If you have read my series on Myanmar, you are sure to pin it on your list of budget-friendly destinations. A gorgeous country, I thoroughly enjoyed my road trip to its capital city Yangon, far more enjoyable than a mundane flight to my mind. However, those who have time constraints may take a flight also.  From Inle Lake you can book a bus to Yangon through www.bookaway.com. I found the service very good, though there are other sites like www.klook.com too. 

Yangon has everything a seasoned traveler needs to entice him or her to visit it − right from its exotic beaches, vintage structures, spectacular monuments, night clubs, charming hotels and the numerous things to enjoy on the sight-seeing tours. From our fascinating sojourn of Inle Lake in the northern part of Myanmar, we went on to finish our trip with a four-day stay in Yangon. With unbridled delight, I observed the glorious architecture preserved since the colonial era. I actually felt time has stood still in this country since circa 1947 when the British ruled India and neighboring Myanmar also felt its echoes. 

For booking your stay in Yangon, you can simply logon to Booking.com. For backpackers, the Sunflower Inn is a good choice, very budget-friendly and clean. One thing which struck me in Myanmar is that one is not approached aggressively by street hawkers to be coerced into buying stuff or hailed by Tuktuks or taxis begging rides unnecessarily. People seek you out not to harass you, rather want to help you find your way around or just to greet you politely. Even taxis never try to overcharge foreigners. I presume this is due to the fact that Myanmar is still opening its doors to tourism. I simply loved the way it is now and hope it remains untouched by ruthless commercialization.

The Shwedagon Pagoda, hailed as the most sacred Buddhist pagoda amongst the many spread all over Myanmar is a must visit. I was fascinated by the many legends surrounding it increasing its aura of mystery and mysticism. This iconic monument is ornate and breathtaking as it is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top is encrusted with a glitter of diamonds, a sight not to be missed by any visitor to Yangon. There is a minimal entry fee and you must wear very conservative clothing, though they do keep longyis, the traditional cloth which you can drape around your waist if you happen to wear shorts or a knee-length skirt. Both men and women wear this attire. You also need to take off your shoes to enter the premises. 

Do try to visit around sunset, when the sun's diminishing rays fall upon the golden temples and the statues glint beautifully! The entrance is surmounted by two enormous statues standing as guards to ward off the evil eye. As you enter the great hall, escalators take you up into the actual pagoda area. The stunning sight which catches you unawares at the top is surreal − a vast array of glittering temples, statues of the Buddha, intricately carved rooftops, various deities and spouting fountains greet you. The soothing fragrance of burning incense ushers you into a melee of tourists and locals intermingling and entirely engrossed in various activities − some lost in a religious reverie of prayers and rituals, others engaged in pensive musings and yet others leisurely taking photographs, trying to capture on camera, the ambience and the sheer energy of this imposing pagoda. One is simply overwhelmed as one tries to absorb everything. The Golden pagoda about 100 meters tall, at the center, towered over the surrounding area. Sitting here at dusk watching the fascinating play of light on the pagoda as the sun sets was mesmerizing. 

There is the quaint Bogyoke Aung San Market also nearby, a popular market amongst the numerous available in Yangon. Tourists head here to pick up knick-knacks and souvenirs. One thing you need to keep in mind here is that the shops lining the perimeter of the market tend to sell items at a higher price. You have to aim for the interior of the market to strike a good bargain. You can even pick up attractive pieces of jewelry if you are confident that you can distinguish between a genuine piece and a fake. The fabrics displayed in the shops are sure to attract your attention with their bright patterns, but be cautious that you pick up the good quality ones even if you need to spend more. Otherwise you would end up compromising on quality. You must also sample the local delicacies, which are a delight on the palette!

Another major attraction not to be missed is the Kandawgyi lake. Literally translated it means the "Great Royal Lake". The 150 acre, freshwater lake is surrounded by the Kandawgyi National Park and is a popular picnic spot for families in the evenings. One can catch a glimpse of couples strolling by hand in hand and occasionally, there would be youngsters strumming a guitar, accompanied by a group singing lustily and providing a cheerful note to the park. An added charm is the scenic view, especially during sunset. 

If you happen to be the adventurous sort do visit the Golden Rock-Kyaiktiyo Pagoda. You have to board a train from Yangon to Bago to reach this place, which would take about two hours. From here you have to look for a bus headed towards Kyaiktiyo. Be prepared to hitch hike from here onwards and the cost would be approximately 8,500 kyatts to and fro. But it was worth all the effort I have to tell you.

Our trip was amazing in every sense of the word and I certainly hope you plan your next holiday to Myanmar a country worth seeing because of its rich culture and ethnicity and also that it is easy on the pocket! 

Photo Credits: Banner Left – Yangonlife.com; Banner Center – Asia; Banner Right – Enchanting Travel

If you have read my series on Myanmar, you are sure to pin it on your list of budget-friendly destinations. A gorgeous country, I thoroughly enjoyed my road trip to its capital city Yangon, far more enjoyable than a mundane flight to my mind. However, those who have time constraints may take a flight also.  From Inle Lake you can book a