The Irrawaddy is the crucial artery which connects Burma’s main cities, snakes through its glorious countryside and reaches as far as the border with China. Cruising along it is not only an incredibly leisurely way of getting from A to B but an enriching experience too. Just in case you needed convincing, we’ve compiled our top five reasons to cruise in Burma.
Magnificent temples abound in Burma, dotting the horizons of its verdant landscapes up and down the country. From the temple studded lands of Bagan to the glittering pagodas of Yangon, the holy sites of Burma are simply mind boggling both in size and beauty. Whilst stupas are solid temples, said to house remains of Buddhas or monks, Pagodas are open to enter for worship. Having evolved from the shape of a stupa, the two often look similar yet their significance is marked by their history.
Once off limits to visitors, Myanmar has recently dusted off the cobwebs of its hidden past, opening its doors to reveal a country steeped in cultural splendour, natural wonder and historical intrigue. For us, Burma is the land of lotus flowers, horse drawn carts, traditional tea houses and an exquisitely leisurely pace of life; Burma is a land where a traditional way of life prevails. The landscape is a glittering exhibition of gilded pagodas, the culture is an intoxicating blend of influences from across Asia and its cities are abuzz with spiritualism.
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Located on the eastern bank of the Irrawaddy River with wide traffic-filled avenues and a fast paced way of life, modern Mandalay represents 'new Burma', despite the very name often evoking images of a Burma of years gone by.
Created by King Mindon Min in 1857, Mandalay may not hold the obvious charm of Yangon, but its diverse ethnic mix, historic relics, religious sites and addictive energy make for an exciting and interesting visit. Burma’s second largest city and widely considered to be its cultural capital, you will find as much nightlife in Mandalay as Burma offers, with plenty of streets lined with lively bars and restaurants.
Particular highlights in and around the city include the finely carved Shwenandaw Monastery, the Kuthodaw Pagoda, Burma’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the world’s largest book, and U Bein Bridge, believed to be the longest and oldest teak bridge in the world and one of Burma’s most iconic sights. Famous for its arts and crafts, Mandalay is also a great place to pick up all manner of souvenirs, from traditional wooden puppets to an extensive array of precious stones.
Mandalay is surrounded by the remnants of three former royal capitals - Ava, Sagaing and Amarapura. Including Burma’s spiritual centre, ancient teak monasteries and a village best explored by horse cart, all are worth exploring in their own right and can be easily combined on a full day excursion.
The traditional ‘road to Mandalay’ as described in the Rudyard Kipling poem, Mandalay is a major starting and finishing point for cruises down the Irrawaddy River, whilst the airport has daily domestic and international flights, making Mandalay really easy to combine into almost any trip.