End of 2012, I went to Myanmar - a land that is so beautiful in its pristine heaven, and the people are so nice.
Here are a few places that I visited during the trip
Chaukhtatgyi / ChaukHtetKyi Paya
Housing a giant reclining Buddha statue, encrusted with thousands of precious stones. Though the face is mesmerising, move towards its left, a stage is prepared for visitor for a better photos' taking.
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| ChaukHtetKyi Giant Reclining Buddha, Yangon |
Shwedagon Paya
This pagoda is probably the first thing you have in mind when you visit Myanmar. The pagoda is believed to enshrine strands of Buddha's hair. It is covered in real gold, making it casts different dazzling appearances any time of the day.
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| Shwedagon Paya, Yangon |
The Hanging Golden Rock, Kyaiktiyoe
It took me almost an hour to climb up the super-steep winding track, but the reward is so amazing. The hardship makes me feel like a real devotee. Hahaha. The rock too is believed to enshrine strands of Buddha's hair, which is believed the reason why the rock hangs magically on its seemingly unstable base.
I was there during pilgrimage season, the devotions of thousands devotees adds more charm to this unique holy site.
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| Kyaiktiyoe, the Hanging Golden Rock - in the morning |
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| Kyaiktiyoe, the Hanging Golden Rock - glimmering in darkness of the night |
Shwethalyaung Paya
The legend said that the giant reclining Buddha was built out of a king's repentance for his evil wrongdoing. Walk to the back of the Buddha and you can see whole legend is pictured in narrated reliefs, English subtitle available.
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| Shwethalyaung Paya, Bago |
Hanthawadi Palace, Bago
You can see a glimpse of Shwethalyaung Pagoda (I think) from the palace. Inside the palace they have replicas of royal stuffs, like pots, bowls etc. But what interest me most is a pair of flip-flop with a sole of solid gold (Thx God, it is a replica, brick of gold is too tempting!), somehow the shape and the thick sole resembles the modern Fit-Flop. I have no clue how the king can walk in it, must be super heavy.
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| Hanthawadi Palace, Bago |
Shwenandaw Monastery
Also called "The Golden Palace Monastery", the building is actually a few of surviving original wood palace (made of teak). Whole part of building is a wood carving masterpiece. Still very much in use until today.
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| Shwenandaw Monastery, Mandalay |
Kuthodaw Paya
Tripitaka was once written on palm leaves, but it didn't last very long. To ensure it will last forever, King Mindon Min ordered the Tripitaka to be carved on slab of marbles and filled the inscriptions with gold. The gold are no longer there, it was looted by British. Sad. Total of 729 slabs there, each housed in white stupas.
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| Kuthodaw Pagoda, Mandalay |
Maha Aungmyae Bonzan
Used to be a royal monastery 2 centuries ago, the temple seems to be well preserved. There are plenty of tunnels below the temple, a fun place for taking photos.
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| Maha Aungmyae Bonzan, Ava |
Yedanasini Paya
The ruins of the brick stupas seems gloomy. Walk around, explore, and you'll find a lonely Buddha statue fanned by palm trees, just like in the picture.
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| Yedanasini Paya, Ava |
U Bien Bridge
I really wanted to take the signature photo of "Monks walking on U Bein Bridge", but I didn't get any, there were too many tourists on that day :(
But at least I got this stunning sunset photo, taken from the bridge. Breathtaking, isn't it?
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| Sunset, taken from U Bien Bridge, Amarapura |
Shwezigon Paya
It looks like Shwedagon to me, it seems like Myanmar always have enough gold to cover her pagodas. It is believed to enshrine Buddha's tooth relic.
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| me in front of Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan |
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| a flock of birds flying over Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan |
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