Attractions of Burma

The Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon is an astonishing sight, the most revered site for Buddhists in Burma. The bell-shaped stupa rises some 32 stories, all sheathed in resplendent gold, with its spire dominating the skyline of Rangoon. Atop the spire is a golden orb studded with 4,350 diamonds. The whole complex covers 14 acres with 78 smaller pagodas and numerous columns, spires and images of Buddha.

Pagan was once the capital of a powerful Burmese dynasty from 849 to 1283 AD when it was invaded by the Mongol army of Kubla Khan. The city once contained over 40,000 pagodas and while many of the pointed-topped buildings still adorn Pagan's skyline, there are thousands more that are crumbling archaeological remains, ripe for exploration. Some highlights include Ananda Temple with its golden Buddha statues, Gubyaukgyi Temple which contains an ancient mural of the Buddhas life and Shwezigon Temple, said to house the collarbone and a tooth of the Buddha. Shopping at Nyaung-U market is also a must but don't forget to catch the sunset over Pagan's pagodas.

Mandalay is one of the most evocative names in travel, a city immortalised in poetry and song. It was the capital of Burma prior to British rule in the mid 19th century. There are several temples in the city worth visiting, including the ornately carved wooden Shwenandaw Kyaung, Mahamuni Paya, with the Rakhine Buddha image, and Kuthodaw Paya, said to house the world's largest book. Upriver from Mandalay lies the ancient city of Mingun, home to the world's largest unfinished pagoda, built in 1790 to house one of the Buddha's teeth, and the world's largest functioning bell. Three other ancient cities lie close to Mandalay - Amarapura, Sagaing and Ava. Amarapura's U Bein bridge on Lake Taungthaman is over a kilometre long and makes for beautiful viewing at dusk. Back in Mandalay, Sagaing Hill offers a spectacular view of Mandalay at sunset.

The Irrawaddy River is Burma's great natural highway and a boat cruise along the river connecting the historic cities of Pagan and Mandalay is one of the world's great boat journeys. It's a wonderful way to observe life in Burma, along the riverbanks and the busy river itself. The cruise can be taken in luxury aboard the 'Road to Mandalay', owned and operated by Orient-Express, which is a leisurely 3 day cruise or by the budget and quicker option of a local public ferry.

Inle Lake is situated in eastern Burma in the highlands of Shen State. This is an area of serene beauty and tranquillity, away from the big cities and humid plains. The Intha tribal people live on the lake in a series of small, floating villages, living by fishing and farming. The floating market at Ywama takes place every five days, selling food produce to locals and clothing and souvenirs to tourists. A boat ride along the lake allows you to visit the villages of the lake as well as the monasteries and temples such as Nga Phe Kyaung, the 'Jumping Cat Monastery', where the monks have trained their cats to do tricks.

The Golden Rock of Kyaiktiyo is one of Burma's holiest sites. The boulder hangs precariously on the edge of a cliff at the top of Mount Kyaikto - it has been decorated with gold leafs and a 7 metre golden stupa built on top of it.

The town of Bago north east of Rangoon contains some important religious monuments, including the Shwemawdaw Paya, with a stupa 114 metres high, and the Shwethalyaung Buddha, one of the largest reclining Buddha images in the world.