Myanmar - any advice on things to see and do ?

[SimonV8ster]

Just arrived in Yangon last night and intend to use the train system to get up to Mandalay eventually in 3-4 weeks time.

Any interesting things people found to see and do that aren't normally mentioned in the guide books ?

[SimonV8ster]

Thanks for replying. Why did the golden rock take so long ? I was going to go to Bago then onto the golden rock before training up to lake Inde.

Sounds like you're well into your Vietnam trip, I had 2 months there, brilliant place. North to south or vice versa ?

[SimonV8ster]

Thanks for the info - i'll divulge it all later, had a few large bottles of Myanmar !!

I preferred the north of Vietnam to the south so i'm sure you'll have a great time. Try and get up to Sapa for a stark contrast to Hanoi. Don't miss out on the huge caves south of Hanoi as they are mighty impressive, can't remember the names currently but if you haven't found them out already i'll go back on my blog.

[SimonV8ster]

Ok, heres some, the touristy bit !!

[SimonV8ster]

This was ok -

[SimonV8ster]

Did the circle line tour yesterday, not quite the same as the one on the London underground !!

Typical train stop, everything for sale -







Quick snack on the train -

[SimonV8ster]

Love the hot air balloons !! Might have to do that !! What was the cost ?

Just been talking to the guy in the hostel and he shook his head everytime i talked about train travel !! I was going to use it to get to most places but now might have to reconsider !!

[SimonV8ster]

ollie j said:

Anyway, sleep in Kin Pun. A hotel I thoroughly recommend is Bawga Theiddi.

Great sugestion !! Just arrived at midday today, blowing the budget a bit at 25 bucks but well worth it !!

Bago was average, a couple of Pagodas to visit and a reclining buddha, only went to the first Pagoda but they wanted 10 bucks to get in and it just looked like a smaller version of the ones in Rangon so i didn't bother.

Had a few beers there though and the locals found me entertaining so i wasn't unhappy with going there.

You accuratly described the trains -'hilariously bumpy' !! I've done a 2 and a 3 hour journey, god knows what the 10-12 hour journeys are like !!

Needless to say i've booked an overnight coach from Yangon to Kalaw in a couple of days !!

Apparantly trekking is popular there so might do a bit of that.

[SimonV8ster]

V41LEY said:

Then picked up the ferry up the Irrawaddy to Mandalay which was awesome. .

Was just talking to a guy that did this. He said that there wasn't much to see for 10 hours. You either sit on top of the boat and get bloody hot, or go lower deck where it is incredibly stuffy and the foid is crap ?!

Your thoughts ?

[SimonV8ster]

shirt said:

any tips for getting around the country? is the train the only viable method? is there and air route into bagan?

There is plenty of coach travel here, local buses/coaches and VIP coaches for us special people.

I believe you can fly into Bagan and save the long ferry/train trip but i haven't confirmed this yet.

[SimonV8ster]

Ollie - what were these places like ? - Pyin Oo Lwin, Hsipaw, Sittwe ??


Currently in Kalaw after a 3 day hike to Lake Inle, stayed just one night there and came back to Kalaw by the train. It was a great train ride through some excellent scenary, thinking of carrying on to Thazi. Planning the next part of my trip now.

Did you use the ferry boat at all to get in/out of Bagan ?

[SimonV8ster]

Thanks Ollie.

Well i'm going to join the train again tomorrow - 'slow train to Thazi' as the scenary was excellent, stop the night there and then get a bus/coach to Bagan.

I'm going to skip the ferry trip to Mandalay so will check out some flights i think.

Will do the train trip north of Mandalay and the viaduct.

Anywhere good in Bagan you stayed ?