KakKu, a unique temple complex of more than 2000 stupas has lied hidden in the Pa-O heartland of Southern Shan State for centuries. Unknown to the outside world and to most of Myanmar until recently, these exquisite monuments can now be visited. A day trip from Inle Lake is sufficient.

It is a small uphill town and famous for “Golden Caves” but the town itself has some curious points, such as the traditional paper production, ancient monasteries and umbrella workshops. “The Golden Caves” is actually some elevation above the town and accessed through the way under the shady century old banyan trees. The main cave […]

Hsipaw also known as Thibaw is a town in Shan State located on the riverbank of Dokhtawady River. It is about 200km(124mi)northeast of Mandalay and 73km(45mi) from Lashio. It’s about a 5-hous scenic drive via PyinOoLwin ( Maymyo),Naungcho-Naungpain (railway stations for Goktheik Viaduct ) and Kyauk Me. It takes only 1.5hours drive from the airport […]

Also known as Maymyo, when it was a British hill station. The old stagecoaches are still operating as local taxi service. There are plenty to see, such as the wonderful Botanical Garden, Pwe Kauk Waterfall, the busy market and the newly built Pye Lone Chan Tha Pagoda, which houses a mysterious Buddha image. Why not […]

Mingun, A ride up the Ayerwaddy River lies Mingun and it is a half-day trip from Mandalay. The highlight one would see in Mingun are the huge, incomplete Mingun Pagoda and a 90-tonne bell hangs in a nearby pavilion.

Sagaing is a religious sanctuary with the town at the foot of the hills and hundreds of pagodas, monasteries and nunneries tucked into the surrounding valleys and hills. Some monasteries are magnificently built of brick in a combination of Western and Myanmar architectural designs while some are of teak. Trees cover the hills so that […]

Innwa (Ava) located on an island between the Irrawaddy and Myitnge Rivers. We visited Ava by horse cart (bullock cart). The ruins of a brick and stucco monastery called Maha Aungmye Bonzan (Okkyaung) is the main site.

Situated about 11km south of Mandalay, Amarapura (meaning the Immortal City) is an ancient city of the Konbaung Dynasty. It is noted for its silk weaving industry, the ancient silver smith cottage industry in Ywahtaung just beyond the city limits as well as for its unique teakwood bridge, 1.2 km long, known as U Pein […]