Bagan

ancient city in Myanmar

Pathein

city in Myanmar

Inle Lake

polymictic lake

Naypyidaw

capital city of Myanmar (Burma)

Kyaiktiyo

human settlement in Myanmar

Mandalay

cultural city in Mandalay Region, Myanmar

Mount Popa

mountain

Pyin U Lwin

township of Burma

Twante

a delta town that is famous for pottery

Pyay

human settlement

Ngwe Saung

settlement in Myanmar

Ngapali

Ngapali Beach

Mrauk U

important archaeological town in Rakhine State, Myanmar

Yangon

former capital of Myanmar (Burma) and the current capital of Yangon Region

Taunggyi

capital city of Shan State, Myanmar

Mawlamyine

city

Bago (Myanmar)

capital city of Bago Region, Burma

Bago, Myanmar

capital city of Bago Region, Burma

Hsipaw

human settlement in Myanmar

Shwedagon Pagoda

Thuwunna Stadium

Kuthodaw Pagoda

monument in Myanmar

U Bein Bridge

St. Mary's Cathedral, Yangon

The cathedral's exterior is newly renovated, but it's still an ugly eyesore outside, but the superior Myanmarese dexterity of carving is shown in the interior's 14 Stations of the Cross. Images literally pop out of the screen in 3D fashion.

Thandwe

human settlement in Myanmar

Ananda Temple

Buddhist temple in Bagan, Myanmar

Kandawgyi Lake

Recently renovated park that makes for a nice stroll. Lots of small restaurants, food stalls and a playgarden inside. The lake is best known for its karaweik (at its southeastern tip), a replica of a traditional Burmese royal boat. There is also a board walk around the south edge of the lake, affording a better view than that from the gardens. At its northwestern tip is Bogyoke Aung San Park, which is on Natmauk Rd. Main entrance is from the southeast corner. Foreigners pay 300 kyat, and there's a sign indicating there's also a 500 kyat camera charge and a 1,000 kyat video camera fee, but those don't seem to be enforced. Not all parts of the park are accesible from the southeast entrance, so you might have to walk around a bit on the street as well to see the park completely.

Bogyoke Aung San Stadium

Mandalay Hill

One of the favourite sunset spots, and a good quarter-day activity. The climb is enjoyable, providing scenic views of several other attractions and Mandalay. From the base of Mandalay Hill you can either climb the stairs or take a pick-up to Sutaungpyei Pagoda at the top, but the walk is probably worth it in order to catch the scenic views along the way. The climb takes about 30-45 min and requires moderate fitness, but is not overly demanding and is in the shade. Has views of Kuthodaw and Sandamuni paya, and the royal palace in the distance. Plenty of stray dogs, shops and other interesting stops (Buddhas, pagodas, viewpoints) line the path, such as the Gothama Buddha shrine. The two main south entrances are guarded by either Nats (spirit figures) or Chinthes (great mythical lions), but there are several other entrances.Along the climb from the southern stairs near the place where these pathways merge, you come across a large statue of Buddha and his kneeling disciple Ananda, who climbed this very hill two centuries before Mingdon conquered it. Buddha is seen ominously pointing towards Mandalay, indicating that after two centuries, the capital of this region would shift to Mandalay. It is this prophecy that Mingdon fulfilled.Further up, you come across a shrine showing the various stages of a man's life: birth, youth, monk, old age and death. Interestingly, there are similarities between the birth and death stage indicating the cyclical nature of life believed by Buddhism. You can see same set of figures as an image in Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan.At the top, accessed by escalator, is the shrine to the ogress Sandamukhi on the penultimate storey. Sandamukhi is depicted as offering her cut breasts to Buddha in a scary gesture. It is said the ogress took rebirth as King Mingdon.Additional 1,000 kyat for foreigners to enter the topmost level and see the pagoda, which can be avoided by watching the sunset from the Ogress storey. However, the open four-directional view from the top storey may be worth it, apart from the access to the toilets in this area. Footwear including socks are prohibited at the pagoda, which offers nice views of Mandalay and the surrounding plains. At sunset, Sutaungpyei Pagoda crowds with tourists, and many monks and other locals climb the stairs with the hope of talking to foreigners and practicing their English.

Zow Tlang

mountain in Bangladesh

Singu Min Bell

large bell located at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Burma (Myanmar)

Inya Lake

The largest lake in the city. Some parts of Inya Lake's shoreline are accessible on foot, and are known for their gardens. Along Inya Lake's shore is the famous Inya Lake Hotel, now owned by Dusit and Yangon University (in a beautiful park-like setting). Surrounding the lake are villas owned by military leaders.

Myaungmya

human settlement in Myanmar

Sule Pagoda

Incongruously serving as a traffic island in the middle of the busiest intersection in central Yangon, Sule Paya is a 46 m octagonal-shaped stupa that, according to the local story, was built 2,000 years ago to house a strand of the Buddha's hair. Whether or not it has a strand of the Buddha's hair, the galleries of the pagoda are an oasis of calm from the chaotic traffic that passes around it all day long. Shoes can be left at counters at any entrance, but carry a plastic bag.

Kalaw

human settlement in Myanmar

Sri Ksetra Kingdom

Shwemawdaw Pagoda

At 114 m in height, the Shwemadaw is the tallest pagoda in the country. It is similar to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon or the Uppatasanti Pagoda in Naypyidaw, but somewhat less impressive.

High Court Building (Yangon)

Until 2006, the Supreme Court of Myanmar was located at this complex. The building is listed on the Yangon City Heritage List.

Holy Trinity Cathedral, Yangon

The Anglican cathedral built by the British. It is one of two cathedrals in Yangon, and has a beautiful interior.

Uppatasanti Pagoda

A prominent landmark in Naypyidaw. The pagoda, which houses a Buddha tooth relic from China, is nearly a replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and stands 100 m high. It also has a Maha Hsutaungpyae Buddha image in the Maha Pasadabhumi Gandhakuti Chamber, four jade Buddha images in the pagoda's hollow cave; a 33-m-high flagpole; Bo tree garden with Maha Bo Tree and the images of the 28 Buddhas, Marlini Mangala Lake with the chamber of Shin Uppagutta, and a pagoda museum. Opposite the eastern (main) entrance there are two cage houses with gilded roofs where they keep around eight white and three normal Indian elephants in pitiful conditions.

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda

small pagoda (7.3 metres (24 ft)) built on the top of a granite boulder covered with gold leaves, and legend has it that it is precariously perched on a strand of the Buddha's hair

Strand Hotel

The oldest and most famous hotel in Myanmar, built by the Sarkies brothers in 1901 (who also built Penang's E&O and Singapore's Raffles). It is a national landmark and was renovated in the 1990s after years of neglect.

Yangon Zoological Gardens

Opened by the British in 1906. There are 145 species of 1203 land animals. During public holidays, the Elephant Circus is performed for attractions.

People's Square and Park

Occupies 130 acres, between parliament and Shwedagon Paya and known for its large concrete water fountain. Inside the park is a museum. There are a lot of decrepit statues and relics (like ships and aircraft) as well as sterile squares in the Stalinist model, all of which gives an interesting insight to the government. Entrance fee for foreigners.

Yangon City Hall

The seat of the city's administrative body, Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC). Construction began in 1926 and ended in 1936. The city hall has been the focal point of major political demonstrations and the site of several bombings, including one in 2000, 2008 and 2009.

Martyrs' Mausoleum

A memorial built to honour Aung San and six cabinet members who were assassinated. The mausoleum is on a hill, and is adjacent to Shwedagon Paya. It offers a beautiful panoramic view of Yangon.

Htilominlo Temple

Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple

A temple that is home to an impressive reclining Buddha that is 65 m long and 6 storeys high.

Maha Wizaya Pagoda

Sulamani Temple

Bogyoke Aung San Museum

This is the house where Aung San lived with his wife and three children until his assassination. The house is still in original condition ans houses a museum with many interesting items on display, e.g., Aung San's car, his library and his suits. Outside is the pond where his son, Aung San Lin, drowned. The accident was one of the reasons why the family moved.

Maha Bandula Park

Known for its rose gardens. Inside the park is the Independence Monument, built to signify Myanmar's independence. The park offers a great view of the City Hall and colonial buildings.

Kanbawzathadi Palace

This palace and its enclosed museum contain some important history information about the city and the surrounding area, especially the ancient fortress Bago apparently was in the past. The museum is not very excessive, but worth a visit if you already have paid the government fee.

Shwenandaw Monastery

Monastery in Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)

Shwesandaw Pagoda (Bagan)

National Herbal Park

Exhibits of plants having medicinal applications from all of the major regions of Burma. There are thousands of plants at the park, representing hundreds of different species.

Shwethalyaung Buddha

Has a Buddha, which at the length of 55 m and a height of 16 m, which is one of the largest ones behind the one in Mawlamyine and the one in Dawei (Tavoy). The Buddha is believed to have been built in 994, during the reign of Mon King Migadepa.

Kyaikpun Buddha

Most notably the home of the Four Seated Buddha shrine, a 27 m statue depicting the Buddha seated in four positions, sitting back to back.

Hpaung Daw U Pagoda

One of the famous principal shrines in Myanmar. Contains 5 small Buddha statues covered with so much gold leaf that they look like golden snowmen. There are pictures on the walls that show their original appearance. There are also colourful depictions on the walls of tales from Buddha's life, and the story of how the Buddha statues were brought here through an adventurous route. An annual 18-day festival is held, usually in October (sometimes in September), during which four of the Buddhas are carried in a colourful royal barge around 14 villages on the lake. The barge is towed by the boats of leg-rowers and hundreds of boats follow the procession. Large crowds from all the villages nearby gather on the lake's shores to to pay homage to the Buddhas and celebrate the occasion. The festival is held on a grand scale with great magnificence and pageantry and is the biggest occasion held on Inle Lake. It is really a splendid sight. Among the dance shows and fun-fairs, the most interesting event of the festival, especially for foreigners, is the traditional Shan boat race – due to their unique leg rowing. It is the only place in the world that one can see such marvelous act.

Shwemokhtaw Pagoda

Mahazedi Pagoda

A large ancient stupa, which looks quite new due to recent restorations. Only men are allowed to climb up to the top, from where there is an awesome view of the city. Overall, this stupa is more impressive than the Shwe Mawdaw Pagoda, which looks quite average and is similar to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.

Dhammayazika Pagoda

Ministers' Building

It was the home and administrative seat of British Burma. In February 2012, 7 local companies and 3 foreign companies submitted a proposal to the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) to convert the Ministers' Building into a hotel and museum.