• MANDALAY

  Mandalay is a favourite visitor spot among tourists to Myanmar, better known as Burma. The charming religious and economic epicenter of the country’s north has a wealth of Mandalay hotels in Mandalay town centre, many of which are within walking distance of the Royal Palace. Budget backpackers are as well catered for here as travelers looking to splurge on high end hotels in Mandalay.
  Lying between 84th and 81st streets is 25th street, a hub of cheap Mandalay hotels. Mid range accommodation options are also plentiful, with most Mandalay hotels in this price bracket being housed in multi storey buildings in convenient locations. There are only a limited number of luxury hotels in Mandalay town centre, and the modern, clean rooms and quick access to the city’s main tourist attractions at these hotels justify their price tags. As visitors arrive in Mandalay in steady streams year round, booking Mandalay hotels online in advance is advised. 

• YANGON

  Welcome to Yangon, one of Myanmar most iconic travel destinations and home to an amazing array of sights, activities and events. Even first time visitors to Yangon will quickly be enthralled by how fun and fascinating Yangon really can be. For those looking a glimpse of the real Myanmar, or just a fun night out, Yangon mixes old world charm with a modern and vibrant night life.
  
  
  
  
  Yangon, at one time called Rangoon, is the capital of Myanmar and the main point of entry to the country. Located in southern Myanmar, the important port city of Yangon boasts many spectacular pagodas, lakes, shady parks and fine examples of colonial period architecture.
  Dominating this Buddhist capital is the Shewdagon Pagoda, sitting high on a hill in the centre with its golden stupa visible from many points in the city. It is said that this important religious site enshrines a hair of the Lord Buddha. In the streets around this pagoda, and throughout the city, visitors will find numerous historical sites, art galleries, museums and markets to explore.
  
  
  Today tourists will find a range of accommodation options to meet their needs, from mid-range hotels to the luxurious resorts found outside the city proper. There’s no problem in finding diverse dining options either. In addition to traditional Burmese cuisine, Chinese, French, Italian, Korean and Thai restaurants are featured in Yangon.
  
  
  Shopping opportunities abound with good choice at regional markets and shops in the city centre. For those looking for nightlife, there are rooftop bars, nightclubs, traditional music, dance venues and performances at the National Theatre.
  
  
  Getting to Yangon is straightforward by air - the only reasonable option for reaching the capital city. Yangon International Airport is serviced by flights from several countries in Asia, and is undergoing significant renovation.
  
  

  BAGO 

   

  Bago Division is the second biggest producer of paddy after Ayeyarwaddy division. It is bordered by Magway Division and Mandalay Division to the north; Kayin State, Mon State and the Gulf of Martaban to the east; Yangon Division to the south and Ayeyawardy Division and Rakhine State to the west. Highlights are Bago, Taungoo and the ruins of the ancient Pyu kingdom near Pyay. Bago and Pyay are easily accessible by rail or by car. It is only a 2 hours drive from Yangon to Bago and a 5 hours drive on a very good road to Pyay.
  
  
  Bago:
  Used to be the ancient capital of the Mon Kings from the 14th through the 16th century and that of the Second Myanmar Empire founded by King Bayinnaung. Bago is situated only 80 km north-east of Yangon.
   What to see:
  The Shwe-Maw-Daw Pagoda: Was originally built by the Mon to a height to 23 meters in the 8th century and was rebuilt higher several times until it finally reached its present 114 meter stature in 1954. Visitors can see in the Pagoda Museum a number of ancient Buddha images of stone and bronze found in the damaged top part of the pagoda after the earthquakes.
  
  
  Shwe-Tha-Lyaung: Is the large reclining image of the Buddha, 180 feet in length and 52.5 feet in height. This is one of the largest reclining Buddha images in the world. Traditionally believed to have been built by King Migadipa in AD 944. It was restored by Ramadhipatiraja (1472-1492) but later 'lost'. Rediscovered 1880 and restored again several times to bring it to this condition.
  Hinthakone Pagoda: Tradition has it that Hinthakone is the hill where the two sacred mythical ducks called nintha (Hamsa) alighted, when only the very top of the hill was above the ocean. The name Hantha-wadi or Hamsavati by which Bago and her kingdom were known, originated from this name. It has good views over Bago from the hilltop.
  Pyay: Once was called Prome after the British occupied Myanmar is located 285 km north-west of Yangon. Pyay is easily accessible by road or rail and a gateway city to Rakhine State, across the Ayeyawaddy River. It is a major trading zone where all the products from Rakhine State and middle part of the country trade in and exchange with those come from the lower part of the country. Today Pyay is a sleepy town with a small river harbour which serves as a transshipment point for cargo moving between Upper and Lower Myanmar along the Ayeyarwaddy River.