MYA - T 01: THE GOLDEN CAPIITAL OF MYANMAR, 3 days (L)

 

Day 1              Yangon

 

Arrival at Yangon airport, meet on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Your journey begins with sightseeing in Yangon: visit Shwedagon Pagoda, Sule Pagoda, and National Museum.

Overnight in Yangon

 

YANGON lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on the wide Yangon River. The city is filled with shaded boulevards, while shimmering stupas float above the treetops. The city became the capital only in 1885, when the British completed their conquest of Upper Myanmar and Mandalay's brief period as capital of the last Burmese kingdom ended.

 

SHWEDAGON PAGODA: the highlight of any visit to Yangon, this pagoda dates back about 2500 years and was built to house eight sacred hairs of the Buddha. Its original shape has changed beyond all recognition over the centuries. Its bell-shaped superstructure, resting on a terraced base, is covered in about 60 tons of gold leaf, which is continuously being replaced.

 

SULE PAGODA: this 48 meter high golden dome was used by the British as the nucleus of their grid pattern for the city when it was rebuilt in the 1880s. The pagoda's peculiarity is its octagonal-shaped stupa, which retains its shape as it tapers to the spire.

 

NATIONAL MUSEUM: a museum with several interesting exhibits, especially the 8-meter high Sihasana Lion Throne, used by King Thibaw Min, the last Burmese king, and returned to Burma in 1908 by Lord Mountbatten. The main floor contains jewellery, old black and white photos of Mandalay Palace and Yangon, royal relics, Hintha opium weights and inscribed tablets.

 

Day 2              Yangon

 

After breakfast at the hotel, excursion to Bago: only two hours drive from Yangon, stopping at major Pagoda and Museum such as KanbawzaThadi Palace & Museum, Shwemawdaw Paya, Hintha Gon Paya, Shwethal Yaung Buddha, Maha Kalyani Sima, Mahazedi Paya, Shwegogale Paya, Kyaik Pun Paya before return to Yangon.

Overnight in Yangon

 

BAGO: was founded in 573 AD by Thamala and Wimala, Bago is a former ancient capital. Sightseeing here includes inspiring temples, cheroot making and woodcarving center, and lively market,

 

KANBAWZA THADI PALACE & MUSEUM: the palace was home to King Bayinnaung from 1553 to 1599 and covered 204 acres. Bayinnaung, the brother-in-law of a Taungoo king, moved to Bago after conquering an older Mon principality called Oktha-myo. A small octagonal-shaped museum displays Mon, Siamese and Bagan-style Buddhas.

 

SHWEMAWDAW PAYA: this is one of the most venerated pagodas in Myanmar. The temple has a 1000-year history and was originally built by 2 merchants, Taphussa and Bhalita, to house some hair relics of the Buddha.

 

HINTHA GON PAYA: this shrine has good views over Bago from the roofed platform on the hilltop. According to legend, this point rose from the sea when the hintha, a mythical bird, landed here.

 

SHWETHAL YAUNG BUDDHA: a huge reclining Buddha with a sign on the platform in front of the image giving the measurements of each body part. It is reputed to be one of the most lifelike of all reclining Buddhas. The Burmese say the image represents Buddha in his 'relaxing' mode.

 

MAHA KALYANI SIMA: Dhammazedi, the famous alchemist king and son of Queen Shinsawpu originally constructed this ‘Sacred Hall of Ordination’ in 1476. It was the first of 397 similar simas he built around the country.

 

MAHAZEDI PAYA: originally constructed in 1560 AD by King Bayinnaung, it was destroyed during the 1757 sack of Bago and the reconstruction was only completed in 1982. Stairways lead up the outside of the stupa, and from the top there are fine views over the surrounding area.

 

SHWEGOGALE PAYA: the monument dates from 1494, in the reign of King Byinnya Yan. Inside are 64-seated Buddha figures.

 

KYAIL PUN PAYA: built in 1476 by King Dhammazedi, it consists of four 30 meters high sitting Buddhas placed back-t o-back around a huge, square pillar.

 

Day 3              Yangon

 

After breakfast at the hotel, continue sightseeing in Yangon (half day): visit Chinatown and Indian Quarter by Cyclo, Maha Wizaya Pagoda, glass factory and free time for shopping at Scott's Market until transfer to the airport for departure.

 

MAHA WIZAYA PAGODA: built by General Ne Win in the 1980s. The pagoda is hollow with a ceiling depicting Burmese constellations and a permanent display of pagoda styles through the ages.

 

End of Services    **Note: Itinerary subject to change due to flight schedules.