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Mon Cultural Museum
Unlike most of Myanmars regional museums, Mawlamyines is actually worth a visit. Its dedicated to the Mon history of the region. The collection includes stelae with Mon inscriptions, 100-year-old wooden sculptures depicting old age and sickness (used as dhamma -teaching devices in
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Lokananda Paya
You can’t miss this big golden pagoda between the airport and the centre. Its gilded, cavernous worship hall held aloft by decorated pillars is pretty spectacular.On the west side of the compound is a small ordination hall, which houses the intriguing Sachamuni Image, a bronze budd
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Kyauk Daw Kyi
Not far from the airport, this immense seated Buddha was carved from a single piece of marble found outside Mandalay in 1999. The partially finished statue was painstakingly transported to Yangon by boat and train (on a specially built track) a year later, events that are depicted
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Kanbawzathadi Palace
At the heart of ancient Hanthawady was the Kanbawzathadi Palace, the remains of which have been excavated just south of Shwemawdaw Paya. The stumps of the huge teak posts that held up part of the palace have been left in situ, while the posts themselves occupy a museum thats a slip
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Museum in Commemoration of Opium
In 1997 Mong La was declared drug-free by the Wa Authorities, and this temple-like museum was their effort to promote this. In addition to photos, maps and paraphernalia, inside the dusty and neglected building youll find creepy life-sized dioramas: one shows long-haired, leather-c
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St Peters Cathedral
The focal point of a Catholic educational compound is this 1872-vintage cathedral distinctively plastered emerald green. If youre not here for daily mass at 6am (also 4pm on Sunday), friendly Father William, the Chinese-Kayin priest will happily let you peek inside. A short walk fu
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Shwegugale Paya
A little beyond the Mahazedi Paya, this zedi has a dark gu (tunnel) around the circumference of the cylindrical superstructure. The monument dates to 1494 and the reign of King Byinnya Yan. Inside are 64 seated buddha figures. In the evening many locals venture out here. From the z
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Buledi
Great for its views, this steep-stepped, pyramid-style stupa looks ho-hum from afar, but the narrow terrace has become something of an alternative sunset spot. It’s about 2000ft south of the Htilominlo, across Anawrahta Rd. It’s also known as ‘Temple 394’ (not correctly labelled on
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Yangon Zoological Gardens
Yangons 1901-vintage zoo is a chance to view up close 45 species of mammals and 68 species of birds who, on the whole, appear to be well fed and cared for. However, enclosures are often too small and the chained elephants and circus-like weekend animal shows are upsetting spectacle
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Ma Soe Yein Nu Kyaung
Across the creek from Shwe In Bin, the citys largest monastery lacks ancient historical pedigree but does sport a ‘Big Ben’ clock and a unique six-storey octagonal library tower topped with a great viewpoint along with a shrine shaded by artificial mango and ptao trees. The monaste
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Shwekyimyint Paya
Founded in 1167 by Prince Minshinzaw, exiled son of King Alaungsithu, Shwekyimyint considerably predates Mandalay itself. Minshinzaw himself consecrated the central sitting Buddha image thats roughly life-sized and crusted with gold and jewelled raiments in an intimately hushed lit
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Peisi Daung Paya
On a hilltop sits this unrestored four-door pagoda thought to predate the Mrauk U period. Climb to the top, push your way past the rubble and cobwebs and inside youll find four sandstone buddha images, three of which have marble eyes – ostensibly added later by merit-seeking monks.
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Mingalazedi Paya
Close to the riverbank, towards Myinkaba from Old Bagan, Mingalazedi Paya (Blessing Stupa) represents the final flowering of Bagan’s architectural outburst, as displayed in its enormous bell-like dome and the beautiful glazed Jataka tiles around each terrace. Although many of the 1
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Nwa
A local pilgrimage site, Nwa-la-bo is still relatively unknown outside Mon State and, currently, very few foreigners make it out here. This is surprising because the pagoda is a smaller but, geologically at least, far more astonishing version of Kyaiktiyo. Unlike at that shrine, wh
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State Fine Arts School
Built in the early 20th century as the grand home of shipping and rubber magnate Lim Chin Tsong, this is another crumbling but highly evocative slice of Yangons architectural heritage. On the ground floor, beneath the pagoda-like tower, is a gallery of student art. Explore upstairs
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Tagaung Mingala Zeditaw (Tagaung Paya)
Interesting from an artistic perspective, this pagoda is centred on a graceful stupa that sweeps inward from a wide, whitewashed base to a gleaming silver superstructure. Its about 2 miles south of the city centre. Look for the small squirrel sculpture extending from the western si
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Inwa Archaeological Museum
This airy two-hall museum is mostly full of 19th-century marble Buddha statues with their gold leaf rubbed off. More interesting is the giant 18th-century Buddha footprint and a few black-and-white photos of Ava Bridges innauguration (1934) and WWII scuttling (1942). Labels are in
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Sittana Paya
About half a mile further south, this large, 13th-century bell-shaped stupa is New Bagan’s most impressive structure. Built by Htilominlo, and showing some Hindu influences, it’s set on four square terraces, each fronted by a standing buddha image in brick and stucco. A rather rick
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Pwe Kauk Falls
Called Hampshire Falls in British times, Pwe Kauk is a fan of small weirs and splash pools rather than a dramatic waterfall but the forest glade setting is pretty. A series of little wooden bridges, souvenir stands and children’s play areas add to the attraction for local families
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Yele Paya
At Kyauktan, 7.5 miles southeast of Thanlyin, is a sparkling floating temple adrift on a chocolate river. You can feed the massive catfish splashing about at the temple complex’s edge. To reach the islet, catch one of the launch ferries (K5000 return) reserved for foreigners from t
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