Travel Guide: Mandalay to Yangon, Myanmar

Mandalay to Yangon:

Funky Fact: Across the nation there are more than 100 ethnic groups.

1 Kekku Pagodas

The stunning collection of 2,478 pagodas dates back to 260 BC. After the passing of the Buddha, Alaungsithu was the King of Bagan. He sought to expand the building of religious sites across his kingdom. A fascinating arial shot of this monument shows that the site was designed to resemble Buddha’s footprint.

2. Pindaya Caves (Exterior)

These gold glimmering caves are a sign not to be missed when visiting Burma. There is a famous folktale that illuminates the name of these caves. The legend says there were once seven princesses that took refuge in the cave and became trapped inside by a giant spider’s web. The princesses were rescued by a prince that slayed the monstrous spider with a bow and arrow.

Pindaya Caves (Interior)

Inside these stunning caves is a maze of thousands of golden Buddhas. This ever-growing collective shrine dates back to 1750, make sure to crawl into the tiny meditation cave and take a moment to reflect.

3. Bettle Nut

Warning! This local custom carries potential health hazards. Consult your doctor and do some research or something before trying this because its linked to cancer and stains your teeth red!

For the curious, visitors may see a local habit, chewing Betel Nut. You’ll see stall near major streets and markets with red toothed patrons lined up. In Burma, it’s made from red areca nuts, placed in a betel leaf, with slaked lime (Calcium Hydroxide), and sometimes tobacco. The WHO has estimates that 60% of men and around 25% of women chew beetle nut throughout the country.

4. Bamboo Basket Weaving

It’s an artisanal craft to design and weave baskets ranging from round bamboo trays to bamboo mats. Basket weaving can even provide enough income to act as a families main income. These beautiful creations can be bought throughout the country in markets and shops. They are constructed in bamboo groves with thin bamboo strips (Tazaungmone Hnee).

5. Thanakha

Thanakha is a creamy yellow or white paste made from a ground tree branch. One of the most distinctive feature you’ll notice when visiting Myanmar and observing their culture. Thanakha is usually painted on the face (forehead and cheeks).

It can be sold as small logs, in powder form or as a cream. It has a faint sandalwood smell and has been used as make up and sunscreen for over 2,000 years. Women typically apply it in circles or decorated leaf patterns.

6. Kyansittha Umin (Cave temple) in Bagan

This stunning meditation monastery has a fascinating history detailed out with long dark mural filled corridors. Its believe to date back to the late 12th or 13th century, Shortly after the fall of Bagan. Some unusual depictions show possible Mongolian soldier in fur boots and hats wielding a bow. The caves are names after Kyansittha, the King of Bagan from 1084-1113. He is a renowned as being one of the greatest Burmese monarchs.

7. Kuthodaw Inscription Shrines

A stunning and peaceful UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kuthodaw Inscription Shrines (also called Maha Lawkamarazein) at Kuthodaw Pagoda, contain the world’s largest book. The book is inscribed onto 729 marble slabs which read the Tripitaka (A traditional term for the ancient collections of Buddhist scriptures.)

8. Bagan

Formerly knows as Pagan, Bagan is an ancient city and 40 sq. mile UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was the former capitol of the Bagan Kingdom and houses around 2000 monuments from different periods. Its estimated that ruin the height of this region there were over 10,000 pagodas and monuments built. Today a little over 2,200 remain. Estimates date this region to the 9th century.

9. Burmese Cuisine Sampling

A group sampling of traditional Burmese food. Rice is always the staple in the meal and its typically served with a soup and a variety of local dips, salads, pickled and stewed dishes from the region.

10. Pagodas

Burma is sprinkles with thousands of pagodas. One amazing part of visiting is how tranquil, clean and stunning they are. Stop at any you see during your visit. Be sure to pay anyone who might ask for an entrance fee. Donating even $2 makes a huge impact on there lively hoods and ability to maintain these ancient relics.

11. Feeding the Monks

Red-robed monks line up with begging bowls to ask local business and town people for sustenance so they can focus on their practices.

12. LawkaNandar Pagoda

This massive Buddhist zedi is in the city of Bagan. It sits next to the Ayeyarwaddy River and was constructed in the time of King Anawrahta. Inside this golden monument is the relic replica of Buddhas tooth.

13. Rice Paddies

A staple in most meals in Burma is rices. The Burmese grow almost 25 million tonnes each year. All over the landscape are the glistening water filled ponds growing tender shoots. It’s a magical feeling to stroll along the paddies at sunset listing to the water trickle from one paddy to the next down the carefully tiered landscape.