Myanmar (Burma) is a Union of many nationals of (135) groups. The term Myanmar covers all the ethnic races are 89%  Theravada Buddhists. The remainder are Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Animists. Bamars make up 69% while the other major tribe groups are  Chins. Kachins, Karins, Kayahs, Mons, Rakhines and Shans, each has its own dialect and culture. The groups have a number of social customs in common. The total land area in 676,577 sq km (261,228 sq miles). Myanmar is the official language. English is widely understood in major cities.

1. International borders: 198 km with Bangladesh and 1,453 km with India to the North, 235 km with Laos and 2,254 km with Thailand to the East

2. Mountain Chains: the Western Yoma or Rakhine Yoma, the Bago Yoma and the Shan Plateau

3. Main River: Ayeyawady, 2,170 km long

4. Capital: Yangon

5. Geographic regions: the Northern Hills, The Western Hills, the Shan Plateau, the Central Belt, the lower Myanmar Delta, the Rakhine Coastal Region and the Tanintharyi Coastal Strip

6. Seasons: the hot season from mid-February to mid-May ,the rainy season from mid-may to mid-October and the cool season from mid-October to mid-February

7. The Best time to visit Myanmar is in the cool season and hot  season from November to April.
   

YANGON 

Yangon, the capital city is the gateway to Myanmar. Evergreen and cool with tropical trees, shady parks and beautiful lakes. It is called the "Garden City" of the East Yangon was founded by King Alaungpaya and a small settlement called Dagon, in 1755. Yangon in Myanmar means. "End of Strife" and was anglicized to Rangoon after the British annexed Myanmar in 1885. The present Yangon covers on are of about 350 sq km, A visit to Yangon is incomplete without a visit to the great Shwedagon Pagoda. 

High Lights:

1. Bogyoke Aung San Market, see the morning shoppers and the way of life of the local people.
2. The Royal Lake, for snap shot and morning view of the most magnificent and venerated Shwedagon  Pagoda.
3. Karaweik Resturant, built in the form of a mythical bird in typical Myanmar design and architecture.
4. The National Museum, that house the royal regalia of the last Myanmar King Thibaw.

BAGO (PEGU)

 

Bago is just 80 Km north of Yangon, apparently Mons were the first to settle at this site. The-city was founded by two MON brother THAMALA and WIMALA from THATON about AD 825 . In the 13th Century A.D, Bago was made the capital of the MON KINGDOM and it came to be known as HANSAVATI Bago is famous for its Myanmar Cheroot industrial and various handicrafts.
 

Highlight:
 

Kyaikpun Pagoda            Shwethalyaung               Shwemawdaw Pagoda Kalyani Sima Village Market

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Four huge Buddha Images. A 55 meter long Reclining Buddha Built over 2000 years ago Ordination Hall for Buddhist Monk. At Hlegu, and the graves of 27,000 allied soldiers at Htaukkyan who fallen during the Burma campaign in World War II.

KYAIKTIYO

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (or Golden Rock) perches on the edge of Paung Laung Mountain Range, part of the Eastern Yoma in Kyaikhto Township, Mon State. Two hour-drive away from Yangon. It is one of the famous Pagodas in Myanmar and about 3600 feet above sea level. During the visit of lord Buddha to Thaton, He gave six hermits residing at six separate hints each a strand of hair. As the hermits of DOEKHALON and KUSlNMYON Hills grew old, they handed the strand of soared hair to another Harmit BUDDHAHANA. The Latterkept them and his stand of the sacred hair in his headgear for safe keeping As years passed by he worried about the sacred hair in his custody. Knowing this Sakka or king of the celestial sending found a boulder in the shape of the hermits head. He drilled a hole and enshrined one of the sacred Hair. As for the two other, their strands of sacred hair, the Sakka enshrined one each at KOEHALON and KUSINARYO Hills according to historical records. The best time to visit is during the pilgrimage season in late October.

BAGAN

Bagan, lies on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River in the dry zone of central Myanmar, is the cradle of Myanmar culture. It was the capital for two and half centuries when the Myanmar Empire reached the zenith of its power. The first Myanmar empire was founded here by King Anawrahta in 1044 AD. Today, the ruins of Bagan covers an area of about 42 sq miles containing over 2000 edifices from the 11th to 13th centuries.

Highlights:

1. Nyaung U Market, see the rural way of life and the local products.

2. Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar Stupas.

3. Kyansittha Umin, the retreat for Monks in the form of tunnels and clears with beautiful painting of Bagan period.

4. Gubyauk Gyi Temple (Wetkyi-In), 13th century temple well known for its wall painting.

5. Htilominlo Temple built AD 1211  is one of the largest temple well known for its 

6. LACQUER WARE, the main industry of Bagan, observed from basic stages to finish products.

7. Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of the finest and best preserved temple of the 11th century AD.

MANDALAY

The city of Mandalay lies in the heartland of Myanmar 620 kilometers north of Yangon"  is the second largest city and  a Pride of Myanmar where characteristics closest to genuine Myanmar can be found. The city was founded by King Mindon as a plain Land on the east bank of the Ayeyarwady River in AD 1857. The ancient palace. in the city is in the form of a square each side 10 furlongs in length the city took its name from the Mandalay hill 236 meter high situated in the northeast of the metropolis. The hill has been a hold mount for long. The tradition said that Lord Buddha on His visit with his disciple Ananda had prophesied that in the 2400th Buddhist anniversary (A.D 1875) a great and grand city would be founded at its foot of the Mandalay hill. King Mindon fulfilled the prophesy by shifting his capital to Amarapura. 

Highlight:

1. Royal palace, an impressive and magnificent complex.

2. Shwenandaw Monastery, famous for its intricate wood carvings.

3. Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world's "Biggest Book" for its 729 temples each housing the stone inscriptions of the teaching of BUDDHA inside.

4. Mahamuni Pagoda, the Seated Image is revere as the holiest Pagoda in Mandalay and is over 2000 years old.

5. Handicraft Quarters, see wood, ivory carvings, marble sculptors, bronze casting, gold leaf processing and tapestry works.

MRAUK U (Rakhine State) Arakan

Situated on the northern part of Rakhine State Mrauk U was founded by king Minsawmon in A.D 1433. At its zenith it was said that more than six million pagodas and shrines flourished there and  formed the pride of the golden city. All together 48 kings ruled Mrauk U for nearly three and a half centuries. The last king was THAMADARAZA (1782-1785) the seat of administration for Rakhine region was transfered to Sittwe in AD 1827 by the British and from that period Mrauk U lost its importance and became a silent reminder of past glories. A journey up the Kaladan river to Mrauk U from Sittwe by boat is most picturesque.

Highlights:

1. Shitthaung Temple, a curiously remarkable temple with countless 80,000 Buddha images and reliefs.

2. Htaukkan Thein Temple, noted for the stone sculptures in the vaulted passages.

3. Andawthein with its unique stone carvings and floral designs.

4. Archaeological Museum, with interesting objects.

Shan State

The capital of the Shan State is Taunggyi. Mainly Shan nationality and other national races namely Pa O, Kachin, Palaung, Danu, Wa, Lahu, Kaw, Padaung, Taungyo, Yin, Gon, Kayah, Lishau and Inntha live there. The Shan Plateau in about 3000 to 4000 feet above sea level. Some ranges are 5000 to 7500 feet high with even higher peaks. Inle Lake is the most scenic spot, in the Shan State 30 km south of Taunggyi.  It is 22.4 km long and 10.2 km wide, shallow and extremely picturesque. Sheltered among hazy blue mountains, the lake is very popular with foreign tourists. It is famous for its unique leg-rowers, floating gardens and markets and farms among others. The Phaung Daw Oo pagoda's festival is a very colorful event and held every year in the month of October with great Pageantry.