through the city of Tharrawaddy, north of Yangon, in the Bago region.
The Great Bell of Dhammazedi, centuries ago located in Shwedagon Pagoda: In search of another great bell
In the 15th century, the Shwedagon Pagoda also housed the famous Great Bell of Dhammazedi, donated by King Dhammazedi, who ruled the kingdom of Hanthawaddy between 1471 and 1492.
At the end of the 16th century, European explorers and merchants began to visit Lower Burma, particularly in the area of Syriam (now called Thanlyin) and Pegu (now known as Bago). In 1608, the adventurer, mercenary and warlord of Portuguese origin named Filipe de Brito e Nicote (or Nga Zinga, as he is known in Myanmar- also governor of Syriam from 1602 to 1613- took the great bell of Shwedagon pagoda in Dagon (now Yangon) and with the help of elephants, carried it towards the Bago River. The objective was to move the Dhammazedi bell to Syriam, across the river, to melt it and turn it into war cannons. The great weight of the load in the ship caused it to sink at the confluence of the Bago and Yangon rivers. To this day, this great bell could not be located and rescued from the bottom of the river, despite the underwater archaeology initiatives taken.
If you visit Thanlyn, it is interesting to pay a visit to the quiet ruins of an old Catholic church. It is sometimes known as the Portuguese church because it is located in an old Portuguese settlement and because a wooden church built by the Portuguese previously existed there. But the old church that you can see now was truly built by an Italian missionary priest named Paolo Nerini in 1750. A special place between trees, little visited, that guards an ancient tomb.
Amy
Whenever you hear the name of Myanmar, Yangon is one of the most attached and familiar name if you have been to Myanmar. Yangon is the most bustling and urbanized moreover you cannot enter through the country without passing it as it is the international gateway.
It was formerly known as Rangoon and is a place of variety of attractions of parks, lakes, pagodas and especially enchanting colonial and heritage buildings. It is more crowded and populated than any other cities across the country however it still exists a home for more than a hundred of impressed architectural buildings having interesting backgrounds.
The modern history of Yangon can be traced through its colonial-era buildings and the imprint of the past is indelibly marked on the life cycle of each remaining structure, The stories of these buildings are intimately entwined with the people who built them, the memories of those who lived and worked within them, and the reality of those who live and work there still.
A place symbolizing of mixture of traditional and western styles, City Hall
Around Sule Pagoda, there is a stunning creamy color combined with light purple building reminding the place built in 1926 which had held many political assemblies during colonial era. City Hall is an enormous four-storey building located in the very center of downtown Yangon and its unique structure was the first large-scale masonry building to combine European design and engineering technology with traditional Myanmar flourishes.
The design flourishes on City Hall were created by Burmese architect Situ U Tin and had a great inspiration of ancient capital, Bagan as it was featured traditional tired roofs called pyatthat. It was praised as a building worthy of the metropolis and inaugurates a new era in secular Burmese Architecture. Nowadays, this building is occupied by the city’s current municipal authorities, the Yangon City Development Committee.
A stimulus strengthens patriotic spirit, Minister’s Office
One of the most iconic colonial buildings, aging 120 years old built under the British ruling time, Minister’s Office is exemplified as Victorian Colonial Architecture by designing as the administrative seat of the colonial government is located on Thein Phyu Road .This sprawling Victorian structure was referred to British residents as “bureaucratic Byzantines” in style. Designs of this secretariat office were drawn by Henry Hoyne–Fox who was the creator of many government buildings in the city. This office was built in 1896 made of red and yellow brick in U Shape. Its architecture as well as the historic event took place in that building makes it unique.
An unforgettable event in Burmese Independence History, the assassination of Nation’s leaders, General Aung San and his accompanies by the disgusted betrayals during a meeting of the Executive Council on 19th July, 1947 happened in that building . Today, the room in which they were assassinated is maintained as a shrine, those who died there became known as martyrs.
The former President of the United States, Barack Obama visited to there to commemorate and honor the endured and concreted efforts of the fallen. This building will take the visitors to past time while the leaders were striving for the independence regardless of domestic or foreign and will be surely give a message to take away to your home.
An atmosphere surrounded by a sense of justice, High Court
The dusky rose colored High Court is another outstanding example of a grand old building of Empire. It was designed by James Ransome, a consulting architect to the Government of India in 1914 with the name of Parliament of Justice. The towers and loggia windows feature elaborate brick patterns. The cream-painted arches, rows of balconies and stuccowork echo Renaissance architecture. But this building is distinctive in its use of pale burgundy bricks, manufactured locally by the construction company Bagchi & Co.
It was resembled in the style of Queen Anne Style having the features of lion statues and a bell clock tower striking once an hour passed which are standing as the guardians watching you and deterring from breaking justice. It is located on Pansodan Street and now serves as the high court head office of the Yangon Region.
A storing spot of nostalgia moments, Central Post Office
Painted maroon with cream stuccowork and rows of Loncet-arched windows, this building still retains some fine original fittings such as the beaux-arts portico and double-winged stairways in the foyer. This building was constructed in 1854 as the headquarters of one of colonial Burma’s major rice traders, Bulloch Brothers & Co., a Scottish firm headquartered in Glasgow.
This building on Bo Aung Kyaw Road still functions as post office where tourists are allowed to enter without prior permission to observe the interior of a colonial era structure. Collections of variety of stamps of different periods and its British architectural designs can be learned and photographing with the displayed old jeeps should not be missed out.
A paradise for shoppers and foodies , Bogyoke Market (Scott Market)
If you want to get the experience of shopping in a colonial atmosphere with a sprawling crowds of stalls selling variety of products including traditional handicrafts, antiques jades, jewelries , art galleries, clothing and others amounting of 2000 shops along the cobblestone streets, it is a must visit. Bogyoke Market was built in 1926 and its former name, Scott Market was inspired the name of the British civil servant who introduced playing soccer or football to Myanmar.
A bazaar standing about tons of years at the center of the city is a lively one stop place where you can buy all you want ranging from needles to diamonds in the surrounding of unique architectural decorations. Yummy and mouth-watering street food are easily found and you cannot let anything out of your sight. It is a place which can consume your whole day to be with its catchy shops, stalls, food and delicacies.
Unlike other malls and markets, it is close on every Monday and it is still a popular market in spite of more and more modern malls and centers are being built.
Walking around these colonial buildings will inevitably bring you to the Past Yangon environing with colonial stylish buildings and will entertain visitors through different version from bustling environ of Yangon covered up with sky-scrappers, high rise buildings and traffics. There are also jam packed itinerary of fun and fantastic of similar walking tour can be booked because Yangon is a home to more than 200 heritage buildings, magnificent and artistic churches, schools and hospitals immersed with the colonial architectural designs and styles.
If you get bored of visiting pagodas and temples in Myanmar, this tour will be an alternative experience that attracts you to enjoy the Yangon city life in another version.
Come and enjoy the awaited heritages in a sustainable way!
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I am an ardent traveller and most of the time I like travelling alone. Travelling alone is a pleasure if you love your company. You can go anywhere you want, eat anything you want and plan a trip according to your whims and fancies.
I recently came back from a solo vacation in the mysterious land of Myanmar. The fortnight that I spent in the country was a life-altering experience for me. I hadn’t seen such warmth in the local people. I was welcomed with warm smiles, invited into their homes with open arms and given the right kind of advice that helped me enjoy a trip of a lifetime.
Read on to know why my experience in Myanmar was unforgettable and some other things about my trip.
The Friendly Locals
The locals of Myanmar were some of the friendliest people I have ever met in any country. With their help, I had no problems roaming around the country. Most of them didn’t speak English, but that didn’t stop me from communicating with them. We spoke through sign language and clearly understood each other.Wherever I went, I met children full of life, adults going about their own lives with happy smiles on their faces, and old people who gave me the kindest smiles.
Safe and Secure Travel Option
Myanmar is a safe country to travel to for all kinds of travellers. I met solo women travellers, families who were travelling with small kids and elders, and adventurous backpackers. All of them gave me the feeling that Myanmar was one of the safest countries they had travelled to.Most of the local people follow conservative Buddhism, which automatically means following a non-violent way of life. Crime against foreigners is extremely low. Instead, the locals treat each other and tourists with the utmost respect. The monks were the kindest people. Young or old, they smiled at me with such warmth. All you will find here is love, nothing else.
Exploring the Country
Myanmar is well-connected by rail, road and air. Whatever your choice and budget, you will be able to travel comfortably in the country. I love road travel and prefer it any day to air travel. I travelled on buses a lot. They were cosy and convenient. Taking overnight buses saved me time and hotel room money for the night. I would get in, tuck myself under a thin blanket and sleep all the way through.
Travelling as a Solo Woman
Women are generally respected in the country and so are tourists. This was clear when I asked some of the female solo travellers I met there. One of them said that when she visited Kayah to see the long-neck women, she was invited to their homes with open arms. They made her wear one of their brass neck coils and take photos with them for their memory.Another lady told me that she got lost while roaming around in Mandalay one night, and her phone was not working properly. A local man escorted her back to her hotel. When she offered to give him some money as a reward for his service, he simply bowed, folded his hand in the namaste gesture and left.I was really touched hearing these stories. Such gestures never fail to rekindle one’s faith in humanity.
The Places I Visited
Most travellers visit Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. But why only explore the common destinations, right? So, along with these three, I packed in a few less frequented places. Below was my itinerary.
First, I landed in Yangon and explored the city for three days.
Then I took a train to Mandalay. I spent a day there exploring the must-visit places in Mandalay. The next day, I took a trip to Mingun in the morning to see the Mingun Bell and Amarapura in the evening to see the beautiful sunset from the iconic U Bein Bridge.Next morning, I took the daily boat cruise to Bagan. I explored Bagan for another two days before taking a bus back to Mandalay.
By this time, I was desperate to escape the tropical weather and hence set off for Hsipaw, the small hill town popular for its trekking routes. I took a train ride from Mandalay to Hsipaw and passed through the famous Gokteik Viaduct. The tall pillars of the viaduct, rising hundreds of metres above the ground, were stunning, to say the least.With the layers of green hills and stunning hiking trails, Hsipaw soon became my favourite destination in the country. I spent 2 days walking around Hsipaw and then did a 3-day trek to Inle Lake. Inle Lake was charming and mesmerising.After spending two days at Inle, I took the train to Lashio and got down at Pyin Oo Lwin, another popular hill station of Myanmar. I finally returned to Mandalay from Pyin Oo Lwin and flew back home.
My itinerary was spontaneous, gathering knowledge about the places and deciding my next destination on the spur of the moment. Words cannot justify my experience in this wonderful country. I recommend it to each and every wandering soul. A world of wonders awaits everyone at Myanmar.
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by Uma Mageshwary Gunasakaran
“THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE”, a meaningful quote engraved on the Stone of Remembrance, greeted me as I arrived at the Taukkyan War Cemetery. This is a phrase adopted from the Bible where the full phrase reads “Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore”, and it was suggested by Rudyard Kipling as a significant inscription to commemorate the war dead. Growing up reading about the devastating effects of World War I and II, and hearing stories from my grandfather who is a war veteran, I’m deeply grateful towards all the sacrifices of soldiers and war heroes all over the world.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) have established about 2500 war cemeteries and memorials in 153 countries to honour the fallen, over 1.7 million men and women who were perished serving the commonwealth military. Therefore, I always make it a point to visit memorials when I travel. As I was in Yangon for a couple of days, I looked up the CWGC website and learnt that the largest war memorial in Myanmar lies just 30 kilometres up north from Yangon city centre.
First thing in the morning, I requested for a taxi from my hotel in Yangon and set off to Taukkyan and I arrived at the Taukkyan War Cemetery. It is a well-known place for it is the largest war cemetery in Myanmar, located just off the main road. So, it is hard to miss for this structure stands out, acting as a common sight to motorists passing Taukkyan town. As I walked through the main gate, there was a plaque of public record stating that the piece of land housing the cemetery has been gifted by the people of Myanmar to primarily honour the Commonwealth servicemen who have lost their lives during the Burma Campaign of World War Two. From the entrance, I was taken aback by the calming aura and beautiful sight of its façade. It was a neat architectural feat of columns with a landscape of well-manicured lawns and garden on a vast space. A couple of metres behind the Stone of Remembrance at the entrance, stood a 7-metre tall Cross of Sacrifice.
The main part of the War Cemetery was centred by a circular structure comprised multiple cylindrical pillars. From this centre, two 10-metre high double colonnades extend out in opposite directions for about 100 metres in total, housing 56 broad rectangular columns and resulting in 112 faces inscribed with thousands of names of the brave who have honourably served the British Crown and were sacrificed in the Second World War. This entire complex is called the Rangoon Memorial. As I stood in the centre of the circular assembly, I read an inscription deeply engraved on the inner surface of the topmost ring stating “1935 – 1945. HERE ARE RECORDED THE NAMES OF TWENTY-SEVEN THOUSAND SOLDIERS OF MANY RACES UNITED IN SERVICE TO THE BRITISH CROWN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN BURMA AND ASSAM BUT TO WHOM THE FORTUNE OF WAR DENIED THE CUSTOMARY RITES ACCORDED TO THEIR COMRADES IN DEATH”. The Burmese and Sanskrit translations of these words were engraved on either sides of this inscription, and another one saying “THEY DIED FOR ALL FREE MEN” inscribed across from it.
I said a silent prayer as I walked the length of the colonnade, under the shade of the roof supported by the columns, reading some of the 27000 names of the Commonwealth soldiers. The names were furnished with their ranks and their respective battalions and regiments. There is also a registry to assist family members to locate their lost loved ones. Moving past the Rangoon Memorial complex, I strolled amongst thousands of headstones. What makes Taukkyan War Cemetery the largest in Myanmar is that it accommodates 6566 headstones, in comparison to 1391 headstones in the Yangon War Cemetery and 3711 headstones in the Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery located 65 kilometres down south from Mawlamyine. So, imagine the size of the area of the grounds of Taukkyan. The headstones are neatly arranged in rows of shallow troughs within the well-groomed lawn surrounding the Rangoon Memorial complex. Small flowering bushes of various kinds of flowers separate each headstone. The headstones bore the name and rank of each soldier together with a symbol depicting his or her faith. The cross is the most common symbol found here as Christianity was the faith of most of the soldiers. Some had a symbol of a pagoda representing the religion of Buddhism of the Burmese soldiers, and some, the symbol of the ‘khukuri’, knife of the Nepalese Gurkhas. However, some of the plaques of the headstone only bore the words “A Soldier”, which sadly means the body could not be identified.
Towards the end of the vast compound, stood another component of the War Cemetery, which is the Taukkyan Cremation Memorial. This part commemorates around 1000 fallen heroes of the Burma Campaign who were cremated in accordance to their faith, which is widely Hinduism. On the wall, there were black plaques with inscriptions of gold stating “IN HONOUR OF THESE OFFICERS AND MEN WHO DIES IN BATTLE AND WHOSE MORTAL REMAINS WERE COMMITED TO FIRE” – a beautiful way to define ‘cremation’. This concluded my visit to the Taukkyan War Cemetery, and I left feeling melancholic and also very appreciative towards our fallen angels. For without their sacrifice, I cannot envisage the state of the world we would be living in today.
]]>By Stuart Danker
Out on Inle Lake lies a stilted hut with vast unending horizons stretching out before it, behind which scores of villagers’ homes stand in clusters over the waters. Inside this hut, a group of women from the fishermen’s village are hard at work. Sitting in groups, they each roll, sort, tamp and snip at the leaves and tobacco before them – a normal day’s work in this cigar-rolling workshop in Shan State.
The cigars here are locally made, and it’s great to finally see the other end of the production line. I’d seen them in the pursed lips of locals from the surrounding villages, and even during my time in Yangon, but it’s now that I finally get to witness what actually goes into making these unmistakably iconic cigars.
Upon stepping through the main entrance, I’m introduced to a group of women, each with a tray before them. On these trays are the different ingredients and contraptions needed to roll a cigar. These little aromatic cigars are also known as cheroots, a word derived from the Tamil language. Immediately, their skills become apparent to me. I have tried rolling loose redirigido aqui tobacco before, so I can appreciate the speed at which these craftswomen are churning out roll after roll.
Cigarrific
Those in attendance today are not representative of the entire factory’s workforce, as there are work-from-home arrangements for those who cannot commit to being at the factory for the entire day. For these women, they’ll visit the factory in the morning, grab any needed ingredients to bring back to their homes, then return later in the evening to get paid for their day’s tally.
These cheroots are made of tobacco that’s imported from cities such as Mandalay and Bagan. This is because it’s hard to grow good tobacco at Inle Lake, and going the other way around – that is, exporting the wrapping leaves to the cities – isn’t preferable as the leaves are brittle and would not survive the rigours of shipping. This is why the tobacco is brought here to be rolled before being redistributed to the rest of the country.
Other ingredients include corn husk and newspapers to make the filters; fermented essence from produce such as bananas, honey and mango for flavouring; and rice paste glue to hold it all together.
The flavouring part is especially intriguing, as these juices are fermented for close to a year before they can be used as flavouring. I used to think that cigar making was all about rolling tobacco in paper, but in reality, there’s so much more that goes into the process compared to what’s shown at face value.
Specialised Skills
At the other end of the factory, workers sort through the leaves used for rolling, and boy are they quick. With stacks of leaves in their hands, these ladies riffle through the various shapes and sizes of leaves and sort them accordingly, much like how an experienced banker would count his day’s float. It seems as though these ladies were doing their work through feel rather than sight, sorting about 3 sheets of leaves per second.
Back at the business end, the workers turn raw ingredients into end products without so much as a blink, and according to my estimations, the entire rolling process of a cheroot from start to finish takes 30 seconds flat. At this blistering pace, it’s hard to keep track of how many cigars they’ve rolled, so the women gauge their output by the number of leaf-packs – which are usually arranged in sets of 50 or 100 – they’ve used by the end of the day.
When asked how many each person can comfortably produce in a day, one woman says 800 to 1,000. This isn’t a surprising figure, seeing as how they seem to have everything down to muscle memory. Their hands never seem to stop even as I prod them with more questions about the cigar-making process. If that isn’t a demonstration of mastery of the craft, then I don’t know what is.
Of course, no enterprise in Myanmar is complete without the trademark “try before you buy” sales pitch. One of the ladies extends her hand towards a little box of cigars, each small compartment labelled with the corresponding flavour. I politely decline as I don’t smoke, but my tobacco-inclined friends snag packs of 10 for just a couple thousand Kyats.
I do not leave empty-handed though, as I come out of this visit that much more knowledgeable about the awesome industries that can only be found on beautiful Inle Lake.
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All year round, visitors to Myanmar can enjoy the country’s warm and culture. The place I want to visit the most in Myanmar is Naga Land and Naga Traditional New Year Festival. Nagaland is a land of many festivals. However, one particularly special festival to visit is the Naga Traditional New Year Festival. Last year, I went Naga New Year Festival in Layshi, Sagaing, Burma.
This article includes that I knew some experiences and knowledge about one of the rarest festival in Myanmar, Naga Traditional New Year Festival.
What is the Naga New Year Festival?
Naga New Year Festival is one of the most fascinating and beautiful festivals on the annual calendar in Myanmar. The Naga New Year Festival is held from 14th January to 16th and sports competitions, photo booths, traditional dances as well as traditional costumes and music show will be performed in the event. Like many people around the world, the Naga have exciting and festive New Year’s celebrations. The Naga New Year is celebrated with lively dances and ceremonies, in beautifully ornate traditional dress. These dances are truly mesmerizing to watch- with skillful dancers proudly showing of traditions that have lasted thousands of years. The rhythmic beating of the drums and other instruments makes this an even more amazing spectacle to behold.
Each January the Naga ethic tribe’s New Year Festival takes place in the northern region of Myanmar. Naga people have more than 49 different clans with their own distinctive dresses and dialects. They held annually their New Year Festival on January 14. Naga traditional new-year festivals were celebrated community-wise where friends from far and near were invited. It was a time for families to reunite and for people to wish for bountiful harvests, success in the new year and for any illnesses to be healed. The Naga Festival pole is set up and all Naga people gathered at the opening ceremony on 14 January. On 15th, visitors attended the occasion and gifts were exchanged. And then, Naga traditional music and dance were performed and all present were served with Naga traditional food and rice wine. They pray for abundant crops and domestic animals and to have good weather on festival day. They worship to their deities by scarifying the animals. On the evening of the festival, a bonfire was set up and all joined the occasion. After good harvest and before the next year’s work, a feast is held annually. That moment is very significant for Naga people where they can share their experience in farming and they can discuss their work for the coming next year. The meaning of their songs and dances at the festival is anticipatory of good health, wealth, happiness, good climate and good crops for the coming new year. Their costumes are decorated with hornbill’s feathers and plumes, elephant tusks, tigers, bears and boar’s canines and paws, buffalos horns, shell, horse and goats tails. Moreover, they wear silver and bronze breads, bangles, bracelets, pendants and eardrops. One more interesting thing is every Naga man wear special palm leaf on each of their feet during the festival. Most of their costumes are red, black, green and white- meaning their courage and dexterity.
What can experience the Naga New Year Festival?
Naga traditional New Year Festival has become an occasion for friendship and amity, which will bring regional development. This Naga Traditional New Year Festival is cherished and preserved and it is an unforgettable experience for everyone. Those who are lucky enough to attend the festival will experience a rare, genuine opportunity to observe and photograph the Naga people of Myanmar and to learn about their rich culture. That said, it is with joy that the Naga people share their cultural traditions with those who make the journey to attend. As well as attending the festival, those who visit for Naga New Year may also like to take the opportunity to meet some people in the nearby village, to learn even more about the rich culture and traditions of the Naga in Myanmar.
How can visit the Naga New Year Festival?
The Naga Traditional New Year Festival is held every year and traditionally rotated in Nan Yun, Lashi and Lahe township. Naga township is situated in Sagaing region. Before Naga land we have to go Hkam Ti firstly. We can go Hkam Ti township by car, plane or ship. And then, Hkam Hi to Naga can only go by car. In 2020, the festival will be held in Lahe township, which is located in north-west Myanmar, high in the mountains near the border with India. Lahe is part of the Self-Administered Zone, as written in the Myanmar Constitutions. In order to attend the festival, visitors must obtain a permit or attend an organized tour group. By regulating who attend the festival, the Naga ensure that the festival is not overcrowded and that their culture is protected.
I am lucky enough to share in the joy and festivities of the Naga Traditional New Year Festival. Attending the Naga New Year Festival is sure to become a memory to treasure for life. It is incredible to have the opportunity to see a rich and beautiful cultures.
]]>The first half of 2019 is gone too soon, and before you know it, it’ll be time to make plans for New Year’s Eve. If you are looking for a getaway in December where you can spend the eve enjoying beautiful weather, Myanmar is the place to be. From amazing fireworks to ushering in the new year in a secluded place away from the world, this country has much to offer.
Here are a few ways you can enjoy a memorable New Year’s Eve in Myanmar.
Attend the NYE Gathering in Yangon
If you are the party animal and like to welcome the new year amidst gala-style celebrations, plan to be at Yangon on 31st December. The largest celebration of the country is held at Kandawgyi Park when the marvellous Karaweik Palace is lit up.
There are several bars and restaurants along the walkway where you can enjoy a drink or grab a bite. Take a walk there and soak yourself in the joyous atmosphere while waiting for the fireworks display. Cultural performances and a buffet are offered inside Karaweik Palace, so feel free to make a reservation.
Be Away From the World at Myeik Archipelago
For souls that crave quiet and solitude, an island holiday is the best option. There are 800 islands in the Myeik Archipelago located in southern Myanmar, most of which are away from the crowd.
Each island is unique in its way. You can head to one of these islands and spend some time with yourself. Here, you can take a walk on the beach at night, gaze at the star-studded sky and enjoy being amidst nature.
Spend a Romantic Night at Ngapali Beach
Craving to usher in the New Year romantically? Then head to Ngapali Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Ngapali Beach is a long beach lined with trees, overlooking the turquoise sea. You can enjoy the company of your partner while taking long walks in the sand.
Ngapali has several small food shacks and bars by the sea. You can simply sit there, enjoy a romantic dinner, sip on your favourite cocktail and say goodbye to the old year.
Attend a Party in Yangon
Several luxury hotels in Yangon hold New Year’s Eve parties. You can head to one of them and dance the night away. Many of these parties are themed parties that will require you to dress up.
Yangon is also lined with karaoke bars that come alive at night. They are especially vibrant on New Year’s Eve. Head to any of them and sing the entire night while enjoying local delicacies and brews of Myanmar.
Welcome the New Year Peacefully
Looking to add a local touch to your New Year’s Eve? Head to the nearest pagoda and spend the evening meditating or learning about Buddhist culture. Most of the pagodas are closed at night, hence, you can follow your visit to the pagodas with another plan.
Visiting pagodas is also a great plan to do on the morning of the 1st of January. If we are talking about making the right start to the new year, this will be it.
Get Lively at Inle Lake
December and January are the busiest tourist season in Myanmar. During this time, hotels and guesthouses around Inle Lake are filled with foreign tourists. Most hotels hold small parties for their guests. You can attend these and interact with fellow tourists. Who knows, you might end up making some new friends to take into the new year.
Before heading to Myanmar during New Year’s Eve, it is important to know that the locals celebrate another new year in April – the Buddhist New Year. The year is ushered in through the Thingyan Water Festival, where the locals have fun throwing water at each other. You can also plan a trip to attend this festival.
That said, December and January are the months when the entire country enjoys great weather, making it a great time to head to Myanmar.
]]>One of the best places to travel in Asia is Yangon, the main commercial hub and vibrant city of Myanmar. Yangon is a must-visit destination in Myanmar not just because of the Shwedagon Pagoda, it is also a balance city of tradition, culture, history, and modernity. As the major commercial city of Myanmar, Yangon has accessible transportations to travel around like buses, trains, and taxis. Among many of its hidden charm, Trishaw Riding around Yangon will give you an unforgettable travel experiences as you will able to see the authentic Myanmar lifestyles.
So, what is Trishaw?
In Myanmar, they called this unique vehicle a Side-Car which has three wheels and four seats. Trishaw is the invention of Myanmar and was first introduced around 1938 in Mandalay, the Smart City of Myanmar. You will find out a total difference designs of Trishaw from other Asian countries, Burmese Trishaw is a three wheel vehicle with a driver seat and three passenger seats. The Burmese trishaw is typically based on the bicycle, with the passenger Side-Car attached to it. if you want to paddle the trishaw, it is so super easy to paddle if you can ride a bicycle. The side two passenger seats are back to back seats which most of them are installed at the right side of the driver and third passenger seat is just right behind the driver. If you are a romantic travelers, you can create lovely trip by sitting back to back with your beloved one or paddle next to your beloved one.
Popular way of Transportation
Trishaw is one of the most convenient and easiest mode of transportation in Myanmar. Yangon is not just the big city, it is the combination of small wards and townships. As the vehicle is more compact, smaller and easier to ride, it can also travel through the narrow streets of township and thus makes the essential transportation for local people in Myanmar. Trishaw can be easily found in every township of Yangon has respective Trishaw Gates with the trishaw drivers.
Is Trishaw Legal?
Just like a car, the trishaw has own registration number plate issued by Yangon City Development Committee which shows the trishaw is authorized to drive around within one township of Yangon. The trishaw is regarded as a slow transport vehicle because the driver has to pedal with its legs. So, trishaw riding is fully legal and safe travel around the township and become having trishaw tours around the townships.
Reasonable Prize
Burmese trishaws offer reasonable price according to the distance and time of travel around the City. You can have a short tour around the township with around $10 – $20 (depends on how far you travel). It is much about two times cheaper than going by taxi. It is a real cheap ride because it has minimum seat for two people.
What can you explore?
Townships in Yangon has its unique attraction. If you traveling with Trishaw tours around the townships you will find different hidden charm of Yangon. Here are some facts that you can explore on your tour –
A Chance to Explore the City while relaxing
While riding the Trishaw, you can relax by seeing the surrounding environments and taking a picture of them. You can also ask your tour guide about the history of the places, buildings, and lifestyles of local people, and you can hop off from the trishaw and try delicious street foods of Yangon. If you reach to Dala township with Trishaw Tour, you will have a chance to make friends and support the communities.
Recommend Tours and Tips
For an enjoyable Trishaw tour, I would like recommend to my top 3 trishaw tours. If you want to do something on the tour, you can stop or hop off from this travelers friendly trishaw.
#01 Around the Pansoedan streets of the Kyauktada Township
You can witness the real vibrant city of Myanmar on this tour. Kyauktada Township is located in the downtown area of Yangon, there are many food stalls and tea shops that can delight your taste. If you are a real instagrammer, the historical buildings are awaits for you.
#02 Around Dala Township on the other side of the Yangon river
Dala Township is another options for creating unforgettable tours in Yangon. You can make memorable trip by seeing real authentic lifestyles of Myanmar People. You can make shopping in the local fish market and souvenir shops. You can also explore active lifestyles of people.
#03 Around Kyi Myint Dating Township
This townships has traditional workshops of Pante, one of the traditional Arts of Myanmar. You can explore not only the tradition of Myanmar but also the religion. There is also Morning local market which you can buy flowers, fresh fruits, raw vegetables and meats. Unlike the downtown of Yangon, this township has peaceful and quiet lifestyles.
For some tips, you should apply sun cream, take an umbrella and don’t forget to bring water bottles for the hydration and be a responsible traveler. Learn some basic local language to communicate and support the Community.
Yangon is not just truly a beautiful city; it is a combination of ancient cultural conservation and undergoing modernization. The city is spiritual, warm with different diversities of culture and traditions, and inviting culture through many festivals and events. So, Step out of the Comfort Zone!! Start Your Brand New Adventure and Grasp your Unforgettable Trip in the Vibrant City of Asia, YANGON.
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May Tan
Since 2016, the Myanmar government has been implementing community-based tourism (CBT) activities to reduce poverty in the local community and give them an opportunity to create a source of income for themselves. It also works to give travellers craving for a taste of rural lifestyle an authentic adventure and expose the wonders of Myanmar’s natural surroundings.
Cultural Insights
A popular CBT activity is experiencing the cultural lifestyle and traditions of the local people. Such efforts include the ethnic villages in Kayah state, which has many ethnic groups and natural scenery that provide great cultural interest and value to tourists. Hta Nee La Leh and Pan Pet village in Kayah state have a rich cultural identity and proudly preserve their way of traditions to this day. The people bring visitors on a nature trail through a trek among the villages to witness their daily activities. This glimpses tourists with a panoramic view of the mountains, visit a monument which honours the village clan, and observe animist traditions which takes place in a cave believed to be the residence of a guardian spirit.
Additional cultural insights include a visit to the village’s Clan Monument and Bird Totem where the local guide explains its significance to the village clan’s and ancestors. Several ceremonies take place here as the villagers pay respect to spirits, donate offerings to ask for protection and bless them with good products for the year. Visitors can also taste the traditional Kayah rice wine on request and observe the interesting work of carving a wooden coffin for one’s parents. This practise ensures that their parents are able to pass with peace of mind. Lastly, visitors can try the traditionally grilled Kayah barbeque, with the famous Kayah sausage, on the banks of the Seven Lakes. The best time to eat Kayah barbeque is none other than before sunset, as it is a pleasant experience to witness the natural beauty of the environment with freshly grilled food.
For visitors interested to explore the intricate art of Myanmar’s traditional arts and crafts, four villages in Shan state have been opened as CBT sites to the public. These are Lwe Kaw, Inne, Hteenae and Kakku villages, known for their talented hand-making of crafts such as rattan, bamboo, shoulder-bags and a distinct tradition of making lacquerware. One can also watch the villagers at work as they carve objects and figures from jade. As tourists watch the locals’ adept and nimble fingers at work, they will be awed by the patience and skill it takes to produce such finely carved jade.
An Eco-Friendly Adventure
To contribute towards sustainable tourism, why not plant a tree? Visitors can observe and learn how to plant a seed in the Mingalar Bio-garden of Kyaikthalae Village in the Twante Township of Yangon. Participating in this programme allows them to work side-by-side with villagers and by doing so, plant fruits and vegetables for the benefit of the students in the monastic school. One can learn about the creation of natural fertiliser, the cultivation of crops and poultry farming, as well as cooking freshly picked vegetables to make nutritious meals.
The cooking lessons cover several traditional meals and known Myanmar snacks. Using produce from the bio-gardens, guests and villagers work together to create a tasty meal for everyone. This helps to build a close-knit of togetherness within the community and strengthen their communication skills in interacting with foreign tourists. As authentic cooking classes are not easily found in the commercial cities, this experience presents Myanmar culinary in an original, unaltered form.
Natural Landscapes
The Chin state has an abundance of dramatic scenery filled with plants and flowers of many kinds, making a trek into these villages a thrilling one. Visitors are able to view Mount Victoria, famously known as one of the highest peaks in Southeast Asia with a height of 3,053 metres. The mountain range is a protected site for the Khaw Nau Sone National Park which was established in 1994. It is affiliated with the ASEAN Heritage Park and has hundreds of rare species of flowers, plants, and animals, particularly birds. With over 150 bird species, visitors can climb the mountain for an exquisite bird-watching experience of domestic and migratory birds. If one is lucky, they might be able to catch a glimpse of the unique white-browed nuthatch!
Another attraction to catch is the natural beauty of Kawlaung waterfall, located in Kanpetlet Township. The Chin people will guide visitors to visit the customs and traditional dances in their village, allowing visitors to enjoy a rural lifestyle of the countryside. They are always excited to receive more visitors, so they often gather around bonfires and encourage visitors to share their stories, adventures, and life in their home country. This is often followed by traditional dancing and a drink of Chin wine, which visitors can taste to bond and further interact with the locals, before retiring to the bamboo houses for a night surrounded in nature.
The best way to connect with the local people of Myanmar is by understanding their ways of living. The villagers take a lot of pride in their culture and are open in sharing their customs with tourists who are eager to experience a rustic adventure. By connecting with them, visitors contribute to a better lifestyle for the community, as well as gaining an understanding of the ethnic people at their core.
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by Carol Rudy
I was thrilled the moment I had the chance to visit Inle Lake. I had heard many good things about the place before from my friends who travelled often. A particular event that stood out was the Phaung Daw Oo Festival. When I saw their photos, I was taken by the beauty of the lake and surrounding villages on stilts, and promised myself I would visit next year. Last October, I finally had the opportunity to visit Inle Lake and joining the festival was the best last-minute decision I made.
My first day was hectic. Luckily enough, the hotel staff was kind enough to make some calls for me and found me a tour guide in less than an hour. His name was Lin, and he could speak English. They told me he was the only one available as his customer had left early. How lucky!
Upon Lin’s suggestion, we cycled to the lake. I actually enjoyed the ride as I observed how the locals walked around with their friends and family with fresh tanaka on their faces. All of them were in their most colourful clothes, ready for the biggest festival in Inle Lake. Comfortable and snug in my longyi, I was ready too.
To my surprise, we had to take a boat to Phaung Daw Oo pagoda. It was a short journey, and I heard the crowd before reaching the landing pier. My jaw dropped when I saw the amazing religious monument before my eyes. I didn’t expect it to be this big on a lake! I caught glimpses of other parts of the pagoda as I squeezed through the crowd and saw a monastery within the pagoda. A golden stupa with a shiny ornamental hti sat in the middle of the building’s roof. I entered the temple and found myself admiring the gorgeous murals telling stories of Buddha’s origin and miracles.
I was still gazing at the murals when I heard the crowd shouting and cheering. I joined them and saw a large barge being pulled by hundreds of smaller boats manned by several strong village men in colourful costumes. This was the highlight of the festival, where the royal barge carrying the 4 gilded Buddha images was pulled to circle around the villages. The images would then be kept in the main monastery after the parade. Watching a grand sight of the royal boat being moved by the might of the local men was a surreal moment, and I found myself cheering along. At that moment, I could feel the bond of these villagers as they celebrated this festival together under a single religion. It was a beautiful moment of togetherness that I was privileged to experience.
The festival was vibrant and full of life as people were chatting and crowding to get a good look at the royal barge in the lake. I heard locals speaking in their native languages and Lin explained that some of them even spoke in different dialects with each other.
As I walked around the area, I watched devotees pray and pay their respects despite the growing crowd. There was also the one-legged boat racing competition. I was impressed by how these rowers, dressed in colourful costumes continued chanting words of encouragement as they paddle with great strength and concentration. It was a picturesque sight to see as the longboats sped in the lake, trying to outrun each other, while manned and synchronised by groups of men rowing effortlessly with their legs.
After the boat race, locals stayed behind and celebrated further by dancing and singing folk songs. The whole environment was so joyous and vibrant, I couldn’t help but to laugh and dance along with them. After spending another hour there, we left the venue early to avoid the crowd.
My overall experience of Phaung Daw Oo Festival was unforgettable. The locals are so friendly even with strangers and foreign tourists. They celebrated the festival with all their heart and I could see how symbolic Buddhism is in the country and among its people, which I really admire. Visit Inle Lake and experience first-hand, like me, the dynamics and harmony of the people. One advice — if you want a tour guide, best to look for one early!
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