RT T HE M ETROPOLITAN M USEUM OF A RT STD u G OLDEN S TUPAS, A NCIENT T EMPLES u The Treasures of Burma u With Olivier Bernier u January 11 to 24, 2012 T HE M ETROPOLITAN M USEUM OF A RT Dear Members and Friends of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, u Burma, in spite of its political problems, is a country of great fascination. Its ancient monuments and unbroken traditions speak of a rich culture and complex history. Deeply imbued with Buddhism, Burma has pursued a unique artistic path. Its temples have evolved their own singular shape, and its welcoming people have not forgotten their traditions. Today still, there is much to see—antiquities, of course, but also the creations of local artisans. Traveling with us to this captivating land will be noted author and art historian Olivier Bernier, who has accompanied dozens of Travel with the Met trips to rave reviews. His lectures and insights will enrich our journey. We begin with an overnight in Bangkok, and then continue to Yangon, Burma’s largest city. During a two-night stay at a landmark Victorian-style hotel, we will explore this historic city, which has an interesting mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences. Flying on to Mandalay, the country’s cultural heart, view exceptional examples of traditional art and architecture. See the 12th-century Khmer bronze statues at the Mahamuni Pagoda, as well as the Royal Palace, Golden Palace Monastery, and the U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world. In Bagan, we will spend four nights in bungalows set in a subtropical garden on the Irrawaddy River. Visit the most impressive of the site’s 1,000 remaining pagodas, take a pony cart ride through Old Bagan and travel to Mount Popa to discover an extraordinary hilltop temple. An optional hot air balloon ride over the “City of Pagodas” is sure to be memorable. Fly to Heho, then drive to Nyaung Shwe and board a long-tailed boat for a cruise on scenic Inle Lake, L BHUTAN INDIA passing floating villages and gardens. During two nights CHINA at a lakeside resort, explore surrounding historic and iver BANGLADESH R y d religious sites by boat. Return to Yangon where visits ad w a r include the bustling Bogyoke Aung San Market, offering r I Mandalay VIETNAM everything from handicrafts to silk and rubies. Bay of Bagan Heho Bengal LAOS I hope you will join us for this exceptional BURMA program combining ancient sites, Buddhist traditions, Yangon and stunning natural beauty. THAILAND Gulf of Sincerely, Martaban Bangkok CAMBODIA Gulf of Thailand Emily K. Rafferty President T HE M ETROPOLITAN M USEUM OF A RT u 1000 FIFTH A VENUE u N EW Y ORK, N EW Y ORK 10028 77111_Met_burma 4/18/11 3:43 PM Page 2 u G OLDEN S TUPAS, A NCIENT T EMPLES u The Treasures of Burma January 11 to 24, 2012 ________________________ u ________________________ BANGKOK u YANGON, BURMA Friday, January 13 Following a leisurely morning, depart on an afternoon flight to Yangon, Burma’s largest city. An orientation tour will introduce us to major landmarks, including the City Hall and other impressive colonial-era buildings. Check in at the deluxe Strand Hotel, situated on the banks of the Yangon River. This landmark Victorian-style hotel opened in 1901 and has recently been restored to its former glory. Dinner is at the hotel’s Strand Grill. Photo © Alan Tobey Fruits and flowers at market, Yangon. NEW YORK Wednesday, January 11 Depart from New York on an afternoon flight to Photo by Joel Stratte-McClure Bangkok, with a connection in Hong Kong. BANGKOK, THAILAND Thursday, January 12 Arrive in Bangkok in the late evening and transfer to the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, where rooms are reserved for the night. Photo by Joel Stratte-McClure Young monks awaiting lunch at a monastery in Mandalay. YANGON Saturday, January 14 Begin today at the colorful Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, with its colossal reclining Buddha. Continue to the Sule Pagoda, said to have been built 2,000 years ago to house a single strand of the Buddha’s hair. After lunch see the Shwedagon Pagoda, a gleaming golden stupa that dominates the city from its hilltop location. The Photo by Joel Stratte-McClure scene of prayers and offerings, the pagoda is the spiritual Golden Buddhas, Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon. heart of Yangon. The evening is at leisure. u G OLDEN S TUPAS, A NCIENT T EMPLES u uuu YANGON u MANDALAY, BURMA order of our visits will depend on local conditions but Sunday, January 15 will include the market of Nyaung Oo, lacquerware workshops, the Sulamani Temple, and Shwezegon Fly to Mandalay, a showcase of 19th-century Burmese Pagoda. Lunch is at a local restaurant. At sunset, look art and architecture and capital of Burma from 1860 out over the Irrawaddy from Bu Paya before returning to 1885. Arrive at the Sedona Hotel, well located in the to the hotel for dinner. heart of the city. After lunch, visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, BAGAN with Buddhist scriptures inscribed in large marble slabs. Wednesday, January 18 See the nearby Shwenandaw Monastery, also called the Golden Palace Monastery, a grand example of local Drive to Mount Popa, known as Burma’s Mount Olympus, teak architecture featuring intricate carvings of to discover Popa Taungkalat. This tower-like volcanic plug Buddhist myths. Stop to browse traditional crafts before houses a picturesque complex of monasteries and pagodas concluding the afternoon at the meandering U Bein that can be reached by climbing a winding staircase of Bridge. Enjoy a private sampan cruise at sunset before 777 steps. We will also see the shrines devoted to the dinner at the hotel. mythical Nat spirits. After lunch, return to Bagan. A sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River is planned prior to dinner at the hotel. BAGAN Thursday, January 19 You may wish to rise early today for an optional hot air balloon ride over the city. This morning observe artisans creating the lacquerware for which Bagan is famous. Following lunch, a pony cart tour includes a stop at the 13th-century temple of Tayok Pye. Dine tonight with the backdrop of temple ruins and enjoy traditional Photo by Joel Stratte-McClure music and dance. U Bein Bridge, Mandalay. BAGAN u INLE LAKE, BURMA Friday, January 20 MANDALAY u BAGAN, BURMA Monday, January 16 Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Heho. Continue to Nyaung Shwe to meet the long-tailed boat Begin the morning at the Mahamuni Pagoda and view the for a cruise on Inle Lake, famous for its scenic beauty, sacred Buddha figure and some of the most important with floating villages and gardens. Disembark at the 12th-century Khmer bronze statues in existence. Then Inle Princess Resort, our home for the next two nights. experience one of the three holiest sites in Burma at the Dinner at the hotel this evening features a performance Royal Palace (Glass Palace) with an enormous bronze of traditional Shan Dance. Buddha image covered by thick layers of gold. A visit will be made to a workshop where 24-karat gold is Photo by Joel Stratte-McClure transformed into thin sheets of gold leaf by traditional methods. Depart on an early evening flight for Bagan and continue to the Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel, where we will stay in bungalows set in a subtropical garden on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. BAGAN Tuesday, January 17 Bagan, known as the “City of Pagodas,” is considered one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. The next three days are devoted to seeing some of the most impressive of Bagan’s 1,000 remaining temples and monasteries built in the 10th and 11th centuries. The Reclining Buddha, Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, Yangon. u T HE T REASURES OF B URMA u uuu INLE LAKE Saturday, January 21 Spend the day exploring the Inle Lake area by boat, including a village site dating from the 16th century, whose Shan-style stupas were first revealed in 2000. After lunch, visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the area’s most revered religious site, with five small images of Lord Buddha covered with gold leaf. Return to our boat / A and cruise past floating gardens en route to the hotel. P INLE LAKE u YANGON Sunday, January 22 This morning transfer to the airport for the flight back to Yangon, arriving at the Strand Hotel in time for lunch. Afternoon touring includes the lively Bogyoke Aung San Market, offering everything from straw baskets and handicrafts to silk and rubies. Then enjoy a private concert focused on Burmese musical traditions. This evening celebrate a memorable trip at a festive farewell dinner. Photo © bart acke YANGON u BANGKOK Buddhist temple on Inle Lake. Monday, January 23 BANGKOK u NEW YORK The morning is at leisure. Following lunch, transfer to Tuesday, January 24 the airport for the late afternoon flight to Bangkok, where overnight rooms are arranged at the Novotel Depart on a morning flight to New York via Hong Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel. Kong. Arrive at New York’s JFK Airport in the evening. T HE M ETROPOLITAN M USEUM OF A RT The Treasures of Burma u January 11 to 24, 2012 RESERVATION APPLICATION To reserve a place, please return this form along with your deposit of OPTIONAL BANGKOK PRELUDE $2,000 per person (of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative p I/We wish to join the optional Bangkok prelude ($1,425 per person; fees) payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, 1040 Avenue of the single supplement $675).