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PLACE OF INTEREST |
| It is said that the
world is the dawn of a new golden age of travel in the new millennium. Myanmar
has much to offer as an exciting and exotic place to travel, where the exotica
is still untouched, to provide the visitors with excitement and wonder. |
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THE SHWEDAGON
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The magnificent golden Shwedagon is the first sacred
monument which the visitor to Myanmar can see from air or by sea, one of the
wonders of the world. To Buddhists the Golden Shwedagon most sacred place of
worship because it enshrined the sacred relics of the three earlier Buddhas and
Eight Hair Relics of Gautama Buddha the Supreme Self-Enlightened. One who
attained Buddhahood 2540 years ago. To non-Buddhists, it is marvellous work of
architecture conical in structure, a massive edifice towering 99.4 meters (326
feet) with the perimeter measuring 432.8 meters (1420 feet), glittering in gold
and studded on the pinnacle with priceless gems. The golden umbrella (Hti) was
recently replaced by a new one on 4 April 1999, and enriched with gold bells,
and jewellery spontaneously donated on the spot by the devotees. The Shwedagon
is located in Yangon the capital metropolis of Myanmar. |
| Other well
frequented pagodas in Yangon are Sule Pagoda located in the heart of Yangon,
Botataung Pagoda, Kaba Aye Pagoda among the many. |
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PLACES TO VISIT IN YANGON
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| Yangon is the
capital city and gateway to Myanmar by sea and by air. There are many places to
visit among which the following places may draw their interest: |
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Cultural Museum where the regalia of the last Myanmar king and the imperial
throne are placed.
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Gems Museum where priceless gems of Myanmar such as ruby, jade and pearl are
displayed among many interesting gems. There are many jewel shops offering a
wide range of Myanmar made jewellery to meet one's taste and budget.
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Defence Service Museum where many interesting displays of Myanmar's military
might during the Myanmar kings was retraced up to the contemporary period.
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Zoological Gardens which display a large variety of species found in Myanmar
and many from other habitat.
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The Inya Lake, the scenic stretch of water is located near the University of
Yangon campus, ideal for yachting and cross-lake swimming.
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BAGAN
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Bagan was the capital of the first
unified Empire of Anawrahta founded in 849 AD, and flourished from 1044 to the
13th century. Within an area of 42 km thousands of pagodas were built. The
inventory of Bagan Pagodas as documented by the Archaeological Department
listed the standing pagodas as 2217. In spite of inclement weather of a
thousand years which had destroyed the precious works of art, whatever survived
to this day still thrill the beholders. Notable among the ancient glory are
Shwezigone, Ananda, Thabyinnyu and Dhammayangyi.
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MANDALAY
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Mandalay was the capital city of the last reigning dynasty of Konbaung Kings.
It is now the second capital and the centre of Myanmar's art, cultures and
Buddhistic learning. The exquisite tapestry works, stone sculpture, the
traditional art of gold leaf home industry are worth a visit. Mandalay can
boast of the largest standing stone book in the world. It is situated in the
compound of the "Kuthodaw Pagoda". During the reign of the benevolent King
Mindon, he had commanded the experts to chisel the entire Buddhist scriptures
of Tipitaka on 729 stone slabs in 1857. The mammoth book still serves as
reference to the learners in Buddhist teachings. |
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Other places of interest are the Mahamuni Holy Image, the
Mandalay Hill, the Sagaing Hills where Buddhist Sangha and nuns lead a peaceful
secluded life of meditation. |
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MOGOK
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Mogok is famous in the world for producing the best ruby and
sapphire gems of the first grade. It also produces many semi-precious stones
equally scintillating and coveted by gem lovers. |
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MYITKYINA
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Myitkyina is the capital of the Kachin State home to a
colourful ethnic race and their festival. Myanmar's highest snow-capped
mountain Khakabo Razi (5881 m) lies in the Putao town, a half hour's flight
from Myitkyina. The confluence to two small tributaries, N'mai Kha and Mali Kha
which grows into Ayeyawady as it flows southwards is also a beautiful place to
visit. The State is also home to the best jade mines in the world coveted
mostly by the Chinese as they believe jade brings peace and good fortune. |
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MRAUK-U
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Mrauk-U is another interesting historical site in Rakhine
fast becoming a tourist attraction. Mrauk-U was founded in 1430 AD and
flourished till 1785 as recorded in its history. Known as the Golden City by
foreign travellers of the era it was a focus of trade due to its strategic
location on the costal region of Bay of Bengal. Many historical sites such as
the old palace grounds and ancient pagodas principally Shitthoung Pagoda
(Eighty thousand pagodas), the old city of Vesali, the Mahamuni Image of
Kyauktaw offer a glimpse into the Rakhine history. |
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SEA BEACHES: Ngapali, Kanthayar, Maungmagangmagan Set-se, Chaung-than;
Ngwe-saung etc:
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| Among the sea
beaches in Myanmar, Ngapali and Kanthayar situated in the west coast of Rakhine
on the Bay of Bengal is the most beautiful, within easy reach by air and land
route. Ngapali is now a well developed sea resort with modest hotels and a golf
course. Another beach down south along the Martaban Sea is called Maungmagan in
Dawei region. It has a large sandy stretch. Set-se beach, Mawlamyaing,
Chaungthar near Pathein and Kanthayar beach near Yangon are also nice place to
frequent. Latest addition to new beaches is beautiful Ngwe-saung 29 miles from
Pathein. |
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INLAY LAKE
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Inlay Lake is nestled 900 meters above sea level between the
Shan mountains. Nyaungshwe is gateway to the famous lake. It is famous for the
floating market, beautiful Inlay longyi and Shan bags. A sacred Phaungdaw Oo
pagoda where five images of Lord Buddha reside is a holly place of worship for
Buddhists. One of the unique features is that the local boats are rowed by inle
People, not with hands but with legs, and thus gain the name of Inlay
leg-rowers. The pagoda festival is held with pomp and grandeur every October. |
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MOUNT POPA
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| Mount Popa is seismically
an extinct volcanic crater jutting high above the flat plains of Central
Myanmar. It offers a steep climb to the top, with greenery and numerous
monkeys. Many pagodas are built, and it is believed to be the abode of powerful
guardian spirits. |
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KYAIKHTIYO PAGODA
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This pagoda is situated on a rocky mountain 3615 feet
above sea level. A massive bell-like stone around 80 feet in diameter is
precariously perched at an impossible angle stop a rocky mountain tip. A pagoda
was built on the top of the sacred rock, which is completely gilded presenting
a majestic scenery. The attraction of Kyaikhtiyo is that it offers about 7'/2
miles of spirited mountain trekking, criss-crossing forests and bamboo groves
with accompanying animals and birds of the forests. There are also rest camps
and fast food stalls to cater to the pilgrims, recently a motor road is paved
reaching right up to the foot of the pagoda pavements taking only two hours. |
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The enshrinement Shwehtidaw hoisting and consecration
ceremony of Hsandawshin Kyaikhtiyoe Pagoda was held on a grand scale on 19
March 2001. |
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LAWKA CHANTHA ABHAYA LABHA MUNI IMAGE
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The stone sculptor U Taw Taw happend to find an
unusually large marble rock, 37 feet and 7 inches long and 24 feet wide and
over 11 feet thick, 500 ton in weight, it is flawless and of high quality in
Zakyin village, Mattaya Township, about 21 miles north of Mandalay. |
He asked for
permission from leaders of state to carve the marble rock into a Buddha Image.
The Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than
Shwe, gave guidance that it should be conveyed to Yangon for public obeisance
as Buddha Image in accord with religious traditions.
The image was conveyed in July with Yadanar Shwephaungdaw Jetty and taken to
Mindama Hill, Yangon on August 2000.
The state gave guidance on caring of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image and
all-round construction work of Mindama Hill, in Insein Township. |
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NATIONAL KANDAWGYI GARDEN
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The National Kandawgyi Garden in Pyin-Oo-Lwin have been
opened with the aim of enabling people to enjoy rest and relaxation, giving
education, conducting research and promoting eco-tourism industry in April
2001.
Previously it was Maymyo Botanical Garden which was opened in 1917. It has
436.96 acres, 366.96 acres of land area and 70 acre of water area. |
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There were 482 species and 12127 trees. And also 67 species
of exotic hand wood, 3577 trees, 75 species of bamboo and 133 species of
orchid. There are also have species of birds. |
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THANDAUNG HILL STATION
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Thandaung has magnificent and lovely climatic and topological
features. Thandaung Hill Station is surround by a number of mountain
ranges and located on the edge of a flat mountain which is 4200 feet above the
sea level. |
| Thandaunggyi
was once a village that of Thandaung Town. It is 28 miles away from Taungoo.
The 13 mile long road from Taungoo to Thandaung Myothit is situated on the
plain and the remaining part, 15 miles long from Thandaung Myothit to
Thandaunggyi its a mountain road. |
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It is situated in Thandaung Township, Kayin State. |
