5D/4N Myanmar Discovery
Highlights: English-speaking guide Mahagandayon Monastery 2,500-yr old golden Shwedagon Pagoda Kuthodaw Pagoda - "The world's largest Book" Sunset view of the Irrawaddy River Boat trip to Mingun, the world's largest bell
from RM
2,150/
What you get
- Stay: 3*/4*/5* Hotels (2 nts - Yangon; 2 nts - Mandalay)
- Meals: 4 Breakfast, 3 Lunches & 4 Dinners
- Transport: Return flight Yangon-Mandalay. Retn airport transfers by coach
Yangon is the capital and the largest city of Burma. Th British Empire seized the city in 1852, after it suffered major destruction in the Second Anglo-Burmese War. The British made the city into the commercial and political hub of Burma and with this by 1900s, Yangon grew further to possess the public services and infrastructure equal to that of London. The country attained independence in 1948.The English name Rangoon was changed to Yangon in 1989. Today, the city holds the largest number of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia.
Mandalay is the second largest city and the last royal capital of Burma and is the economic and cultural hub of Upper Burma. The city, located 445 miles (716 km) north of Yangon on the east bank of the River Irrawaddy, has a population of nearly 1 million and is also the capital of Mandalay Division.
Mandalay was immortalized in Rudyard Kipling's The Road to Mandalay, the 1887 poem that refers to the Irrawaddy. In a country where the cities are a thousand years old or more, Mandalay is surprisingly young in comparison - "just" over 150 years old.
Mandalay was founded by King Mindom in 1857. He did so to fulfill an ancient Buddhist prophecy (and as often happens with monarchs, to his own glory). There was a legend that Gautama Buddha visited Mandalay Hill with his disciple Ananda, and proclaimed that 2400 years after his death, a great city for Buddhist teaching will be founded at the foot of the hill.
The ever pious Mindon thought he could achieve enlightenment by making true of that prophecy. So, in 1861, Mindon disposed of his half-brother Pagan Min as the Konbaung king. Taking over the throne, he moved his capital - literally uprooting most of his palace as well as 150,000 of his subjects - from Amarapura 20 km away, and move them to Mandalay.
During the tour you will be able to see the 2500 year-old Shwe Dagon Pagoda, the largest and oldest golden monument on earth. Many Kings and Queens throughout Myanmar's history has donated pure gold of their body weight, depositing tons and tons of gold in this great golden pyramid in Yangon. Just this year, 1 more ton of gold was added by hundreds of thousands of donors, when a major renovation took place.
See the largest book that man could ever created. The whole Buddhist bible was engraved on 729 white marble stones, set up in a square, each being protected by a small white temples. The 730th pagoda is a conventional temple occupying the centre of the square. Each marble tablets are about 3 feet wide and 4 feet high. Known as Kuthodaw Pagoda, it lies at the foot of Mandalay Hill, Mandalay.
Ring the largest ringing bell in the universe. The world's largest ringing bell, Mingun Bell, is still hung in Sagaing and still make sound when rang. It is 26 feet high and weighs 90.55 metric tons. You can ring it. You can get underneath it and take photo. Ah! Isn't that exciting? Imagine that you can say "I've rung the world's greatest ringing bell!"
Mabuhay! It means "Welcome!" in Myanmar. And here, you truly are.
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Day 1
ARRIVE YANGON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (D)
Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, receive a warm welcome by our local guide who will arrange your transfer to the hotel for check in.
An enchanting evening visit to Myanmar’s most revered Shwedagon Pagoda - a 2500 years old world famous Golden Stupa where the dome rises 98 meters above its base and richly layered with 60 tons of pure gold along with numeric precious stones such as jade, ruby, sapphire and diamond including a 76 carat solid diamond on its top. One of the wonders of the world!
After the grandiose introduction to Yangon, you will be treated to a sumptuous dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2
YANGON - MANDALAY (B,L,D)
After breakfast, take a domestic flight to Mandalay – the historic capital of Myanmar’s last Kingdom. Upon arrival you will be treated to a full day sightseeing tour by coach.
We will visit Mandalay’s Mahamuni Pagoda with its spectacular Buddha image completely covered in 15cm thick layer of gold leaf before continuing our visit to observe traditional handicraft making process such as gold leaf hammering.
After lunch, visit Myanmar’s ancient monarch’s Royal Palace.
Stopover at Shwenandaw Monastery, a wonderfully fragile yet grand example of 19th century Myanmar teak architecture (also a significant masterpiece of the wood-carver’s art) and Atumashi Monastery before heading to Kuthodaw Pagoda which is also known as the world's "largest book". It is a large walled complex occupying a thirteen acre field of 729 pitaka pagodas or shrines (Dama Cetis). Each shrine contains a marble slab, inscribed on both sides with Buddhism’s sacred texts. Taken together, they contain the entire text of the Tipitaka and thus form “the world’s largest book.”
After that, enjoy your evening with a breathtaking and panoramic view of the city at Mandalay Hill.
Day 3
MANDALAY (B,L,D)
After breakfast, visit Jade Market for some shopping before proceeding to Amapura which is also called "city of immortality" - an ancient capital built exclusively on the advice of royal astrologers.
Next, visit Mahagandayon Monastery - where you will observe the daily lives of the monks studying Buddha's scriptures - and U Bein's Bridge, 1.2km long wooden bridge built over 200 years ago which is also a must-see. Before continuing to our next journey, visit the wood and marble carvings along with the bronze castling workshops.
After lunch, take a delightful boat trip to Mingun where the world largest ringing bell awaits you. The Mingun Bell and Pahtodawgyi unfinished pagoda - an enormous pile of bricks is all that remain of King Bodawpaya ambition to make it the world's largest Buddhist stupa - offers you first hand the rich culture and history of Myanmar.
Enjoy the stunning sunset view of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River & Middle Yoma from the roof of the boat.
Day 4
MANDALAY - YANGON (B,L,D)
After breakfast, take a flight back to Yangon where you wll be met and greeted upon arrival before being transferred to your hotel to check in.
After lunch, embark on a Yangon city tour which takes you to Sule Pagoda, Strand Jetty, Kaba Aye Pagoda, and Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda which has one of the biggest reclining Buddha images in Myanmar, some say even in the world.
Next, visit a local glass blowing factory and gem souvenir centre where they offer you an opportunity to shop and buy some gifts for family and friends.
Then embark on a shopping adventure at Bogyoke Market (formerly known as Scott Market) which is a sprawling 75 years old shopping complex noted for its variety of handicrafts and other souvenir items.
Finally, enjoy your evening along the streets of Chinatown with a shopping spree among the many stalls and hawkers' stands.
An enchanting farewell dinner at a local restaurant will wrap up your adventure in Myanmar.
Day 5
DEPART YANGON (B)
After breakfast, free at own leisure until transfer to airport for your flight back home.
Your hotel options with ground arrangement
To see what is included with these prices read the 'what you get' box above and the itinerary.
For additional flights or activities - visit the addons tab above.
Prices displayed are per person in MYR. Click on the hotel/room name for its description.
| Hotel (Yangon) | Hotel (Mandalay) | Single Occupancy Per Adult | Twin Sharing Per Adult | Child With Bed | Child No Bed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Hotel (3*) | Silver Swan | 2390 | 2150 | 1920 | 1790 |
| Summit Park View (3*) | Mandalay Swan | 2580 | 2240 | 2010 | 1860 |
| Park Royal (5*) | Sedona | 2990 | 2460 | 2210 | 1890 |
| Sedona (5*) | Sedona | 2990 | 2460 | 2160 | 1890 |
Validity until 31 March 2012
Peak season and public holiday surcharge may apply for certain dates.
Transport addons make your holiday easier (optional)
You can specify if you want any transport addons in the booking form. Transfers from destinations around the world are also available. All transport options include return transfers to the airport/hotel etc.
| Depart from | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel by plane | KLIA | Malaysia Airlines |
More options available when you book.
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About this package
Min group size: 2 people
Best time to go: All year round
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