Visit Myanmar's most famous destinations, Bagan and Mandalay

It’s a tough tossup: whether to go to Bagan or Mandalay first in Myanmar? Or maybe it's a little of both.

Visiting Bagan

Culture vultures flock to Bagan, previously known as Pagan. The ancient city is home to more Buddhist pagodas, temples, and stupas than any other city in the world. The majority of Myanmar’s population practice Theravada Buddhism, and most tourist attractions are religious structures reflecting this tradition.

Most of Bagan’s temples were built during the 11th and 12th centuries. There was once around 10,000 temples on the plains of Bagan, before many were destroyed by war and natural disasters. Today, it is estimated that over 2,000 remain in the Bagan Archaeological Zone.

The city charges an entrance fee of 25,000 kyat (US$18). Visitors who are on a strict budget may want to head to Mandalay instead.

The main form of transportation around Bagan’s temples is electric bicycle. Hiring a taxi would be much too expensive, and part of the fun of exploring this city in the first place is doing so by bike. The roads are often bumpy, and visitors who aren’t keen to explore by bike may prefer to head to Mandalay instead.

Other things visitors should consider is that the party scene in Bagan is essentially nonexistent, and that the structures of Bagan are considered sacred by the locals, and they should be respected as such. While short shorts and tank tops might fly in Mandalay, this is not the case in Bagan.

Visiting Mandalay

Mandalay certainly has a more urban vibe than Bagan. This riverside city is the second largest in Myanmar, and has more of a variety of things to see and do than its ancient neighbor. Mandalay is great destination for active travelers. You can explore on foot or by regular bicycle.

One of the top attractions in Mandalay is the 760 foot high Mandalay Hill. Though it can be reached by taxi, many visitors take the scenic route, climbing for thirty minutes or so to the top on foot.

Located at the foot of the hill is the Mandalay Palace. The structure is lackluster at best, as the original structure was destroyed during World War II. Mandalay is also known for its many monasteries, the most famous being the Royal Monastery. More commonly known as Shwe Kyaung, meaning Golden Monastery, this is a great-stop off point for visitors wanting to escape the hustle of the city and simply meander the peaceful grounds. Monks are often willing to stop for a chat. This monastery is best for tourists who want to witness ancient craftsmanship at its best, as it’s beautifully constructed of teak, and remains almost exactly as it was when built in 1878. Just adjacent to this monastery is Atumashi, another impressive monastery.

Traffic is certainly not a problem in Mandalay, but there are more vehicles (and cows) on the road here than in Bagan, where the roads can be empty for long stretches.

While Mandalay certainly cannot compete with Bagan’s thousands of temples, it has its own noteworthy historic and religious attractions. Mingun is a town across the river from Mandalay, and is home to a number of gems. The three main attractions are the Mingun Pagoda, Hsinbyume Pagoda, and the Mingun Bell, one of the world’s largest and heaviest bells.

See more: Mandalay, a cultural and religious hub in Myanmar

Source: Internet

The boutique hotels in Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei is the the capital of Taiwan. It is a busy city yet it is not crowded. It is not cheap yet it is also not expensive. Taipei is the largest city in Taiwan which has one of the tallest buildings in the world, The Taipei Tower.  If you are going on a vacation to Taipei, here are the best boutique hotels you should consider.

Roumei Boutique Hotel

Marble floors, two-floor VIP suites, floor to ceiling windows, and incredible night views of the city, Roumei Boutique Hotel checks all the boxes in the boutique category. The décor throughout is uber stylish, featuring traditional soft tones fused with the contemporary lines of modern design.

Inhouse Boutique

A perfect hotel for travelers who like night markets and street food. Ximending Shopping Area is only a few minute walk from the hotel, and there are plenty of restaurants surrounding the area. Popular attractions near the hotel include the Qingshan Temple, Longshan Temple Station, and Huaxi Street Night Market.

Guests are provided with everything they need for a comfortable stay. Their wifi is also very stable. So if you happen to work online, inhouse Boutique hotel should be a top choice for you. The bedrooms feature modern interiors including the bathroom which is also really spacious. It is one of the features that guests love most.

Swiio Hotel

Where do hipsters stay when travelling in Taiwan? Swiio is a vintage and homely charm, this little hotel has quaint photo frames, wallpapers and even furniture which looks like it hails from our grandmothers’ era.

Complete with everything you need to make your stay enjoyable, free internet access, luggage storage, a safe, and laundry facilities, this hotel might even give you ideas for your dream home. Just minutes away from Ximending, feel free to grab a huge slab of chicken if you are hungry.

Read more: Things to do when traveling to Taipei, Taiwan

Lacle Hotel-Luzhou Taipei

The cozy and comfortable bedrooms at Lacle Hotel will surely delight you. They are carpeted and feature modern interiors and also include a wardrobe, cable TV and a desk. The hotel is perfect for travelers interested in having local experiences and sightseeing. It is only a 15-minute drive from downtown. Other great landmarks like Park City Banquet Plaza, Taipei Confucius Temple, and New Beitou Hot Spring are just nearby.

Most guests love the city views from their windows, the delicious breakfast, and extremely helpful staff. It is an immaculate and spacious hotel that will make every visitor happy.

Via Hotel

Located in several neighborhoods throughout the city center, Via Hotels are on the lower end of the price range but still manage to offer a truly boutique experience for those on a budget. The most stylish of their locations is the exclusive shopping district of Zhongxiao, where guests can browse the high-end stores before retiring to a classy hotel complete with modern décor and comfortable rooms.

Source Internet

Top underrated destinations in Laos

Laos provides a pleasant change of pace for travelers who are used to Thailand or Vietnam. This small Southeast Asian country has stunning scenery, from limestone mountains to dense forests and spectacular waterfalls. It’s a great place for adventuresome travelers or those who don’t mind roughing it.

Wat Phu

Wat Phu (or Vat Phou) is a ruined Khmer temple complex located at the base of mount Phu Kao, in the Champasak province. The Hindu temple structures date from the 11th to 13th centuries. It was a part of the Khmer empire, centered on Angkor to the southwest in Cambodia. Wat Phu is small compared with the monumental sites at Angkor but the tumbledown pavilions, enigmatic crocodile stone and tall trees that shroud much of the site give Wat Phu a mystical atmosphere.

Nong Kiau

Nong Kiau, sometimes called Nong Khiaw, is a popular tourist destination in Luang Prabang Province because of its many walking, mountain climbing and biking opportunities. A must-see site is the bridge across the Nam Ou River that was built by China. The bridge connects the two parts of Nong Kiau, and is a good place to see stunning views of the river and mountains. Nong Kiau is a rustic village, so visitors shouldn’t expect truly luxurious accommodations. Spelunkers may enjoy exploring the Pha Tok Caves that are located about a mile from town. The caves housed villagers during the Second Indochina War.

Phonsavan 

Phonsavan, a name that means “hills of paradise,” is a good place to experience the U.S.’s Old West, only with Laotian characteristics. Since cattle raising is one of the city’s main businesses, it’s not uncommon to see Hmong “cowboys” wearing violet and brown cowboy hats. The city even hosts bullfights during Hmong New Year. Phonsavan is a good place to visit the Plain of Jars with its ancient megalithic structures that resemble jars. At one time, Phonsavan belonged to Siam, now Thailand, and then the French, with remnants of each culture still to be found.

Read more: What to eat when traveling in Laos

Source touropia