Burma with Classic Programs: Yangon, Syriam, Kyaiktiyo, Bago - Returning for Faith

Hello.

This trip marks my third visit to Myanmar, following the classic itinerary of Yangon, Bago, Hpa-An, and Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock). Our group of eight flew with AirAsia, securing roundtrip tickets for approximately 2,500 baht per person. Transportation was arranged through a van rental service with a driver and guide, Mr. Sang (email: [email protected], Line: Ocean Myanmar Tour). The van rental, including driver and guide for the four-day, three-night trip, amounted to 410,000 kyats, roughly equivalent to 12,000 baht.

Travel program

Day 1

8:30 AM: Meet at Don Mueang Airport, Terminal 1, AirAsia counter. 11:35 AM: Depart for Yangon. (Yangon time is 30 minutes behind Thailand time.) 12:25 PM: Arrive at Yangon Airport. 1:30 PM: Lunch. 3:00 PM: Visit the Lay Panya Pagoda in Syriam. 5:00 PM: Check in to the Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel.

Day Two

Bago: A Journey Through History and Spirituality

Bago, formerly known as Pegu, is a city in Myanmar steeped in history and religious significance. Here are some of the highlights you can expect to encounter:

• Kyaik Pun Pagoda: This iconic pagoda, also known as the "Japanese Pagoda," boasts a unique octagonal design and intricate carvings.
• Shwemawdaw Paya: This towering golden stupa is one of the most revered Buddhist sites in Myanmar, believed to enshrine a hair relic of the Buddha.
• Kyaly Khat Wai Monastery: Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of 1,000 monks receiving alms during the daily morning ceremony.
• Kambazathadi Golden Palace: Explore the remnants of this once magnificent palace, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of the Bago dynasty.
• Shwethalyaung Buddha: Marvel at this colossal reclining Buddha statue, one of the largest in Southeast Asia.
• The Golden Rock Pagoda: Witness the precarious yet captivating Golden Rock, a gilded boulder seemingly defying gravity.
• Kyaik Hto Hotel: Enjoy a comfortable stay at this well-appointed hotel, conveniently located near many of Bago's attractions.

Note: This translation focuses on providing a concise and informative overview of the listed locations, avoiding personal pronouns and colloquialisms while maintaining a formal academic tone.

Day Three

The Golden Rock Pagoda / Return to Yangon / Reclining Buddha with Sweet Eyes / Shwedagon Pagoda / Check in at Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel

Day four

**Religious Sites:**

• Whisper of the Gods Pagoda (Botataung Paya): This iconic pagoda is believed to be built on the site where two brothers encountered a magical nath spirit.
• Bo Bo Gyi: This revered spirit shrine is known for its powerful deity, Bo Bo Gyi, who is said to grant wishes and bring good fortune.

**Shopping:**

• Scott's Market: This bustling market offers a wide variety of goods, from souvenirs and handicrafts to clothing and electronics.

**Temples:**

• Shwedagon Pagoda: This magnificent golden pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist site in Myanmar and a must-visit for any visitor.
• Kyauk Daw Kyi (Marble Buddha Temple): This unique temple houses a massive white marble Buddha statue and is known for its serene atmosphere.

15:00 Arrive at the airport to check in.

5:35 PM Return to Bangkok

19:35 hrs. Arrived safely in Bangkok.

We arrived in Yangon around 12:30 PM and were ready to explore the city. For lunch, our driver took us to a local Burmese restaurant near the airport. The first meal was a greasy Burmese dish.

After a satisfying meal, embark on a one-hour journey to the town of Siriam. There, you can marvel at the Laye Panya Pagoda, a stunning edifice situated amidst the serene waters. A chartered boat ride to the pagoda costs 5,000 kyats.

The ferry takes less than 20 minutes to reach the pagoda.

Admission to the Laykyun Setkyar Pagoda costs 2,000 kyats per person. Inside, visitors can pay respects to the Mahagiri Nat (a powerful spirit) and the Upagutta Buddha statue.

After finishing our business here, we traveled to Yangon. Along the way, there were watermelons for sale, the fruits were very large, sweet, and delicious, and the price was not expensive.

Upon arriving in Yangon, we checked into the Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel, a converted old ship situated near the bustling Bogyoke Market.

Image source: Internet

After checking in, I entered the room. The room was adorable, with a pirate theme, but it was also a little spooky.

Near the pier, close to the hotel, there was a night market where we went to find something to eat. In the picture is a stir-fried crab dish that tasted good but didn't have much meat.

After a long day of travel, I returned to the hotel to rest and recharge.

Day Two

Today, we will explore the city of Bago and travel to Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock) for an overnight stay. Sightseeing in Bago requires a package entrance fee for the entire city, costing 10,000 kyats per person and valid for 3 days.

The first site is the Kyaikpun Pagoda. According to popular belief, the pagoda was built by the four daughters of a Mon king. They vowed not to marry, but the youngest daughter later broke her vow and married. As a result, one of the four Buddha statues in the pagoda collapsed. When the statue was restored, the face of the Buddha statue built by the youngest daughter was said to be gloomy.

According to the Burmese guide, the construction history of this site differs from online accounts. He claims that women could not have built the Buddha statue, and that the Jaipoon stupa is believed to have been built by a figure depicted in a nearby statue. However, the accuracy of this information remains unclear.

Shwemawdaw Pagoda or Mya Thaung Pagoda

The photograph depicts the collapsed top of a pagoda following an earthquake. After restoration, the fallen portion of the pagoda's top was preserved in its original location.

The time for merit-making has arrived. Let us go offer alms to 1,000 monks at Kyaly Khat Wai Monastery.

After making merit by offering food to the monks, it was time for us to have lunch. We went to a restaurant that served set menus. I don't remember the exact price, but it wasn't too expensive, probably not more than 300 baht per person.

After enjoying the delicious meal, we continued our journey to the Shwethalyaung Buddha, a magnificent reclining Buddha statue.

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This is a replica of King Bayinnaung's palace. The original palace was burned down.

The interior is spacious and open.

The journey continued for approximately 3 hours to reach the Kinpun Camp, where a pig transport truck was boarded for a fee of 3,000 kyats per person. The ascent to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda from Kinpun Camp took about 1 hour.

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As dusk settled, we arrived at the crowded site, facing a lengthy queue to purchase entry tickets. Admission to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda cost 6,000 kyats per person. For our overnight stay, we opted for the Kyaik Hto Hotel, booking a double room for 100 USD through Booking.com. Despite its age and high price, the hotel's convenient location allowed for easy access to the pagoda on foot.

After finishing dinner, we checked in and walked to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda. During our visit, we didn't have a guide or driver with us. A Burmese child approached us and offered to help. He introduced himself as Phuttipat and spoke Thai fluently. He was very helpful, even though we knew he was hoping for a tip. We were happy to give him one in exchange for his services.

This photo depicts Burmese people who have come to spend the night at the Inle Lake esplanade. The area is crowded, and the air is cold with a chilly breeze.

Day Three

In the early morning, I ascended to pay homage to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda once more.

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The return trip from Inkae Hanging Temple was chaotic. The large crowd, all eager to descend the mountain, created a disorganized scene. With no clear order or management of the vehicles, it was a miracle that anyone escaped unscathed.

We returned to Yangon. Actually, we had visited the Kaba Aye Pagoda earlier, but we didn't take any pictures because we were tired and exhausted from the drive down from the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda. We didn't feel like taking any pictures. So, the driver took us to a shopping mall to walk around and have some iced coffee before continuing on to worship at the pagoda.

Free admission to Wat Pho's Reclining Buddha.

The temple is also home to the "ทันใจ" deity.

In the evening, we visited the Shwedagon Pagoda, where the entrance fee was 8,000 kyats per person. This picture shows the bodhi tree located within the temple.

The

Temple area

Here, we witnessed the power of faith, both from the local people who helped sweep the temple grounds and the foreigners who came to meditate and send loving-kindness, which resulted in us receiving positive energy as well.

The Shwedagon Pagoda is truly magnificent. One could sit and admire its beauty until nightfall without a moment of boredom.

Upon returning to the hotel, it was already dark. We went out to find something to eat, but there was nothing available. The restaurants on the pier closed around 7 pm. We ended up eating grilled food that didn't look very clean and sushi sold at the pier. However, since there was nothing else to eat, we survived without getting sick.

Day four

Early in the morning, we visited the Botahtaung Pagoda, which is located near our hotel. The entrance fee is 6,000 kyats per person.

To pay respects to Luang Pho Tan Jai, the offerings cost 500 baht for a large set and 300 baht for a small set. Offerings typically include bananas, coconuts, etc.

Across from the Botahtaung Pagoda, there is a whispering god. The offerings cost 20 baht and consist of milk and rice flakes. When I first visited Burma, I remember being able to whisper directly into the god's ear. However, now you have to pray from outside and you can no longer reach the deity.

Before going to the airport, visit Wat Phra Kaew. The entrance fee is 3,000 JOD per person.

The final tourist destination is the Marble Temple.

The last image you saw, what did you see? We saw something like a shadow behind the monk walking into the Buddha statue.

This concludes our review for now.

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