Officially titled Shwedagon Zedi Daw, also known as the Golden Pagoda, is a 98-metre (approx. 321.5 feet) gilded stupa located in Yangon, Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the city. It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese with relics of the past four Buddhas enshrined within, namely the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa and eight hairs of Gautama, the historical Buddha.

Phaung Daw Oo pagoda festival and it’s boat race: the most interesting event due to their unique leg rowing. It is the one and only place in the world that one can see such marvelous act.

Situated in Inle Lake, one of the most dazzling and magical places in Asia. It is held on a grand scale for 18 days, usually falls in October (sometimes in September). Four Buddha Images out of five from Phaung-daw-oo Pagoda are carried on royal barge and conveyed around 14 villages on the Lake. The barge is towed by the boats of leg -rowers and hundreds of boats follow the procession. The large crowds of people gather on the lake-shores to celebrate the occasion. It is really a splendid sight.

Among the dance shows and fun-fairs, the most interesting event of the festival, especially for foreigners, is their boat race – due to their unique leg rowing. It is the one and only place in the world that one can see such marvelous act. This year Phaugdawoo Pagoda festival will begin on 12th October and end on 29th October, 2007. 18th and 29th of October is special recommend for taking photographs.

One of the best well known Myanmar traditional theatre performances in Myanmar is the Mandalay Marionette Theatre (also known as Mandalay Puppet Theatre). First founded by two ladies in 1986, the troupe started their performance by performing for the tourists coming to Myanmar. The two founders were Ma Ma Naing, daughter of U Thein Naing, the writer of Burmese Puppet Theatre (1966) and Naing Ye Mar. The troupe is supervised by Dr. Tin Maugn Kyi, a researcher on Myanmar puppet, U Pan Aye and U Shwe Nan Tin, seasoned and well respected puppet masters. The troupe has won a number of national awards, and has performed in various foreign countries.

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda ;also known as Golden Rock) is a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site in Mon State, Myanmar. It is a small pagoda (7.3 metres (24 ft)) built on the top of a granite boulder covered with gold leaves pasted on by devotees. According to legend, the Golden Rock itself is precariously perched on a strand of the Buddha’s hair. The rock seems to defy gravity, as it perpetually appears to be on the verge of rolling down the hill. The rock and the pagoda are at the top of Mt. Kyaiktiyo. It is the third most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Burma after the Shwedagon Pagoda and the Mahamuni Pagoda. A glimpse of the “gravity defying” Golden Rock is believed to be enough of an inspiration for any person to turn to Buddhism

Located about 20 kilometres from Monywa Town is the Thanboddhay Buddhist temple complex on 37 acres of land which is part of the Mohnyin Forest Monastery retreat. The pagoda was started on 20th June 1939 and completed on 2nd March 1952.It was the brain-child of the famous Mohnyin Sayadaw whose life-like effigy can be seen nearby. The architecture design concept of this pagoda is similar to Borobodur at the first look. Unlike Borobodur this is a modern place of worship, well maintained, and with interesting samples of modern Buddhist art. There are many different Buddha images, row upon row in ascending tiers in niches along the walls: the total number is 582, 257, an amazing figure! Unlike most of the pagodas in Myanmar, the entrance is not guarded by Chinthes, the mythical lions, but by statues of a pair of magnificant white elephants which are sacred and auspicious in Buddhist symbolism. Thanboddhay is the only pagoda with this unique shape in the whole country. The square temple base (each side about 166 feet) which worshippers can enter is topped by receding terraces, with myriads of small stupas (864 in number) surrounding the central golden chedi, 132 feet in height. Visitors can study and take photos of the twenty tagundaing, huge decorated pillars, and also big masonary fruits in the shape of bunches of bananas and coconuts, water melon, mangos, jackfruits, papaya and so on . These fruits are also objects of veneration for the local farmers. At the beginning of the Myanmar month of Tazaungmone ( usually around November), you can see the annual pagoda festival, which goes on for several days when the villagers from all around come to enjoy the music and dancing, and buy from the various stalls set up by sellers from all over the country.

Bagan , formerly Pagan, is an ancient city in the Mandalay Division of Burma. Formally titled Arimaddanapura or Arimaddana (the City of the Enemy Crusher) and also known as Tambadipa (the Land of Copper) or Tassadessa (the Parched Land), it was the ancient capital of several ancient kingdoms in Burma. It is located in the dry central plains of the country, on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River, 90 miles (140 km) southwest of Mandalay.

Although an application was submitted[1], UNESCO does not designate Bagan as a World Heritage Site. The main reason given is that the military junta (SPDC) has haphazardly restored ancient stupas, temples and buildings, ignoring original architectural styles and using modern materials which bear little or no resemblance to the original designs. The junta has also established a golf course, a paved highway, and built a 200-foot (61 meter) watchtower in the southeastern suburb of Minnanthu.

The chaotic scene of the floating market in Ywama, Lake Inle. Based on lunar calendar, the floating markets are regularly held in various locations including Phaung Daw, Indein and so on, in a rotational fashion. Unfortunately, these once authentic trading grounds of local produce have been invaded by tourists since the introduction of tourism. Industrious villagers soon found it more lucrative by selling souvenirs than vegetable. Today, souvenir hawkers vastly outnumber genuine market goers. This creates a concern that this local economic system may soon be vanishing.

Myanmar lies at the crossroads of Asia’s greatest civilizations, China and India. Before 1989, Myanmar is known under different names: Suvanabhumi, Bermah, and Burma. It was well known for its ancient archaeology and rich culture. Myanmar stretches from the islands of the Andaman Sea in the south, right up into the Eastern Himalayan mountain range, giving a variety of marvellous people and enriched nature.

There are seven states and seven divisions in Myanmar. The divisions are Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon and the states are Chin State, Kachin State, Kayin State, Kayah State, Mon State, Rakhine State, Shan State. The Independence day is 4th January 1948. There are over 40 foreign missions all over the world, including Embassies, and Consulate Generals. The currency is Kyats. Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport serve as the main airports of Myanmar.