The capital city of Magway Region is Magway City. In this region, excavation activities revealed fossils of primates that are more than 40 million years old, which has become the pride of the government. One of the few Pyu cities listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site can be found in Magway. Locals living near the Ayeyarwady River use the river as their main transportation system, but those who live away from the river use the road as their major way of transport. Magway is a region packed with beautiful nature and meaningful heritage. Tourists get to enjoy learning about the country and its main religion (Buddhism) by visiting religious sites that showcase amazing architecture and sculpting work.
Origin
The people in Magway are mainly of Bamar descent accompanied by other ethnic groups like Chin, Rakhine, Shan, and Karen. The locals speak Myanmarese and practise Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.
Geography
Magway is bordered by Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Bago Region, Rakhine State, and Chin State. This region has a tropical wet and dry climate with a size of 44,820.6 km2/17,305.3 sq mi.
Interesting facts
The most used transportation system in Magway Region is by road. The region is also well-known to cultivate a variety of sesame seeds and nuts. The region is the largest oil and gas producer in the country.
Magway plays a significant role in the religious practices of pilgrims and devotees of Buddhism. Plenty of pagodas and monastery are scattered around the region, proving the importance of Magway as one of the most famous religious sites in the country. Monks are highly respected in this region, and they often receive donations from devotees who care deeply for their wellbeing and health. The monasteries in Magway are all carefully built and crafted to reflect Buddhism, the main religion practised by the majority of the locals. The region also has several festivals dedicated to the celebrations of pagodas. Thousands of tourists and locals crowd these places just to donate items, oil lamps, pray and pay their respects to the holy places.
Magway is also home to two large wildlife sanctuaries that attract thousands of visitors to the region. As the sanctuaries consist of exotic and rare flora and fauna, visitors would flock the place for a close-up experience with the species in their natural habitat. Both sanctuaries are accessible by car and are not far from each other. The sanctuaries are ideal for families to visit as they provide great learning experiences to children and individuals who love nature and wildlife. The landscape of the sanctuaries is picturesque and beautiful. There is a lake surrounded by fallen leaves that would provide great photo opportunities for photography-lovers. Visitors also get to see rare bird species, Burmese star tortoises, golden deers, and other protected species.
The government has launched a Community-based Tourism (CBT) initiative that serves as another form of tourism activity that is managed by the community. CBT widely contributes to the preservation and awareness of the region's traditions and heritage as well as its natural environment. Activities in this initiative allow tourists to mingle with the locals and to observe their ways of living in rural areas. They can also cycle around the village, make snacks with the locals and learn about planting and cultivation. The interaction between locals and tourists benefits both sides as locals are exposed to the world outside Myanmar, and tourists learn more about the exotic tribes and traditions of the region.
