Guide to Myanmar
Eco-Tourism |
Myanmar’s diverse forests and green landscapes which host a large
variety of wildlife species, 7000 plants, 300 mammal, 360 reptile and 1000 bird species,
provide an ideal setting for nature-oriented and eco-tourism.
Wildlife National Parks and Sanctuaries
(1)Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park
Situated 95 km to the northwest of Monywa is this renowned place
of interest called Alaungdaw Kathapa. A journey to this involves some 27 km of a tough
trekking and elephant ride besides the trips by road and water. It is recommended
especially for those keen on adventurous walks in a jungle. Kathapa is in fact the name of
an Arhat whose remains, it is believed, are kept in this place. However, what you
can see there is but the representation of the reclining Arhat.
(2)Hlawga Notional Park
Hlawga Wildlife Park lies just 45 minutes drive from Yangon. It
is inhabited by more than 70 species of herbivorous animals and 90 species of birds.
Easily accessible, Hlawga Wildlife Park is an ideal place of interest for bird-watchers!
(3)Popa Mountain Park
It is an extinct volcano over 1,500 metres in height. Lying
smack in the centre of the Dry Belt, Popa Mountain Park covered with recently-grown
forests is like an oasis in the desert-like Central Myanmar. Accessible conveniently by
road.
Remarkably, there are many semi-tame monkeys in Popa Mountain
Park that – though far from being dangerous – sometimes snatch food from the hands of
visitors and run away.
(4) Lampi Island(Myeik Archipelago)
Lampi is situated between latitudes 10 �41’N to 10� 51’N and
longitudes 98� 04′ E to 98� 18′ E. The length of the island is about 50 km and the
average width about 11 km; with the land surface area around 205 km2. The
distance to Lampi by sea from Myeik is 145 km and from Kawthaung, about 95 km. Lumpi
Marine Park has great potential for both marine- and land-based ecotourism.
(5) Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary is located in Minbu forest division, on the
western edge of the Myanmar dry zone, between Mann and Mone streams. Accessible by road
and is about two hours’ drive from Minbu. It covers a total area of about 553 km2.
Many species of animals including Eld’s deer, gaur, banteng, serow, sambhur, hog deer,
wild boar, leopard, bear, wild dogs, various kinds of birds, and some species of primates
are reported to be inhabiting in this sanctuary.
(6) Inlay Lake Bird Sanctuary
(7) Lawkananda Sanctuary Park
(8) Sein-ye Forest Camp (Bago Yoma)
(9)Khyat-thin Wildlife Park (Shwe Bo)
Domestic Flights
The main tourist centres are located at a distance from Yangon and it is convenient for
visitors to travel by domestic flights. Myanmar Airways, Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways
operate flights to major tourist sites including Mandalay, Bagan, Heho,
Thandwe, Myitkyina, Tachileik and Kawthaung.
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