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 natural comprar esteroides chlorodehydromethyltestosterone España 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.

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.

By Regina Sharpe

With the majority of attractions in Myanmar being heritage sites and nature getaways, it’s easy to assume that a trip to the country will involve lots of trekking, cycling or climbing. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

If it’s a romantic honeymoon you’re after, or if you just want a trip to pamper yourself with, then give the places below a go and see if you leave Myanmar feeling much more refreshed than when you flew in.

On a Boat

Break off the mainland and head out to the Myeik Archipelago. Surround yourself with clear blue waters as well as pristine shores, and treat yourself to a stay at a 5-star hotel in the area to top it all off. If you’re feeling particularly willing to splash some cash, then go ahead and charter a yacht to enjoy a calm day at sea.

Untie Those Knots

Are your legs feeling tired from all that temple-hopping? Perhaps sharing sunset spots with others has gotten you a little more appreciative of some quiet time? Then take your pick from the host of spa and wellness establishments in the region.

Enjoy hours of traditional Myanmar massages or just dive in for a quick reflexology fix before you head out again to explore the endless landmarks in the country.

Beach Life

Yet another coastal spot with sandy white shores and untouched surroundings, Ngapali Beach will make for a perfect destination if you’re looking to sip margaritas to the sound of the ocean’s waves.

This place is known as one of Asia’s most lovely beaches, and it offers some of the most stunning places to capture that perfect social media photo (for more great-looking spots to flex on social media, do check out this article right here [Link to article]. Laze your days away or tuck into fresh seafood fare caught on the very same day. The choice is all yours.

Take to the Skies

Why cycle or walk around Bagan’s endless sea of pagodas when you can just soar up high and get a bird’s-eye view of everything all at once? At just a few hundred US dollars, you’ll be treated to a 45-minute hot air balloon ride, complete with refreshments and glasses of wine to end your ride with.

With experienced pilots and chauffeuring services to and from your hotel, you can expect to be well taken care of the entire time. Think a skyscape full of balloons makes for a great sunset? Why not be in one and have an experience of a lifetime?

Pamper Your Soul

Your body isn’t the only thing that needs a little R&R. Even your soul needs some pampering from time to time. If it’s spiritual soothing you’re looking for, Myanmar has more than ample facilities to provide for that.

Meditation courses here run from a few days to entire months, but you’ll need to apply for special visas for the latter. If you so wish, you could even embark on meditation tours that offer a glimpse into the monastic lifestyle.

A Cruise Down the River

Want to explore Myanmar without leaving the comforts of a 5-star hotel room? Then hop aboard one of the many cruises that run along the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers.

With a myriad of luxury amenities at your doorstep, as well as regular stops to disembark and explore the destinations of the day, you can practically cruise through the entire country without so much as having to carry your luggage bag. To add to the luxury, you’ll probably have the best cocktails and beers on tap too.

These are some of the many things you can do for an indulgent time in Myanmar, and there are so many other activities and places you can visit here to satiate your inner hedonist. The hardest thing you’ll have to do is make your booking, so get to it and treat yourself to a lavish holiday today.

Love animals and want to explore some amazing Asian wildlife? Head to Myanmar and be mesmerised. As a nature-loving country, Myanmar is conscious about protecting its rich wildlife reserves.

Wildlife in Myanmar is a mix of species from North, South and Southeast Asia. Although the real numbers are unknown, there are approximately 300 species of mammals, 300 species of reptiles and 100 bird species throughout the country. There is also an extensive concentration of aquatic species found in Myeik Archipelago.

Myanmar is home to several jungles thickly populated with animals. The much-wanted leopards and tigers are pretty common here. You can find rhinoceroses, elephants, wild buffalos and wild boars in the highland areas. You will also find various species of monkeys including gibbons.

Reptiles including cobras, pythons and crocodiles also make Myanmar their home. You can find 27 species of turtles in different parts of the country. Exotic bird species can be found in the country’s wetlands and wildlife sanctuaries. Wildlife sanctuaries such as the Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary and Inle Lake Wildlife Sanctuary are major stops for migratory birds, which can be seen from November to February.

There are primarily two types of forest in Myanmar – rainforest and monsoon forest. The rainforests face heavy rainfall almost 9 months of the year, while monsoon forests face rainfall 3 months a year and dry season for the remaining months.

Myanmar currently has 9 national parks, amongst which the Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park is the largest, covering an area of 160,500 hectares. There is a large population of wild elephants here, along with clouded leopards, jungle cats, Himalayan brown bears and sun bears.

If you are looking for an animal-watching trip, here are some ideas to consider.

Crocodile Watching Tour at Meinmahlakyune Wildlife Sanctuary

To enjoy crocodiles in their natural habitat, you need to head to Meinmahlakyune Wildlife Sanctuary. To get there, you need to travel from Yangon to Bogalay town and take a ferry to the wildlife sanctuary. Once you’ve arrived at the sanctuary, you can ride a boat to watch crocodiles in the river and on the shores.

We recommend dropping by the Kadonekani fishing village, located just one and a half hours away, where you can set aside some time to visit a monastic school and have lunch in the village itself.

Caption: Meinmahlakyune Wildlife Sanctuary is home to amazing birds.

Touring the Wildlife Sanctuaries

This trip is a long one and can take up to 2 weeks. You can start by visiting the Alaungdaw Kathapa Wildlife Sanctuary. This park has a small population of Asian elephants along with other animals such as wild pigs, gaurs, sambar deer, Himalayan brown bears and giant squirrels.

Carry on to Chattin Wildlife Sanctuary to see Eld’s deer, also known as thamin deer, which is an endangered species. You can end your trip by visiting the delta region of Ayeyarwady. The mangrove forests in the delta are home to colourful flora and fauna.

Caption: A golden deer at Chattin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Poe Kyar Elephant Camp and Moe Yun Gyi Wildlife Sanctuary

This tour involves visiting the elephants at Poe Kyar Elephant Camp and bird watching at Moe Yun Gyi Wildlife Sanctuary. Located only 4 hours’s drive from Yangon, Poe Kyar Elephant Camp allows you to watch elephants in their natural habitat. You can also enjoy an elephant ride, which usually lasts about an hour. Additionally, this is a place to watch the process of taming elephants.

After that, you can head to the Moe Yun Gyi wetland bird sanctuary, located about 4 hours away from the elephant camp. This bird sanctuary was established in 1896 as a reservoir and extends over 100 square kilometres. There are more than 42 waterbird species and 22 shorebird species here – a bird-watcher’s paradise, for sure!

Apart from these, you can plan a visit to the 2 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves of Myanmar – Inle Lake Wildlife Sanctuary and Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary. If you want to enjoy exquisite mountainous jungle and wildlife, head to the Hkakabo Razi National Park in Kachin State, the northernmost state of Myanmar.

When it comes to wildlife exploration, the possibilities in Myanmar are endless. The jungles will mesmerise you with their unique flora and fauna. Do visit responsibly and enjoy your stay without disturbing the animals.

By Jude Carvalho

If you’ve ever been to Inle Lake in Myanmar, you’ll definitely agree with me that just by spending a couple of days in this destination, you’ll be freed from all the burdens and hurries of life, and return to somewhat of a neutral state – a state that you often forget once you return to the hectic full-time job back home, or to the sounds of traffic jams and roadworks.

As a matter of fact, during my time there, I’d found such detachment from the unnecessary troubles back home – most of which were self-imposed – and didn’t even realise that I hadn’t checked my phone for days. It certainly did help that there was no signal during my trek from Kalaw, which was my starting point of this journey. These little blessings are what give me reason to travel.

I’m one for getting to know a new place by foot, because it gives you so much more time to familiarise yourself with your surroundings and interact with locals in a way that a bus ride can’t provide. So I chose from the many hiking operators in the region and paid my 45,000 Kyats, zipped up my backpack (they do chauffeur your luggage to your destination for free, but I travel light so that wasn’t needed), and was set to explore what this route had to offer.

Starting the Journey

My 3-day/2-night trek involved cutting through the lush green landscape, rolling hills and some of the villages along the way, and let me tell you that, even as an avid hiker, I’d never been so immersed in nature before. The trek started out easy, with little elevation and a rich hue of green everywhere you looked. It was as if someone had taken the landscape to Lightroom and amped up the saturation filter.

We continued the hike in silence, peppered with my heavy breathing from being out of shape. My friendly guide made sure to share random trivia of the surroundings along the way, and even cracked a joke or two to keep my tired spirits up. Still, the hike was mostly quiet, and I soon realised why. It was because we had come across only a handful of people, and even as an introvert, I found the isolation to be pretty intimidating.

This was quickly dispersed, however, as we started passing through more and more towns along the way. Children came up to me in droves, mostly curious about this weird visitor with a cap that didn’t fit in with the rest of the colourful headwear that the locals wore on their heads. We even walked along a train track, which looked particularly odd surrounded by all the greenery.

For those wanting to try similar treks, do know that they’re not particularly demanding, and there are frequent breaks before you reach your homestay for the night. Besides a delicious dinner and a comfortable bed, I’m glad to report that there was plenty of beer to help soothe my tired legs and lull me into a dreamless sleep.

Day Two and Beyond

The second day’s itinerary brought us through the more developed areas of the route, with farms and fields making up most of the sights. It was pretty much déjà vu, maybe because I’m not good at recognising the little nuances of the brush, and they all looked the same to me. However, that was a plus point to me, because it meant I got to spend another day in peaceful nature.

The homestay arrangements were similar too and, you guessed it, I treated myself to another couple glasses of beers to celebrate the day’s efforts. The calories would do me good, I told myself. This was supplemented with rice noodles, vegetables and fish. Surely it tasted more delicious than the food I was used to back home.

By the time the third day arrived, I was beginning to feel a little sad about having this journey come to an end. I seldom felt this way about hikes, but there was something about this place that made me want to stay here forever. Alas, reality beckoned, and I had to say goodbye to my beloved guide who had kept me company for the entire 3 days.

After the boat ride back to Inle Lake, I checked in to my hotel room and reminisced about the entire experience. There was no one defining moment throughout the entire trek. Instead, it was 3 days of pure bliss, as if I was in a meditation of some sort. My body was sore but my soul renewed, and for an adventure activity of that sort, it was fine by me.

While I was doing my research before visiting Myanmar, I learnt that the country consists of 135 different ethnic races. This tickled my curiosity and I was keen to know more about them. Hence, when I came to know about the National Races Village during my stay in Yangon, I did not think twice about heading there.

Located by the river, close to the Thanlyin Bridge, National Races Village is about a half hour’s drive from Yangon city centre. The village has been constructed by the Ministry of Border Affairs – formerly known as the Ministry of Progress of Border Areas, National Races and Development Affairs – and was inaugurated in 2002. It is open from 7 AM to 5.30 PM every day except during Myanmar’s national holidays.

Although Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days, I decided to visit on a Sunday since traditional dances are performed on that day. The performance takes place at 2 PM in the Union Hall. I headed to the village after visiting the Sule Pagoda, taking a taxi that cost me 5,500 Kyats. The entrance fee to the village is 4,500 Kyats for foreigners. Locals pay 500 Kyats.

The village is a huge area that can be explored on a bicycle, electric bike, small bus or pony cart. I hired a bike for 500 Kyats an hour and set off on my journey. My leisurely trip around the village took me about 3 hours to complete.

Overall, the place is a mini representation of Myanmar. There are separate villages dedicated to the major ethnic groups – Bamar Village, Rakhine Village, Mon Village, Kayin Village, Chin Village. Kachin Village, Shan Village and Kayah Village.

You can see various landmarks of Myanmar such as Nan Myint Tower, Htokekhanthein, Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, Taung Gwe Pagoda, Ngwe Taung Dam and Sekka Nyinaung Pagoda. There are replicas of the natural wonders of Myanmar as well, including Mount Zwegabin, Rih Lake, Mount Khakaborazi, Inle Lake, and Shin Upagotta Pavilion & Pond. Additionally, separate areas are dedicated to traditional aspects of Myanmar such as Golden Deer Handicraft Center and Orchid Garden.

Caption: Nan Myint Tower at the National Races Village. (this image will be purchased)

There’s so much to see that it can get a little overwhelming in the beginning. I picked up a guide map at the entrance to help me navigate my way through the village. Since it was almost 2 PM by the time I entered, I visited the Union Hall first to catch the traditional dance performance. The performance was colourful, lovely and very enjoyable. I then headed to the Nan Myint Tower to get a vantage view of the entire area. If you are a photography lover, you can take amazing pictures from this tower.

Next, it was time to visit the villages and learn about the traditional lifestyles of the people. Out of the 8 villages there, I managed to get a good look of 3 of them before heading back to the hotel.

Kachin Village

I began with the Kachin Village. Since the Kachin people live near the Himalayas, I was keen to find out how their lives were affected by the mountains. The village featured traditional Kachin houses constructed using bamboo, wood and thatch. The kitchens were equipped with firewood, household goods and other materials. There was space at the back of the houses for ceremonies to be held.

I learnt that if a Kachin house has a pole in the backyard, it means that the owner is the village elder who can hold the traditional Kachin Manaw Festival. The houses of the elders also featured a separate compartment for the spirits to live in.

Kayin Village

Next, I headed to the Kayin Village and noticed a massive bronze drum and a buffalo horn upon reaching. These are the musical instruments of the tribe. Each Kayin house had 4 rooms with an extension where betel nuts, fruits and paddy were placed to be dried. A separate room was reserved for the virgin lady of the house. The house also had Kayin traditional clothes on display.

Shan Village

My next stop was the Shan Village, which was a natural choice since Shan Hills was a part of my itinerary. Whenever you enter a Shan house, the first thing you will notice is a water pot kept for washing feet. Each house had two living areas – an outer one for unexpected guests and an inner one for invited guests. Interesting, isn’t it? The shelves in the rooms had traditional utensils on display.

Caption: The greenery inside National Races Village.

After visiting these villages, I checked out Inle Lake, Mount Zwegabin, Taung Gwe Pagoda, Ngwe Taung Dam and Rih Lake. I felt tired after that and headed back to Yangon.

Overall, it was a worthwhile 3 hours spent learning more about Myanmar and the life of the local people. If it weren’t such a hot day, I would have loved to stay back and explore more.

 Clardon

You love finding new things and new experiences? If so, ride the rails and discover Myanmar for your next eye-opening travel experience. Travelling by train is one of the best wanderlust moods as it can afford picturesque views and chances to meet with locals.

As you know, Yangon is the country’s commercial hub, having its tree-lined streets, serene parks, tranquil lakes and colonial heritage combined with the hustle and bustle of street vendors and thriving local markets. Riding Yangon Circular Railway should definitely not be overlooked.

For a little of money, you can find the real soul of the local lifestyle of Yangon by spending for two or three hours travelling on the train. It can take you within a moment into the daily routine of Myanmar people.

Tip1: About Yangon Circular Railway

Yangon Railway, Myanmar’s largest train station, was built by the British during the colonial times in about 1877. It was first opened in 1954 and operated by Myanmar Railways. It is the local rail system that runs within Yangon City Area on the 45.9 kilometers (28.5 miles) long loop and stops at (39) stations. It seems an old-fashioned train style but truly with a lot of fun. The entire circular trip takes approximately (3) hours.

It is a convenient way for the convenient of local people to get around the city and is essential transportation used by thousands of people every day.

The train travels on two lines going both directions (clockwise -right and counter clockwise- left routes). Please don’t mind that the train time is not usually accurate and avoid rainy season because of the muddy and flood areas.

With no air-corn, but with natural, cool breeze, comfortable seating and fascinating views of the countryside all will make you pleased because of the opening windows.

Tip2: Where/ How to Ride

            The highly-recommended place you get on at Yangon’s downtown train stations of Pansoedan and Bogyoke Aung San Roads. The only problem is that the train’s schedule is not in English. So you have to ask around other people which platform you would like to take.

You have to buy train tickets through travel agency or directly from all stations. Especially, the one is at Yangon Central Railway at Platform 7. The ticket sellers are really nice and helpful! Or it is sure, you can easily find out that everyone is more than friendly and will give you right directions. There is also a tourist office where you can go in and get helpful information.

Tip3: Schedule / Ticket Prices

As I mentioned above, train is busy during the school or office times. If you want to find more relaxed time, you should choose the early morning or the afternoon between 10 am and 3 pm. Passport is required to purchase your ticket. Price is always cheap as one ticket costs 200 to 500 Myanmar Kyats (USD 0.13 to 0.33 $) per one person for a long distance. After paying your money, you will receive a paper ticket to keep before you get on train. Or the other way is to make online booking through train website at least five days ahead of your departure date.

Tip4: What to Wear and Bring

            As riding train may take a few hours, it is the best to dress comfortably. But, if it is summer, you should choose light clothing. Additionally, there are people selling from fresh fruit slices to delicious Burmese snacks. You can try them regularly as the train stops each train station where many vendors are selling local products. So, I highly recommend not taking too many foods with you. Please support and buy from our locals.

And if you want to leave, simply jump off at your chosen station after having asking the local people. Across to the other side of the platform and walk straight back.

Tip5: What to Taste

After getting on, your charmingly journey is starting. You will see the agricultural smell of Yangon. Start travel by passing green rice paddy fields through small villages. Some of the views are really breathtaking. The train moves very slowly, at that time you can have precious time to interact closely with locals and their ways of life. They all are purely-minded and would like to speak warmly with foreign visitors who visit their country.

You’ll recognize Myanmar as an intriguing country which has safety to visit. Don’t miss to snap all the beautiful sceneries that you have seen.

 Catch Your One Perfect day in Yangon

            Overall, spending on Circular Train is the most incredible experience and I can say that you well wish to do it again and again. You may get difficult times but you’ll be definitely remembering this kind of exploring.

Burmese People’s hospitality is a common virtue that you will undoubtedly enjoy your travels to Myanmar. Please keep in mind to hold your camera or phone to capture the most attractive sceneries along the way. Freely mix with Myanmar People who you would met on the train and immerse yourself in the true essence lifestyle of this enchanting country.

The best worthy opportunity  with just one dollar!

Toddy palm trees can be seen throughout Myanmar and these are a symbol of rural life, especially in central Myanmar. The palm tree is one with fan-shaped leaves and its height averages 60 – 80 feet (18-24 metric) and life term of about 200 years. They are cultivated widely in central Myanmar and is the main rural economy of local people because of their usage from top to bottom (fruits, fronds, branches, stems, roots etc.)

Palm frond

For a long time, palm fronds are used as the roofing before galvanized ion sheets in rural regions. These fronds can actually protect from heat of the sun’s rays thus nowadays palm fronds roof are also found all over Myanmar mainly in the hot season. Also palm fronds are modified into different types of handicrafts such as small containers for small things, four-corner buckets, palm leaves bags, hats, toys, chairs and other accessories and palm fronds are also used for decoration in restaurants.

Palm fruit

Palm fruits are converted into various food-stuffs such as palm juice (toddy juice), Myanmar traditional sweet (jaggery) and also softer portions of palm (just like jelly). Sweet toddy juice is obtained only by climbing the toddy palm before high noon and it is really good for digestion. So a lot of elder persons drink it after meal. Alcoholic toddy juice (palm wine) can be drunk after fermentation process and it’s good for kidney because of discharging urine freely. Both of these are very useful for health.

Palm Sugar / Jaggery

Palm sugar is made by heating toddy sap and stired until it solidifies and then cooling it in a large pan and then rolled by hand into different sizes before totally cold situation. Jaggery is not the main snack but served to guests after meal in Myanmar society. Myanmar people love to enjoy jaggery as a dessert and it’s really good for digestion system. There are various types of jaggery: peanut jaggery, coconut jaggery, sesame jaggery, plum jaggery depending on the mixing of different ingredients in jaggery production. Jaggery is also the main ingredient of myanmar traditional sweet snacks. In these days, jaggery is widely produced as an export product of Myanmar.

Stem and root of Palm Tree

Stem of palm tree is used in house building as the main pole and also for roofing. Moreover, mostly in villages, middle of the stem is divided into two parts in order to use as the manger and also used as various shapes of vases. Shoots sprouting from toddy palm nut can be consumed by steeping in oil and suitable amount of salt as the snack after boiling or roasting. This is also one of the traditional food of Myanmar people. If you visit in Myanmar, products of palm tree are the things don’t miss to buy from Myanmar as a gift for your special ones.

By Zin Zin (Tourism)

In the same way, Myanmar is rich in splendid culture; native flora can reflect and contribute to the personality of the place as flowers tell the story of natural history of its local. During your Myanmar tour, you will see everything is different including flowers blooming in Myanmar.

Myanmar people sell colorful flowers especially at the markets for the decorations during festivals, the shrines or pagodas, your spa or hotel room.

This article describes you how Myanmar People had characterized twelve months in their calendar by matching seasonal flowers so that everyone can know a specific month by notifying the related flower. For Myanmar people, flowers are not only valuable specimen but also great valuable items in Myanmar traditional medicine.

See what they are!

1. Tagu Month – AUGUST

Gant gaw Flower

Botanical Name of plant  –        Mesua Ferrea

Mesua ferrea is a species in the family Calophyllaceae. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental due to its graceful shape, grayish-green foliage with a beautiful pink to red flush of drooping young leaves, and large, fragrant white flowers. In Theravada Buddhism, this tree is said to have used as the tree for achieved enlightenment or Bodhi by four Lord Buddhas. You can find these plants in many places of Myanmar especially at the Mount Popa, famous spot for tourists. The state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, whose hair is always adorned with flowers, loves this Gant gaw Flower much. You can easily see it as her trademark symbol.

2. Kasone Month – MAY

Za gar Flower

Botanical Name of plant  –        Michelia champaca

This ornamental tree produces an abundance of extremely fragrant flowers. In our literature, there are four kinds of Za gar flowers of yellow, white, red and green color. But Yellow one is historical. The legend said that Pa Phae Maung Thint Tae who is one of the spirits called a Nat in Myanmar was died at Zagar tree. Its smell is heavenly and champaca is logged for its valuable timber. We have known that the flowers from this tree are used to make the world’s most expensive perfume ‘Joy’. These flowers trees can be found mostly in the middle part of Myanmar.

3. Nayone Month – JUNE

Za bai Flower/ Jasmine

Botanical Name of plant  –        Jasminum arbores

They are fragrant five-petalled star-like white flowers, native to Burma (Myanmar). Jasmine is a popular flower associated with love and romance. When used in religious ceremonies jasmine represents purity. In this way, it’s meanings varies depending on the culture and setting. In Myanmar, you can see garlands of jasmine easily at the street market or on the roads. Find and Buy it!

4. Waso Month – JULY

Myat Lay Flower

Botanical Name of plant  –        Jasminum gradiflorum

                  It’s also known variously as the Spanish jasmine or Royal jasmine. People use these flowers for herbal medicine. Myanmar People love these flowers and symbolized having the courage. Myanmar People also call “MuLay Flower.

Pone Nyat Flower

Botanical Name of plant         –        Calophyllum inophyllum

Its appearance can be missed with Kant Kaw flower, similar but different. Because of its decorative leaves, fragrant flowers, and spreading crown, it is best known as an ornamental plant. You can especially find them at the shady places or costal area.

5. Wakhaung Month – AUGUST

Khat Ta Flower

Botanical Name of plant  –        Crimum amoenum

It is slender-petaled, fragrant white flower that are highlighted with long, wine red stamens. When the rain drop falls, it begins to start blooming. Myanmar People call it “Gamone Khat Ta Phyu” and donate it to the pagoda without putting water in the vessel.

6. Tawthalin Month – SEPTEMBER

Yin Mar Flower

Botanical Name of plant  –        Chukrasia Tabularis

You can find it especially in the upper part of Myanmar. The tree is widely exploited in the wild for its valuable timber. It also has local medicinal uses, supplies various commodities and is a useful agroforestry species. It has different fragrance and appearance. Lovely ones!

7. Thitingyut Month – OCTOBER

Kyar Flower/ Lotus

Botanical Name of plant  –        Nelumbium speciosum

         It is a famous flower all over the world and also a valuable one for Myanmar People. They are partners with water. When you tell Kyar flower, you will find two types called Lotus and Water lily. The difference is that lotus flowers are emergent while lily flowers are floating.

8. Tazaungmone Month – NOVEMBER

Kha wei Flower

Botanical Name of plant – Luffa acutangula

It is the yellow flower of a plant which produces unripe fruits as a vegetable. A popular vegetable in southeast Asia, where the mildly bitter flavour, the slightly spongy texture and sweet juiciness are appreciated. The fruit is also the source of fibres that are commonly used for making skin brushes, dish cleaners etc. If you like this vegetable, don’t forget to love its flower.

9. Nataw Month – DECEMBER

Tazin Flower

Botanical Name of plant –  Bulbothyllum. Sp

Myanmar People usually say that ‘Tazin’ is the queen of the flowers. This royal flower is the symbol of Rakhine People, one of the ethnic groups in Myanmar. They also have a lot of stories related with this flower. See this famous quote of Daw Aung San Su Kyi “Tiny exquisite blossoms, parchment colored with golden yellow stamens, drooping from a curve of translucent green stems. For the Burmese, the thazin is exceedingly romantic, delicate and difficult to nurture, its graceful beauty barely separable from the sharp coolness of the season when it comes into flower.”…Letter from Burma!

10. Pyartho Month – JANUARY

Khwar Nyo Flower

Botanical Name of plant – Clematis smilacifolia

It has unusual sweet fragrance. Clusters of dark curled purple sepals cradle the upright pure white petals. You can see these beautiful ones at the famous destinations like Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin.

11. Tabotwe Month – FEBRUARY

Pauk Flower

Botanical Name of plant – Butea Frondosa        

It bears a profusion of intense vermilion velvet-textured blooms and yielding a yellow dye. You can see they are blooming in the abundance beautifully at the high. Find them especially in the middle part of Myanmar.

        12. Tabaung Month – MARCH

Tha ra phi Flower

Botanical Name of plant – Calophyllum amoenum

It is the tropical region plant. You can find these flowers mostly at the evergreen forest of Tanintharyi Region. It is similar with Pone Nyat flower- Calophyllum inophyllum. Myanmar People use its pollen in Thanaka which is Myanmar Traditional Make Up. Try it!

Just like the Myanmar Proverb; “If you don’t know the season, look at the flower!”

Traveling can show you a thousand of colorful things.

Find it in Myanmar!

Liza    

Whenever you see or hear the name of Myanmar, the first thing came up to your mind are countless temples and pagodas existing at each and every corner of the country. The temples and pagodas are tourist highlights as the country has a legendary background of more than 2000 years of believing in Theravada Buddhism. Buddhism was implanted in Bagan since 11^th Century during the reign of King Anawrahta with the advice and attempt of Shin Arahan.

Among thousands of pagodas and temples, the attention and interest of visitors especially international visitors are on architectural styles. What else can take your time expect designs? The impressive positions particularly hand gestures of images are the only answer and every visitor has a curiosity of knowing and understanding why hand gestures are different and the stories behind them.  Every Buddha image has different hand positions and each has a unique meaning which reflects the life of Buddha.

According to records, there are about 50 types of hand gestures and it is called in the Pali name of Mudras. The word “Mudra” is derived from Sanskrit language and the origin is India. It means non-verbal mode of communication, self-expression, consisting of hand gestures and finger postures. As the composition of Mudra is depended on the certain movements of the fingers and each finger represents the basic elements of the universe: sky, wind, fire, water and earth respectively starting from thumb. While the Buddha was teaching to his disciples and preaching to humans to be enlightened, his hand positions are referring to different meaning to give proper message.

In spite of having various mudras, I would like to recommend some most commonly found Mudras.

Bhumiparsha Mudra (Earth Touching)

Bhumiparsha Mudra is known as “the Earth Witness Mudra” which can be found in seated position , formed with all five figures of the right hand extended to touch the ground placing upon the right knee and the left hand resting on the lap with palm facing up. It is the posture of the realization of the ultimate truths.

Its history describes that while the Buddha was sitting on the Aprazita Throne under the Bodhi Tree before his enlightenment, the Mara  , the God of evil and destruction and his fellows disturbed him not to attain enlightenment.

Thus, the Buddha called out the Earth Goddess to testify the meritorious deeds done in his past lives and to bear the witness of his attainment by touching the ground. The Wathondari came out suddenly and flooded the Mara with her long wet hair and it became one of the eight conquests of his enemies.

It is strongly believed that paying homage to those images can help to overcome our enemies, difficulties and challenges , free from the evil spirits and that kind of images can be found in Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda (Mandalay), Botahtaung and Kyaik Wine Pagodas              (Yangon), Yan Aung Myin Image (Zalun) and Vesali Images in Mrauk –U.

Dharmakhara Mudra

This Mudra symbolizes the tuning of the wheel of Dharma and the thumb and index finger of both hands touch at their tips and the three remaining fingers of two hands remain extended with the right palm forward and the left palm facing the chest forming a circle representing the wheel of Dharma, the extending three fingers referring to three gems of the Buddha and the significance of the position of the hands in front of the heart is that the Buddha teachings were came straight from his heart.

It reminds the moment when the Buddha preached the first sermon in the deer park on the full moon day of Waso after his enlightenment. Worshiping this pose of images can help to get professional promotion, overcome hardship, understand the truth and gain effecting exercising power and authority.

These images can be found at Alodawpyae Pagoda and Ananda Temple (Bagan), Kyaik Wine and Botahtaung Pogodas(Yangon).

Zarna Mudra

It is the gesture of meditation and the hands are held at the level of stomach or on the tights of the seated image. The right hand is placed on the left with palms facing upwards and the fingers are extended. In some statues, the thumbs are touching each tip and forming a mystic triangle representing the three gems:  (the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sanga)

According to history, this gesture is derived from one assumed by the Buddha while meditating under the Papal Tree before his enlightenment. Paying homage  to this mudra can gain the benefits of being cool and calm, being free from mental disturbances, improving intellectual power and easy in illuminating Dharma and attaining tranquility of mind complete with will power (Sadhi).This kind of Buddha images can be worshiped at Ananda Temple (Bagan) and Kabar Aye Pagoda(Yangon).

Abaya Mudra

With the meaning of fearlessness, it is usually seen  in which the right hand  raised to the shoulder’s height, the arm bent and the palm facing outward with the fingers uptight and joined. The left hand hangs down at the side of the body while standing and this indicates the absence of fear and the presence of kindness.

In records, a cousin of the Buddha, Devaddtta jealously attempted to murder the Buddha by forcing a wild elephant to drink alcohol and to attack on the way where people were offering alms to the Buddha .Despite the elephant recklessly, angrily and rudely acted to kill the Buddha, he displayed this Mudra and sent kindness to this elephant .Finally, the elephant felt the shared kindness and calmed down immediately.

It is believed that paying homage to this image can prosper the life in terms of being free from danger and worries, anxious complex of mind and depression. These images can be observed at Shwe Dan Daw , Mya Zedi and Shwesigone in Bagan and Kyauk Taw Gyi in Yangon.

Vitarka Mudra

The tips of the thumb and index figure touch each other forming a circle. The right hand is positioned at the shoulder level and the left hand at the hip level in the lap with palm facing upwards.

Varada Mudra

The right arm is extended in a natural position all the way down, with the palm of the open hand facing outwards towards onlookers. If standing, the arm is held slightly extended to the front and it is signifying five perfections: generosity, morality, patience, effort and meditative concentration through five extended fingers.

There are other remaining mudras but I am sharing which can be apparently found at ease in famous and venerable pagodas and temples. If it is not your first time of visiting Myanmar, this time of visiting will be more meaningful by learning mudras and touching the surface of Buddhism from them. No worries if it is your first time, observing of these mudras can be added on your list and I am sure it is not wasting your time, something will remain in your mind and it is worthwhile of your edutainment tour.

By following calling of Mudras, come and explore in temples and pagodas in Myanmar!