Essence of Myanmar

Upon arrival, you are advised to exchange some local currency at the airport using brand-new US Dollars. In addition, you can also withdraw some cash at the ATM of KBZ Bank. When you get everything ready, you can go to the Taxi Service Station to get a map of Yangon before taking a taxi to the hotel directly. Hotel Grand United - Ahlone Branch, which is only about 20 minutes' drive away from the airport, could be a nice choice for you. You can have some rest when you arrive at the hotel. After settled, you can tour around to get familiar with the surrounding.

Accommodation Suggestion: Hotel Grand United - Ahlone Branch (4 stars)

Today, you are advised to start your independent Myanmar (Burma) tour with Chaukhtatgyi Paya. You can take a taxi to go there directly. As the largest indoor reclining Buddha in Myanmar, the Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha with a height of 5.4 meters (18 feet) and a length of 20 meters (22 yards) is worshiped in this temple. The face of the Buddha is quite delicate, so that you can even observe its thick eyelashes. There are 108 elaborate iconography carved on the bottom of its feet, which represents 108 transmigrations of people. Other than this grand reclining Buddha, Shweminwon Sasana Yeiktha, a meditation center for believers, is another highlight in this temple.

Afterwards, you can take a taxi to Shwedagon Pagoda, also known as the Yangon Pagoda. This pagoda is regarded as the most sacred pagoda in Myanmar, because the relics of four Lord Buddhas are enshrined there. The whole pagoda is covered with gold, and there are 1,056 golden bells and 420 silver bells hanging on the golden umbrella of the pagoda, as well as 4,531 diamonds inlaid on the top. You may appreciate the different scenery of the day time and the night there. After that, you can take a taxi back to the hotel.

Tips:
1. When you visit there, you need to take off your hats and shoes, and walk around pagodas clockwise.
2. If you take a camera, you may pay for taking it and keep the labels on the camera for inspection.
3. You are advised to take a bag to carry your shoes in case that you can't find your shoes when you are out.

Accommodation Suggestion: Hotel Grand United - Ahlone Branch (4 stars)

You can head for Sule Pagoda enshrined the statue of the patron saint, Sule by taxi this morning. There are diverse statues standing around the pagoda. Among them, the most impressive ones are statues of Burmese zodiac. You may find and worship your own zodiac according to your birthday. You need to follow the same tips as the Shwedagon Pagoda when you visit Sule Pagoda.

Later, you can walk southeast to the Maha Bandula Park, which was built in memory of the national hero, Maha Bandula. En route, you can see various British buildings, like Superior Court, City Hall, Immigration Department, and Central Post Office. Upon arrival at the park, you can find the Independence Monument inside. Local citizens usually gather there in the leisure time, so you can also experience the authentic life of Yangon there.

After lunch, you can continue wandering around if time permits. Then you may take a taxi to hotel and pack up your baggage. When you get everything done, take a taxi to the airport to catch a flight to Bagan. Upon landing, you are suggested to take a taxi to the hotel directly. We would like to recommend the Bagan Thande Hotel to you, for it is only 15 minutes' drive away from the airport and provides you great views of Irrawaddy River.

Accommodation Suggestion: Bagan Thande Hotel (3 stars)

Bagan gathers numerous Buddhist pagodas, and the pass of the ancient town will cost USD20 per person. You are advised to charter a car or a carriage to start your independent Bagan tour today. You may go along the following route: Shwesandaw Pagoda (sunrise) - Sulamani Temple - Dhammayangyi Temple - Manuha Temple - Mahabodhi Temple - Thatbyinnyu Temple - Bagan Thande Hotel - Ananda Temple - Htilominlo Temple - Shwezigon Pagoda - Shwesandaw Pagoda (sunset) - Ananda Temple (night scene) - Shwezigon Pagoda (night scene).

The Shwesandaw Pagoda is a white pyramid-like stupa with five floors and a height of 50 meters (160 feet). Climb along steep stairs to the top and you can appreciate grand sunrise there. You can continue to visit the Sulamani Temple, an Indian-style temple built in 1183 by the order of the King Narapatisithu. There are plenty of murals describing clothes, hierarchy, customs, social activities, and Buddhist culture of Myanmar.

Next, you may find the Dhammayangyi Temple, holding the largest pagoda in Bagan. In addition, make sure you never miss the Ananda Temple. It is the most complete and beautiful temple in Bagan, integrated with Burmese architectural style. The light will illuminate the golden spire at night, which is like a bright star in the dark.

Shwezigon Pagoda, the oldest temple in Bagan, has witnessed the periods of the King Anawrahta (1044-1077) and the King Kyansittha (1084-1113). As the only stone building covered with gold in Bagan, it is surrounded by 53 different statues. The pagoda will be lit up after the sunset, which is the great scenery in the city.

Accommodation Suggestion: Bagan Thande Hotel - Old Bagan (3 stars)

You can rent an electric car or a bike to continue the exploration of the temples you missed last day. At night, you are suggested to have dinner in the hotel while enjoying sunset scenes and Irrawaddy River view. Meanwhile, you may also enjoy a traditional instrument performance played by local citizens there.

Accommodation Suggestion: Bagan Thande Hotel - Old Bagan (3 stars)

In the morning, you can take a mini bus to Mandalay in 5 - 6 hours. You may ask the staff of the hotel to help you book the bus ticket. This bus will pick you up at the hotel and send you to the specified hotel in Mandalay directly. Upon arrival, you can have some rest and then go to appreciate this city.

Accommodation Suggestion: Hotel Yadanarbon Mandalay (3 stars)

It's better to charter a car to travel Mandalay and you can book one through your hotel. The first destination of today's Mandalay backpacking tour is Mahamuni Pagoda. It's famous for a bronze Buddha statue, which is said to be blessed by the Lord Buddha. Believers will put gold foils on the Buddha statues for the blessing and protection. Then you may move to the Mahar Gandar Yone Monastery before 09:00. You can see thousands of monks collecting alms and having meals together. Proceed to Sagaing Hill housing over 500 Buddhist temples and along the way, you can see many monks meditating or chanting.

Afterwards, you will continue your trip to U Bein Bridge, regarded as the longest teakwood bridge in the world with a length of around 1.2 kilometers (1,300 yards). You can arrive there at around 16:00 to rent a boat in advance and you may walk around to enjoy the beautiful scenes. Then, get on the boat before sundown and appreciate the charming sunset there. Later, you may go back to the hotel.

Accommodation Suggestion: Hotel Yadanarbon Mandalay (3 stars)

Today's independent Myanmar tour will begin with the Mingun Ancient Town. Mingun Pagoda inside the town is an uncompleted royal palace and you can only see its foundation at present. There is a huge bell to the north of the pagoda. It is the largest bell in the world weighing 90.55 tons and without any cracks. In addition, you can see another white pagoda in a distance. Then please move to Kuthodaw Pagoda surrounded by a group of white stupas. Notably, 2,400 eminent monks had gathered there to revise the Buddhist Scriptures and the content was carved on 729 stone tablets.

Afterwards, walk southwards to Shwenandaw Monastery whose outer walls are carved with exquisite patterns, while the inner walls and roof are covered with golden paint. Continue your trip to Mandalay Hill where you can have a panoramic view of the whole city and Irrawaddy River under the sunset. On the way up, you can see a golden Buddha statue pointing to the royal palace.

Accommodation Suggestion: Hotel Yadanarbon Mandalay (3 stars)

You will catch a flight to Inle Lake this morning. Upon arrival, you can head for the hotel by taxi at first. The Hotel Amazing Nyaung Shwe is only 1 hour's drive from the airport. After having some rest, you can explore the Nyaungshwe Township which holds highlights like Yadana Man Aung Pagoda, Cultural Museum, Red Mountain Estate Vineyards & Winery, Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung Temple, and Mingala Asian Market…

Tip: At the end of the day, you may either book a boat from a boatman at the harbor by yourself or through your hotel for your Inle Lake tour of the next day.

Accommodation Suggestion: Hotel Amazing Nyaung Shwe (3 stars)

Taking a boat to appreciate the sunrise on the Inle Lake will be the first activity of today's independent Myanmar tour. Please take a coat with you because it's usually cold in the early morning. Then you can visit some floating villages, manual workshops, and floating gardens during the cruise. You will never miss the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery. It is also called Jumping Cat Monastery as some cats there can jump through hoops under the direction of the monks. Proceeding to visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, you will see five small Buddha statues covered with thick gold foils.

Afterwards, please go on to visit the Indein Village, which has become an important religious area along the river. In this village, you can travel to the Shwe Indein Pagoda, which is famous for its exquisite bas-reliefs. Later, you can continue to visit Indein Market, a part of the local Five-Day Market. You can buy some souvenirs at this bustling and busy market. You may go back to the hotel when you finish visiting there.

Accommodation Suggestion: Hotel Amazing Nyaung Shwe (3 stars)

Today, you may take a plane back to Yangon. Afterwards, you can tour around the city on your own.

Accommodation Suggestion: Hotel Grand United - Ahlone Branch (4 stars)

Your independent Myanmar tour will come to an end today. Please take your baggage and check out the hotel. Then take a taxi to the airport for your homeward flight. Bon voyage!