Bagan
 Over 2000 Temples and Pagodas (11th – 13th centuries) lies in
42 sq.km makes Bagan one of the richest archaeological site in
Asia. Bagan was founded at the present site by King Pyinbyu in
849 A.D.. And Bagan became the capital of first Myanmar Empire
after King Anawrahta came to throne in 1044 A.D.. Visiting
Pagodas and temples, sunset river cruise in legendary
Ayeyarwaddy River, browsing the museum, visit lacquer ware
factory will help you remember the best memory of your life.
Mt. Popa is an extinct volcano that is estimated to have
erupted for the final time, over three hundred and twenty
thousand years ago. H.L. Chhibber in his publication "The
Igneous Rocks of the Mount Popa Region", described it as "being
in all respects an ideal example of a recently extinct volcano,
suitable for text-book illustration. The main mountain
originally had a circular crater, but the whole of the
north-western side was blown away, probably by the final
paroxysmal outburst, which suggests that the last eruption must
have projected its discharge inclined to the sides of the
volcano in that direction. The present mountain is, therefore
shaped like a horse-shoe, and it is possible to walk into the
crater through the breach in the northern wall."
 Although the mountain appears to be a single peak from a
distance, it is in fact a series of peaks; the highest points
being 4981, 4801 and 4501 feet above sealevel. The main mass of
Mt. Popa rests on a level plateau, roughly 1000 feet above the
surrounding plains, and about 1800 feet above sealevel. The
actual volcano rises about 3000 feet from this base. On the
extremity of the south-western slopes lies the extremely
precipitous isolated peak known as the "Taung-ga-Lat". Some
believe that this could be part of the main volcano, that was
blown apart and landed as though plugged at its present
location. Others theorize that it represents the infilled neck
or plug of a subsidiary volcano.
Whatever the theories may be, it is evident from the
abundance of petrified trees within the Bagan area, and the
extent of huge boulders strewn far and wide around the mountain,
that this was once a land of violent explosions, turbulent earth
movement and massive lava flows in ancient times, which caused
the existing forests to be buried under. It is no a wonder then,
that the mountain had also been historically known, as the
"Dormant Fire Mountain".
However, popa’s attraction today lies not so much in its
geological aspect, but more in its religious and mystical
interests which are still prevalent. Popa is popularly
recognized as an abode of many "Nats" (spirits of ancient
ancestors) who dwell in various parts of the mountain. In the
days of old, it also used to be referred to as the "Mountain of
Spirits". The evidence of these beliefs is abundant in the form
of "nat shrines", leg- ends, rituals, ceremonial offerings,
annual representative festivals, and the never- ending stream of
pilgrims and believers in mysticism. Popa today is one of the
most popular pilgrimage spots in the country. One would need to
spend a sizeable amount of time in order to unearth the
spiritual and legendary wealth of this sacred mountain.
Visitors to the ancient capital Bagan often make a 20 miles
(15 kilometers) trip south to see Sale (pronounced Sa-lay), an
ancient town rich in Myanmar culture. Sale is also on the great
Ayeyawady River, like Bagan, another pleasurable way to get
there is to go by one of the small motor boats available for
hire and which usually leave Bagan from the Bu-Hpaya jetty.
Sitting in comfortable cushioned chairs you can watch the river
crafts on the big waterway, once the only real life-line of
Myanmar, with all the old towns lining its banks.
Sale has ancient pagodas which date from the Bagan Period.
There are over a hundred ruins around Sale, but unlike Bagan
many of them have never been systematically studied by
archaeologists and historians. Sale seems to have developed as a
town in the latter part of the Bagan Period and has been a
centre of Myanmar culture for at least over 700 years.
 Attraction : Yoke Sone Monastery
Sale is famous for its Yoke-sone Kyaung (a 19th century
wooden monastery) with exquisite wooden carvings. The whole
building is built of wood and is a fine example of monastic
architecture of the late Konbaung Period. The main attraction of
the monastery is the decorative wooden panels made by the master
carvers of the period whose meticulous workmanship is in many
ways superior to those of later periods.
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