Burma Things to Do Tips by kenmerk

Most any trip to Burma, except maybe a brief border crossing excursion from Thailand will likely start in Yangon.

Though Yangon is a big city, it does not really feel like one. Very few tall buildings, and the decaying colonial city center (along with Sule Paya) gives downtown quite a bit of charm.

Not to be missed is the massive Shwedagon Paya on the north side of town... (Go in the evening, when it is cooler, and the creeping darkness add to the atmosphere of this golden place...)

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If you have some free time in Yangon, and want to get away from the city, getting out to the delta region makes for an good side trip.

Couple of interesting places to visit there include the historic town of Thanlyin, the golden Kyaik-Khauk Paya, and the Yele Mid-River Paya.

Out this way, Thanlyin is a small town with historic significance, and now is a laid back peaceful place with an interesting market place.

Just past town, you'll find the impressive gold Kyaik-Khauk Paya, which due to its somewhat remote location does not get the tourist traffic that you will see in Yangon proper...

Thanlyin is located about 15 km southeast of Yangon. From Thanlyin it is another 12 km's or so onto the mid-river Yele Paya at Kyauktan.

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Bago: This city is dotted with old religious sites including this large reclining buddha statue...

Easy access from Yangon... (can be done in a day trip from the capital)

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The mysterious Balanced Boulder of Kyiaktiyo: One single hair of the Buddha is enshrined in the paya that sits atop of this boulder. This keeps it in perfect alignment, and prevents it from tumbling down from its precarious perch. Making the pilgramage to this shrine is a magical experience.

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Bagan is the one place that should not be missed when visiting Burma. A deserted ancient city of temples built on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Sunrise and sunset here are magical....

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Enjoy the sunsets at Bagan... Just wish I had some better pictures of it... (#$%$#$% disposable camera)

Have to come back here next time I'm in Burma...

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When in the Bagan region, be sure to take a side excursion out to Mt. Popa, which is the home of the Nats. (Resident Spirits)

It is a strange looking place, the temple is built on a volcanic plug that juts straight out of the ground. A short (but steep) hike will take you to the top...

Getting here is half the fun on the goat paths... Look for the little extortion toll gates that the locals set up along the road to try and coerce some money out of anyone who happens by....

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Beautiful city in the Shan States up in the heart of the Golden Triangle... Easy access to various hill tribe villages, Chinese border towns, and many Buddhist temples...

Can be reach by air from Yangon or by land from Thailand through Takchilek. (Please see separate page for Kengtung actvities)

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This area has been described as Chiang mai fifty years ago. And if you want a relative pure experience of hiking up to a hill tribe visit to see their real life conditions (and not a tourist show...) then I can think of a better place to recommend.

The different tribes up here include the Wa, Lisu Ahka, Li, Palaung, Ann, Kwe, Loi, and Akhe. And if you stray off the beaten path a bit, don't be surprised if you enter a village where you are their first foreign visitor... (it happened to me a few year back...)

Come to the Shan State and enjoy the amazing cultural diversity...

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For my third trip into Burma, rather than fly into Yangon and be parachuted right into the middle of the Golden Land, I elected to walk into the country instead. (My entry stand even had a big WALK stamped on the mode of entry line....) We flew up to Chiag Rai Thailand then headed to Mae Sai on the border, and walked across the bridge to Takchilek, Burma...

Crossing the border by land is a much more eye opening way to enter the country. First cross over the no man's land in the middle of the bridge, then go through the hour long process of them stamping your passport off, then off through multiple security check points prior to reaching your intended destination.

A much different experience then flying there...

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