Bago
Bago is a region in Myanmar located close to Yangon region. Bago City, formerly known as Hanthawaddy is the capital of Bago region. it is located 80 kilometres north-east of Yangon. It is a popular trip destination for tourists visiting Yangon due to proximity. Bago offers a perfect milieu of nature and culture to tourists. It is renowned for handicrafts as well as a vast wildlife sanctuary. Tourists can enjoy a wide range of experiences in Bago ranging from visiting an elephant camp to experiencing the urban life of Bago City.
Bago is home to some of the best forests of Myanmar and as such is heaven to someone who wants to explore the wildlife of Myanmar. The Pho Kyar Elephant Camp is located in the Yedashe Township where tourists can enjoy various activities involving elephants. It is a reserve forest area on the bank of Thaing creek. The Moe Yun Gyi Wildlife sanctuary is located only 29 km from Bago. It is an ideal place to view some exotic species of birds.
Bago has some of the most beautiful pagodas of the country. Among the several pagodas, the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, the huge reclining Buddha image of Shwe Tha Lyaung and the four giant Buddha Images of Kyaikpun Pagoda deserve special mention. A notable pagoda in Bago is the Shwesandaw Pagoda located on the eastern bank of Ayeyarwady river. The Shwe Myat Mhan Pagoda housing Buddha with golden spectacles is also an important shrine and worth a visit. Tourists can also visit the Kanbawsathadi palace, built by King Bayinnaung in 1556. The original palace consisted of 76 apartments and halls which were burned down in 1599. The palace has been restored in 1992. Tourists should also visit Akauk Taung and see the famous Buddha images curved on cliffs.
An array of cultural experiences awaits tourists at Bago. Tourists can visit Pyu Ancient Cities of Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra located in the dry zone of the Ayeyarwady River Basin. They have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. Some of the best artisans of Myanmar live in Bago. Hence, tourists looking forward to shopping for some authentic handicrafts can visit the innumerable handicrafts workshops located here. Tourists looking to escape the warm temperature can head to Than-Daung, a hill station established during the British era. The town provides lots of opportunities to enjoy the cool weather as well as bond with the local people.
