Officially known as Myanmar but still often referred to as Burma, the country has seen a dramatic rise in popularity over the past five years, and rightly so. From tropical palm fringed beaches to ancient temples and so much more between, Myanmar is a hidden gem. Visitors on our tours will be greeted wherever they go with smiling faces and shouts of “Minglabar” from passers-by and our recommendation is get here before the crowds do.
From the golden domes of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, formally the colonial capital of Rangooon to watching the sunset over the U Bein’s bridge in Amarapura, the country throws up a myriad of surprises and wonders at every turn. Our advice is to experience this country through one of our private tours to see its natural beauty before it changes forever.
Formerly known as Rangoon, Yangon still retains much of its colonial character. We strongly recommend a visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda, a vivid demonstration of how seriously the Burmese take their Buddhist faith. The Shwedagon is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, as it is believed to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas of the present kalpa, including the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa, and eight strands of hair from the head of Gautama.
The bustling streets and narrow alleyways of downtown Yangon capture the diversity of this intriguing city, which is known for its shops and markets. Gaze up at the glistening golden buildings around you, with the 112m tall pagoda standing 170m above sea level, dominating the Yangon skyline.
Legend holds that the Shwedagon Pagoda was constructed more than 2,500 years ago (while the Buddha was still alive) which would make it the oldest Buddhist stupa in the world.
Associated tours + hotels
Asia
Governor’s Residence Hotel
The Belmond Governor's Residence is a romantic, colonial-style mansion dating from the 1920s, redolent of the days when it was home to the ruler of Myanmar's southern states.
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