Central Myanmar and Bagan

Central Myanmar and Bagan
The central plains – the arid lands between the Ayeyarwady River in the west and the Shan hills to the east – have seen many kingdoms rise and fall, including that of the Pyu who were the earliest inhabitants of Myanmar for whom records exist. The ruins of Thayekhittaya, close to the busy trading town of Pyay, still hint at the grandeur of the Pyu dynasty, which was at its peak from the fifth to ninth centuries. The mighty sixteenth-century dynasty based further east in the town of Taungoo, on the other hand, left fewer tangible traces but the town is still a rewarding place to spend a day or two exploring off the tourist trail. The same cannot be said of the military junta’s twenty-first-century stab at a “royal capital”, which is the literal translation of Nay Pyi Taw. Tours Indochina Myanmar
Certainly the new capital has nothing to compare to Bagan, but then again few places in the world can offer a spectacle as breathtaking as its vast stupa and temple-strewn plain. In the eleventh century, King Anawrahta of Bagan became the first to unite the lands that now form Myanmar, and today the legacy of his embrace of Theravada Buddhism exerts a stronger influence on tourist imaginations than anywhere else in the country.
Bagan
Holding the same standards as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Bagan ranks among the greatest wonders of the world in Myanmar. Bagan gains fame for over 2,000 awe-inspiring pagodas. When you arrive at this wonder, you can feast the eyes with thousands of hundreds-year-old religious structures. The name Bagan itself means “the City of the Enemy Crusher”. Tours in Myanmar

What to Write in a Memo about Bagan, Myanmar
Settled on the dry central plains on the eastern bank of Ayeyarwady River, Bagan city is pictured with numerous ancient stupas and temples from most of its corners. Such feature makes Bagan one of the most noteworthy archaeological sites in Myanmar and the whole Asia. In the Southeast Asian contexts, this ancient city of Myanmar is one of the most significant religious sites. The tourists coming to this ancient city will never forget the wonderful view of the brick temples against the background of the expansive plains. The city is about 50 miles southwest of Mandalay.
At the center of Bagan, there stand numerous ancient temples and buildings that were constructed from the 11th to the 13th century. It is reported that most of the temples were built by the ancient Kings as well as the leaders of Burma. As time passes, Bagan is blessed with thousands of impressive temples – the major highlights of the land to win the tourists’ interest.
People agree that Bagan in Myanmar is dotted with many mind-blowing temples. The view of the city becomes utterly mysterious when you spread the eyes over many holy spires rising through the mist. Once again, Bagan is on par with Angkor Wat of Cambodia. And even when Angkor is featured with the valuable “buried in the jungle” trail for adventure, the charm of Bagan is matchless. Thousands of temples and pagodas in Bagan seem to be unobstructed.
You can enjoy sitting on the hotels’ balcony and look towards the holy silence made up by the gleaming spires and the valley around. Coming to Bagan, the tourists can choose to stay in the old city walls or in the new town. Please note that they new town has the lively market as well as the tea shop culture.
Monywa
Monywa has long held a top position in the list of the best destinations in Myanmar. People think of Monywa as the land of the standing Buddha and the golden pagodas. Trust us, many tourists have experienced the satisfactory Myanmar Tours in Monywa and shared their unique experiences with the whole world. Draw your focus on the outstanding name of Monywa, Myanmar!
How Can The Monywa Tourist Attractions Win Your Interest?
Monywa City is situated in Sagaing Region, just about 136km northwest of Mandalay, on the eastern bank of the River Chindwin. Due to the industry developing around the town, the city ignites the more dynamic feel than any other central region in Myanmar. The land is full of the lively markets while the main streets become animated at the night. The vibrant atmosphere is made up of many beer stations and food stalls.
Thanboddhay Pagoda (also known as Thambuddhei Paya) is the colorful and uniquely stylish pagoda that stores more than 500,000 Buddha images. Also, the spectacular pagoda is characterized with hundreds of the golden spires. For the scenic views of the pagoda and the bordering plains, you can get into the beautiful watchtower on the monastery with ease.
Furthermore, move to the site of Bodhi Tataung Laykyun Sekkya Standing Buddha Statue. The impressively religious statue is 129m in height (including the pedestal). It is measured as the world’s second tallest Buddha statue. The first time you encounter the site, you will be amazed at its magnificence. The wonderful statue is set at the back of the huge religious structures that feature the Bodhi trees, gardens housing many sitting Buddha statues and a gigantic 95-metre long reclining Buddha lying in front of the Laykyun Sekkya.
Also feast your eyes with the special depictions of Buddhist teachings inside the religious sites. The warning images of depravity and the penalty of the evil-doers, etc., urge people to do the good things in life. Plus, the tourists can climb some floors to find many inspiring alarming pictures drawn in the sense of Buddha teachings.
What’s more, Hpo Win Daung Caves are worth visiting. Just about 25km west of Monywa, you find the complex of 947 caves that were created between 14th and 18th century. Inside the caves, there lie hundreds of the Buddha images and the ornate mural paintings. Interestingly, the caves are where the Hpo Win Duang Festival is celebrated in November. It is the biggest festival in Monywa city.
Ledi Kyaungteik Monastery is another attraction to visit. Here, you find many Buddhist scriptures that have been inscribed on up to 806 stone slabs. Besides, the Kyaukka Village is also famous for the exceptional style of lacquerware.

Travel to Hoi An

Located some 25km southeast of Danang is the ancient town of Hoi An. One of the key attractions of central Vietnam, it occupies a scenic location along the banks of the Thu Bon River, just a few kilometres inland from the coast and the charms of lovely Cua Dai Beach. To the south is the Unesco-listed Cham site of My Son. Indochina holidays In Vietnam
Hoi An Accommodation and Shopping
One shall find his accommodation options ranging from lowly affordable motel rooms as low as $8 per day to the world-class 6-star top-of-the-line allegedly-best-in Southeast-Asia Nam Hai resort nearby, which starts at a whooping $600. Vietnam may be small, but there will always be an extra bedroom for the staying- over guest. These days, the guests may well outnumber the homeowners however. True to its origin, Hoi An today still boasts a booming trade.
Nam Hai Resort amongst the most luxury in the world's hotel industry
Of the things sold in town, there are only 3 different categories. First is souvenir, the second being clothing and the last is food, both western and Vietnamese. The souvenir is not something to write home about, since offerings are limited in diversity throughout the country. Hoi An is better known for its tailor shops, which mostly service personal bespoke orders. Tourists circulate rumor that people stay in this little sleepy town for entire weeks doing nothing, waiting just to have their shirts made to the perfect fit. Most designs are traditional Vietnamese in nature, with some offer contemporary twists and touches of foreign taste as well. Vietnam tours packages

Hoi An lantern makes a perfect house deco - and inexpensive
Coupled with the right prices, Hoi An is truly a shoppers’ paradise, one that dictates its western customers on a unique oriental sense of style. Paradox does not end. One imagines never being able to find western food in such a hardcore Vietnamese setting. That turns out not the case. Hoi An is home to multiple restaurants that serve big hearty American meals with only a small portion of the menu dedicated to local food. The locals prefer their sidewalk vendors to the many re-innovated house-turned-restaurants out there.
Places to see near Hoi An
Cua Dai Beach
Just 5km (3 miles) from Hoi An is the broad silvery expanse of Cua Dai Beach. This stretch of sand is lined with several good beachside resorts, including one of Vietnam’s most expensive, the fabulously indulgent Nam Hai. Some 20km (12 miles), or 25 minutes by speedboat, from Hoi An and Cua Dai Beach is Cu Lao Cham Marine Park, which comprises eight islands that make up the Cham Islands archipelago. The marine park is one of the finest diving spots in central Vietnam. The main Cham Island is known for its rich bounty of swallows’ nests (the species in question is, in fact, German’s swiftlet), used in birds’ nest soup – a prized delicacy in Chinese communities all over Asia.
My Son
The ancient kingdom of Champa, which is thought to date back to the second century AD and flourished from the fifth to the 15th centuries, once occupied the central Vietnamese coast all the way to the Dong Nai River in the south. After many struggles, Champa was conquered by the Vietnamese – but the Cham people remained. As their kingdom was swallowed piecemeal by the invading Viet (Kinh), increasing numbers of Cham fled to neighbouring Cambodia, though others chose to remain under Viet tutelage in their former homelands. My Son, nestled under the green slopes of Cat’s Tooth Mountain (Nui Rang Meo) some 50km (31 miles) from Hoi An, is the site of Vietnam’s most important Cham monuments and was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1999. It is one of the most atmospheric locations anywhere in the country, with the crumbling ruins set in a verdant jungle. Chosen as a religious sanctuary by King Bhadravarman I in the fourth century, many temples and towers (kalan) were built in this area. There are 11 designated temple groups in My Son, and there are likely to be other groups of ruins that are either unpublicised or undiscovered.