FOTOALBUM

  • Galleries
  • About
  • Contact
  • Links
  • Search
Show Navigation
Myanmar All Galleries

Myanmar { 50 images } Created 30 Nov 2014

Photos from Myanmar taken in January-February 2010, October 2012, March 2014 and December 2019 - Janary 2020.
View: 100 | All

Loading ()...

  • A street scenery in front of our guesthouse in Yangon.
    _MG_4781.jpg
  • The Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon's shining stupa, is the most famous pagoda in the world. According to "Wikipedia" - The base or plinth of the stupa is made of bricks covered with gold plates. Above the base are terraces (pyissayan) that only monks and men can access. Next is the bell-shaped part (khaung laung bon) of the stupa. Above that is the turban (baung yit), then the inverted almsbowl (thabeik), inverted and upright lotus petals (kya hmauk kya hlan), the banana bud (nga pyaw bu) and then the crown. The crown or umbrella (hti) is tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. The very top, the diamond bud (sein bu) is tipped with a 76 carat (15 g) diamond. <br />
The Gold seen on the stupa is made of genuine gold plates, covering the brick structure attached by traditional rivets. Myanmar people all over the country, as well as monarchs in its history, have donated gold to the pagoda to maintain it. It was started in the 15th century by the Mon Queen Shin Sawbu who gave her weight in gold and continues to this day.
    _MG_4810.jpg
  • With about 345 acres, the  Pyin U Lwin National Botanical Garden is certainly the most beautiful garden in Myanmar. The garden offers you an nice opportunity to take a break before going back to the city of  Pyin U Lwin also known as Maymyo.
    _MG_5489.jpg
  • A group of Buddhist nuns walking in a street of Hsipaw, in the northern Shan State. As the monks, they also shave their heads. I liked their straw hats and how the sunlight shines through their pink robes.
    _MG_5494.jpg
  • In Hsipaw we decided to take the train to Mandalay, although we knew that the trip would take about 14 hours.
    _MG_5509.jpg
  • As soon as the train left the station we were annoyed by a drunken military officer who walked up and down the train aisle, harrassing passengers, and asking us constantly to show him our passports. Looking back, i'm surprised that nobody <br />
didn't throw him out of the trains window.
    _MG_5510.jpg
  • The trip from Hsipaw to Mandalay by train takes about 13 hours. On the route you will pass over the highest bridge in Myanmar called Gokteik Viaduct. According to "Wikipedia" - The Goteik viaduct (also known as Gohteik viaduct) is a railway trestle in Nawnghkio, western Shan State, Myanmar (also known as Burma). The bridge is between the two towns of Pyin U Lwin, the summer capital of the former British colonial administrators of Burma, and Lashio, the principal town of northern Shan State. It is the highest bridge in Myanmar and when it was completed, the largest railway trestle in the world. The bridge is located approximately 100 km northeast of Mandalay. The bridge was constructed in 1899 and completed in 1900 by Pennsylvania and Maryland Bridge Construction. The components were made by the Pennsylvania Steel Company, and the parts were shipped from the United States. The rail line was constructed as a way for the British Empire to expand their influence in the region. The construction project was overseen by Sir Arthur Rendel, engineer for the Burma Railroad Company.
    _MG_5522.jpg
  • A road scene in Mandalay.
    _MG_5534.jpg
  • Unfortunately we just stayed two days in Mandalay, convinced that there was absolutely nothing to do in this city, except visiting markets and the gold-leaf workshops. Later, i heard about interesting places to visit which were not necessarily mentioned in our books.
    _MG_5542.jpg
  • According to "Wikipedia" - throughout the colonial years, Mandalay was the center of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning, and as the last royal capital, was regarded by the Burmese as a primary symbol of sovereignty and identity. Between the two World Wars, the city was Upper Burma's focal point in a series of nationwide protests against the British rule. The British rule brought in many immigrants from India to the city. In 1904-1905, a plague caused about one-third of the population to flee the city. Many again fled the city during World War II when the city was under Japanese occupation from May 1942 to March 1945. The city suffered heavy damage. The palace citadel, turned into a supply depot by the Japanese, was burnt to the ground by Allied bombing; only the royal mint and the watch tower survived.
    _MG_5545.jpg
  • One of the most famous sightseeing place in Burma is the temple complex in Bagan, covering an area of about 41 square kilometers, including over 2000 temples, pagodas and other edifices. In opposition to the beauty of the area, the government took an absurd decision in 1990, resettling by force the residents in a nearby location, now known as "New Bagan". The military junta affirmed that it was necessary for the preservation of the archeological site.
    _MG_5609.jpg
  • After the villagers were deported to "New Bagan", their houses were demolished and the government tried to fit the temple complex for tourism. Paradoxically, according to "Wikipedia" - Although an application was submitted, UNESCO does not designate Bagan as a World Heritage Site. The main reason given is that the military junta (SPDC) has haphazardly restored ancient stupas, temples and buildings, ignoring original architectural styles and using modern materials which bear little or no resemblance to the original designs. The junta has also established a golf course, a paved highway, and built a 200-foot (61 meter) watchtower in the southeastern suburb of Minnanthu.
    _MG_5630.jpg
  • Some of the residents who were forced by the government to settled down in "New Bagan" declare today, that life is better in New Bagan, because they have more water or electricity. But their are also locals affirming the contrary.<br />
Some Pro-Burma associations are still proclaiming that a global tourism boycott would be the best for the burmese population. I don't share this opinion. While we were travelling in Burma, none of the residents asked us to leave their country, and we talked to a lot of locals, most of them poor people. Unfortunately these associations don't make a difference between organized tourist groups - most of them will certainly support the military junta by using their facilities,- and individual tourists.<br />
In an interview conducted by SPIEGEL correspondent Thilo Thielke in 2010, concerning the tourism boycott, Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's opposition leader declared:<br />
<br />
"I was informed that the European Union has debated this issue. It has spoken out against group tours where Burmese government facilities are used. It endorses individual trips, however, which could benefit private companies. I haven't had an opportunity to speak with the European Union about this. But it is essential that people see what is actually happening in this country."<br />
<br />
If you intend to travel to Burma, try to support the local people while staying in their accomodations, buying their food or using the services they can provide you, also if those facilities don't meet european standards. The simple truth is that if you don't like basic family run Guesthouses; if you can only sleep in a 4 star hotel, you will certainly have to take a government run hotel. In this case you should reconsider your travel plans and go for another destination. There is a lot to see everywhere in the world ;-)
    _MG_5659.jpg
  • Every evening locals and tourists climbed up the pagoda stairs to experience the beautiful views over the temple complex. At that occasion some local artists were trying to sell their sand paintings to the tourists.
    _MG_5670.jpg
  • According to "Wikipedia" - In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bagan became a truly cosmopolitan centre of Buddhist studies, attracting monks and students from as far as India, Sri Lanka as well as the Thai and Khmer kingdoms. Among many other works, Aggavamsa's influential Saddani-ti, a grammar of the language of the Tipitaka, would be completed there in 1154. In 1287, the kingdom fell to the Mongols, after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. Abandoned by the Burmese king and perhaps sacked by the Mongols, the city declined as a political centre, but continued to flourish as a place of Buddhist scholarship.
    _MG_5690.jpg
  • I met this girl near one of many temples in Bagan. She was happy for posing for the camera ... and for the money i gave her for the book "Burmese Days" by George Orwell.
    _MG_5720.jpg
  • Two funny girls heavily made up with Tanaka, a paste made from the root of the Tanaka tree, which is used as sun protection. It is also well-known for its moisture benefits.
    _MG_5727.jpg
  • One of many statues placed at the site of Bagan. This one is probably representing a dog.
    _MG_5730.jpg
  • It's not surprising to see overloaded vehicles on the streets of Bagan. Effective space management "made in Burma".
    _MG_5738.jpg
  • We met Kay Thi along the Irrawaddy riverbank while she was collecting beans, and her two sons were playing with a puppy dog. As i met her again the next day, i was invited to her home and introduced to her brother and her sister.
    _MG_5742.jpg
  • The hot air balloon flight over Bagan is another well-known highlight in Burma. Here you can see the last preparations before the take off.
    _MG_5757.jpg
  • One of the first pictures after the take off.
    _MG_5776.jpg
  • First impressions of the temple complex from the air.
    _MG_5792.jpg
  • There is so much to see and i don't know in which direction i have to turn into the balloon, to face the best photo motifs.
    _MG_5794.jpg
  • Bagan temples under the morning sunlight.
    _MG_5797.jpg
  • The five terraced, white Shwesandaw Pagoda in the middle of other buddhistic edifices.
    _MG_5799.jpg
  • A balloon approaching the Htilominlo temple, the last builded edifice of its style.
    _MG_5802.jpg
  • One of the most noticeable sight in the temple complex is the shining golden stupa of the Dhammayazika Pagoda. You can use the Dhammayazika Pagoda as an orientation point, if you have constantly orientation problems like me.
    _MG_5809.jpg
  • One of the 2200 temples with the Irrawady river in the background.
    _MG_5816.jpg
  • Although the temples and pagodas look all similar seen from the air, there are a wide range of construction types which you can notice when you get closer.
    _MG_5818.jpg
  • A few minutes before landing i took a last picture by backlight
    _MG_5819.jpg
  • Back on the ground, we went for lunch and enjoyed our daily burmese "Risi Bisi" while we were planing our next trip to Mrauk U.
    _MG_5833.jpg
  • A local woman sitting in a trishaw in Bagan. Trishaws are the most basic means of transportation in Myanmar.
    _MG_5835.jpg
  • Like the locals, tourists can also hire a  horse cart with driver in Bagan.
    _MG_5871.jpg
  • A monk passing through a hallway in Bagan.
    _MG_5876.jpg
  • Decorated cows in Bagan
    _MG_5877.jpg
  • There are various means of transportation in Burma. The vehicles are repaired by any means until they are completely out of order ... to become a part of the landscape decoration. <br />
Contrary to our throwaway society, and due to poverty, spare parts are not wasted.
    _MG_5891.jpg
  • Chaungtha beach was our last destination point in Myanmar. We enjoyed the relaxing part, and to our amazement, their were practically no tourists on the beach.
    _MG_6737.jpg
  • Yangon's famous Shwedagon Pagoda at dusk.
    _MG_7011.jpg
  • One month before flying to Myanmar i was looking for an hotel from which i could take a photo of the Shwedagon Pagoda by night. There are some hotels from which you can take pictures from their roof.
    _MG_0040.jpg
  • Mingun Pahtodawgyi is an ancient unfinished huge stupa, located in the township of Sagaing. The construction began in 1790, under the rule of King Bodawpaya. According to "Wikipedia" -  It was not completed, due to an astrologer claiming that, once the temple was finished, the king would die. The completed stupa would have been the largest in the world at 150 metres (490 ft).
    _MG_1400.jpg
  • A cow carriage taxi in Mingun, waiting for tourists to bring them to the sightseeings.
    _MG_1441.jpg
  • The only photo i made during our trip to the famous U-Bein bridge. The teak- wooden bridge itself, was literally jam-packed with chinese tourists.
    _MG_1476.jpg
  • The Shwezigon Pagoda is the most famous  Buddhist temple in Nyaung-U, a town near Bagan.
    _MG_1503.jpg
  • Bupaya Pagoda is set near the bank of Irrawaddy River.
    _MG_1538.jpg
  • Bupaya Pagoda is set near the bank of Irrawaddy River. Many local people, come here for sunset.
    _MG_1540.jpg
  • Ananda Temple, one of Bagan's most beautiful temples.
    _MG_1553.jpg
  • Reclining Manuha Buddha at Shinbinthalyaung Temple in Bagan.
    _MG_1564.jpg
  • Sunrise over Bagan.
    _MG_1653.jpg
  • Nowaddays it's strictly forbidden to climb up the ancient Pagodas. Myanmar’s government banned the climbing of nearly all pagodas in february 2016, due to an organised dance party on one of the ancient pagodas. Furthermore, in 2017, a 20 year old american student, died after falling from the 20 foot Wuttanathaw Pagoda during sunrise.
    _MG_1656.jpg