Yangon, the capital city of Myanmar, is so evergreen and cool with lush tropical trees, shady parks and beautiful lakes it has earned the name of "The Garden City of the East". Though with the atmosphere of a typical Asian city, it stands out in contrast as it is not yet overwhelmed with the global trends of modernity and is making its own progress at its own pace, in its own calm, civic culture. Being the main entrance to the country and principle seaport, it is the hub of business activities and government offices as well as non-governmental organizations.
It also serves as the center for higher learning as it abounds with educational institutions. The city represents a mixture of diverse communities and cultures, with respect to people, religion, business, and settlement. Yangon was founded by King Alaungpaya on the site of a small town called Dagon when he conquered lower Myanmar in 1755. He changed its name to Yangon, which means "End of Strife", but was anglicized as Rangoon by the British when they annexed Myanmar in 1885. The present day Yangon covers an area of 350 sq. km with a population of over 5 million.

BAGO ( PEGU )
The capital of Mon people in Myanmar or Golden Land of Suvanabumi is 80 Kilometers North of Yangon. Visit to Bago is one day trip by coach. The Allied War Cemetery and rice paddy fields are on the way and Bago is well-known for its Reclining Buddha Shwethalyaung, Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Kalyani Sima (Ordination Hall), Mon Style Temples and Pagodas.

KYAIKTIYO (GOLDEN ROCK)
Known as the GOLDEN ROCK among the foreign visitors. The pagoda was built on a huge boulder that rests precariously on the projecting tabular rock 80 feet high, which itself is separated several feet from the main edge by deep chasm.

MAWLAMYINE ( MOULMEIN )
Once an important sea port but has been superseded by Yangon and Pathein, is the third largest city in Myanmar. Here the people carry on their daily activities as they have for centuries, very little affected by the modern infludence that has so dramatically altered life styles in other parts of Southeast Asia. Outstanding excursion out of Moulmein is Amherst, originally a seaside resort during the British colonial period, is situated the war cemetery at Thanbyuzayat, the resting place of prisoners of war forced by the Japanese to build the Myanmar (Burma)-Thailand Railway during the World War II.

PYAY ( PROME )
This excursion to Pyay (Prome) with some of the oldest pagodas of the country-dating back to the sixth century! - is also worth to be done but needs 1 overnight at Pyay. The old capital of the Pyu People, Thayekhittaya (Sri Ksekra) can be reached after a 7 hours drive north of Yangon.

PATHEIN ( BASSEIN )
Capital city of the delta region and the gate way to Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung beach. This port of call is easily reached by road or by cruise through the complex Ayeyarwady River. As Ayeyarwady Division is known as the rice bowl of the country the landscapes are predominately rice fields with other colorful crops such as sesames, groundnuts, jute, maze, pulses, tobacco, chilies etc. Pathein is well known by it production of unique parasol locally call "Pathein Hti". Pathein - situated in the Ayeyawaddy Delta about 190 km west of Yangon is the capital of the Ayeyarwaddy Division and the port of Pathein is noted for the taste of its specialty Pathein Halawar. It is well-known for its Pathein umbrella and pottery. Chaung-tha Beach is only 40 km west of Pathein.

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CHAUNGTHA BEACH
Lies just 40 km to the west of Pathein, approximately 6 hours by road from Yangon through Pathein. Named after Chaungtha creek that flows into the sea. The beach curves inwards in the shape of a crescent stretching for nearly a mile. There lays an islet called Thebyu one mile diagonally across Pokalar Island. Looking sideways from the beach, the islet appears white. Though Thebyu literally means 'white sand', it is not formed with white sand. The islet is formed by oysters and shells carried and piled up by tidal waves. Besides savoring scenic beauty, visitors may go sightseeing in the neighboring villages and study fishing industry, the livelihood of the local people. A stroll in the village enables you to see their ways.

NGWE SAUNG BEACH
Myanmar's latest beach resort has the longest shore 9 miles with bordered by tall, green palms. It is also located just 29 miles from Pathein in the Ayeyawaddy Division. This unspoils beach stretches 15 km of white sand and blue sea. One can visit small fishing villages and local markets, explore the countryside by bicycle or enjoy a boat trip to the magnificent offshore islands. The long, unspoilt and almost deserted beach of purest white sand and crystal-clear blue water is one of the most beautiful sports in the world. There are newly constructed bungalows with local flavour but equipped with modern facilities. The road from Yangon connects Ngwe Saung beach via Pathein, the capital city of Ayeyarwaddy Division.

TAUNGOO
Located 175 miles north of Yangon on Yangon-Mandalay road. Old Kaytumadi city was founded by King Mingyinyo in 15th century. All four sides of the city wall are still very conspicuously seen, with the exception of the part of the southern wall. Taungoo is the main gateways to Bago Yoma and its teak forests and is worth exploring. Though its ancient empire has long since crumbled; Taungoo remains an important pilgrimage site for Buddhist devotees who flock regularly to Shwesandaw pagoda.

THANLYIN ( SYRIAM )
The port city of Thanlyin (Syriam) situated on the left side of Yangon River. Thanlyin was known as a major port and trade center during the time of Portuguese Trade representative De Brito in the late 1500s. He ran this little kingdom in Thanlyin by siding with the Mons in their struggle against the Myanmar. Thanlyin continued as a busy port until it was destroyed by the Myanmar King Alaungpaya in 1756. After visiting a native market of Thanlyin, not far from the town a road leads to a large Golden Kyaik-khauk Pagoda atop a hillock to the north of the road. About 5 hours is enough to visit several interesting monuments and Ye-Le-Paya (mid-river Paya) at Kyauktan is venerately by the people.

TWANTE
24 km from Yangon, reachable by road in an hour or by boat in about two hours on the Twante Canal this was dug during the colonial era as a short cut across the Ayeyarwaddy Delta. The boat trip provides a view of the life along the canal while Twante itself provides interest as a center of pottery and hand-woven cotton cloth. There are over fifty pottery works. This craft has been handed down from generation to generation and is still carried on in the time-honored tradition. Twante pottery is recognized and distributed throughout the country. Thousands of water pots flower pots, basins, jars of from 5 to 25 Viss capacity are produced daily.