An Approach to Myanmar

Your independent Myanmar tour will start with Mandalay, the second biggest city in Myanmar (Burma). Upon arrival, you are suggested to exchange for Burmese Kyat with US Dollars or Euros at the airport. After that, you can either take the blue airport shuttle bus or carpool with 3 - 4 people for a fare of about BUK 4,000 to the recommended Hotel Yadanarbon Mandalay. If time permits, you can visit nearby places by bike or rickshaw.

Accommodation Suggestion: Hotel Yadanarbon Mandalay (3 stars)

We strongly recommend you to charter a car through your hotel to finish your independent Mandalay tour today. Please arrive at Mahargandaryone Monastery at around 9:00 am and spend BUK 10,000 buying a through ticket of major attractions of the city including the Mahargandaryone Monastery. You may stroll around the temple upon arrival. At around 10:30 am, you will admire the great scene of nearly 2,000 monks having their second meal which is also the last meal of the day. After visiting the monastery, head for the foot of Sagaing Hill holding about 6,000 monks and nuns as well as 600 temples. You can either climb or take a rickshaw to reach the top. After that, please head for U Bein Bridge and rent a boat for a fare of about BUK 10,000 to enjoy the sunset and take photos.

Accommodation Suggestion: Hotel Yadanarbon Mandalay (3 stars)

Today you are suggested to visit Mingun and Mandalay Hill. After breakfast, please walk northward from your hotel to the 26th Street, and then head towards the western end. Take a ship from the nearby wharf to Mingun and it usually sets off at 9:00 am. The round-trip ticket fare is BUK 5,000 and a second-floor seat costs BUK 10,000. Upon arrival, you are recommended to visit Mingun Pahtodawgyi and Mingun Bell. Mingun Pahtodawgyi is a solid light-brown brick building with a big crack. It is an unfinished palace built during 1782 - 1819. You can climb the pagoda barefoot. After that, you may walk to Mingun Bell. It is the world's largest bell which is still in use now with a height of 8 meters (26 feet) and a weight of 90.55 tons. Please arrive at the pier before 1:00 pm to catch the return ship back to Mandalay.

Then, you are recommended to charter a car to the Mandalay Hill. Remember to make an agreement with the driver on the round-trip price in advance. You may ask the driver to take you directly to the top which is 236.6 meters (759.8 feet) above the sea level. You can enjoy the sunset and overlook the whole city there. After that, the driver will take you back to the hotel.

Accommodation Suggestion: Hotel Yadanarbon Mandalay (3 stars)

It is suggested you take a morning flight from Mandalay to Bangan which is famous for thousands of pagodas on its plain. Upon arrival, spend 15 minutes taking a taxi at a cost of BUK 6,000 to the recommended Hotel Bagan Umbra which is 2 kilometers (1 mile) away from Old Bagan. After a short rest, go rent a carriage to tour around the pagodas for a fare of BUK 9,000 - 12,000 per day. You need to buy a through ticket including almost all pagodas of the city for a fare of BUK 24,000. Do not miss the sunset over the Shwesandaw Pagoda - the highest pagoda for climbing in Bagan. It is a huge white building in the shape of a pyramid. After sunset, go back to your hotel and get ready for your next day's Bagan backpacking tour.

Accommodation Suggestion: The Hotel Bagan Umbra

Your independent Bagan tour today will still cover pagodas on the Bagan Plain. You can either travel freely by riding a bike or electric scooter, or follow the route recommended by local people by car or carriage. You can seek help from your hotel for renting bikes and electric scooters at a cost of about BUK 1,500 and BUK 7,000 respectively. Cars and carriages are available almost everywhere on the road, which cost BUK 50,000 and 20,000 per day respectively.

You are suggested not to miss Ananda Temple. There is a main pagoda decorated with colorful embossments and various kinds of Buddha statues, and is encircled by several small pagodas. Besides, you can visit the popular Shwezigon Paya which is the only stone pagoda in Bagan but covered by numerous pieces of gold leaf.

Accommodation Suggestion: The Hotel Bagan Umbra

Today you may continue your independent Bangan tour by visiting the rest of pagodas or setting out a trip to Mount Popa which rises 1,500 meters (4,500 feet) above the sea level. The mountain is known as the residence of gods in local legends. There is a temple on the top, enshrining statues of 37 deities, and you can overlook the scenery of the whole Bagan Plain over there.

Accommodation Suggestion: The Hotel Bagan Umbra

Today we suggest you take a taxi to Nyaung U Airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, spend about BUK 8,000 hailing a taxi to the recommended Merchant Art Boutique Hotel which is only 500 meters (550 yards) away from Shwedagon Pagoda to the north. In the afternoon, walk southward to Shwedagon Pagoda which is decorated by thousands of shining diamonds and jewels. This golden pagoda is the holiest stupa of the country and is also praised as one of the Three Wonders of Southeast Asia.

Accommodation Suggestion：Merchant Art Boutique Hotel (3 stars)

Today's Yangon backpacking itinerary will include Chaukhtatgyi Paya, Sule Pagoda, and some British-style buildings. After breakfast, hail a taxi to Chaukhtatgyi Paya famous for the biggest Reclining Buddha in Myanmar, with a height of 5.4 meters (17.7 feet) and a length of 20 meters (22 yards). The Buddha's feet are carved with 108 patterns showing 108 cycles of life. You need to donate USD 5 to get into the temple.

After the visit there, please hail a taxi to the next destination, Sule Pagoda. It is located in the center of Yangon with a history of over 2,000 years. Then you may walk around to visit British-style buildings during 1885 - 1948, including Town Hall, Immigration Department, the church, the high court, customs office, and the central post office. After that, walk to the Maha Bandoola Park which houses a monument symbolizing the independence of Myanmar in 1948. It is also a place for local people to get some relaxation. After lunch, you may spend a leisure afternoon wandering around the nearby blocks.

Accommodation Suggestion: Merchant Art Boutique Hotel (3 stars)

Your one-week independent Myanmar tour comes to an end here. Please take all your belongings and hail a taxi to Yangon International Airport for your homeward flight.