Mingalaba! This greeting, meaning "hello," will be on your lips constantly during your visit to Myanmar. Myanmar is a destination that never gets old, offering a chance to step back in time. Its charm is indescribable; you simply have to experience it for yourself.

Following the trend of movie-inspired travel, we're taking a cue from Korean cinema and exploring the locations featured in two Burmese films: From Bangkok to Mandalay and Twilight over Burma. (If you're unfamiliar with these films, be sure to research them or watch the trailers beforehand.)

**This trip takes us from Bangkok to Mandalay, then on to Pyin Oo Lwin and Hsipaw.** The promotional ticket has led us on another adventure. Let's go! :)

From Bangkok ...

The flight to Mandalay takes approximately one hour.

This trip, we chose to travel directly from Mandalay Airport to Pyin Oo Lwin first, to start our train journey to Hsipaw. We wanted to visit the farthest destination first and then return to Mandalay. However, this article will be divided into two parts, so I will first talk about Mandalay, following the trend of the movie "From Bangkok to Mandalay". For those who haven't seen it yet, the movie is no longer in theaters, but you can wait to buy the DVD. It's a joint production between Thailand and Myanmar, with a heartwarming love story and beautiful visuals that will inspire you to visit Myanmar.

Mandalay, Myanmar: A Historical and Commercial Hub

Mandalay, formerly the capital of Myanmar, remains its third-largest city after Yangon and Naypyidaw. Situated in the northern region, it serves as a vital commercial center for the state of Shan.

Must-Visit Tourist Attractions in Mandalay

1. Mandalay Royal Palace

The Grand Palace, constructed primarily of teakwood, is widely regarded as one of the most magnificent palaces in Asia. Surrounded by a moat and adorned with imposing gates, it served as the final residence of King Thibaw. (Historical information can be readily accessed through Google search.)

The entrance fee is 10 USD per person.

In front of the palace, there is a tea and coffee shop. We stopped by for a cup of tea and met a lovely tea maker who posed for the camera.

2. Kuthodaw Pagoda

The Marble Temple: A Monument to Buddhist Scripture

This temple, built by King Mindon, commemorates the fourth Buddhist council and houses the world's largest inscribed edition of the Tipitaka, the Buddhist scriptures. The 84,000 sections of scripture are inscribed on 729 marble slabs, forming a monumental testament to Buddhist tradition. These slabs are enshrined within the temple's pavilion, surrounding the 30-meter-tall Maha Lokamarazein pagoda, which itself draws inspiration from the renowned Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan.

Tripitaka (I wish I could read it)

Khosodaw Pagoda

Then walk to the adjacent Santamuni Temple.

The villagers were secretly watching, balancing objects on their heads with great skill.

The Burmese vendor has a good figure and would look great on the runway.

Our next destination is to witness the most stunning sunset in Myanmar.

3. U Bein Bridge, Amarapura

The U Bein Bridge is the world's longest teakwood bridge, stretching approximately 2 kilometers across Taungthaman Lake. It was constructed from 1,208 teak pillars salvaged from the old royal palace in Ava when the capital was moved from Ava to Amarapura.

... It is said that the sunset at U Bein Bridge is the most beautiful view in Burma.

We chartered a car from Mandalay to here for a round trip of 25,000 kyats, including the palace and Kuthodaw Pagoda. Upon arrival, we were able to negotiate the boat price to our satisfaction.

And then the rain falls heavily, but the sky after the rain is always beautiful. Because we believe that we will meet.

As we walked on the bridge, a boat approached us offering a fixed price of 10,000 kyats for a private charter.

Can sail :)

The sun is setting. Wow, it's so beautiful.

At the U Bein Bridge, a must-try dish is a skewered meat dish (unidentified) consisting of pork and pork offal. The skewers are dipped in a delicious dipping sauce.

4. Mahamuni Buddha, One of the Five Supreme Places of Worship in Myanmar

The Mahamuni Buddha is a bronze statue of Buddha in the Maravijaya posture, adorned with royal regalia. Every day at dawn, around 4:00 AM, a ceremony is held to wash the face of the statue. We did not miss the opportunity to participate in this ceremony for good luck.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

Burmese people believe that Mahamuni Buddha is a living Buddha statue because the Buddha breathed sacred air into the statue's body. This is the origin of the Mahamuni Buddha's face-washing ceremony, where the abbot must wash the Buddha's face and brush its teeth every morning at dawn. This is because it is believed that the Buddha is alive and breathing. This is a unique ceremony of faith that has been passed down for thousands of years.

The ceremony begins with the sprinkling of fragrant water made from "Takhana" bark on the Buddha's face. This water is donated by villagers to the temple every day. Then, a large brush is used to scrub the Buddha's lips, like brushing teeth. A wet cloth is then used to rub the fragrant water all over the Buddha's face, like washing with soap. The most important step is to use a towel to dry the Buddha's face and polish the bronze so that it is always shiny and bright. It is no wonder that Phra Mahamuni is a Buddha statue with the most radiant and sparkling face.

Every visit to Burma reveals the true power of faith. Witnessing the devotion of the local people, from young children to the elderly, who diligently attend temple services, meditate, and offer prayers, is a testament to their genuine commitment to their beliefs.

Oops! The young novice has fallen asleep. Wake up early tomorrow! :)

After attending the ceremony, we wasted no time in heading to Mandalay Hill to await the sunrise.

5. Mandalay Hill

The Summit of Mandalay Hill: A Breathtaking Viewpoint

Mandalay Hill, the heart of Mandalay, offers panoramic views of the city and is renowned for its stunning sunrises and sunsets. We chose to witness the sunrise from this vantage point, easily accessible by car with a short climb up the stairs.

(Pearl herself has been to Burma 5 times. Come again, hehe)

1. The Burmese people are said to be lovely. I want to love them. They are kind and compassionate.

Female tourists visiting Myanmar should wear long pants or skirts. Short shorts and tank tops are prohibited. This is because many temples and other places of interest have dress codes. Clothing that is considered inappropriate includes short shorts, tank tops, and crop tops. It is recommended to wear a longyi (a traditional Burmese garment) or a sarong for men. This will help you blend in with the locals and show respect for their culture.

3. Visitors must remove their shoes and socks before entering any temple. It is recommended to bring a bag or pouch to carry your shoes inside, especially if you are concerned about leaving them outside.

Exchange Burmese Kyat or Indian Rupees in Thailand

4. You can exchange Burmese Kyat or Indian Rupees in Thailand at Super Rich money exchange. They offer competitive rates. Alternatively, you can exchange currency at the Suvarnabhumi Airport ticket counter for the Airport Link. The rates are the same at both locations. You can also exchange currency at the airport in Myanmar. The exchange rate for the Kyat is approximately 30 Kyat = 1 Thai Baht. To easily calculate the cost in Thai Baht, simply divide the price in Kyat by 30.

5. Myanmar is 30 minutes behind Thailand, so going back in time by 30 minutes feels like going back almost a hundred years.

6. In Burma, we will have a slow life, no need to rush, just relax.

Thank you all for following and traveling back in time with me. This Myanmar trip is not over yet. There is a second part, please follow https://th.readme.me/p/7026.

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Written by LingPle Mayuree: [email protected]

Photo by: LingPle Mayuree, Nawapon Punpeng, At Alex

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