Myanmar or Burma sits at the crossroads of Asia’s great civilizations of India and China, and looks out onto the vast Indian Ocean next to Thailand. One of South East Asia’s largest and most diverse countries, Myanmar stretches from the sparkling islands of the Andaman Sea in the south right up into the Eastern Himalayan mountain range. To this day Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world, a land of breathtaking beauty and charm yet only recently emerging into the modern world.

Bagan View Map Bagan is one of the richest archaeological and historical sites in Asia, a large area with more than 2,000 pagodas and temples, all set in a vast plain beside the legendary Ayeyarwaddy River. During the Bagan Era, Burmese was written for the first time. Bagan was the origin of Buddhism, as still practiced at present and was the seat of religious learning of clergy and laity. Mingalazedi is one of Bagan’s last great stupas to have been erected and is a fine example of the skills of the temple builders. It is also a favourite spot to catch the sunset. Inle Lake View Map Just a short flight away from Yangon in the cool green highlands of Shan State, and yet seemingly worlds apart from the rest of Myanmar, lies Inle Lake in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The lake itself sits at a pleasant 2900 feet above sea level and is famous for its leg rowers, floating markets and prolific birdlife. In this unique wetland environment, whole villages sit on floating islands on the lake. Colorful hill tribes inhabit the surrounding fertile valleys and forested mountain tops, and their hand-woven silks are a specialty of the region. Kalaw View Map Kalaw was a favorite hill station during the British colonial era. It is a picturesque village surrounded by pine forests and has some of Myanmar’s most beautiful gardens. From Kalaw, there are good trekking and hiking possibilities to the neighboring hill tribe villages, which still function as they did centuries ago. Fans of natural beauty and peaceful sites will surely get their money's worth. The roads leading to Kalaw and Pindaya offer breathtaking sights of the landscape and are somehow reminiscent of the beautiful Alps region in Europe. Kyaiktiyo View Map Mandalay View Map Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar. It is the cultural center of Myanmar and the last royal capital. It is surrounded by other ancient royal capitals, Sagaing, Ava (Inwa) and Amarapura, which are highly interesting sightseeing destinations due to their historical and religious importance. Mandalay houses the most revered Buddha statue in the whole of Myanmar, the Maha Myat Muni.  Another interesting sightseeing point is the 754 foot high Mandalay Hill and the plains surrounding it, the Shan Mountain, as well as the Ayeyarwaddy River. The site is famous for its beautiful sunsets. Mandalay Palace was destroyed by a fire in 1945 and has been largely reconstructed in recent years. Its grounds can now be visited as a museum. Another interesting attraction is Kuthodaw Pagoda, where the entire Buddhist Canon in described on 729 marble stone slabs. Mandalay has excellent air, road and river connections to all parts of Myanmar and is the ideal base from which to explore the rest of Upper Myanmar. Monywa View Map Mount Popa View Map Mount Popa is an extinct volcano and at 4,921 feet, it is the highest point within the Bago Yoma range. The main attraction of this region however is the smaller, 2,395 foot high conic rock Popa Taungkalat, also known as the “Olympus of the Nats” because it is the home of Myanmar's legendary 37 "Nats” (or spirits). At the top of the volcanic plug lies many shrines and a monastery. Around the area of the Popa Yoma Mountain is the Popa National Park with dense sandalwood forests and rare species of birds and butterflies worth a walk or a trek. Other attractions include two important “Nat Pwes” (or festivals) held each year (one in May-June and one in November-December) when people from all parts of Myanmar come to appease and worship the spirits. Pindaya View Map Pindaya lies at an altitude of 3937 feet above sea level surrounded by hill tribe villages. Its main attraction is the natural limestone cave that branches out widely, displaying more than 8,000 Buddha images made of wood, marble, lacquer, brick, stone and bronze. Pindaya also features the picturesque Boutaloke Lake, beautifully set amongst huge old trees. A major handicraft industry in Pindaya is umbrella manufacturing. The making of these pretty hand-made paper umbrellas can be seen in several workshops in town. Yangon (Rangoon) View Map Walk the streets of old Yangon to see leafy lanes and by-ways filled with enormous timber mansions, decorated in unique Myanmar style, where British captains of industry once lived. See century-old buildings with magnificent architecture, reminders of Yangon's past. Myanmar's isolation from the rest of the world during the years after independence resulted in a unique preservation of many of its old buildings. It's colonial streets are a showcase of the best, or most ostentatious, of colonial architecture, an exuberant display of wealth and designer dexterity.