The Burmese are renowned for their gaiety, bright clothes, hospitality and love of festivals. Equally colourful are the many races that live in the horseshoe of hills surrounding the central plain of Burma. They have their own languages and music, their own memories of civilizations long since vanished.
In the fills of Burma, far from the golden pagodas and bustling urban life of Rangoon and Mandalay, live people whose origins go far back into the unknown history of South-east Asia. Among the most impressive to look at are the Nagas, gifted as warriors but light-hearted in peace, with a love of music, festivities and tribal dances. They live in the remote mountains of north-west Burma.
Many of the tribes migrated from the north in the Middle Ages or earlier, when pressure from Chinese expansion grew too heavy for the comfort. This was the fate of the Shans-like the Burmese themselves, happy, pleasure-loving people. They mostly live on the 5,000-foot plateau in north-east Burma known as the Shan States. The Shans have their own history and literature; they came down into Burma in about the ninth century from Nanchao, in southern China.
The Shan Hills are the home of many other tribes. There are Kayah, hardworking farmers; the graceful Padaung, whose women stretch their necks with brass ring; and the Wa, notorious in past years for head-hunting. The Ekaw men make good stonemasons. The name ‘Ekaw’ denotes wild people, and was the unflattering name given them by the Burmese; they call themselves the Aka. In this region live the tough Yimbaw, who make their homes near the jungle.
From the northern hills come the people popularly known as the Kachins. Like Ekaw, Kachin is a derogatory term. The Kachins refer to themselves as the Jinghpaw. They claim to have come some 1,200 years ago from the source of the Irrawaddy, high in the snow-covered mountains to Tibet.
Among the estimated 130 different races that inhibit Burma are the Arakanese people, who live along the western coast, and still have memories of the medieval seafaring kingdom of Mrauk-U. in the south and south-east are the Christian Karens and Mons. The Mons were the great educators of South-east Asia: they taught architecture and Buddhism to the Thais, the Khmers of Angkor and the Burmese. It was their scholarship, craftsmanship and dedication which helped their Burmese conquerors nearly 1,000 years ago to build the magnificent city of Pagan, whose remains are comparable with those of Angkor.
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Itinerary
DAY 1: Yangon Arrival
Arrive Yangon Int'l Airport by Int'l flight. Meet and greet at airport and welcomed by our experienced English Speaking guide and transfer to hotel. Check –in Hotel. Start Yangon city tour with Experienced English speaking guide by Air-con Coach. First visit to Yangon Colonial Style city center . Visit Sule Pagoda , dating back over 2,000 years ago. Heading to Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda to see a huge reclining Buddha image. Complete your first day in Myanmar with an extended visit to one of the world's most spectacular monuments , the Shwedagon Pagoda : its golden stupa is the 'heart ' of Myanmar. The pagoda is believed 2,500 years old and the central stupa in surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. There are always many Myanmar people praying and making offering at Pagoda. Enjoy sunset at Pagoda. Drive back to hotel and leisure. Transfer to the hotel and overnight at hotel.
DAY 2: Yangon - Bagan
After breakfast, transfer to airport for domestic flight to Bagan. On arrival, transfer to hotel and proceed for sightseeing, starting with the busy Nyaung Oo local market and continuing with visits to a diverse selection of the most important Pagodas and temples, such as Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century, Kubyauk Gyi, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scenes, and Ananda Temple with four huge standing Buddha images and numerous seated figures in niches around the galleried interior. Then visit Htilominlo Pagoda and Khay Min Ga Temple. Enjoy your lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, visit lacquer workshop to learn about the fascinating technique of this art. Visit the famous Thatbyinnyu Pagoda constructed by King Alaung Sithu and Shwegugyi Temple also known as "Nandaw Oo Paya" built by King Alaungsithu in 1140 A.D. Watch the sunset from the Ayeyarwaddy River. Overnight in Bagan.
DAY 3: Bagan
After breakfast, sightseeing to Manuha Temple, built in Mon Style in 1095, Nanbaya Temple, a unique sandstone monument, said to have been the palace of King Manuha and Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple,noted for its ancient mural paintings under the protection of UNESCO and visit Lawka Nandar Stupa, Sulamani Pagoda meaning "Crowning Jewel" built in 1181 by King Narapati Sithu. Proceed to the finest Damayangyi Temple, one of the four most important monuments in Bagan. Visit Bu Paya to watch the sunset. Overnight in Bagan.
DAY 4: Bagan - Mandalay - Mingun - Amarapura - Mandalay
After breakfast, transfer to airport and fly to Mandalay. Visit about 200 years old U BEIN'S TEAK WOOD BRIDGE. Then proceed to MAHAMUNI PAGODA with its spectacular Buddha image. Take a boat trip to Mingun. Visit Pahtodawgyi unfinished huge pagoda that was supposed to have 150m height. Then proceed to Mingun Bell which has about 90 tons in weight and the world's biggest bell among the ringing ones. Then continue to Myatheindan Pagoda - the most beautiful archaeological style. Drive back to Mandalay and visit to SHWE NAN DAW KYAUNG or GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb example of a traditional wooden building and KUTHODAW PAGODA, known as the world' s biggest book, consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. Sunset from MANDALAY HILL. Overnight in Mandalay.
DAY 5: Mandalay - Ava - Sagaing - Mandalay
After breakfast, excursion by road to the former Royal Capital of Innwa [Ava], take a small boat for a few minutes and visit Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, ruins of ancient Ava Watch Tower, fort walls and brick causeway asnd Bargaya Teak wood Monastery. Then proceed to Sagaing by driving over 1 kilometer long bridge across the Ayeyarwaddy River to Sagaing Hills, with numerous Pagodas and monasteries and a retreat for Buddhist devotees. In the evening, drive back to Mandalay. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 6: Mandalay - Heho - Inle
After breakfast, transfer to airport for domestic flight to Heho. Arrive the Heho airport, drive to Nyaung Shwe. Then, take an excursion by boat on Inlay lake will include sights of the famous leg-rowers, typical Floating gardens, typical and traditional ways of fishing and village life. Further visits are made to PHAUNGDAW OO PAGODA, the weaving village of INPAWKHON and other sights. Overnight at hotel in Inlay Lake.
DAY 7: Inle - Heho - Yangon
After breakfast, sightseeing in Indeinn with numerous pagodas. In the afternoon, transfer to airport and fly back to Yangon. Arrive Yangon, transfer to hotel. Sightseeing around in Yangon . Overnight in Yangon.
DAY 8: Yangon Departure
Morning Breakfast at hotel . Free and leisure at the hotel until departure for next destination.
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