Magway
The capital city of Magway Region is Magway City. In this region, excavation activities revealed fossils of primates that are more than 40 million years old, which has become the pride of the government. One of the few Pyu cities listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site can be found in Magway. Locals living near the Ayeyarwady River use the river as their main transportation system, but those who live away from the river use the road as their major way of transport. Magway is a region packed with beautiful nature and meaningful heritage. Tourists get to enjoy learning about the country and its main religion (Buddhism) by visiting religious sites that showcase amazing architecture and sculpting work.
NAY PYI TAW
Nay Pyi Taw is the administrative and political capital of Myanmar. It was declared as the capital in 2006, although most commercial activity still takes place in the former capital Yangon. It is administered as the Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory. There is more to Nay Pyi Taw than only being the capital of the nation. It is close to three important states – Shan, Kayah and Kayin. The entire region has developed rapidly over the last decade. Tourists like the wide, manicured, multi-lane roads of the town which is free from traffic congestion. Nay Pyi Taw is the country’s centre for meetings, incentives, conferences and events. It houses over 50 hotels including top international brands fully equipped with luxury facilities to host VIP guests. The city has state-of-the-art systems for hosting banquets and conferences at the two large buildings of Myanmar International Convention Centres. Several prestigious events such as the World Economic Forum East Asia, ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Tourism Forum has been successfully held here. Nay Pyi Taw also has a number of tourist destinations such as museums, pagodas, gardens as well as magnificent natural views which attract tourists from all over the world.
RAKHINE
Rakhine State is located on the western coast of Myanmar. It has a long coastline on the Bay of Bengal in the west. The Arakan Mountains, rising to a height of 10,049 feet at Victoria Peak separate Rakhine State from central Burma. The state has some fairly large islands off the coast such as Cheduba and Myingun Islands. Rakhine hosts the Ngapali Beach, one of Myanmar’s premier beach destinations, located only 45 minutes by air from Yangon. Although the beach is quite popular, it is not very crowded. It is famous for its turquoise waters, wide stretches of white sand, palm tree groves and fishing village, it is relatively unspoilt. Rakhine offers a number of tourist spots such as Mrauk U, the ancient city of the Rakhine dynasty, Sittwe, Shitthaung Pagoda, Dukkanthein Pagoda, Kothaung Pagoda, Laymyatnha Pagoda, Andaw Pagoda and many more.
MANDALAY CITY
Mandalay is the second-largest city of Myanmar, located on the east bank of Ayeyarwady river. It is an important economic centre of the northern side of Myanmar and is regarded as a cultural centre of the country. The city has been named after the nearby Mandalay Hill. Mandalay was the former capital of the country and has a rich history behind it. It was founded at the foothills of the Mandalay hill in 1857 by King Mindon. The city was founded to fulfil a prophecy of founding a metropolis of Buddhism on the occasion of the 2400th anniversary of setting up of Buddhism. The city served as the capital of the country until its final annexation by the British Empire in 1885. From the ornate royal palace to breathtaking sunsets over the river, Mandalay takes days to explore. It provides a thorough glimpse of the culture of Myanmar and its people.
BAGAN
Bagan, an ancient city located in the Mandalay region is one of the most visited places by tourists in the country. The city served as the capital of Myanmar from the 9th to 13th centuries. It was the capital of the Pagan kingdom, the kingdom which unified regions that constitute the Myanmar of today. The Bagan Archaeological Zone is the main attraction of the country and is one of the richest archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River, the temples of Bagan leaves one awestruck. Bagan has approximately 2000 ancient monuments and pagodas strewn all over Bagan. The monuments are located on the land between the river bank and the Turintaung range. Although Bagan is most famous for its historic monuments, it has a lot more to offer. Tourists can visit nearby local villages and watch people weaving cotton. Bagan is famous for ancient craft, especially in lacquer. It is also famous for its mural painting, oil processing and palm sugar production.
MAGNIFICENT MONUMENTS AND PAGODAS
Bagan is famous for its historical monuments and houses around 2000 monuments from different periods. It is the most important historical site in Myanmar and is awe-inspiring. With a rich history of over 1500 years, Bagan stands evidence to achievements made by men before any technological innovation came into being. The walls of many of these monuments have historic mural paintaings which are a not to be missed site for tourists. Although Bagan has innumerable monuments, they do not look the same. In fact, the number of same types of monuments is very few, perhaps three or four. It is worthwhile to spend a day or two exploring the variety of monuments and pagodas. One of the best viewing points of Bagan is the top terrace of the Bagan viewing tower from where one can see temples literally till the horizon. A balloon ride over the temples is also a great way to enjoy the panoramic view.
SCENIC RIVER VIEWS
One of the best way to see Myanmar is to take a river on the Ayeyarwady River, the longest and the most important river in Myanmar. Tourists can enjoy a relaxing and comfortable cruise on the river. There is a range of options available to tourists – from traditional riverboats to luxury river cruises. In fact, one can take a river cruise from Mandalay to Bagan enjoy travel while enjoying the scenic beauty. Tourists can also visit places such as Mt. Sagaing, Pokokku, Myingyan and other well-known cities from Bagan through boats. Day trips are also available from Bagan to different locations. Tourists interested to enjoy the scenic beauty of Bagan can enjoy an evening cruise on the river. While enjoying the splendid sunset, tourists can also get a glimpse of the life of the local fishermen.
