The most beautiful natural sites to discover Myanmar - Burma

In Pwasaw, built by Narapatitsithu in 1196. The Dhammayansika temple is erected not far from New Bagan. Looking a little like the Shwezigon, its stūpa is surmounted by a golden bell, and its terraces are decorated with five small temples. The view was magnificent there, at the time when people were still climbing on the temples. Today, it can be admired from below in the morning light, revealing all its splendour! Its magnificent architecture, between brick and gilding, in different sizes and on different floors, makes it the best temple in the New Bagan area.

The Shwesandaw Pagoda was built in 1057 by King Anawrahta. Slightly damaged by the earthquake, its cylindrical bell topped by rings has undergone some repairs. Below the height of the five terraces, two additional octagonal bases serve as a reliquary for Buddha's hair, obtained from Bago. However, due to Baganese wealth, some constructions are an exception to the models of classical Baganese architecture. Once the ideal place to watch the sunset, it is now forbidden to climb the temples!

All around Lake Kandawgyi, one can take the time for a pleasant walk in parks. Within a few meters you are literally cut off from the urban traffic, like inside a green lung in the heart of Yangon. We cross pretty bridges to get to the islands, where you can find restaurants half on stilts, nurseries trying to sell their small seeds, and lovers out for a stroll... The place is ideal for cooling off on hot afternoons. One can lose hours there by forgetting the time that passes.

Not far from the superb Shwedagon pagoda, this park is one of the places where you can take a step back from its architecture, golden and pointed towards the sky. This park is essentially made up of vast expanses of grass where one comes to frolic with family or friends. The place is very popular with Burmese lovers. But above all, particularly pleasant during the hottest periods, but also at weekends, when you will come across more locals, who also come to walk here.

Situated in the north of the city, Lake Inya and its park is appreciated for its calm and softness, especially on the hottest days. It is a good place to rest between two visits. Be careful however, the entrance is sometimes blocked by the authorities when receptions are held in the luxurious residences on the shores of the lake. It is also on the south shore of the lake that Aung San Suu Kyi's home is located, where she was under house arrest for several years, near the U.S. embassy. Hence the nickname: the Lady of the Lake.

It is possible to make excursions to the national park, which is about 100 km away. Take a minimum of one day starting from very good time but the best is to stay on the spot for at least one night. To get there, cross the river (2 000 K) and take a bus from Yin Mar Ben until Kapai. From Kapai, negotiate with a taxi to get there. In February, there is a great pilgrimage in the national park. Count US $ 8 for a person in a bungalow, US $ 15 for 2 people.

From the port of Myeik, there is a clear view of this small hilly island, where swimming is prohibited. You can get there on one of the small boats on the pier at Pyi Taw Thar Street. If the place is interesting, it keeps the third longest reclining Buddha in Burma, sixty-six meters long. Lying on the water's edge, like on the beach, in the usual serenity of Buddha. And the little extra is that one can enter inside the statue, covered with illustrations from his previous life. A pleasant visit!

Built a few years before the fall of the kingdom of Bagan. At the end of the 13th century, in 1284. Among the later monuments built in the kingdom of Pagan, the Mingalazedi pagoda marks the culmination of Burmese architecture. Note the varnished jataka on its terraces, the small pagodas at the four corners and the shape of the kalasa pot. At the top of the third terrace, four large conical stupas can be seen, giving a slender shape to the whole, which is completed by a pinnacle above the zedi. Of great beauty.

Better known as the Temple of Htilominlo, this majestic architectural work was built by Nadaungnya in the early 13th century, making it one of the last major works in Bagan. A large bell rests on four square terraces at each corner of which hollow temples are erected, each housing a brick and stucco Buddha. Its ochre colour then comes to find all its beauty in the soft lights of dawn or the glowing red lights of the falling evening and the sun setting over the ruins.

Built in 1059, once again during the reign of King Anawrahta, the Lawkananda Pagoda consists of a tall cylindrical bell similar in shape to the stūpas pyu. Lawkananda literally means "joy of the world": what a positive message to visit this beautiful temple. A real and beautiful drop of gold is deposited there. The golden dome then rests on three octagonal terraces, the two lowest of which are accessible by four wide staircases. In May 2003, a new crown adorned with jewels was hoisted to its summit.

It is said that King Anawratha, again, erected it with the intention of redeeming himself from the assassination, in battle, of his predecessor and half-brother Sokkade. Characteristic for its low terraces and its almost cylindrical bell-shaped dome, the Myin Ka Ba pagoda has this particular interest. Its village of the same name is above all the stronghold of the region's craftsmen: from sand paintings to lacquerware. Crockery and other bamboo boxes are then meticulously covered with 14 layers of lacquer.

In the south of lake Kandawgyi the zoo is representing a place to avoid for sensitive souls because the animals are enclosed in very young and mall in point.

On the other hand, it is interesting to visit the natural history museum where various reptiles in jars are arranged (not necessarily fragmented better than the animals), fossils, and you have a first approach to the tropical vegetation. Finally, the last attraction of the park is the national Aquarium. The zoo is especially a picnic for Burmeses.

The Myinnahti cave is located near the village of the same name, on the Loikaw road, about ten kilometres from Kalaw. If you decide to go there on foot, please ask the hotel for directions and allow an hour and a half of hiking through lush nature. Once there, you will discover this deep natural cave. A long winding corridor of a few hundred meters filled with buddhas. The place was used as a hideout by the Japanese during the Second World War to protect themselves from British bombing. Its limestone formations are worth seeing.

Take a pedicab (three-wheeled vehicle with human or mechanical propulsion) to get there. Magnificent pond bursting with water lilies.

As its name suggests, there are 3 trees on the island of the 3 trees. These surround a tiny pagoda. You can walk around the island in 10 minutes. The main activity is probably snorkeling, mask and tuba. Many rocks and some corals surround the island. Nothing transcendental but a nice entertainment where you can reach in 20 minutes on board a boat.

Fishing trip. Contact his hotel if you wish to go with the local fishermen.

Very deep lake formed by volcanic eruption. To our knowledge, nobody is bathing there.