Rural Trip in Salay (4 Days/3 Nights)

Arrival Yangon by international flight.
Meeting with your professional guide and assistance on arrival and transfer to the domestic airport to Bagan.

Bagan is an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar. From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, the first kingdom that unified the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. During the kingdom’s height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2,200 temples and pagodas still survive to the present day.The Bagan Archaeological Zone is a main attraction for the country’s nascent tourism industry. It is seen by many as equal in attraction to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Upon arrival, you are welcomed by your local Tour Guide and transferred to your hotel.
Then visit Shwezigon Pagoda, a circular pagoda fully covered with gold leaf coating. You walk around the outside of this bell shaped pagoda and take some beautiful photos.
Visit the magnificent Ananda Temple, Ananda Okyaung, a Lacquer-ware workshops and the massive Dhamayangyi Temple.

The Ananda Temple is a Buddhist temple built in 1105 AD during the reign (1084–1113) of King Kyanzittha of the Pagan Dynasty. It is one of four surviving temples in Bagan. The temple layout is in a cruciform with several terraces leading to a small pagoda at the top covered by an umbrella which is the name of the umbrella or top ornament found in almost all pagodas in Myanmar.

Enjoy the sunset by riding horse cart.

Meals : Lunch and dinner are your own cost.
Overnight at hotel in Bagan.

After the breakfast at hotel, visit the colorful Nyaung U Market.
Drive to Salay (~1hr).

Salay is located by the eastern banks of the Ayeyarwady River, and its nearest town is Chauk, which is about 21 kilometres (13 mi) away. It developed as a satellite town of Bagan in the 12th and 13th centuries and is still an important religious center. It houses 50 active Buddhist monasteries as well as Bagan-era monuments and is a center for lacquerware manufacturing. It is also known as the birthplace of U Ponnya, one of Burma’s most celebrated writers.

On the way, visit Chauk Town where one get into an area with many crude oil rigs and gas wells on either side of the roads. You are going to cross over big sand dunes, usually seen in central Myanmar dry arid zone. Burma Oil Company established in 1886 by David Sime Cargill investing 1.5 million Sterling pounds, and later added up to 18 million pounds and crude oil production in Chauk more than a century ago.
When you arrive in Salay, visit the famous monastery Yoke-Sone-Kyaung which is a cultural heritage site and its spectacular woodcarvings. (closed on Mondays and public holidays!!)
Visit Koe Saung Kyaung that was 13 years older than Yoke Sone Kyaung and can be learnt antique architectures and palm-leaf inscription.
Visit Taing 100 Kyaung (or) Sasana Yaunggyi Monastery that is noted for its 99 colorful mural paintings lodged in an intricately carved and gilded interior wooden wall.
Enjoy the sunset at your hotel’s restaurant.

Meals : Lunch and dinner are your own cost.
Overnight at hotel in Salay.

After the breakfast at hotel, take a boat ride to Paday Thor Gyine.
You will visit the village and can learn rural villagers’ life. There are paddy fields and cultivation plants.
Return to Salay and take a short rest.
Take mountain bike around Salay Village, Shin Bin Maha Laba Pagoda (6 meter high Buddha Image made from lacquer and sawdust. It has around the back cramp doors. You will experience to crawl into narrow small interior of the statue.) and Shin Pin Sar Kyo Pagoda that was built in A.D 1174 by King Nara Pati Sithu to mark the spot where King Anawrahta stopped for rest after conquering the Mon Capital – Tha – Htone in 1057. The compound is so quiet and you will feel the magical sense. A lot of Bagan era stupas side by side, monasteries and meditation halls, brightly painted Jataka Murals, plaster sculptures and Paintings. Especially, it is decorated the pagoda with Beautiful Patterns and Designed Glass Mosaic Teak Columns.
Return to hotel.

Meals : Lunch and dinner are your own cost.
Overnight at hotel in Salay.

After the breakfast at hotel, visit bustling Salay morning market.
Drive to Bagan airport.
When you arrive in Yangon, visit the Shwedagon Pagoda; the world famous glittering gold stupa, believed to have been built more than 2500 year ago.
Proceed to Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) the famous two-storey market that sells typical traditional Myanmar crafts. (closed on every Monday & public holidays!!)
Transfer to airport for your departure.