Mandalay Hill in Mandalay, Myanmar is a 230-metre hill dotted with monasteries and temples.

At the top of Mandalay Hill are spectacular views of Mandalay and beautiful payas and temples.

The fee for entrance to Mandalay Hill is US$3.

People visiting Mandalay Hill can walk or take a van to the top of the hill for a small fee.

The Royal Palace in Mandalay, Myanmar is a small city within the larger city of Mandalay.

Located between 12th Street and 26th Street, the Royal Palace is in the heart of Mandalay.

The Royal Palace in Mandalay was built in 1861 by King Mindon and recently restored.

The Royal Palace is one of the best attractions in the city and is definitely worth a visit.

People visiting Mandalay can see the old ramparts and palace walls, the chambers, and the beautiful palace halls.

The entrance fee for the Royal Palace in Mandalay is US$5.

On the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River, Mandalay is an important city for Myanmar’s economy and a great city for visitors to soak up the culture.

Whether visiting Mandalay’s Royal Palace, Mandalay Hill, or watching the city’s many monks go about their daily routines, Mandalay is a great city to visit in Myanmar.

The Shwedagon Paya (sometimes called the Shwedagon Pagoda) is located on Singuttara Hill in Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma).

The largest and most visited destination in the city of Yangon, the Shwedagon Paya a very sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese.

The massive, gilded central stuppa is surrounded by many smaller pagodas, all infused with Buddhist symbols and decorated in vibrant colors.

The Shwedagon Paya is easily reachable from the downtown Yangon area by foot (somewhat of a long walk) or by taxi.

Note: When you arrive, local people will come up to you and start telling you about the history and symbolism of various aspects of the Shwedagon Paya.

They expect you to pay them at the end of your informal tour.

If you do not intend to pay them, politely say “no, thank you” and continue on your way.

With three thousand temples in a 42 square kilometer valley, Bagan is truly a sight to behold.

From small brick temples that dot the roadside to huge white stone temples with 50ft.

Buddha statues, Bagan has a stunning variety of places to explore.

Recently the New York Times magazine called Bagan the NEW Siem Reap and they’re pretty close to right.

Bagan is the highly undiscovered valley of temples in central Myanmar (Burma).

It’s not directly accessible by international flights and only served by a few domestic flights a day.

There some great Bagan hotels and it’s definitely off the beaten path.

Once you’re there, you will not be disappointed by Bagan.

The valley has over 3000 temples, some of them over 1000 years old.

Best of all, they’re spread out and mostly free to enter.

You can stake out your own private tour and visit many of them in the presence of MAYBE a single person, at best.

It’s wonderful and refreshing to see the beauty of Bagan by yourself, with very few touts and other unsavory characters.