Buzz
Writing about Myanmar is like penning down my reverie. It's the days of blazing sun, wandering around on a horse-drawn carriage amidst the oldest temples in Old Bagan, it's the mesmerizing twilight by the Ubein teak bridge, the lone path leading into the ancient village of Inwa, it's the radiant dawn on a chilly morning over Inle Lake...
Exploring Myanmar: Rediscovering the Dream
Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) - a country recently unveiled after a long period of isolation, harbors countless beauties not just in landscapes but also in culture. It's this essence that has drawn me to this land in my youthful expedition.
Our first destination on this journey is the ancient capital of Old Bagan, spanning 42km², situated along the Ayeyarwaddy River in the central region of Myanmar. Old Bagan is where the most unique architectural marvels of Southeast Asia converge, boasting over 3000 ancient temples and pagodas - a testament to Myanmar's glorious historical era.
Bagan comprises 3 townships: Nyuang U, Old Bagan, and New Bagan, all encompassing a vast area dotted with numerous religious edifices. With its plethora of temples, monasteries, and rich cultural heritage, coupled with its distinctive Buddhist traditions, Myanmar's Old Bagan has always known how to captivate travelers.
Notably, anyone visiting Old Bagan can't miss witnessing the sunrise and sunset at Shwesandaw - famously dubbed as the temple of the setting sun. To reach here, you can travel by horse carriage or rent an electric scooter.
In stark contrast to the tranquility of Old Bagan, our next destination of choice is Mandalay, a land bustling with the chaos of vehicles and boats teeming on the river. Yet amidst the modern facade and dusty streets, Mandalay still echoes the final imprints of Myanmar's history.
716km north of Yangon lies the cultural hub of the Kohbaun kingdom era. Hence, this place becomes the most enticing spot for tourists in Myanmar. With limited time to explore this region, we decided to seek out the Ubein teak bridge - one of the most beautiful sunset spots in the world.
Ubein teak bridge is situated on the outskirts of Mandalay, along the Taungthamna River delta. Due to the river's vast expanse, to connect both riverbanks, the people of Myanmar constructed a bridge stretching over 1.2 km. It stands as the longest and oldest wooden bridge in the world, with the ancient Inwa village over 400 years old on the other side.
During summer evenings, a fiery orange hue blankets the surroundings of the bridge. To catch the sunset, we opted to sit swaying in small boats on the river. It was truly delightful to admire the legendary bridge casting its reflection onto the water and immerse ourselves amidst the golden hues of dusk. The gentle waves created by the oars from tourist boats only enhanced the shimmering, surreal sunlight even more...
Leaving Mandalay behind, we ventured to Inle Lake, away from the hustle and bustle and scorching heat of sunny days. At Inle Lake, you'll truly feel the serenity and cool morning air.
With a water surface area of nearly 250 km², Inle Lake stands as the second largest freshwater lake in Myanmar yet arguably the most beautiful. Connected to the Nyangshwe area by a large canal, it serves as a major transportation hub for both waterway access to Inle Lake and irrigation for fields in the region. Surrounding the lake are mountains and quaint villages, where stilt houses, monasteries, and picturesque temples grace the landscape.
Sitting on a boat, gazing upon Inle Lake in the dreamy early morning, feels like floating amidst water clouds in paradise. I have never experienced such a sensation anywhere else I've been. Inle Lake may not immediately strike you with its beauty, it won't make you exclaim in awe at first sight, but living with it, gradually, it will enchant you, and you won't want to leave.
Inle isn't vast like an expansive sea but is adorned with lush greenery, with clusters of stilt houses casting shimmering reflections onto the lake surface. Here and there are blacksmiths, artisanal workshops crafting sunshades from paper mulberry, making silverware, or weaving fabric from the fibers of lotus stems, along with some eateries catering to tourists floating on the lake.
The serene expanse of water, the unique leg-rowing fishing boats, and the distinctive Burmese conical hats have created a perfect tourism product that can only be found at Inle Lake, Burma!
Explore more photos from the trip:
By Stone/Timeoutvietnam
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourNovember 4, 2016
