YANGON
The capital city of Burma is the most accessible place to start exploring the country. Yangon is a charming city, with wide streets and a lingering air of tropical and colonial decay. Although there are several points of interest in the city, the towering Shwedagon Pagoda literally stands above them all. Situated atop a hill that overlooks all of Yangon, this glittering temple is undoubtedly one of the most awe-inspiring structures in all of Asia. Its 100-meter spire, a construction that would make Donald Trump envious, is sheathed in eight thousand gold plates and crowned with more than five thousand diamonds and other precious stones. As one might expect, the Shwedagon Pagoda is the holiest of Buddhist sites in Burma.
BAGAN
To truly experience the splendor of ancient Burma, a trip to Bagan is a must. For over two hundred years, from 1057- 1287, the Burmese kings held court here. Generous patrons of the arts, they adorned their capital with literally hundreds of intricate Buddhist temples and monuments. His Pagodas and Temples dating back more than 1500 years of history is the most fascinating place for visitors and you arrange your sightseeing Tour by Car, Horse Cart or on your own on a Bicycle. Also you can have a idyllic Sunset Boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River to observe the beautiful Sunset over Bagan while enjoying a cold Drink.
Another attraction also is a day trip to Mount Popa, 50 Km from Bagan to view the Monastery built on top of a Mountain, 1518 mt.( 4981feet ) which you can visit, you only have to climb 777 steps to the top. Come to Bagan and be enchanted by the beauty of the ancient City.
MANDALAY AND DESERTED CITIES
Mandalay is the second largest city (after Yangon), and a former capital of Myanmar. The city is the economic and religious hub of upper Myanmar.
Tragedies have destroyed many of Mandalay’s finest attractions, including most notably the massive wooden royal palace (which burned in the Second World War). Although Mandalay still contains many interesting pagodas and temples, it is now better known as a departure point for the surrounding deserted cities. In Amarapura, after a walk across the precarious U Beins Bridge visitors can enter the Kyauktawggyi Pagoda. Sagaing contains splendid examples of ancient Buddhist temples and a pagoda modeled on the breast of a queen. The ruins at Ava include the Maha Aungmye Bonzan monastery. Mingun, a few miles upriver from Mandalay, contains the ruins of what was to be the world’s largest pagoda. It is also home to the largest uncracked bell in the world.
INLE LAKE
Inle Lake, curdled with lush surface vegetation, is the home of Burma’s extraordinary leg-rowers. In order to navigate their way through the dense water-plants, the locals stand in the aft of their boats–not unlike Venetian gondoliers.
The Lake is 22km long and about 11km wide. The lake is at 1328 metres above sea level. Inle is one of the most popular tourist destination in the Shan State.
The lake is full of floating vegetations and houses. The lake dwellers are one-legged rowers. They are well-known for it. They are called as “Inthar” meaning people of the lake. There are about 18 villages around the lake.
The floating water hyacinth are the major products of this region. Many hand made products such as bags, baskets are made from water hyacinth. Other vegetations are tomatoes, beans, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, garlic, onion, betel, melon, papaya and banana. Some villagers also grow rice.
The Inthars also make their living by fishing. The silk dresses and clothes of Inle are popular among local and foreign visitors. Inle also produces silverware.
In addition to its unique mode of transport, Inle Lake is also known for its charming floating villages, Ywama and Phaungdaw, and its floating market.