Greetings. During the recent Mother's Day holiday, from August 11th to 17th, 2016, I, a factory worker, had another long break. This time, I will take you to a nearby country that borders ours. This country is said to have a lot of pagodas. More importantly, I will not be reviewing this trip like I did in the past because I think it was too much. This time, I want everyone to be able to use the information I provide (I think it will be useful, haha). This time, I will make a list of each city, which is why I say "Myanmar, just print it and you can travel". In reality, there may be more than what I have written. The four cities we will visit are:
Before embarking on our journey, we meticulously gathered information from various sources and meticulously sought the opportune moment to book our flights. This time, we secured promotions from both airlines, booking the yellow airline for the outbound leg and the red airline for the return leg. The price was incredibly reasonable, totaling just over 2,000 baht for the roundtrip. Our itinerary for this trip included Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake, and Mandalay. It may seem a bit unconventional, but trust me, it was fantastic! Let's begin our exploration with the first city, Yangon.
Yangon
On the morning of August 11th, a late wake-up call nearly changed the course of my life.
Bagan
For these 5 points, I think it's enough for Yangon, but I only stayed for one day so I didn't visit many places. Most of them are not much different from our home.
Bagan in Two Days and One Night: A Traveller's Guide
This guide provides a concise overview of exploring Bagan in two days and one night.
Day 1:
- Early Morning: Arrive in Bagan by 4:30 AM. Take a taxi to Shwesandaw Pagoda to witness the sunrise. (Note: Hot air balloon rides are unavailable during this season due to weather conditions.) Afterwards, find accommodation. (Entry fee: $23 as of 12/08/2016; Taxi fare: 22,000 Kyat for sunrise viewing and accommodation search)
- Morning: After settling into your accommodation, enjoy breakfast and rest. (Recommended accommodation: Shwe Na Di Guesthouse, $10 per person with breakfast included)
- Afternoon: Rent bicycles and explore nearby pagodas. Wear long pants and sandals as frequent shoe removal is required. (Bicycle rental: 1,500 Kyat per bike)
- Late Afternoon: Head to Pyathadar Hpaya for a breathtaking sunset view encompassing major pagodas.
- Evening: Enjoy dinner and prepare for the next day.
Day 2:
- Early Morning: Rent an E-bike from your guesthouse (available from 4:30 AM) and revisit Shwesandaw Pagoda for another sunrise experience.
- Morning: Return to your accommodation for breakfast. Afterwards, explore remaining pagodas in Old and New Bagan. (Remember to book your bus ticket to Inle Lake with your guesthouse for 15,000 Kyat for a comfortable journey with pick-up service)
- Afternoon: Return to your accommodation, freshen up, and wait for your transportation to Nyaung Shwe.
Tips:
- Manage your time effectively to avoid missing your bus.
- Enjoy local snacks while waiting for your transportation.
Conclusion:
Exploring Bagan in two days and one night is achievable and rewarding. This guide provides a framework for a fulfilling experience.
- Arrived in Nyaungshwe town center at 5:30 AM. When we arrived, we were confused. The driver woke us up and asked us to get off the car. After we got off, we didn't have to go anywhere. We were asked to find a coffee shop to sit and wait because people were still asleep at that time. When the sun started to rise, we looked for accommodation. (There will be brokers who will invite you to take a boat trip for no more than 18,000 Kyat if you don't want to watch the sunset. If you want to watch the sunset, it will cost 22,000 Kyat. Whether you watch it or not, you should check the weather conditions that day. As for me, the sky wasn't cloudy from the beginning of the day, and it rained later.) You should decide now. As for me, I asked him to find accommodation for me and to take me to the accommodation, to the pier, and to many other places. It's worth it.)
- Find accommodation before going on a boat trip so that you can store your belongings first. (It is recommended to find a place near Mingalarpar Market so that you can walk around easily and save on bicycle rental fees.)
- Once we found accommodation, we waited for the broker to take us on a boat trip. It's on their program, but if you want to go anywhere else, just tell them. We spent the whole day on a boat trip on Inle Lake. (Few people on the boat can speak English. Honestly, there's not much to see, but it's okay to go there to see it. You should also prepare complete sun protection equipment because the sun is very strong.)
- On the second day, it is recommended to find a hiking trip like mine, which costs 13,000 Kyat per person. We walked from 8:00 AM to about 3:30 PM, a distance of 19.5 km, because there is not much to see in Nyaungshwe town itself. (There is wine waiting for us to sip on this route, along with a view of Nyaungshwe town. I highly recommend it.)
This is the route we took. There are many routes, ranging from one day to 5-7 days.
After returning from the hike, we showered and waited at the same accommodation. Soon, a car picked us up to take us to the bus station for our onward journey. (The accommodation cost $8 and included breakfast for two days: one upon check-in and another the following morning. It also allowed us to shower after the hike. Checking in early in the morning was advantageous as we could enjoy breakfast on the same day, saving us money.)
This concludes our five tips for exploring Yeongcheon, a city where the lake takes center stage. These tips should be sufficient for an adventurous trip, encompassing water activities, mountain excursions, and city exploration. Yeongcheon truly has it all.
Mandalay
Note: The original text mentions "Mandalay" at the end. However, without further context, it's unclear whether this refers to a new topic or a continuation of the previous discussion.
Mandalay in 8 Steps: A whirlwind tour of Myanmar's cultural heart
1. Arrival in Mandalay:
- Arrive in Mandalay at 3:30 AM.
- Take a taxi to your hotel, the Royal Yadanarbon Hotel (6,000 Kyat fare).
- Hotel cost: $10 per person.
2. Sunrise at Mandalay Hill:
- Depart for Mandalay Hill at 5:00 AM to witness the sunrise.
- Roundtrip taxi fare: 10,000 Kyat.
- Option to walk up the hill for a more challenging experience.
3. Exploring Mandalay City:
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- Embark on a personalized tour of Mandalay City (30$):
- Visit the Gold Leaf Workshop.
- Marvel at the Mahamuni Pagoda.
- Witness the intricate craftsmanship of Marble and Wood Carving workshops.
- Explore the Shwe Nandaw Monastery.
- Delve into the history of the Mandalay Palace.
- Pay respects at the Sandamuni Pagoda.
- Witness the grandeur of the Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda.
- Shop for souvenirs at Mandalay Kantawgyi.
- Purchase exquisite fabrics at Sawe Sin Tai.
- Capture the sunset at Ubain Bridge.
4. Evening Delights:
- Enjoy a delicious dinner in Mandalay.
- Relax at a scenic bar with beautiful views.
5. Pre-Departure Preparations:
- Get a stylish haircut at a local barbershop.
6. Farewell to Mandalay:
- Prepare for your departure the next day.
7. Reflections on Mandalay:
- While two days in Mandalay offer a comprehensive experience, there's always more to discover. This vibrant city holds a wealth of cultural treasures waiting to be explored.
The images are arranged from left to right and top to bottom. I have carefully selected and ordered them for clarity and conciseness. While there are many more images I could have included, I have chosen the most impactful ones to fit on a single A4 sheet (front and back, or two sheets for larger images). This allows you to easily print and take them with you on your travels.
However, you cannot truly understand the appearance of each item I have listed simply by looking at the images. I believe you will only truly understand once you experience them for yourself. No matter how many reviews you read, it will never be the same as seeing and experiencing them firsthand.
Finally, I apologize for any errors and welcome any feedback.
"Travel with joy."
7NOVEMBER
Friday, September 27, 2024 10:25 AM