This morning, we fly to Mandalay via Kunming. Mandalay is Myanmar’s 2nd largest city, lies on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. It’s a city rich in culture and history. 

Your private tour guide will meet you at airport, then we drive to Amarapura, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’. We'll visit a silk weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products and then visit U Bein Bridge which is 200 year-old. The bridge was constructed of 984 teak posts that were once part of the deserted Inwa Palace and it is 1.2 kilometers in length making it the world’s longest teak span. Enjoy strolling along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. The bridge is reputed as lovers bridge which is thought to be the best place for enjoy sunset view by locals.  After tour, we drive to hotel in Mandalay.

After breakfast, tour guide will meet you at hotel lobby. Today, our first stop is Mahamuni Pagoda. The Pagoda is the most revered Buddhist shrine in Mandalay. Myanmar Buddhists are so devout that countless thousands of devotees apply gold leaves and paste them on statue except face to gain merit.

The next stop is Shwenandaw Monastery (or Golden Palace Monastery). This monastery is of great interest not only as a fine example of a traditional Myanmar wooden monastery, but as a fragile reminder of the old Mandalay Fort.

This monastery is famous for its beautiful wood-carvings. This wooden monastery is carved all over with motifs and mythical creatures. It  was once entirely covered in thick gold, but only the interior gold remains due to harshness of the tropical weather. Some of the outer carvings have been prised off and removed being damaged by the weather. Inside the monastery, there are 10 jataka scenes taken from the Buddha’s life. These are still in a very good condition.

This afternoon, we transfer to visit Mandalay Hill, pass by Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World’s Biggest Book. Mandalay hill is surrounded by the nine satellite hills.There are two one-way bus roads up to the top of the Mandalay Hill, one to the west of the Great Lions statues winding up the way and the other at the southern passageway going down. There are four stairways going up the Mandalay Hill, two on the north and on the west, and two on the south. An elevator and an escalator are also in service for going up hill. Like a Tower given by nature, the Mandalay Hill offers a panoramic view over the Golden City of Mandalay. We can also enjoy nice sunset view here. After tour, we drive back to hotel.

This morning, we drive to Sagaing which lies 21km south-west of Mandalay on the west bank of Ayeyarwaddy River. Sagaing is known as a meditation centre. Myanmars all over the country would visit Sagaing for the purpose of religious retreat. Sagaing hill has numerous pagodas, monasteries and meditation centers known as a peacefule place for Buddhist studies. We could enjoy nice view of Sagaing and Irrawaddy river at top of hill. U Min Thonze Pagoda is one of the most distinctive complexes on main hill top of Sagaing.

This afternoon, we drive to visit Innwa which was the the capital of Myanamr during 1364-1841. After tour, we drive to Mandalay airport and fly to Bagan. Our representative will meet you at Bagan airport and escort you to hotel in Bagan. Bagan was the ancient royal capital of Pagan and is one of the richest archeological sites in Asia. Monuments, temples and pagodas dating from the 11th to the 13th centuries are scattered over its vast plains.

Depart from hotel lobby, our first stop is Ananda Temple. The temple is considered to be one of the most surviving masterpiece of the Mon architecture. Also known as the finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples.

Then, we transfer to visit colorful Nyaung Oo Market where locals come to buy and sell fresh produce and other goods every day.    

After lunch, we go to Shwezigon Pagoda. The pagoda is the 2nd largest golden pagoda in Myanmar only to Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. It was first built by King Anaweahta then completed by Kyansittha (1084-1113). The graceful bell shape of this pagoda became a prototype for virtually all later pagodas all over Myanmar.

Then, we go to Shwesandaw Pagoda where we could enjoy the most beautiful sunset view in Southeast Asia. The pagoda was built by King Anawrahta in 1057. This graceful circular pagoda was constructed at the centre of his newly empowered kingdom. The pagoda was also known as Ganesh or Mahapeine after the elephant-headed Hindu god whose images once stood at the corners of the five successive terraces.

This morning, we could take a hot air balloon to enjoy nice sunrise view and "sea of pagodas" (optional extra cost).  After breakfast, we go to Sulamani Guphaya Temple. This is one of the most wonderful Pagoda in the Bagan area. Built about a thousand years ago, the temple is covered in old painted images. The Pagoda has huge importance to Buddhists and we can immerse ourselves into the power this place has.

Then, we transfer to Dhammayangyi Temple with rich history. This is the widest temple in Bagan. Its size and structure is impressive, and it has a unique look that many of the other temples do not. The pagoda has many levels, but most of them are closed and just the first floor is open to the public. 

After lunch, we go to Htilominlo temple is one of the most visited temples in Old Bagan. The temple was built between 1211-1230 AD by King Nandaungmya at the beginning of its reign to commemorate that on that spot he was selected as crown prince between the five sons of the king. It is built in red brick and has three story. We can climb to the first one, from where we can get a wonderful view of the Bagan plain.

Then we go to visit one of Myanmar’s most treasured handicrafts, a lacquer ware craftsmen’s workshop. Afterwards, we drive to Bagan airport and fly to Yangon -- Myanmar’s biggest city, once known as Rangoon, is full of color and life. The emerald city is lush and full of colonial and traditional Burmese architecture with glimmering pagodas overlooking the action taking place in the heart of the city. Our representative will meet you at Yangon airport and escort you to hotel.

This morning, we go to the most famous scenic spot in Yangon -- Shwedagon Pagoda. The Pagoda is the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, the local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago then renovated several times until taking its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas and your guide will show you around the massive complex, explaining why this temple is so revered. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point.

Then, we go to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. A visit to Kyaukhtatgyi provides a great overview of Buddhism with murals depicting the life of Buddha, the feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray.

After lunch, we' ll stroll through the streets of down town and view the colonial buildings reminiscent of the British era. Proceed to photo stop at Sule Pagoda, City Hall, High court and Independence Monument in Mahabandoola Park. Then enjoy shopping at Bogyoke Aung San Market which is a popular shopping centre for Myanmar souvenirs; gems and jewellery; arts and crafts; silk and cotton fabrics and garments.  Afterwards,  we drive to visit Kandawgyi Park. The first thing we'll see when we walk in the park is the Royal Barge with the Indo-Burmese architecture commonly seen in Myanmar. It is nice to walk around the lake on the wooden walkways built with wood on water, peaceful and away from the traffic. The top of the grand Shwedagon Pagoda is visible in part of the walk. We' ll have dinner and enjoy a cultural show (Traditional dances, Puppets Show, Elephant dance) at Karaweik Royal Palace Restaurant which is located at eastern shore of Kandawgyi Lake. After watching the show, we drive back to hotel.

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Yangon - Shanghai.

No tour is arranged this morning, our representative will meet you at hotel lobby (about 12:20 noon), then we drive to Yangon airport and fly back to Shanghai. ‍

IN BAGAN

IN YANGON