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Kheng Hock Keong
Supported by a Hokkien association, Yangon’s largest Chinese temple is most lively from around 6am to 9am when it’s thronged with worshippers offering candles, flowers and incense to the Buddhist and Taoist altars within. The temple is dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, who occupie
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Lin Zin Kone Cemetery
When Inwa-based King Sin Phyu Shin sacked Ayuthaya in todays Thailand, he reputedly returned with thousands of prisoners including the Ayuthayan King Udombhara who became a local monk. When Udombhara died nearly 30 years later, was buried in a grand tomb whose location has been lon
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Thabeik Hmauk
Facing Sulamani from the east, and well worth visiting, this sikhara -topped temple looks like a miniature version of its more famous neighbour, but sees far fewer visitors (or vendors). Thabeik Hmauk means ‘Boycott Temple’, as it was made in response to the similarly designed Sula
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Thanakha Gallery
Claiming that it’s the ‘Only One Thanakha Gallery In the World’, this sizeable complex has a small gallery devoted to the myriad medicinal and cosmetic uses of the thanakha tree (Limonia acidissima ), from its roots to its bark. It has a small plantation of the trees, around which
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Mingun Paya
Started in 1790, Mingun Paya (or Pahtodawgyi) would have been the world’s biggest stupa had it been finished. In fact, work stopped when King Bodawpaya died in 1819. That left only the bottom third complete. But the result is still a huge structure – a roughly 240ft cube on a 460ft
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Mimalaung Kyaung
A nice set of chinthe (half-lion/half-dragon deity) guards the stairway leading up this small, square monastery platform, constructed in 1174 by Narapatisithu. It’s about 650ft south of Gawdawpalin, on the other side of the road. In front of the monastery is a brick-and-stucco Trip
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Colonial Buildings
Most of Pyin Oo Lwin’s trademark colonial-era buildings are dotted amid the southeastern woodland suburbs on and off Circular Rd. Many look like classic 1920s British homes, while the biggest have the feel of a St Trinian’s–style boarding school. There are also a number of decaying
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Nga Hpe Kyaung (Jumping Cat Monastery)
On the western side of the lake, the Nga Hpe Kyaung is famous for its jumping cats, trained to leap through hoops during the slow hours between scripture recitals. Cat-jumping shows are sometimes put on for visiting tourists and the cats get treats for their efforts, so they seem f
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Upali Thein
Just north of the Bagan–Nyaung U Rd, almost midway to Nyaung U, this squat mid-13th-century ordination hall houses some brightly painted frescoes depicting big scenes on the walls and ceilings from the late 17th or early 18th century. Sadly many pieces crumbled in the 1975 earthqua
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Ywama
Ywama was the first village to be developed for tourism and, as a result, it has the greatest number of souvenir shops and restaurants. It’s still a very pretty village, with winding channels lined with tall teak houses, but the charm can be diminished by the crowds of tourist boat
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Mahabodhi Paya
Unlike any other Bagan temple, this monument, located on the north side of the main road 1000 feet west of the gate, is modelled after the famous Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya, India, which commemorates the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Built during the reign of Nant
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Gawdawpalin Pahto
Standing 197ft tall, Gawdawpalin is one of the largest and most imposing Bagan temples, although by no means the most inspiring, with its modernised altar and tile floors inside. Built during the reign of Narapatisithu and finished under that of Nantaungmya, it’s considered the cro
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Kyauktawgyi Paya
Around 200yd beyond the eastern end of side of U Bein’s Bridge, this 1847 pagoda, built by Pagan Min, was supposedly modelled on the larger Ananda Pahto at Bagan, but its five-tiered roof makes it look more like a Tibetan/Nepali temple. While the paya doesn’t have the perfectly vau
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Bupaya
On the bank of the Ayeyarwady (reached from the Nyaung U road, about 650 feet northwest of the Mahabodhi Paya), this cylindrical Pyu-style stupa, named for bu (gourd), is said to date back to the 3rd century, further than any Bagan temple. Most likely it was erected around the same
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Gaungse Kyun (Shampoo Island)
This picturesque little isle just off Mawlamyine’s northern end is so named because, during the Ava period, the yearly royal hair-washing ceremony customarily used water taken from a spring on the island.You can hire a boat out here from the pier at the north end of town, not far f
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Myasigon Paya
About 820 feet south of Shwesandaw, off Pagoda St, this lovely modern pagoda features a gold zedi and many glass mosaics. On the north side, an open building has a faded mural of Taungoo kings. A nearby squat white building is actually a museum (to have it opened, ask in the pagoda
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Former Pegu Club
Despite being in a very sorry state, this teak building exudes a magnetic attraction. It was once the most exclusive British club in Burma, and its believed that Rudyard Kipling was inspired to write his poem Mandalay after spending a night here. Ghosts of the Raj haunt the rotting
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Shwenandaw Kyaung
Lavished in carved panels, this fine teak monastery-temple is noted for its carvings, particularly the interior gilded Jataka scenes (past-life stories of the Buddha). The building once stood within the Mandalay Palace complex as the royal apartment of King Mindon, who died inside
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Hintha Gon Paya
Located a short walk behind the Shwemawdaw, this shrine was once the one point in this whole vast area that rose above sea level and so was the natural place for the hamsa to land. Images of this mythical bird decorate the stupa built by U Khanti, the hermit monk who was the archit
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Maha Aungmye Bonzan (OK Kyaung)
Built, unusually, of stucco-covered brick, this 1822 royal monastery temple is a rare survivor from the Ava era. The faded, sturdy structure looks very attractive in cleverly taken photographs, but in the harsh midday sun the main attraction is the cool afforded by its ultra-thick
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