| G Aydt |
04 January 2005 |
Stayed at Mandalay Hill Resort - Mandalay, Myanmar.
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Mandalay city itself isn't a real beauty. But you should absolutely walk all the 1.400 or so steps up to the hill and start about 4 p.m., so you'll be there before sunset. While walking you will meet a lot of Myanmar people, who like to talk to foreigners and who love to practise english. Mahamuni pagoda is also a must. There is a view point for sunset somewhere at the Irawady (I don't know exactly where, you should ask for good places apart Mandalay Hill to watch the sunset). This place isn't yet touristic at all - people are living on their houseboats...great ambiance!!! The surroundings of Mandalay are very nice, very green. Amarapura, Sagaing, Inwa are nice. and there are more places. I've been twice to Myanmar and in both cases I took a taxi with driver from the Inle Lake (Nyaungshwe) to Mandalay (it has to take the old road) and the route is SO nice. You first go a long way through the mountains and then it's green and there are canals. Even if the trip by car lasts about 7 hours - it's worth while!!!
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| P Chaimankong |
01 January 2005 |
Stayed at Thamada Hotel - Yangon, Myanmar.
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This is our first visit to Rangon and we have heard many bad things about Myanmar under the military ruling but the atmosphere was really relaxing unlike what we were told by the news on TV and people are very friendly and enthusiastic to help out. Golden Duck restaurant (Chinese) is highly recommended for good chinese food/service at a very reasonable price - almost comparable to Yaolad district (China town in Bangkok) and taxi cost us only 1 USD and 200 Kyats (Mixed currency because of no change in USD). How good? We went there three times during the three days stay! Walking around the city at night is quite safe. We walked leisurely from the Thamada hotel to Sule round-about and china town to feel the local atmosphere and there were many people eating and shopping on the sides of streets. For your information, there is no fast food restaurants ie. KFC/Pizza
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| S Tovey |
23 October 2004 |
Stayed at Summit Parkview Hotel - Yangon, Myanmar.
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Fascinating if decrepit city; mostly genuinely friendly and spiritual people, though as in all Asia the Army & officials are sods. You won't believe the offhand and surly airport staff are from the same stock as the others you'll have met. The Schwe Dagon is as amazing as it's reputed to be, though less awesome than Angkor, ditto Bagan, and downtown Yangon brings back memories of Kipling & Maugham. Thai & Shan restarants very good; seemed hard to find other Burmese food on menus in English. Very hard to find a good large scale map of Yangon; download one from the net (pds)before you arrive. Internet at the FSI centre next to Scott Market only 50c an hour but all email sites and Ebay blocked by firewalls. Watch your step on pavements; many smallish deep holes you could easily break a leg on.
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| B Bullen |
14 October 2004 |
Stayed at Grand Plaza Parkroyal Yangon - Yangon, Myanmar.
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Didn't know what to expect on the trip to Myanmar. I loved the temples I'd read about and wanted to see them for myself. It was easier to deal with once I got there. Found some good restaurants in Yangon, went to the Schwedagon Pagoda and the Sule Pagoda. The local market has amazing shopping. The best part of the trip was the people. Many of them speak English and are interested in Americans. It's very exotic seeing the cute girls with the yellow stuff they put on their face and in traditional dress. Also make sure you go to Bagan, which is awe-inspiring.
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| O Alt |
24 September 2004 |
Stayed at Savoy Hotel Yangon - Yangon, Myanmar.
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The Shwedagon Paya, with it's gold, diamond and precious gem top is awesome. Go in the early AM, and then back again at dusk, the pagoda changes mood with the light. The $5 entrance ticket is good all day. You can walk to the pagoda from the Savoy Hotel.
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| D Leng |
08 August 2004 |
Stayed at Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel - Bagan, Myanmar.
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Bagan is the key destination in Myanmar, and one should allocate at least two days to see the key sights. Having a driver and a good guide will make the experience more relaxing and meaningful. I also went to Mount Popa and was somewhat disappointed--the site is its main attraction as the temples are not that interesting and one is faced with the annoying presence of aggressive monkeys.
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| K Maniero |
07 August 2004 |
Stayed at Emerald Land Inn - Mandalay, Myanmar.
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We visited Mandalay, Amapura, Inwa, Saigan and Mingun. We took a small taxi for two days: it was very funny and cheaper (only 18 USD).
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| J Cleator |
06 August 2004 |
Stayed at Savoy Hotel Yangon - Yangon, Myanmar.
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We visited Yangon, Mandalay, Kalaw, Lake Inle and Bagan. It was easy to book flights through the hotels we stayed at on Air Mandalay as we went along. All the hotel staff were very helpful and we encountered no problems. Yangon was a truly beautiful and decadently decaying colonial seat. Everyone was so friendly. Walking down the street one day some Monks started talking to us. The next minute we found ourselves on stage at an English school in front of about 100 people with a microphone in our hand addressing the class while regaling tales of our travels within their wonderful country. Anyway with any reservations about coming to Myanmar should lay them aside. It is the last frontier in South East Asia and one that you should not miss.
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| B Minerds |
03 May 2004 |
Stayed at Traders Hotel Yangon - Yangon, Myanmar.
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Yangon is an intriguing destination. The military junta and western isolation both serve to preserve some of the old Burma. There is no McDonalds, KFC or Pizza Hut. There is a unique, almost colonial feel to the city. There are many old buildings, in various states of repair, thriving markets, gemstones and the traditional dress worn by almost all. The men still dress in the longyi noted as archaic by George Orwell in his book ‘Burmese Days’. The vast majority of the civilian population maintain Burmese friendliness and apart from the occasional attempt to rip you off seem happy to reach a win - win bargaining situation. They also take time out to assist visitors, unlike more tourist weary countries. The city has good hotels, including some notably renovated colonial ones. The Shwe Dagon Pagoda remains an outstanding monument and the heart of the Buddhist spirituality that pervades this country. Don’t expect too much nightlife – it’s out of the reach of most citizens. This is not so bad as public lighting is appalling and complemented by frequent power dropouts. It is a surreal experience to be sitting in a pitch-black restaurant with the only noise the clinking of cutlery as diners oblivious to a brown out continue eating. This is a fascinating, beautiful country, relatively unspoiled by the West. I intend to return and explore more of it soon.
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| A Evans (2nd call) |
15 March 2004 |
Stayed at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel - Yangon, Myanmar.
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The Green Elephant restaurant in Yangon deserves its wonderful reputation. Outstanding food and service. The Schwedagon Pagoda is an absolute "must see" for any traveller in Yangon. Beware the camera tax on tri-pods.
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Traveller's Tales: Places to go and see in Myanmar
