Heho (Inle Lake) So near, yet so far. Inle Lake is just a short flight Yangon but it feels worlds apart from the rest of Myanmar. Located in the cool green highlands of Shan State, it is an area of incredible natural beauty and the lake itself sits a pleasant 870 metres (2900 feet) above sea level. It is famous for the local Intha fishermen who row their boats using their legs, as well as the floating markets and prolific birdlife. In this unique wetland environment, whole villages sit on floating islands perched above the water. Colourful hill tribes inhabit the surrounding fertile valleys and forested mountain tops, and their hand-woven silks are a speciality of the region. See and Do: * Peruse the floating markets, where ethnic groups in colourful traditional dress sell local handicrafts * Explore the ancient and cracked stupas of Indein Pagoda

Thandwe (Ngapali Beach) Famous for its miles of picture-perfect sandy beaches, brilliant turquoise water and swaying coconut palms, Ngapali is Myanmar’s premier beach destination. Intimate resorts offer visitors the chance to swim, sail, kayak and feast on fresh seafood by candlelight as the sun sinks lazily into the Bay of Bengal. Ngapali is the perfect See and Do: place to unwind and savour those few precious weeks * Laze on the beach, or sip cocktails at your hotel bar in Myanmar. as the sun sets over the water * Visit nearby fishing villages in the early morning to see locals unload their catch

Sittwe (Mrauk Oo) The Rakhine State capital Sittwe is the gateway to the ancient city of Mrauk Oo, the former centre of a flourishing Rakhine empire. Mrauk Oo reached its peak in the 15th century and today has a completely different atmosphere to Myanmar’s other ancient sites. It also gets far less tourists and is often touted as an interesting alternative to Bagan. Be one of the first to discover these ancient temples, which are accessible from Sittwe by a picturesque boat ride up the surging Kaladan River.

See and Do: * Admire Shittaung Pagoda, whose name literally means “Shrine of the 80,000 Images” * Continue further up the Lemro River to Chin villages, home to women with tattooed faces

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Kyaing Tong

Kyaing Tong is situated in the easternmost part of Shan State, about halfway between the Chinese and Thai borders. A picturesque city in itself with a vibe unlike almost anywhere else in Myanmar, the area is home to many ethnic minority groups who live in the surrounding hills, including the Wa, Akha, Anh, Akhu and Lahu. The morning market in the centre of town features a colourful mixture of ethnic groups selling locally grown produce.

See and Do: * Eat a bowl of traditional Shan-style noodles in the morning market * Hire a guide and head out into the countryside to explore the local hill tribe villages

Tachileik Known as the gateway to the Golden Triangle, Tachileik was once notorious for its proximity to the drug trade but now is better known for its markets and shopping. Situated across the river from Mae Sai, Tachileik sees plenty of Thai visitors looking to pick up a bargain amongst the thousands of stalls of Chinese- made goods. The city is also close to the Mekong River and the border with Laos.

See and Do: * Shop in the sprawling markets, which attract hundreds of Thai visitors each day

Chiang Mai (Thailand)

This city in northern Thailand was founded 700 years ago as the capital of an ancient Lanna kingdom. Thailand’s second-largest city, Chiang Mai is set within a two-square-kilometre moat and has managed to retain many of its traditional wooden houses. The city is the centre of Thailand’s handicraft industry and has many popular markets. It is also a good departure point for trekking into nearby hill tribe villages.

See and Do: * Visit the impressive Wat Pra Singh, the centre of the old city * Shop for hand-made goods at the lively night market

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Dawei

Dawei, which the British called Tavoy, is about 30 miles (48km) from the mouth of the Dawei River on the coast of Tanintharyi (Tenessarim) Division. It is one of the oldest ports in Myanmar and was mentioned by the merchant traveller Ralph Fitch, who in 1583 became the first Englishman to set foot on Myanmar soil. Dawei is a prosperous town, with many of the richest families owning fleets of fishing vessels or rubber plantations. As is usual with the typical and conservative Myanmar use of wealth, it is not apparent to the casual eye. It is a quiet, peaceful little town, proud of famous as “Moung Ma Kan” beach.

Myeik Myeik (Mergui) is between the sea and low hills with pagodas, monasteries and government buildings. It is a busy port town and a centre for the fishing, pearl, rice, preserved and dried fish, birds’ nests and rubber industries. There is a flourishing cultured pearl industry but for centuries Myeik natural pearls have been on par with rubies in value and attraction, much sought after by the Myanmar royalty and the aristocracy. These natural pearls were harvested by the Salon or Moken people, who are sometimes referred to as sea gypsies.

Kawthaung

Kawthaung is included in Tanintharyi Division in the southernmost part of the Union of Myanmar. At the mouth of Parchan river there is Kawthaung Cape (Formerly Victoria Point) which is in the southern most part of Myanmar.

Half of the town is going up along the slope. The town is an important border point with products such as seafood, palm oil and rubber. You can observe the states of King Bayintnaung in Kawthaung which is a symbol of Myanmar Patriotism. The world’s largest pearl was discovered in the Makha lauk pearl oyster exploration area in the north west of Zardatgyi Island in Kawthaung Township. By visiting, the Taninitharyi Division, you will be refresh yours clear by breathing fresh sea breeze and observing the scenario of the beautiful sunset and rocky sea beaches.

54 | Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight Air Mandalay Offices

YANGON No. 146, Dhammazedi Road, Bahan Township, Yangon 11201, MYANMAR Tel: (+95.1) 525 488, 501 520, 534 144 Fax: (+95.1) 525 937 E-mail: [email protected] (general inquiries) [email protected] (flight reservations) [email protected] (marketing inquiries) Website: www.airmandalay.com Airport Traffic: (+95.1) 720 309, 652 754

MANDALAY Room (1), SY Building, Ground Floor, 78th Street between 29th & 30th Streets Chan Aye Thar San Township, Mandalay, MYANMAR Tel: (+95.2) 61513, 64554, 68061, 68062 Mobile: (+95.9) 5095993

Mandalay Internation Airport - Tada Oo Township, Mandalay Division. Airport Traffic: (+95.2) 87577

NYAUNG U Main Road , Lanmadaw ,Ywa Thit Ward, Nyaung U, MYANMAR (BAGAN) Tel: (+95.61) 60774

HEHO No. 3, Min Road, Heho, MYANMAR Tel: (+95.81) 63059, 63066 and (+95.9) 5280446

TAUNGGYI No. 112, Thiri Mingalar Building (Ground Floor) Bo Gyoke Aung San Road, Taunggyi, Southern Shan State, MYANMAR Tel: (+95.81) 21330

TACHILEIK No. 1/155 (ta), Sam Sai (kha) Ward, Bogyoke Aung San Street, Tachileik, MYANMAR Tel: (+95.84) 51385

KYAING TONG Lwae Mauy Street, Kyaing Ngan Ward, Kyaing Tong, MYANMAR Tel: (+95.84) 22790

THANDWE No. 14, Min Te Street, Ngapali, Thandwe Township , MYANMAR (NGAPALI) Tel: (+95.43) 42666, 44044

SITTWAY No. 102, U Oak Ta Ma Road, Kyaung Tat Lan Ward, Sittway, MYANMAR Tel: (+95.43) 21638 Mobile: (+95.9) 5680606

CHIANG MAI Doi Ping Mansion (107), 148 Charoen Prathet Road Chiang Mai 50100, THAILAND Tel: (+66.53) 818 049 H/P: (+66.81) 882 7294 Fax: (+66.53) 818 051 E-mail: [email protected]

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