Page 22 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

20 ITINERARIES

Itineraries

Myanmar is a large country, and you could spend months here and still not
see everything. You’ll realistically need a couple of weeks just to properly see
the “big four” sights of Yangon, Inle Lake, Mandalay and Bagan, and more like
a month to begin really scratching the surface of this big and bafflingly
diverse nation.
THE GRAND TOUR array of former royal capitals – Amarapura, Inwa
and Sagaing – nearby. See p.276
Myanmar’s default itinerary focuses mainly on
the country’s “big four”, with perhaps a visit to 6 Bagan One of Asia’s great sights, with a
the Golden Rock as an optional side-trip from surreal profusion of ancient temples rising from
Yangon. You could visit all the following in two the central plains, best appreciated at sunrise or
weeks, at a push, although you might want to sunset from a perch high on one of the pagodas
spend a little longer, especially if you include themselves. See p.200
Kyaiktiyo.
ETHNIC MINORITIES
1 Yangon The country’s largest city, home to
the stupendous Shwedagon Pagoda as well as Few countries in the world can rival Myanmar’s
one of Asia’s most perfectly preserved colonial incredibly diverse tapestry of ethnic-minority
centres, along with a fascinatingly eclectic mix peoples, many sharing links with groups in
of cultures and people. See p.56 neighbouring Thailand, China and India and
each boasting their own distinctive style of
2 Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock) Join local pilgrims dress, culture and traditional beliefs. Count on
on a night-time walk up Mount Kyaiktiyo to the around three weeks to cover all the places here,
golden, gravity-defying rock that’s outlandishly especially if you want to do some trekking along
balanced upon its summit. See p.148 the way.
3 Kalaw Appealling old colonial hill station 1 Hpa-An The startling limestone karst scenery
offering a refreshingly crisp climate and around Hpa-An is home to the Kayin, who are
great trekking, including the memorable resplendent in their distinctive striped longyi.
two- or three-day hike down to Inle Lake. See p.151
See p.238
2 Mrauk U A boat trip from Mrauk U offers a
4 Inle Lake Take a boat trip around Inle Lake rare glimpse of traditional Chin culture,
with its beautiful backdrop of misty mountains, including the chance to see some of the
stilted villages, floating gardens and leg-rowing famous women with facial tattoos.
Intha fishermen. See p.258 See box, p.124
5 Mandalay Explore the absorbing pagodas 3 Myitkyina Catch the colourful Kachin
and former royal palace of Myanmar’s second National Day celebrations way up north in
city, and then head out to see the fascinating multicultural Myitkyina. See box, p.346

ABOVE ARTWORK ON DISPLAY, BOGYOKE MARKET, YANGON; BOAT, NEAR NYAUNGSHWE

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