I hope to start my golden year well so I decided to bring my family taking Buddhist merit trip to Myanmar. That also my year resolution to travel more in Asia. I want to see more civilization of countries around my home to see more culture and what they are believing. Majority of Myanmar people believe in Buddhism. This is my first time to see their tradition strongly well maintained and it is still beautiful. I decided to bring my family to see this beautiful culture and bring all good vibes along this year. In Myanmar, I think it is best to go with tourist agency so they can give insight information if you do not have too much time to prepare for your trip or search about the history of places and where you want to stay. Especially, if you come with family, this will be more convenient. Price per head is reasonable. Though I like traveling on my own this also a good choice and I do not regret it. Then you have plenty of time to think about other things. There are too much tales about how Buddhism maintained by people here in this city. Though, only statues left. This is a good way to study with an expert.

The first place we visited is Kyaik Pun Pagoda (Jai pun Pagoda) in Hongsawadee city. They said this pagoda built 500 years ago by 4 princesses who dedicated to maintaining Buddhism. They gave a pledge that they will not have relation to a man. There are 4 Buddha figures turn their face to each direction and each Buddha figure has built specifically to each princess.  Just one Buddha figure looks different from the others because the pagoda has collapsed and has been restored later. Said that because the youngest princess had in love and married a man.

Later, around noon we take a ride to the temple called Kyaly Khat Wai Monastery, which is also a school that teaches Buddhism. There are many monks and novices. At 11 o’clock, around 300 monks and novices will stand in line and carry alms bowl and walked to the temple’s cantine. Tables are well prepared. During this monk’s walk, tourists will have the opportunity to make merit and offer food for the monks. In Buddhism, this offering teaches to give up and sacrifice in order to reduce one’s passion. And is a way to maintain Buddhism as well as an impressive image.

Shwethalyaung Buddha built about a thousand years ago. It has a very old history after the city of Hongsawee was abandoned after the war. This Buddha image was later discovered in the middle of a desolate forest by British soldiers. A reclining Buddha has a beautiful smiling face.

If coming here, you should walk around the Buddha image. There will be a color painting telling the story of the Buddha and the story of how this Buddha image was found. In front of the temple, there is a small market for tourists to buy cheap local souvenirs. The guide said that it is the cheapest than the other general markets. There are wood carving, brassware, silverware, clothes, bags for anyone who wants to buy clothes to wear when visiting the temple, for enjoying taking a picture in Myanmar. You can buy at a good price here.

Shwemawdaw Pagoda or Golden God Temple. With this name in Burmese language, meaning hot nose because this pagoda is very high that’s why have to look up to the sun. This is tallest pagoda in Myanmar even taller than Shwedagon pagoda. This pagoda in Buddhism usually keeps buddha’s relics (Bone, Hairs, Tooth, etc.) inside. That the ancients had been collected for the future generations to worship. Here has stored the Buddha’s fangs. It ruins many times because of the earthquake that makes the top pagoda’s umbrella felt down to the ground. The believer will take the remaining incense sticks and put under to this fallen broken pagoda because they believe that it will keep their life up. The believer thinks that this will help support life from falling down like a pagoda.

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda We need to traveling by truck up there. People here will make the stairs to claim up to the truck. There are built-in seat and the handle behind the truck. Thai people usually call this a pig’s truck. When sitting on the car, it would a bit like a roller coaster but watched the view along it can be chill out. Then, we again traveling up by brand new cable car. It takes a little while. We stayed not far from the temple. Going up to the temple it is like hiking up to the hill. You need to take off your shoes and deposit since the gate and walk with barefoot to the temple. There is storytelling that this stone floated above the cliff.

Previously, the chicken can go through under the stone. Later it is descending downward until the bird can go through. Now the hair can go through. According to the decline of Buddhism to the following era. People here love this place a lot. It was well maintained. They merit and meditate all the time. In the morning, offering food to the monks and offering food to the Buddha.

At 6 AM, causing road congestion in front of the temple. Full of tourists, merchants. We are lucky as our donation will repair pagoda during this period. How lucky we are, the temple will not close and repair so frequent, isn’t it? Worshiping the relics is recommended for 3 times, this one depends on how strong the faith of each person There is a goddess who is a woman sleeping statue. People here believe that this is a god of health, there are small figures of the pagoda as well. For anyone who is a woman who cannot go inside the pagoda and cannot pay respect to the real relics. These are also water holy from the footprints of Buddha and Naga

Kanbawzathadi Golden Palace This palace has rebuilt over the original one for the great Burmese king who has called Conqueror of Ten Directions 10 directions. This palace has very beautiful details, painted with beautiful bright golden color. I saw the same golden color painted everywhere especially entrance and pagoda of all temple here even a temple that has not well known, but still well maintained and painted with gold and looks very beautiful. Back to the palace. There is an exhibition about wooden pillars from the original palace. They are huge. There is a beautiful golden throne there as well.

Kyauk Htat Gyi Reclining Buddha A large reclining Buddha. His eyes made of glass that is ordered from abroad. There are eyelashes. Decorated headpiece with many pieces of jewelry, It is the intention of preserving the place of people here. The robes are like swaying. It was said that some art was derived from Greek. The Buddha statue has 108 sacred spells at his feet. Recommended walking around the Lord Buddha figures. There are Buddha images in many positions. For those who do not go to Botahtaung Pagoda, there is also a replica of Bo Bo Gyi god here also.

Shwedagon Pagoda is an important pagoda of the Burmese people. With their faith, there was the offering of jewels to decorate this pagoda at the top umbrella. Probably the most valuable pagoda in the world. The pagoda is decorated with shine and bright glittering gold. There are many pagodas surrounded by. Walking into the temple requires a shoe deposit. This is the rule that applies to all temple here. Only for a woman who wears long skirts to the ankle can go inside. I think I am well prepared for this but it seems my skirt does not long enough. Even a woman who wears jeans, but tight and fit also could not go in. He will have a sarong to borrow at the entrance. The pagoda is currently in the process of renovating, so we had a chance to merit to renovate the pagoda. At corners around the pagoda, there are also god and goddess statue for the believer to make worship.

I just know from the travelers that there is a god who gives whatever wishes for people who worship and ask for what they want. Many wishes have come true so the temple is afraid that he will give it to bad guys. Therefore you will see him only on the monitor but the real figure of this god will be kept in a safe place. Recommended to be here in the late afternoon when the weather is not too hot.

Kyauktan Yele Pagoda (Floating Temple) The highlight is that you have to ride the boat across to the island. Causing local people selling flowers, doing boat shuttle service here for a living. Many children sell snacks and souvenirs. The river here has tea cloudy color. Today the weather is so hot. This temple is beautiful and unique. The Buddha image here is very beautiful, especially the white one, he has beautiful and peaceful smiling. This is one of very beautiful art Buddha figure. There are sacred things to pay respect in corners around the temple. One of them is Phra Upagutta, a powerful monk in the era after Lord Buddha died. He has the power to defeat the devil.

Botahtaung Pagoda People with strong beliefs love to come here because there is famous gods Bo Bo Gyi god and famous whispering goddess. It is said that the wish will be fulfilled according to the request, which only one request from each visitor is expected because there is a long queue I think, lol. There are many people who come back to pay homage to their promise when the things they wish came true. There is also the element of the Buddha’s hair stored as a place of worship for the people here. In the pagoda, where the inside is decorated with a beautiful gold painted carved wood.

Bogyoke Market is usually the last place to visit before returning home safely. Is a market with a variety of souvenirs, especially jade stones, minerals stones, and various gems. Before buying such a souvenir, choose a shop where provide you with a certificate. Because it must be checked again at the airport custom checkpoint. They may not be allowed you to take it out of the country to and taken out. In addition, there are also hand-made paintings, various weave bags, craft, and hand-made goods, coffee, tea, and snacks. I saw many of gold shop here is selling gold on the ground. They are not afraid of being robbed. The people here are friendly and the law there must be strict so no robbers