The best places to cycle in Myanmar

Exploring cities on foot can be exhausting, taxis expensive, and public transportation confusing. There is one device, however, that allows visitors to explore with ease. Grab your helmets and explore the most spectacular places to cycle in Myanmar.

Bagan

The plains of Bagan are simply spectacular. With jaw-dropping scenery and flat roads that wind past and around countless pagodas, hopping on the humble bicycle is the best way to appreciate this unique landscape.

The freedom of two wheels means you can hop off and explore any one of the thousands of stupas that take your fancy. Take regular shady breaks and the occasional spontaneous detour to make the most of this experience. Often e-bikes are also touted. A welcome alternative to a push bike on a hot day that are more akin to scooters than electric bikes. Double check your travel insurance to make sure you recovered, just in case.

Kalaw

Kalaw is simply a stop-off point to many visitors, on the trek from the city to Inle Lake. If you have time on your hands, however, a day spent cycling around this cool town is worth it. With mountainous terrain hugging Kalaw on all sides, cyclists will certainly need to concentrate on where they are going.

Situated on the Shan Plateau, Kalaw can be navigated on foot although it is much easier and faster to simply rent a bicycle. Cyclists should be sure to stop off at the city’s most noteworthy feature, the Aung Chan Tha Zedi. Known as one of the most stunning of stupas in the entire country, the religious structure is made up of mosaic tiles that are especially attractive to photographers.

Dhala and Twante

Starting from the bustling city of Yangon, take to the water on a ferry to the quiet village of Dhala. From here you can jump on two wheels in search of Twante, a township that was once home to George Orwell. Cycle through rural villages, past rice paddies and spot houses tucked away in the heart of bamboo forests.

Rest your legs with a break at the Yadana Labamuni Hsu-taungpye Paya, otherwise known as the Snake Temple. Pilgrims travel from far and wide to see Burmese pythons – thought to be reincarnations of local monks – sprawl through the temple. Lovingly cared for and completely harmless, you will not forget meeting the snakes in a hurry. After become acquainted with these new scaly friends, cycle on to Twante and grab some lunch before boarding a boat back to Yangon.

Inle Lake

There is so much to see and do around Inle Lake as Island monasteries, Buddha-filled caves and stunning viewpoints. You would certainly miss out on a top sight or two if you did not have a set of wheels to get around on. Many shops renting out bicycles can be found near the Mingalar Market. Make this the starting point and first explore the vibrant and thriving market before heading off to the Pindaya Caves. These are about a 30-minute cycle from the market, and the ride back is much easier than the way there, so try not to get discouraged when your legs start burning.

From the caves, head back towards the market to explore the exterior of Inle Lake, heading to the hot springs, stopping along the way at viewpoints, grabbing a bite to eat at the Tofu Palace, visiting the Khaung Daing village for a unique experience, and more.

Read more: Admire the incredible beauty of Inle Lake, Myanmar

Mandalay

The ancient capital of Mandalay is best explored on two wheels. As the second largest city in the country, one would have a hard time seeing the city on foot, and the cost of getting a taxi around would add up. Mandalay is also one of the easiest cities to cycle in, as it is quite flat. There are many of top sights that must be included on a cycling route, including the Mahamuni Paya, Jade Market, and any of the gold leaf making factories around town.

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Must-try local snacks when traveling to Vietnam

There are many snacks and street foods in Vietnam for your trip. Trying the food from vendors and eating them when sitting down on the street are the great experiences when coming to Vietnam. Let’s find them and then fill in your stomach with those wonderful dishes.

Durian crepe

There are many kinds of pancakes in Asia in general and Vietnam in particular. These pancakes include Banh Xeo (from Mekong Delta), Banh Khot (from Vung Tau) and Banh Can (from Ninh Thuan). They should be eaten right after cook so their flavors and textures still remain unchanged. On the other hand, durian crepes are made and then kept in the refrigerator to make sure they will be fresh to eat and ready to serve in the hot weather.

Durian crepe is not crispy and crunchy compared to hot pancakes, it is a soft and creamy cake with a bit of sweet taste. If you are durian lovers, durian crepe is for you.

Mixed rice paper

This is a favorite junk food of teenager even adults. They tend to enjoy the banh trang tron at vendor stores with friends and gossip after working or studying time.

There are normally 10 ingredients which are rice paper, dry beef, dry shrimp, dry squid, mango, quail eggs, herb, shrimp salt, peanut and chili oil. It is easy to find at some places nearby schools and parks.

Banh da xuc hen

Banh da xuc hen is a delicious snack made from crisped rice paper covering a dish of small clams fried in lemongrass, coriander, chili, onions, and garlic. The dish is simple, but the taste is complex, and is profoundly different to any other street food in Vietnam. The dish also comes in a heavier version known as banh da com hen, which includes rice and clam broth for those who are especially hungry.

Grilled chestnuts

Grilled chestnuts are not the specialty of Ha Noi but they are sold on many streets in Hanoi particularly when it's cold. Though it is named grilled chestnuts, they are roasted - not grilled. Some places also add honey to create a unique and vibrant taste. A pack will cost you around VND 10,000 (50 cents).

Tofu with coconut milk 

Tofu is well-known for its widely used ingredient in Asian cuisine. It appears in many savory dishes in Vietnamese table, however, they do use tofu for dessert.

Tofu in dessert is soft tofu with white color due to a different technique in preparing the soya beans. It serves with ginger sauce and coconut milk. With the authentic Tao Pho, you should taste the sweetness, richness from coconut milk, feel the warmth from ginger in your stomach and softness of tofu in your mouth.

Banh trang nuong

Demonstrating the myriad of culinary ideas that have been applied to the humble rice grain, banh trang nuong is the result of grilling rice paper, creating something akin to an incredibly crisp pancake. A convenient snack for a street market stroll, expect to find a fried filling of spring onions, minced pork, dried shrimps and shallots, liberally squirted with sweet soy sauce and sriracha.

Read more: Facts you may not know about Vietnamese cuisine

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7 amazing Jain temples in India

Jainism is a religion that prescribes pacifism and a path of non-violence towards all living beings. The purpose of life according to Jainism is to undo the negative effects of karma through mental and physical purification. This process leads to liberation accompanied by a great natural inner peace.

There are as many as 4.2 million Jain followers in India and about 6 to 12 million worldwide. A Jain temple is called Derasar or Mandir depending on where in India it is located. They are usually built from marble stone as demonstrated by this list of amazing Jain temples in India.

1. Lal Mandir

Located just opposite the massive Red Fort, the Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is the oldest and best known Jain temple in Delhi. Originally built in 1526, the temple has undergone many alterations and additions in the past and was enlarged in the early 19th century. The imposing red sandstone temple is also known as Lal Mandir.

2. Sonagiri

The small town of Sonagiri (literally, the golden peak) is situated on a hill in central India. Several spotless white Jain temples are scattered around Sonagiri. Both pilgrims and tourists are required to climb the 300 steps to the top bare-footed. Once at the top, travelers can marvel at the view of countless white temples and chhatris whichever way you look.

3. Khajuraho Jain Temples

The village of Khajuraho is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It’s numerous Hindu and Jain temples are famous for their erotic sculpture. The temples were built over a span of 200 years, from 950 to 1150. During the Chandella rule, Khajuraho was home to a large and flourishing Jain community. The Jains apparently lived on the east side of town and a number of Jain temples have survived in this part of Khajuraho. Two of the large temples still stand in a good state of preservation.

4. Gomateshwara Temple

The monolithic statue of Gomateshwara stands on a hill in the city of Shravanabelagola. Gomateshwara was the second son of Lord Adinatha, the first of the 24 Tirthankara (enlightened human). The 17.38 meter (58 ft) high monolithic stone statue is regarded as one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. It was created around 983 AD by Chavundaraya, a minister of the Ganga Kingdom. Once in 12 years the Mahamastakabhisheka festival is held and the statue of Gomateshwara is bathed in milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins.

5. Dilwara Temples

Located near Mount Abu (Rajasthan’s only hill station), the Dilwara temples are world famous for their stunning use of marble. The ornamental detail spreading over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels is simply amazing. There are 5 Jain temples here, each with its own unique identity and named after the small village in which it is located. All the temples were built by the Chalukya dynasty between the 11th and 13th centuries.

6. Palitana

The city of Palitana is a major pilgrimage center for Jains. The temples of Palitana are considered the most sacred pilgrimage place in Jainism. There are hundreds of Jain temples located on the sacred Mount Shatrunjaya, exquisitely carved in marble. They were built by generations of Jains over a period of 900 years, from the 11th century onwards. The top is reached by climbing 3,572 steps, a heavy 2 hour accent.

Read more: Top amazing cities you should visit in India

7. Ranakpur Temple

Dedicated to Adinatha, the Jain Temple in Ranakpur rises majestically from the slope of a hill. The temple is supported by over 1444 marble pillars, carved in exquisite detail. The pillars are all differently carved and no two pillars are the same. The construction of the temple and quadrupled image symbolize the Tirthankara’s conquest of the four cardinal directions and hence the cosmos. The dating of this temple is controversial but it was probably built between the late 14th and mid-15th centuries.

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