OTHER DESTINATIONS

Loikaw

Chin State

Mon State

Myanmar is full of interesting and beautiful places. Most of the tourist destinations are listed in the order of Destination Wise and Interest Wise. Other than those places, there are some more to be viewed. There are seven states and seven divisions in Myanmar. Each states and divisions composed of many more places to visit. Myanmar has great mountain ranges in the north, seas in the south and green regions in the middle of the country.

 Kachin State

Kachin State is the northernmost state of Myanmar. It is bordered by China to the north and east; Shan State to the south; and Sagaing Division and India to the west. It lies between north latitude 23° 27′ and 28° 25′ longitude 

96° 0′ and 98° 44′ . The area of Kachin State is 34,379 sq. miles. The capital of the state is Myitkyina. Other important towns include Bhamo.

Kachin State has Myanmar’s highest mountain, Hkakabo Razi, at 5889 meters in height, forming the southern tip of the Himalayas, and Myanmar’s largest lake, Indawgyi Lake. Hkakabo Razi is Southeast Asia’s highest mountain, located in the northern Myanmar state of Kachin. The peak is enclosed within Hkakabo Razi National Park. It is entirely mountainous and is characterized by broad-leaved evergreen rain forest, a sub-tropical temperate zone from 8,000 ft. to 9,000 ft. Indawgyi Lake is the largest inland lake in Southeast Asia. It is located in Mohnyin Township in the Kachin State of Myanmar. The lake measures 8 miles east to west, and 15 miles north to south. There are over 20 villages around the lake. The predominant ethnic groups living in the surroundings of the lake are the Shan and the Kachin, who mainly practise agriculture.  

 Attractions:

• Myitkyina
• Putao
• Inndawgyi Shwe Myinzu Pagoda
• Kawn Moo Lon Pagoda
• Lawka Man Aung Wish-granting Pagoda

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• Kachin Manaw Festival

Kayah State

Kayah State is a state of Myanmar. Situated in eastern Myanmar, it is bounded on the north by Shan State, on the east by Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Province, and on the south and west by Kayin State. It lies approximately between 18° 30′ and 19° 55′ north latitude and between 94°40′ and 97° 93′ east longitude. The area is 11,670 km² (4,530 sq miles). Its capital is Loikaw. The estimated population in 1998 was approximately 207,357, according to UNICEF. It is inhabited primarily by the Karenni ethnic group, also known as Red Karen or Kayah, a Sino-Tibetan people.

Ethnographers classify anywhere from seven to ten ethnic groups as native to Kayah State. In addition, Shan, Inthar, and Bamar live in the north and Pa-O in surrounding hills. Each group is also known by more than one name. Clearly, ethnicity in Kayah State is a complex issue, made more complex by the current political situation. According to the 1983 census conducted by UN and the Burmese government, the Kayah composed 56.12%, while Bamar (17.58%), Shan (16.66%), Karen (6.45%), mixed races (2.08%), and other groups formed minorities. Ethnolinguists distinguish the following linguistic groups in Kayah State. 

 Attractions:

• Loikaw
• Thiri Mingala Hill or the Taunggwe Pagoda

 Kayin State

Kayin State is an administrative division of Myanmar and also known as Karen State

. The capital city is Hpa-an. The Karen people in Myanmar are Christian, Buddhist and animist. Most Christian Karens are Baptists.

It has common borders with Mandalay Division and Shan State on the north, Kayah State and Thailand on the east, Mon State and Bago Division on the west. Its area is 11,731 square miles.

Together with Sagaw Kayins, Po Kayins, Bwe Kayins and Pako Kayins, Shans, Paos, Myanmarns, and Mons also live in Kayin State, comprising seven Townships and 410 Wards and Village-Tracts. Its population is about 1,057,505.

Now, the Thanlwin Bridge crossing the mighty Thanlwin river has been constructed and accessibility became more convenient to the state. Mount Zwegabin is the landmark of Kayin State.

Attractions:

• Hpa An
• Thandaung
• Myawaddy
• Lunnya Pagoda

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• Kayin New Year Festival

Chin State

Chin State is a state of Myanmar. Its capital is Hakhar. There are 14 townships in the Chin State: Cikha, Hakha, Falam, Kanpalet, Matupi, Rezua, Mindat, Paletwa, Rihkhuadar, Thantlang, Teddim, Tuithang and Tonzang.

To the north and east of Chin State is Sagaing Division, to the south are Magway Division and Rakhine State, to the west are Bangladesh and India.

 The Chin are made up of many sub-groups which although historically related now speak divergent languages and have different cultural and historical identities.

 There is a beautiful heart shape lake called “Reh” close to the Indian border. Mt. Victoria can also be climbed. Tourists can also visit the Nat-Ma-Taung or the Mt. Victoria nature park in the Chin State.  

Attractions

• Harkhar
• Shwebonthar Pagodas

Mon State

Mon State is an administrative division of Myanmar. It is sandwiched between Kayin State on the east, the Andaman Sea on the west, Bago Division on the north and Tanintharyi Division on the south. It has a short border with Thailand’s Kanchanaburi Province at its south-eastern tip. The land area is 12,155 km². Mon State includes many small islands along its 566 km of coastline. Its capital is Mawlamyine, formerly Moulmein.

Principal crops of the State are paddy, groundnut, pulses, rubber, sugar-cane, coconut, betel nut, dhani, durian, rambutan and mangos teen. The State is the top producer of rubber. Tin, antimony and white clay are some of its natural products. As manufacturing establishments, there are the Sittang Pulp and Paper Mill, Billin Sugar Mill, Thanbyuzayat Rubber Factory, Mudon Textile Mill and Mupon Ceramics Factory.

Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda or the Golden Rock is located in the state, and lots of visitors from all over the country and tourists, visit this place during the festival time. The festival is usually in December.

Attractions:

• Thatone
• Mawlamyaing
• Mudon
• Kyaikkami
• Kyaikmaraw
• Thanbyuzayat
• Setse Beach
• Gaungsay Kyun
• Bayin Nyinaung Yadanagu Pagoda
• Emerald Almsbowl Pagoda
• Wish-granting hair relic pagoda (Hump pagoda)
• Kangyi Pagoda
• Kyaik Thallan Pagoda
• Kyaikpawlaw Buddha Image
• Kyaikhtihsaung Sandawshin Pagoda
• Mahamuni in Kyaikhto
• Mahamuni in Mawlamyaing
• Phaungdaw-Oo Pagoda
• Shwe Saryan Pagoda (Thaton)
• Shwebontha Pagoda
• Taung-lay-gon Shwe-yin-myaw Pagoda
• U Khanti Maha Myat Muni Wish-granting Pagoda
• Yogo Pagoda

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda Festival (Mon State)

Rakhine State

Rakhine State is a state of Myanmar. Situated the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State in the north, Magway Division, Bago Division and Ayeyarwady Division in the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. It is located approximately between latitudes 17°30′ north and 21°30′ north and east longitudes 92°10′ east and 94°50′ east.

 The Arakan Yoma mountain range, which rises to 3,063 m at Victoria Peak, separates Rakhine State from Myanmar proper. Its area is 36,762 km² and its capital is Sittwe.

 The famous unspoilt Ngapali beach is in Rakhine State, stretching along the Bay of Bengal. It is famous for its clean aqua blue water and the sandy beach shore. There are many luxury hotels for tourists and locals for accommodation. The southern beach of Kanthaya is reached from Ayeyarwaddy division by road.

 Mrauk U, or the ancient city of the Rakhine Dynasty is also a popular destination in this state.  

Attractions:

• Ngapali Beach
• Thandwe
• Kan Tharyar Beach
• Sittwe
• Letwe Thalondaw Dhat Pagoda

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• Thanakha Grinding Festival (Rakhine)

Shan State

Shan State is a state located in Myanmar (Burma), which takes its name from the Shan people, the majority ethnic group in the Shan State. Shan State is comprised of 54 townships. Its capital is Taunggyi. The state is largely rural. Major cities of Shan State are Lashio, Kyaing Tong and Taunggyi.

Shan State borders China to the north, Laos to the east, and Thailand to the south. It also shares borders with five administrative divisions of Myanmar. Most of the Shan State is a hilly plateau; there are higher mountains in the north and south. The gorge of the Thanlwin River cuts across the state.

The cottage weaving industry of the Inle area in the southern Shan State is famous for the lotus robes. The famous Inle Lake is located in this part and it is a tourist attraction. The Inle Phaungdawoo Pagoda Festival is famous and there are boat race competitions of the one-legged rowers. Kakku Pagodas are ancient places of the Shan State. Pindaya limestone caves consists of thousands of Buddha images.

 Attractions:

• Tachileik
• Kyaing Tong
• Lashio
• Muse
• Thipaw
• Alodawpauk Pagoda
• Wish-fulfilling Bamboo Reed Phaya
• Bamboo strip lacquer Buddha image
• Kyetthayaysaung Maha Myatmuni Phaya
• Yadana Manaung Kaunghmudaw Pagoda

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• Phaungdawoo Pagoda Festival (Shan State)
• Shwe Umin Pagoda Festival (Shan State)
• Hot-air balloon Festival (Shan State)

Sagaing Division

Sagaing Division is a division of Myanmar, located in the north-western part of the country between atitude 21° 30′ north and longitude 94° 97′ east. It is bordered by India’s Nagaland and Manipur States to the north, Kachin State, Shan State, and Mandalay Division to the east, Mandalay Division and Magway Division to the south, and Chin State and India to the west. The division has an area of 93,527 km², and population(1996) of over 5,300,000. The capital is Sagaing.

Sagaing Division consists of 198 wards and villages, 38 townships and eight districts; Sagaing, Shwebo, Monywa, Katha, Kale, Tamu, Mawlaik and Hkamti. The major cities are Sagaing, Mingun, Monywa, Shwebo and Mogok.

Among the natives of the Sagaing Division, the Naga New Year Festival is usually held in January. This festival is most well-known from all over the world and many tourists come to visit the rare tribe’s culture of Myanmar.

In the Sagaing Division, across the Ayeyarwaddy River are the Mingun Pahtodawgyi and the Largest Ringing bell known as Mingun Bell. The Sagaing Hill is the main place for meditation. Thanboddhay Pagoda in Monywa is another tourist destination.  

Attractions:

• Shwebo
• Laeshi – Naga Village
• Aung Myay Lawka Pagoda
• Htupayone Pagoda
• Legyun Man Aung Pagoda
• Mingun Pahtodawgyi
• Mya Thein Dan Pagoda
• Ngar Htat Gyi Pagoda
• Shin Bin Nan Kaing Pagoda
• Shin Bin Nan Oo Pagoda
• Shinbyu Shin Hla Pagoda
• Shwe Guni Pagoda
• Shwe Kyet Yet Pagoda
• Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda
• Taung Philar Pagoda
• The Ruby Pagoda
• Umin Koesel Pagoda
• Umin Thonsel Pagoda
• Yadanar Sinmyar Shin Pagoda
• Zetawun Pagoda

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• Naga New Year (Sagaing)

Tanintharyi Division

Tanintharyi Division is a division of Myanmar, covering the long narrow southern part of the country on the Kra Isthmus. It borders the Andaman Sea to the west and Thailand to the east. To the north is the Mon State. The capital of the division is Dawei. The other main city is Myeik but pronounced as Beik in Myanmar.

The Myeik archipelago is inhabited by the Salone tribes, and yearly there are festivals and occasions to visits this place. Diving trips can also be arranged. Kawthaung is the southern most point of Myanmar and the border check point to enter Thailand.

Tanintharyi Division is the main manufacturing place for Myanmar’s Natural resources like pearl and sea food.  

Attractions:

• Dawei
• Maung Magan Beach
• Myeik
• Kawthaung
• Mergui Archipelago
• Legyun Simee Pagoda
• Pashukyauk Pagoda
• Shin Motti Pagoda
• Shin Dat Weh Pagoda  

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• Salone Festival (Tanintharyi Division)

Yangon Division

Bago Division is an administrative division of Myanmar, located in the southern portion of the country. It is bordered by Magway Division and Mandalay Division to the north; Kayin State, Mon State and the Gulf of Martaban to the east; Yangon Division to the south and Ayeyarwady Division and Rakhine State to the west. It is located between 46°45’N and 19°20’N and 94°35’E and 97°10’E.

 Bago Division is an economically strategic region with a network of motor roads and railways. Bago Shwemawdaw Pagoda is one of the most famous reclining Buddha image in Myanmar. The Kanbawza Thardi Royal Palace of Bago Dynasty is not far from Yangon to visit. It has been built as the old royal palace of the ancient times. There are Bago forest camp in the Bago forest.

 Pyay and Taungoo are nearby places to visit in Bago State. Ruins of the ancient Pyu kingdom is found around 8 km to the east of Pyay in the village of Hmaw Za. The ancient site is known as Thayekhittaya or Sri Ksetra. Ruins can be seen scattering in the area, and there is a small museum.  

Attractions

• Taungoo
• Pawdawmu (Shin Pyn) Pagoda
• Bespectacled Buddha Image

Magwe Division

Magwe Division (also spelt Magway) is a division located in central Myanmar between north latitude 18° 50′ and 22° 47′ and east longitude between 93° 47′ and 95° 55′. It is bordered by Sagaing Division is to its north, Mandalay Division to its east, Bago Division to its south and Rakhine State and Chin State to its west. Magwe Division is the largest of Myanmar’s seven divisions, with an area of 17,305 sq miles.

The artery of Magwe Division is the Ayeyarwaddy River. Railways and motor roads also traverse the region in addition to airfields.

Magwe Mya Thalun Pagoda and Minbu Shwesettaw are famous destinations of Magwe Division.  

Attractions

• Minbu Shwesettaw
• Magwe Myathalun
• Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
• Sandalwood Monastery
• Shwe Myin Tin Mu Htaw Pagoda
• Shwe Gu Pagoda
• Shwe Muhtaw Pagoda
• Tharakhan Buddha Image
• Thihoshin Buddha Image
• Zeya Mingalar Pagoda

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• Mann Shwesettaw Festival

Mandalay Division

Mandalay Division is an administrative division of Myanmar. It is located in the center of the country, bordering Sagaing Division and Magway Division to the west, Shan State to the east, and Bago Division and Kayin State to the south. The regional capital is Mandalay. In the south of the division lies the national capital of Naypyidaw, located in Pyinmana Township. Mandalay Division is important in Myanmar’s economy, accounting for 15% of the national economy.

Mandalay has the Maha Myat Muni Pagoda which is a special tourist attraction. Mandalay was the capital city during the time of feudalism and the pagoda and temples of Bagan are the nation’s cultural heritage.In the heart of Mandalay city, resides the Mandalay Royal Palace of the last monarch of Myanmar. The Royal Palace has been renovated. The second International Airport in Myanmar has been opened in Mandalay which leads the country to become a better route for visiting. Mandalay is also well-known for the silk weaving industry of Acheik or the Traditional Myanmar Longyis, that are still in fashion for today’s Myanmar life style.

Visiting the U-Bein bridge which is made of teak pillars, crossing the Taung-ta-man Lake in Amarapura, will give an enchanting experience. 

Attractions

• Nay Pyi Taw
• Kyaukse
• Palate
• Amarapura Pahtodawgyi
• Baungdawkya Pagoda
• Chanthargyi Pagoda
• Lawka Marazain Kuthadawgyi
• Maha Thetkya Marazein Kyauktawgyi Pagoda
• Maha Loka Yanthi Aindawya Pagoda
• Maha Mingalar Pagoda
• Maha Muni Pagoda
• Maha Thetkya Thiha Pagoda
• Mandalay Hill-top Wish-granting Pagoda
• Phayani Pagoda
• Shin Boh Mai Phaya
• Shwesayan Pagoda
• Standing Ananda Pagoda
• Taungthaman Maha Thetkya Yanthi Kyauktawgyi Image
• Tawagu Zedidaw
• Thardawya Pagoda
• Wish-fulfilling, ordination umbrella-shaking pagoda
• Wish-granting Chanthaya Pagoda
• Yadana Labhamuni Wish-Granting Paleik Mwe Phaya
• Yadana Myintzu Pagoda

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• Mahamuni Pagoda Festival
• Manuha Pagoda Festival
• Dancing Elephant Festival, Kyaukse

Yangon Division

Yangon Division is an administrative division of Myanmar. It is bordered by Bago Division in the north and east, the Gulf of Mottama in the south, and Ayeyarwady Division in the west. Yangon Division is situated between latitude 16° 20′ north and 17° 50′ north and longitudes 95° 45′ east and 96° 46′ east in the southernmost part of the central plains. The Coco Archipelago which is located in the Bay of Bengal is also part of Yangon Division. Yangon Division is the most developed area of the country and the main international gateway. Most of the country’s industrial zones are located in this division. The division’s area is 3,927.15 square miles.

Yangon is the main port by air and sea. All other places can be visited from Yangon. The main landmark of Yangon is the Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the wonders of the world. Other famous pagodas are Sule, Kabaraye, Ko Htat Gyi, Chauk Htat Gyi and so on. The Bogyoke Aung San Market is the main tourist destination market. It is a market as well as a colonial building. There are over 40 colonial buildings in Yangon.  

Attractions

• Letkokkon Beach
• Twante
• Kyaik-hmaw-wan Midstream Pagoda

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• Matho Thingan (Yangon)
• Full Moon Day of Tazaungmone

Ayeyarwaddy Division

Ayeyarwady Division is a division of Myanmar, occupying the delta region of the Ayeyarwady River (formerly the Irrawaddy River). It is bordered by Bago Division to the north, Bago Division and Yangon Division to the east, and the Bay of Bengal to the south and west. It is contiguous with the Rakhine State in the northwest. The Division lies between north latitude 15° 40′ and 18° 30′ approximately and between cast longitude 94° 15′ and 96° 15′. It has an area of 13,566 sq-miles. The population is over 6.5 million, making it the most populous of Myanmar’s states and divisions. The average population density per sq mile is 466 persons.

Relaxing spots like Ngwe Saung Beach and Chaung Thar beach lies in this division. These beaches are along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is about only 4 hrs drive from Yangon, and easily accessible by car. Those beached are beautifully located between the sea and the lower hills of Rakhine range.

Attractions

• Alum
• Aung Bodhi Pagoda
• Legyun Yanaung Phaungdaw-Oo Pagoda
• Maha Alula Thakya Yanthi Sedatkyee Image
• Maha Loka Okshaung Kyauktawgyi Buddha
• Myat Mawtin Pagoda
• Okshit Hla Pagoda
• Pyilone Katkyaw Sutaungpyi Pagoda
• Pyinsa Mukha Marazain Pagoda
• Shwe-mu-htaw Pagoda