Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein

Tripoto
23rd Mar 2014
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 1/22 by Swapnil Shah
Nga Htat Gyi Pgoda, Yangon
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 2/22 by Swapnil Shah
@ Shwedagon Pagoda
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 3/22 by Swapnil Shah
@ Shwedagon Pagoda
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 4/22 by Swapnil Shah
Handicrafts Industry
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 5/22 by Swapnil Shah
Main Shwedagon Pagoda
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 6/22 by Swapnil Shah
Makeshift truck
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 7/22 by Swapnil Shah
View from top of Sagaing Hill
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 8/22 by Swapnil Shah
Amazing Countryside of Inn Wa (Ava)
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 9/22 by Swapnil Shah
Horse Cart Ride at Inn Wa
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 10/22 by Swapnil Shah
Horse Cart Ride at Inn Wa
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 11/22 by Swapnil Shah
Amazing Countryside of Inn Wa (Ava)
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 12/22 by Swapnil Shah
Boat ride to reach Inn Wa
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 13/22 by Swapnil Shah
View from U-Bein Bridge
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 14/22 by Swapnil Shah
U-Bein Bridge
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 15/22 by Swapnil Shah
U-Bein Bridge
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 16/22 by Swapnil Shah
U-Bein Bridge
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 17/22 by Swapnil Shah
U-Bein Bridge
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 18/22 by Swapnil Shah
U-Bein Bridge : Treat for Silhouette Lovers
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 19/22 by Swapnil Shah
U-Bein Bridge : Treat for Silhouette Lovers
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 20/22 by Swapnil Shah
U-Bein Bridge : Treat for Silhouette Lovers
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 21/22 by Swapnil Shah
U-Bein Bridge : Treat for Silhouette Lovers
Photo of Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Inn Wa, U-Bein 22/22 by Swapnil Shah
U-Bein Bridge : Treat for Silhouette Lovers

The expenses mentioned are Ex-'Starting Place'

Starting Airport : Yangon International Airport, Myanmar (IATA : RGN)

Myanmar is a culturally rich but not-so-mordenized nation. Although Naypyidaw is the official capital of Myanmar, Yangon the the commercial hub. Getting pure veg food was really a challenge. Remember the magic word 'Thataalo' which means pure veg in burmese. We had fried rice and boiled vegetables for all our meals.

The currency of Myanmar is Kyats. 1USD is approx 955 Kyats.

The prime attraction in Yangon is the Shwedagon Pagoda. Entry Fee 8USD. Best time to visit : After 5pm until sunset. Top attractions list and things to do are easily available on internet. However, my personal experiences are as mentioned. Must Visit Destinations: Shwedagon Pagoda Nya Htat Gyi Pagoda Bohtahtaung Pagoda Reclining Buddha Bogyoke Market Can be missed: Sule Pagoda Avoid: Circular Train Ride (Super Boring) Cabs are very easily available. However, bargain hard.
Yangon to Mandalay is approx 650kms. There are overnight Air-Con Busses which cover the distance in about 8-10 Hrs and for 10000 Kyats (10 USD). The busses are of really good quality and comfortable. The road connecting 2 cities is really well maintained and the night journey is smooth; without any hassle. Mandalay is a planned city. Roads are beautiful. There are motor bike taxis available which are very cheap especially for solo travellers. We hired a bike for whole day to roam within Mandalay and 3 towns out of Mandalay. We hired it for as low as 25USD for whole day. Again, Bargain Hard. The Mandalay Hill is worth the climb. Start early. The route is beautiful. Do visit the Gold-Leaf making unit. The traditional ways of gold leaf making are still prevailing.
After Mandalay we went to Sagaing where there is another pagoda on top of the hill. It gives a nice panaromic view of the city.
After Sagaing, We went to Inn-Wa which is very ancient town. A ferry has to be taken to go to island of Inn-Wa where Horse Carts have to be hired to roam around the place.
We had Lunch after the Inn-Wa tour and headed towards U-Being Bridge. Its a a very old wooden bridge approx 1.2km in length. Do Pray for a clear sunset. The silhouettes are magical which is very much evident from the pics.