Rangoon, the capital of Myanmar is the host for some of the world.s mind-blowing wonders, like the:
Shwedagon Pagoda: Rudyard Kipling termed it as the .Golden Wonder.. It looks beautiful during sunset as the last rays fall on the soft golden dome, making it glitter. The great dome rises 321 feet above its base and more than 5 tons of gold and jewels sits atop the Pagoda. Its crown is adorned with 1800 carats of small diamonds and a single 76 carat diamond globe. Archaeologists propose that the original stupa was built in the 6th century BC. It is the most sacred Buddhist site in Myanmar.
Botataung Pagoda: This 131 feet towering Pagoda is named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted the relics of Buddha brought from India about 2000 years ago. This Pagoda was destroyed during World War II and was built later.
Sule Pagoda: This 151 feet high Pagoda is situated at the center of Rangoon, it contains a hair of Buddha.
National Museum: Has many historical things of Burma, including the 26 feet high throne of King Thibaw Min, the last Burmese king. The collection includes gem-studded arms, swords, bowls, black and white photographs of the Mandalay Palace and also the royal couch that belonged to King Mindon.s queen.
Glass Factory: Situated in old Rangoon, it is one of the most beautiful glass factories of the world. Visitors are allowed to see the manufacturing process and can buy from them.
Myanmar Gems Museum and Gems Mart: This museum has a rare collection of gems, which include the world.s largest sapphire that is 6-3/4 inches high and nearly 26 pounds in weight (or 63,000 carats) and the world's largest pearl, weighing in at 845 carats.
Scott Market: 70 years old, has a large collection of Burmese handicraft under one roof.
Mandalay
Second capital after Rangoon, has world.s largest stone book situated in the compound of the 'Kuthodaw Pagoda' where Buddhist scriptures are inscribed on 729 stone slabs. The delicate tapestry works, stone sculpture, the time-honored art of gold leaf home industry is definitely worth a visit.
Bagan is known as 'temple fairyland', 2300 out of 13000 Buddhist monuments exist here.
Mt.Popa is just an hour.s drive from Bagan and situated on hilltop, it is a very popular site for pilgrimage.
River Cruising is the Ayeyarwady River along the famous 'Road To Mandalay' route in the luxurious Orient-Express Cruise liner, a riverboat.Other interesting points of attraction are Inte lake, Mrauk, Sagaing hills, Amarapara, Taunggyi, Pindaya, Mon state.
Situated about 180 km from Rangoon is the unquestionable wonder of Myanmar, the Golden Rock Pagoda. The pagoda is positioned on a gold gilded boulder precariously balanced on the edge of stone rock in the top of Kyaikhto Mountain. It is believed to enshrine three scared strengths of Buddha's hair.
Since the hotel industry got privatized in 1993, many small and medium sized hotels and guesthouses have come up in Rangoon.
