Other Places of Interest

PYAY (also known as Prome)

Pyay is located on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy, 260 north of Yangon. Thaye Khittaya, an archaeological site of the ancient Pyu capital (5th to 9th century) is just a few kilometres north east of the town. Tour highlights include the landmark Shwesandaw Pagoda, Hsehtakyi Pagoda, the Shwe Phone Pwint Museum and Bawbaw gyi Pagoda,Bebegyi Pagoda, as well as the Payagyi and Payama Stupas. Pyay is easily accessible by road or by rail which takes about five hours. There are many hotels with modern facilities.

Mrauk-U

This 15th century ancient city of Rakhine Kingdom is known for its ancient and impressive kingdom ruins, a lively local culture and day trip access to the Chin tribal villages. Mahamuni Shire, one of the famous pagodas in Burma, is 30 km from Mrauk-U. Shitthaung Pagoda, Dukkanthein Pagoda and Andawthein Shrine are other sites worth seeing in Mrauk-U. The trip to Mrauk-U may be demanding but it is well worth the effort. First, an hour and a half flight from Yangon to Sittwe, then a boat trip from Sittwe to Mrauk-U. The regular passenger boat takes hours, although there is a special speed boat that takes just two and a half hours. There are five bungalow type hotels in Mrauk-U.

Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda - (also known as Golden Rock)

This mystical pagoda stands on a gold glided boulder, precariously perched on the edge of the hill more than 1,100m above sea level. Kyithto, the town at the root of the hill, is about 160km from Yangon. It is an 11 km climb for hikers from Kinpun base camp. There is also a steep winding road for 4-wheel drive vehicles from the base to the nearest point of the pagoda and the ‘nats’ or ‘spirits’. Kyaikhto Hotels, Golden Rock Hotel and Mountain View Hotel have modern facilities.

Mawlamyine( Mounlmein)

The charming town of Mawlamyin is the capital of Mon State, situated at the mouth of the Thanlwin (Salween) River. Kyaikhami Pagoda, perched on the rocks by the sea and joined to the land by a covered causeway, is the star attraction. Other sites to see in Mawlamyine are Kyaiikthalan Pagoda, Uzena Pagoda, and the Caves of Kawgoon and Payon – famous for its countless Buddha images, stalagmites and stalactites. About 34 km from Mawlamyine is Thanbyuzayat, an Allied War Memorial Cemetery the prisoners of war who lost their lives in the building of the famous Death Railway across the River Kwai. Mawlamyine is easily accessible by road and rail from Yangon.

Myeik Archipelago

The Myeik (Mergui) Archipelago is located at the southernmost tip of Burma. It comprises of more than 800 islands varying in size from very small to hundreds of square kilometres. The Archipelago has incredibly broad diversity of flora and fauna on land, as well as its underwater coral reefs and marine life. An ethnic minority called the Moken, sometimes known as sea Gypsies, live on boats during the dry season and remain on land during the dry rainy season. A visit to their village offers a glimpse into a unique culture. The traditional Salon Festival is held at Ma Kyone Galet village on the Bocho islands, near the Lampi Island.

Mogok

Mogok, known as the gems city, is 155 km northeast of Mandalay, in the central Burmese Pyin Oo Lwin District. Myanmar rubies, sapphires and emeralds and other precious stones are mined in Mogok area. Only packaged tours with special permission are allowed to visit Mogok.

Lashio

It is a trading town in Northern Shan State, accessible by road Mandalay. From Lashio, the famous Bumar road, built by the British before WW ll intersects with Ledo Road leading into the Yunnan Province.

Phar Kant

Phar Kant is located in Myitkyina District, Kachin State. It is about 960 km from north of Yangon. Phar Kant is on the west side of Uru River, a tributary of the Chindwin River. A massive jade stone (3,940 tons) was found at Nanthamaw jade quarry in Phar Kant Township, Kachin State. With special permission, Phar Kant is accessible by road from Myitkyina.

Mong Hsu

Mong Hsu is located north of Myanmar and it is now famous as ‘the Mong Hsu Gems Lands’. It used to be a small town but the rubies found in Mong Hsu in the 1990s are now well known in the world’s gem market as ‘Red Diamonds’. Mong Hsu is accessible with special permission.

Monywa

Monywa is a city in Sagaing Region, located 136 km northwest of Mandalay on the eastern bank of the River Chindwin.

Monywa is warm throughout the year, although the winter months (December–February) are milder.

The major tourist attraction in Monywa is Mohnyin Thambuddhei Paya, a Buddhist temple with a huge stupa resembling Indonesia's Borobudur. It dates from 1303, although it was reconstructed in 1939. It is said to contain over 500,000 images of Buddha. Close by is the Bodhi Tataung Laykyun Setkyar Standing Buddha statue, the second-tallest statue in the world, at a total of 129 metres (including pedestal). This is the focal point of a sprawling site filled with Buddha state, bodhi trees, and pagodas, established by the Bodhi Tataung sayadaw in the 1960s. It includes also a 95-metre long reclining Buddha statue.

Another attraction is the Phowintaung cave complex across the Chindwin River,
approximately 25 kilometres west of Monywa.

BORDER AREAS

Muse

This bustling small town on the banks of the Shweli River is the main border gateway between Burma and Yunnan Province (China). The important trading centre of Lashio, located 190 km south of Muse, is situated on a low mountain spur overlooking the valley of the Nam Yao River. The Muse Motel has modern facilities. Other nearby border towns include Namkham and Kyukoke.

Tachileik

Tachileik is located in the Golden Triangle Region, just a few kilometres across the river from Mae Sai, the most northern town in Thailand. The Golden Triangle Paradise Resort is situated on the banks of the Mekong River facing Laos and Thailand. Tachileik is a two hour flight from Yangon.

Kyaing Tong

The Golden Triangle capital city, Kyaing Tong, offers stunning scenery and an opportunity to take in the colourful costumes, traditions and handicrafts of Burma’s mountain tribes. It is 170 km (a three hour drive) from Tachileik. There are also regular flights from Yangon to Kyaing Tong. The old style and new hotels offer modern facilities at reasonable prices. Visitors with Border passes are permitted to cross into this border town.

Myitkyina

Myitkyina is the capital city of Kachin State. From here you can tour Myit Sone, the confluence of the Maikha and Malikha Streams, which is the source of the Ayayarwaddy River. Mount Khakaborazi (5,889 metres), the highest mountain in South East Asia, is also located in Kachin. The area is also known for its abundance of jade and gold. There are regular flights from Yangon to Myitkyina.

Puta-O

The charming town of Puta-O in Kachin State, situated on the Namlaung River, is surrounded by snow capped mountains and cool all year round. Many varieties of citrus fruit are grown in the orchards and the area is famous for its variety of birds and rare orchids. For hiking enthusiasts, Puta-O is the town nearest the Mount Khakaborazi base camp. It can be reached by road only during summer but flights are available all year.

Kawthaung

Formerly called Victoria Point, Kawthaung is Burma’s southern-most town, situated at the mouth of Kyan River on the Malay Peninsula. From Ranong, a border town in southern Thailand, you can easily take a 20 minute boat trip to Kawthaung for sightseeing and shopping. The exclusive Andaman Club on Thahtakyun Island is nearby, to the west of Kawthaung. There are regular flights from Yangon to Kawthaung and it is also accessible by the Five Star shipping line.