| Other Tourist
Destinations |
- Yangon Division
- Bago division
- Ayeyawaddy Division
- Mandalay Division
- Magway Division
- Sagaing Division
- Chin State
- Taninthayi Division
- Mon State
- Kayin State
- Shan State
- Kayah State
- Rakhine State
- Kachin State
- Tour Operators Recommended
Division
- Yangon Division is situated on the east of the Ayeyawady Delta ,
facing the Gulf of Mottama and Andaman Sea in the south. It is the busiest and most
important division of the Union of Myanmar.Yangon City is the capital of division and the
nation as well. It is the chief seaport and the gateway to the nation. All government
offices and embassies are situated in the capital . Universities and major institution of
higher learning are in Yangon. Numerous market with a wide range of products are also here
in the capital .
- The massive and magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda ,large lakes and vast
parks for recreation are tourist attractions. Steamers go out to the coastal areas in
Rakhine and Mon States and Taninthayi Division . The riverine steamers also sail up and
down the Ayeyawady river to get to upper Myanmar and to the delta area . Railway and coach
services are available to reach areas inland.
Division
- Bago Division lies in the north of Yangon Division sharing common
borders. Bago is the capital of the division famous for the historic Shwemawdaw Pagoda and
other pagodas. It was the capital and seaport of ancient Mon kings. Pyay is the hub of
business activity where products of upper and lower Myanmar are traded. There is an
archaeological site known as Thayekhittaya where most ancient pagodas are found. Bago and
Pyay are easily accessible by rail or by car from Yangon. From Pyay, travellers can go on
by car to Thandwe where famous Ngapali Beach is located.
Pyay (Prome)
- Located 285 km north-west of Yangon, Pyay is easily accessible by
road or rail and a gateway city to the Rakhine State, across the Ayeyawaddy River. The
Shwesandaw Pagoda, and the gigantic Buddha image of Hse-htatgyi Pagoda, are major
attractions.
Thayekhittaya (Sriksetra)
- Ancient capital of a Pyu kingdom, which hourished between the 5th
and 9th century, Thayekhittaya is located 8km south-east of Pyay (Prome). The old palace
site, Lemyethna Temple, Bawbawgyi Pagoda, Payagyi and Payama Stupa and the Archaeological
Museum are worth visiting.
Division
- This division covers the delta area. It has over four million
acres of cultivated fields. The chief crops are paddy and jute. Pathein is the capital
which is the fifth largest city and the seaport on Ngawun River. Chaungtha Beach Resort
faces the Bay of Bengal. There is direct and regular air service between Yangon and
Pathein. The Yangon-Pathein Railway has a branch at Telpadan, going across the river to
Hinthada. The railroad goes down to Pathein. The motor road from Yangon passes through
Nyaungdon, Pantannaw and Kyaunggon before reaching Pathein. There also is a steamer
service between Yangon and almost all delta towns.
Pathein (Bassein)
- Situated in the Ayeyawaddy Delta about 190 km west of Yangon; the
port of Pathein is noted for its colourful parasols and pottery. Chaungtha Beach is only
40 km west of Pathein.
- The division is situated on the east bank of the Ayeyawady River.
Most of the division is covered by plains with hills along its border with Shan State.
Mandalay is the capital and the second largest city in the country. It is also known as a
cultural capital where visitors can study its traditional arts and crafts. Amarapura, Inwa
and Mingun lie close to the capital. Amarapura is known as a weaving city where silk
dresses are woven. Mingun can be reached by boat while other towns are accessible by car
or by train. Pyin-Oo-Lwin, a hill station, is also accessible by train. It is
two-and-a-half-hour, drive from Mandalay . For the first half hour ,travellers will pass
through paddy fields heading towards the blue Shan hills. Then the climb starts. The
landscape becomes wild. Huge Mangos and acid plum trees are interspersed with towering
bamboo fiends. With toddy palms Pyin-Oo-Lwin is a hill resort also known as the city of
howers. Mogok is a well-known Ruby Land for its rich gem mines and gem markets. It is
situated 115 kilometres northeast of Mandalay. Travellers can get there by car, or by
hi-ski organized by the Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. Tagaung, 204 kilometres up river,
the first capital of Myanmar about 3,000 years ago as recorded in the history, Padalin
caves, and the Kinda Multi-purpose Dam are in Mandalay Division situated near the border
with Shan State. Bagan and Nyaung-U are archaeological sites in this division. The pagodas
rehect Bagan’s greatness and glory in the past. Mount Popa lies 50 kilometres southeast of
Bagan. It is an extinct volcano which is a scenic spot and a resort with Kyetmauktaung Dam
near by. An international airport is under construction near Mandalay which is accessible
by land from all directions.
- Magway Division is situated in central Myanmar. The western edge
of the division is long, hilly and thinly covered with forests. Magway is the capital of
the division and famous for the Myathalun Pagoda festival. Minbu is also well-known for
the Shwesettaw Pagoda festival. From the division, a motor road leads to Ann through
Rakhine Yoma mountain pass. Pakokku is famous for monasteries and tobacco industry. Yaw,
Saw and Gangaw have lately become popular for the archaeological discoveries of
pre-historic men. There are airports in Magway, Gangaw and Pakokku. The cross-country
Monywa-Pathein Highway runs through this west bank area of the River Ayeyawady. Railway
branch passes through Taungdwingyi and Natmauk. There is proper road network linking the
tows in the division.
Division
- Sagaing Division is in the northwest of Mandalay between Kachin
and Chin States. In the west, it has common border with India. Sagaing on the west bank of
the Ayeyawady with Mandalay on the opposite bank is the capital of the division.
Neighbouring towns are Shwebo, the first capital of the Konbaung Dynasty; and Monywa, the
chief commercial city on the Chindwin River. Kawlin and Wuntho are famous for the gold
mines. Uru Chaung and Khamti are no less famous towns for their jade and gold mines. Indaw
and Pantha have natural gas-fields and Kalaywa has coal mines. Tamu is a border town
serving as a gateway to the country for travellers from India. The snow-capped Mt Sarameti
on Naga Hills is 3,828 metres high. Unfrequented by man, the area invites adventurers.
With airports Kalaymyo and Khamti serve as base camps for tours. The railway line heading
Myitkyina in Kachin State passes through Sagaing Division. There also is a railway line
linking Sagaing, Monywa and Budalin. The towns in the division are easily accessible by
road.
- Chin State is a mountainous State in the west of Mandalay. It
shares its western border with India and Bangladesh. The whole region is made up of high
hills. Largely dissected by deep valleys. There is hardly any plain or plateau. The
heights of the hills ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 metres. Haka is the state capital and
Falam and Tiddim are cities one mountain terraces, with pine forests, apple and orange
orchards, Taungzalut howers. Mount Kennedy of 2,704 metres and an old Brit/sh Fort namely
Fort White are near Tiddim. Mount Victoria of 3,109 metres is near KanpetTel. Adventure
tours can be developed up the Kaladan River from Sittway to PaTelwa, the land of western
Chins.
- Air service is available to Kalay, Gangaw, Kyaukhtu or Sittway and
then by car or steamer. Travellers can then proceed to the respective destinations.
Division
- Taninthayi Division is situated at the southernmost tip of
Myanmar, facing the Andaman Sea. More than 800 islands called Myeik Archipelago are in the
division. The whole of its long eastern border is shared by Thailand . Forests of rubber
and evergreen trees lie as far as the eye can see. Dawei is the capital of Taninthayi
Division. Vistitors can go on a tour of islands with scuba diving in Myeik Archipelago.
Pearl Island is the source of quality pearls and fishing is a major business along the
coast and on islands. Myeik is a city of romance with scenic seascapes. Kawthoung and
Bayintnaung Cape are at the farthest tip in Myanmar’s southern border. Island tours around
Thataykyun are also available. Regular air services are provided between Yangon and Dewei,
and Myeik and Kawthoung. To get to Myeik by land, travellers have to go to Mawlamyine by
train or by car. Myeik can be reached by car from Mawlamyine after passing through Dawie.
The Myanma Five Star Line provides coastal steamer service.
Kyaikhtiyo
Pagoda, the highlight of Mon State
- Mon State stands along the upper part of the Taninthayi coastal
strip. There are islands, hillls, equatorial forests, crop land and plantations.
Mawlamyine, the third largest city in Myanmar, is the capital of Mon State. The famous
Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda is located north of Kyaikhto. Thaton is the capital of ancient Mon
Kingdom, much earlier than Bagan. There are many beautiful sea resorts such as Kyaikkami
and Setse. There is a War Memorial in Thanbyuzayat, connected with the Bridge on the River
Kwai. Mawlamyine is accessible by air, train or car from Yangon. As regards road and
railways, the railroad starts from Yangon. It goes on from Mawlamyine to Yay while the
motor road goes on beyond the boundary of Mon State right down to Myeik. Heading towards
the eastern border with Thailand, there are two routes. The first is the
Mawlamyine-Kawkareik-Myawady-Maesot route and the second the Three Pagodas route starting
from Thanbyezayat. There are proper roads linking all the towns in Mon State.
-
- Kyaikhtiyo (Kyaikhto)
- Mawlamyaing
- Setse Beach
- Thanbyuzayat
Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda
 Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, the highlight of
Mon State |
Popularly known as the Golden Rock Pagoda and a very popular pilgrimage destination;
Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda stands on a boulder precariously perched on the ede of a hill over 1,100 km above sea level. The Base Camp at Kyaikhto is located 160 km by road from Yangon. From the Base Camp pilgrims trek 11 km up hill to the Pagoda platform. A narrow motor road also winds up to a point about 1.6 km from the Pagoda. Kyaikhto Hotel, built on the hill side, gives a magnificent view of the Pagoda and the surrounding places. |
Mawlamyine (Moulmein)
- Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State, is an attractive port with a
ridge of hills on one side and the sea on the other. About 300 km away from Yangon; it can
be reached by road and rail and by a 40-minuite hight from Yangon. About 34 km from
Mawla-myine, Thanbyuzayat has an Allied War Memoral Cemetery for prisoners of war who died
in the building of the “Death Railway” during World War II.
- Kayin State occupies the eastern part of Taninthayi ranges, which
are the continuation of the Shan highlands. It can be reached in an hour’s hight from
Yangon. Hpa-an is the state capital, with monumental hills, wonderful caves and lakes. The
travellers can go on hiking among the Great Dawna Range. Riverine trips can be arranged
along the streams such as Yunsalin, Bilin, Donthami, Hlaingbwe etc. The leading towns of
Kayin State are Hpa-an, Hlaingbwe, Shwegun, Thandaung, Kawkareik:, Kya-inn-seikkyi and
Myawady. Hpa-an, the capital, is centrally placed at the foot of the Zwekabin Hill. The
Zwekabin Hill has a very unusual shape, which; once seen, is not easily forgotten. The
leading town in the northern section is Thandaung. It is a very beautiful hill station and
an important tea, coffee and fruit producing region. There is air service to Hpa-an and
Papun. Kayin State still has no rail service but it is well-provided with natural
waterways. In the north a road leads to Thandaung from Toungoo in Bago Division.
Toungoo-Mawchi Road passes through the Kayin State. In the south, the Yangon-Mottama Road
branches out to Hpa-an via Thaton and Myainggalay. There is another road from Mawlamyine
to Hpa-an.
Than-daung
- Than-daung, a hill station in colonial times, is located in Kayin
State; 43 km from Toungoo. Nestled in the cool mountains some 1,200 metres above
sea-level; with an extensive view of lush green hills; it is an ideal destination for
nature-lovers.
- Shan State is located in the northeast of Yangon and east of
Mandalay. It comprises the great Shan Plateau in the eastern part of Myanmar . Taunggyi is
the capital and a mountain resort. Some of the other interesting town in the Shan state
are Nyaungshwe, Kalaw, Kyaing tong,Tachileik and Muse . Nyaungshwe is situated on the bank
of the famous Inlay Lake in the Nyaungshwe plain. Kalaw is a well-known hill station. It
is a pleasant and quiet town. It lies on the Thazi-Shwenyaung Railroad.Kyaing Tong lies on
low undulating ground, not far from the Thai border. It was strongly fortified and the
remnants of a wall still remain. Today it is an important business centre and frontier
town. Muse is at the border with the People’s Republic of China. It serves as a border
point where people and goods cross. Regular air services are available to
Heho,Namhsan,KyaingTong ,Monghsat,Tachileik, Lashio and Momeik from Yangon. Tachileik is
also a border crossing point through which visitors from Thailand come to Myanmar. There
are two railroads linking Shan state with central Myanmar. The railroad from Mandalay
leads to Lashio and that from Thazi goes to Shwenyaung. Motor road from Mandalay passes
through Lashio to reach Muse and Namhkam, the border towns. From Namhkam, the road extends
to Bamaw in Kachin State.In the south, the motor road from Thazi leads to Taungnyi and
then to Hopong. At Hopong , the road turns southwards to Mawchi,.From Taunggyi one branch
of the road turns eastwards to reach Kyaing Tong. From there it goes on to the border
town, Tachileik.
- Kayah State is just an hour’s hight in the northeast of Yangon,
the national capital. It is bordered by Thailand on the east , Kayin State on the south
and west and Shan State on the north and northwest. It is the smallest among the seven
states of Myanmar. This State is endowed with teak and other harddwoods such as Pyinkado,
Padauk and Ingyin . Myanmar’s largest and most important hydro-electric power plant has
been constructed at Baluchaung Waterfalls at Lawpita some 12 miles south of Loikaw,
capital of Kayah state.Loikaw is pleasant with traditional pagodas and monument. It is
also famous for Padaung women, who wear traditional brass rings on their necks. Transport
and communications services are yet to be improved and developed in this state .It still
has no railway . There are air services from Yangon and from Heho in Shan State to Loikaw.
- Rakhine State is a long narrow coastal region cut off from the
rest of Myanmar by the Rakhine Yoma. This long and narrow state with many islands and
unspoilt beaches faces the Bay of Bengal. Points of interests are Sittway, Mrauk-Qo,
Kyaukphyu, Gwa, Taungup and Thandwe. Sittway is the capital of the state and a seaport
with a rich hinterland producing crops, fish and Rakhine longyis. Mrauk-Oo, Wethali and
Danyawady are capitals of ancient Rakhine kingdoms. Many pagodas of that period are still
in existence. Kyaukphyu, situated on Rambye Island is a sea port and a sea resort. Thandwe
is famous for its Ngapali Beach which is known as the “Naples of the East”. Gwa
has also a beach resort namely Kanthaya. There are motor roads built across the great
Raichine Yoma – from Pyay in Bago Division to Taungup, from Minbu in Magway Division to
An, from Ngathainggyaung in Ayeyawady Division to Gwa. Rakhine State has no railroads and
it has few motor roads. Air services are available from Yangon to Sittway, Kyaukphyu,
Man-aung and Thandwe.
Mrauk-Oo (Mro-haung)
- Capital of the Rakhine Kingdom, which hourished from the 1 5th to
1 8th century; Mrauk-Qo is reached by a 5-hour boat trip along the Kaladan River from
Sittwe (Akyab), which is 90 minutes by air from Yangon. Mrauk-Oo is noted for its
fort-like temples and pagodas of stone and brick and for its statuary and relief, which
are distinctive. About 8 km north of Mrauk-Qo is the archaeological site of Wethali;
another ancient capital dating back to the 4th century. There is a newly built Mrauk-Qo
Hotel with 48 rooms.
- Kachin State lies in the northernmost tip of Myanmar with
snow-capped mountain ranges and temperate forests. Places of interest in this State
consist of Myitkyina, Myiston (confluence),Mogaung , Indawgyi Lake, Bamaw and Putao. There
are airline services from Yangon and Mandalay to Myitkyina, Bamaw and Putao. Road and
railway links are modes of transport in Kachin State. The only railway line between
Mandalay and Myitkyina stretches 372 kilometers. Some 100 kilometers north of Mandalay,
the train passes through Shwebo. The travellers will then pass the dense teak forests
along the railroad. Then come Kawlin, Naba Village, Hopin, Sarmaw and Mogaung finally
reaching Myitkyina. From Myitkyina, excursion to Indawgyi Lake can be arranged. It is
located 178 kilometers southwest of Myitkyina. The lake is near Nanmoren Village in the
area of Hopin. Sarmaw is also famous for the battle fought between the Allied and Japanese
forces during the Second World War. The famous Ledo Road of World War ll is situated in
the area. From Myitkyina visitors can tour Myitsone, the source of the Ayeyawady river. In
this state, Putao, Machanbaw and Sumprabum are beautiful mountain resorts. Gold mines can
be seen at Nanma and near Bamaw. Apart from air service, there are roads leading to
various parts of the state from Myitkyina. The Myitkyina-Putao Road leads southward to
Bhamo. From Bhamo the road goes on to the border with the People’s Republic of China.
To Myitkyina by train
- Most of Kachin State is characterised by diffilcult terrain and
visitors have to rely much on air service to Myitkyina, its capital. Although rail and
road links are insufficient, travellers can go to Myitkyina by road and by a long railway
line 372 kilometers long linking Mandalay and Myitkyina.
- On the way to Myitkyina by train, travellers will pass though Ywa
Htaung, a noted place for silverware. Three hourse later or some 117 kilometers away from
Mandalay, there lies Shwebo. They will see vast fields of groumdnut, sesamum and red
pepper. As the train moves on, very dense teak forest and bamboo groves come into view.
Then emerges Kawlin which is half way between Mandalay to Myitkyina. The train passes
through paddy fields and and passengers get lots of freshy air.
- From Kawlin, the railroad starts climbing the hills. The next
station is Naba, a railroad junction. From Naba, the railroad branches out to Katha.
Mamboo groves, water melon farms and teak forests lie on both sides of the railroad.
- The travellers then arrive at Nansiaung, which is on the border
between Sagaing Division and Kachin State. After passing a small waterchannel, the train
enters Kachin State.Then comes Mawhan which was the battle field of Japanese and Wingate’s
Chindits during the Second World War. The Japanese War Memorial Pagoda is on top of the
hill. Panoramic view of green and dense teak forests can be seen in this area. The train
moves very slowly from this area to Mohnyin, the next station. What are common in the area
are green paddy fields, plantations of lychees, oranges, grape fruits, chestnuts and
pears. After passing hopin, Sarmaw and Mogaung, thedelightful journey by train ends at
Myitkyina, which is the gateway to the Jade Land.
Recommended
- Sai Travel Service (Myanmar) Co, Ltd.
15-D, Padonmar Rd, Tel/Fax: 241021
- Ancient Beauty Tourism
149. Bo Aung Kyaw St, Tel: 277230, 249149, Fax: 246951
- Snow Land Travels & Tours
139/1 , Than Thumar St,Thuwanna, Thingangyun T/S, Tel/Fax:572588
- Thuriya Tours & Travels
52, Phyapon St, Tel: 524904, Fax: 525948
- Free Bird Tours
357,Bo Aung Kyaw St, Tel:245498, Fax:275836
- Lotus Tours and Travels
15, University Avenue ,Tel:553482, Fax:289960(789)
- Golden Land Travel Co.,Ltd
214-A,Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Tel:283898,296074
- Green Leaf Travels & Tours
B7, R-1, 51st St, Tel: 293118, 293119 Fax: 296802
- Sunny Tours Co., Ltd.
15,R-6, Ein gyi St, Yegyaw Pazun Daung, Tel: 296109, fax: 289741, 289742
- Bon Voyage Int’l Travel Co.,Ltd.
- 57-59, Yawmingyi St. Dagon T/S, Tel: 246761, 242685 Fax: 246760
- Tour Mandalay Co., Ltd.
- 194/196, 2nd Fl, Mahabandoola Rd, Tel 294729, 297362
Fax: 297927
- Myanmar Voyage International Tourism Co., Ltd.
- 12, G/F, Bogalay Zay St, Tel:294013, Fax:299418,290037
- Sumpra Travels & Tours Co.,Ltd
- 173,Rm. 4,33rd St.Yangon. Tel:253920,284232 Fax:248274
- Myanmar GG Tour Ltd.
- 76/C-1,Than Lwin Rd.Bahan, Tel:525739, Fax:5144774,514497
- Exot/ssimo Travel
- 395,Bo Aung Kyaw St, Tel:245606 Fax:245572
- Taw Win Travel Co., Ltd
- 104,First Floor,50th St, Tel:294043 Fax:297328
- Karaweik M&J Travels & Tours
- 188,7th Floor,52nd St. Tel:297793,244110
Fax:294440