Mandalay was the last royal capital of Myanmar. Located over 600km north of Yangon on the east bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River, the city has a population of over one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Division. Also the second-largest city in Myanmar and situated in the hot and dry central region of the country. Mandalay ancient name by Ratanapura( the gem city), it’s splendor of the golden age and still has great importance as cultural center. Mandalay is best known not only for its rich traditional, cultural and spiritual splendor but also exquisite handicraft such as hand-woven embroidery in silk and cotton, the incredible process of making gold leaves, wood and stone carving and bronze casting etc.
The most fascination places in the city are Mandalay Palace, Shwe Nan Daw Monastery; is famous for its intricate wood carvings, Maha-Muni Pagoda; it is regarded as the holiest Pagoda in Mandalay, Kuthodaw Pagoda; also called the largest book in the world and 230m height Mandalay Hill with the beautiful view of sunsets. There are several ancient capitals around Mandalay such as Amarapura, Sagaing, Ava and Mingun where Kongboung dynasty kings established their capitals respectively.

Amarapura

Amarapura is a southern suburb of Mandalay and lies on the left bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is also known as Taung-Myo (Southern Town). Founded by King Bodawpaya in 1783 as his new capital. In which visitor can walk on the world’s longest teak bridge; U Bain Bridge, 1208m long built since 1782 with 1700 over huge teak pillars. And can also visit the MahaGandaryon Monastery; the Buddhist University and observe the lunch process of thousand of monks. Another famous thing to see is the silk-weaving industry, which Myanmar people wear very proud to attend the cultural ceremonies with AchiekLongyi, from Amarapura.

Mingun

Mingun located across the majestic Ayeyar-waddy River, about 12km north of Mandalay. Mingun is noted for its huge unfinished Pagoda and the world second largest ringing bell of 90 tons in weight and Mya TheindanPagoda, the best representation of the universe in Buddhism. A 45min boat trip to Mingun from Mandalay is very pleasant with plenty of life on the river to see.

Inwa

Also known as Ava is located 20km southwest of Mandalay across the Myitnge River and was the capital of the Myanmar Kingdom for nearly 400 years. The most famous in Inwa is MaharAungMyay Bon Zan Monastery; which is a fine example of Myanmar masonry art and architecture. All the major building, which were not destroyed during the earthquake in 1838, had been transferred first to Amarapura and then to Mandalay. In palace only remains the 20m (90ft) high masonry Nan Myint watchtower, also known as the “learning tower of Ava”. Another interesting place in Inwa is Bargaya teak monastery, which is famous for its 267 wooden pillars.

Sagaing

Once an ancient, Sagainglies 21km south-west of Mandalay on the west bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Sagaing is known as a meditation center “A Living Center of Buddhist Faith”, lays across theAyeyar-waddyRiver, an important religious center with about 600 Buddhist pagodas, temples and monasteries.

Pyin Oo Lwin

Also known as Maymyo,locatedat1040m bove sea level and 70km from Mandalay.

It is well known for its climate weather and colonial style houses with large compound and pine trees. Horse drawn royal carriages still play major role in transport means. Attraction places in PyinOoLwin are Botanical Garden, MahaAnt-Htoo-Kan-Thar Buddha Image, Pwe-kaukwaterfalls,Peik-Chin-Hmyaung Cave and Gok-hteik railway bridge.

Monywa

A picturesque town on the Chindwin River, is Monywa with a typical un spoilt sites and it is only a 3hrs drive from 136km northwest Mandalay. Monywa serves as a major trade center for India and Burma through KalayMyo road and Chindwin river. Monywa attraction places areunusual Buddhist temple complex on 37 acres of land called MohnyinThanboddhay; biggest standing Buddha image in the world and longest reclining Buddha image. Not only that also famous for its Po Win Taung, Shwe Ba Taung where the entire mountain was carved into caves niches, staircases and Buddha Image.

Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia, situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River, about 500km north of Yangon. This once splendid and glorious capital of the first Myanmar Empire is now a 42 sq km area. Founded as early as in 849AD used to be the capital of today Myanmar. During the kingdom's height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan. In early 13th century of Mongolian horsemen under Kublai Khan conquered Bagan. Soon after the realm of Bagan disintegrated into many smaller kingdoms. After years, the remains thousands of ancient pagodas, stupa, shrines, ordination halls and monuments still survive to the present day.
Bagan is a highlight of any trip to Myanmar and a minimum stay of one night is essential in an itinerary. There are daily flights between Yangon and Bagan which take 1hr and 10mins. Regular express coach services take about 14hrs from Yangon.
Attraction places in Bagan are Shwezigon pagoda; the phototype of later Myanmar stupas, built in early 11th century, Wetkyi-inn Gubyaukgyi temple; with fine mural paintings of Jakata scenes, Htilominlo temple;famous for its plaster carvings. Anada temple; an architectural masterpiece resembling a Greek Cross, Anada Okkyaung; a monastery with 18th century mural paintings , Thatbyinyu; the highest temple in Bagan plain and Manuha Temple with gigantic Buddha images, a captive king's impression of life in prison. Bagan is not only famous for the monuments but also can study the ways of and some handcraft such as lacqueware.

Mt. Popa is an extinct volcano with the height of 1500m above the sea level and 60km south-east of Bagan. Well-Known as the oasis of the central Myanmar dry zone. Also known as the “Olympus of the Nats” because it is the home to Myanmar’s legendary 37 “Nats”, one hast to climb 700 steps accompanied by a crowd of monkeys to reach the top of the volcanic plug, with its many shrines and monastery. Around the area of Mt. Popa is Popa National Park, which features dense sandalwood forests and rare species of birds and butterflies. Mt. Popa hosts two major Nat Pwe (spirit festival), one in the May/June and other in November/December. Spirit possession and overall drunken ecstasy are still part of the celebration.

Salay is an ancient town rich in Myanmar culture, which is situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River and 40km south of Bagan. Visitors can choice two ways to reach Salay, one by car and another one by small motor boats, available for hire and which usually leave Bagan from the Bu Paya Jetty. In Salay you can visit the monastery “Yoke-Sone-Kyaung”, famous with its spectacular woodcarvings and “Man Paya” is the largest lacquer Buddha image in Myanmar.

Pakokku is a prosperous trading town in central Myanmar, near Bagan. Visitors can choice by car or by ferry boat to reach Pakkoku. Locates on the western bank of Ayeyarwaddy river and it is well-known for the production of Tobacco.

The second largest natural lake in Myanmar located in the middle of the greatest depression in NyaungShwe Valley, situated 900m above sea level with shallow, 22km long and 11km wide hiding among the hazy blue mountains, is one of the main tourist attractions in Myanmar. Inle’s most unusual feature is its extraordinary “leg rowing fishermen“ who have developed an original, eccentric method of rowing their small boats with one leg. Another one is floating gardens where flowers as well as tomatoes, beans and cucumbers grow. Local villages and markets make interesting sightseeing spots, while visitors also enjoy mouth-dropping sunrises and sunsets over the Shan mountains. The festival of Pagoda in Inle Lake, is PhaungDawOo Pagoda Festival with its full of Pagenatry and colorful splendor that held during October .
It’s also a place we cannot miss in our itinerary is the scenic beauty of Inle Lake so at least one night or two nights stay is strongly recommended. The most convenient way is to fly from Yangon to Heho, which is the nearest airport to the lake. There are daily flights to Heho from Yangon which take about 1hr. The flight from Mandalay to Heho takes only. Travelling by car along the uphill and winding road over the Shan plateau, though taking about, is interesting and well-worth taking.

Kalaw

A beautiful hill station surrounded by mountains locates about 70km west from Inle Lake. It situates 1400m above sea-level so it is pleasantly cool and a good place for hiking through bamboo groves and rugged mountain scenery.The main attractions of Kalaw are the town itself, with its mock-tutor colonial bungalows, its ethnic mix of people, and its setting within trekking distance of many ethnic minority villages. There are Palaung villages nearby and hill-tribes people in their colorful costumes can be seen at Kalaw market which is held on every five days.

Pindaya

Pindaya is situated at about 1200m above the sea level and is at the foot of “Me-Nae-Taung” mountain range about 45km north of Kalaw. The road between Kalaw and Pindaya offers particularly breathtaking views of the landscape. It main attraction Pindaya Cave, is a huge extensive limestone cavern where 8000 of Buddha images in various size and shape are installed since 11th century and the images also decorated with beautiful stalagmites. A major handicraft in Pindaya is handmade paper umbrella.

Taunggyi

Taunggyi, the capital city of Southern Shan State, in the eastern part of Myanmar, has population approximately 120,000 and is composed of Shan, Bamar, Sikh and some Muslims, making it the third largest city in Myanmar. Taunggyi is known for its scenic beauty and pleasant climate. Being situated over 1400m above the sea-level, it is cool the whole year round and the area is colorful with lovely flowers, pine trees and green orchards. The town has an interesting market place daily filled with colorful ethnic tribes. There is also a five-day market place and a gem market on the eastern part of the town, where jade, rubies and sapphires are sold. Attraction places in Taunggyi are Shwe Phone Pwint Pagoda, Sulamuni Pagoda and Kakku Pagoda.

Kakku

The Kakku relic pagoda of the southern Shan State, which only recently has become one of the most visited places in the Shan State. It is situated near Mway Taw Village, Kakku village tract, Taunggyi township, under the administration of special region 6 about25km away from Taunggyi.