Global Treasures SHWEDAGON PAGODA Shwedagon Zedi Daw Myanmar

For several centuries one of the world's greatest and most splendid sights has towered above the streets of Yangon. A total of four stairways that point toward the four cardinal points lead into Burma's national sanctuary, the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda.

From the top of the hill there's a sixty thousand square metre high terrace with an amazing number of smaller stupas that surround the tallest central stupa. As with the three other stairways the southern entrance area of the Shwedagon Pagoda has its own temple that is dedicated to the Buddha, Konagamana.

According to tradition, the Mon queen, Shin-Saw-Bu, was the first leader to have her body weight represented by gold which was duly donated to the improvement of the pagoda. Even though the sanctuary received only around forty-five kilograms of gold it was enough to decorate the entire pagoda.

The main golden Stupa rises ninety-eight metres into the sky, its spire crowned by a golden ball that is decorated with over four thousand diamonds.

Due to extensive renovation at the end of the twentieth century this fascinating temple shines out once again in all of its ancient splendour.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Vista Point YANGON Myanmar

YANGON

Yangon is a river city and the capital of Myanmar. A country surrounded by India, China, Laos and Thailand with a fascinating mêlée of tribes and cultures plus a tranquil harmony of churches, pagodas, Hindu temples and mosques. Here, contrast is all, and that makes Yangon unique!

The Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda contains one of the largest prone Buddha statues in the world. Its length makes up for its lack of artistry as it is seventy metres long. Over six hundred monks live in the adjoining monastery that was founded in 1907 for the study of Buddhist scripts that are known as 'Palikanums'.

Three seasons determine the climate of this subtropical country: the cool of winter, the heat of summer and the monsoons when it rains for most of the afternoon and entire regions are flooded. But then follows the lush green sight of endless paddy fields.

In Yangon the early morning is the best time to travel to the nearby city of Bago which was once the capital of the Second Burmese Realm. It was thought by Europeans to be the most magnificent city in the East, a fact highlighted by its many splendid monuments.

The city of Yangon is like travelling back in time to the colonial days of British Rangoon and hopefully this fascinating city will continue to be a golden fairy tale behind a tantalising bamboo curtain!

Terra Mystica BAGAN Myanmar

BAGAN

Bagan is a famous royal city in today's Myanmar that is full of myth and legend. In the days of the legendary Birman monarchy the metropolis covered an area of forty square kilometres and today the numerous majestic buildings of Bagan provide an unforgettable insight into its history.

The development of the city was not only influenced by logical planning but was also designed according to religious and mystical ideals and was eventually built to reflect the structure of the Buddhist cosmos. The impressive temple complexes were designed to be a "paradise on earth", a place that lay between Earth and the realm of the gods.

As the first Burmese kingdom expanded the former territories of the Mon Tribe were gradually conquered. However, militarily the Mon Tribe proved to be inferior to that of the rising realm of Bagan. The Burmese troops captured not only many precious cultural and religious treasures but also more than thirty thousand prisoners from the capital of the Mon Thaton. Almost the entire spiritual elite of the Mon were brought to Bagan and the captured monks, scholars, master builders, blacksmiths and stone masons soon determined the character of the Burmese capital.

The city's temple ruins and sanctuaries are still worshipped in today and have a mystical appeal. Although archaeologists and historians have revealed much of the history of this fascinating metropolis it is likely that part of the splendid history of Bagan will remain a mystery forever.

7 Days MYANMAR / BURMA

Myanmar is a land of golden pagodas in which rivers, paddy fields and Buddhism dominate the lives of this country's people who are made up of a variety of ethnic groups. But behind the bamboo curtain is a sleepy fairy tale land. Yangon is a river city and the capital of Myanmar. It is surrounded by India, China, Laos and Thailand. Few cities in Asia boast such a fascinating mêlée of tribes and cultures. A tranquil harmony of churches, pagodas, Hindu temples and mosques. The Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda contains one of the largest prone Buddha statues in the world. Its length makes up for its lack of artistry as it is seventy metres long! The Shan State Express is a sonorous name for a unique train that travels to the north of Myanmar and to the legendary kingdom of the Shan. The railroad travels in a zigzag up the mountains which enables it to negotiate severe slopes that would otherwise be impossiblefor it to climb vertically. It provides a fascinating insight into the culture and everyday life of the Shan people.The city of Pyin U Lwin, that is also known as Meymo, was once a British military base. Even today the city still has a certain air of nostalgia and passengers are offered various refreshments as the train journey normally takes more than twelve hours. Ox carts transport visitors to one of the most interesting buildings in Mingun, the Mingun Pagoda. It was designed to be the world's largest pagoda. Huge numbers of workers built this seventy two metre wide and fifty metre high building. Bagan is the country's ancient capital city. Prior to visiting the largest area of Buddhist ruins in the world visitors can enjoy both traditional puppet shows and dance. Classical myth and legend make up this theatrical treat of which each puppeteer is responsible for up to sixty strings. Any journey through Myanmar is a journey into the past and to a hidden world of dreams and mystique. This gateway to paradise is slowly opening up and revealing a splendid land of bygone times!

Vista Point SHAN STATE Myanmar

SHAN STATE

North of Burma's central plains is the exotic and fascinating Shan State, a beautiful landscape in South East Asia located on the eastern side of Myanmar. Once forty Shan monarchs ruled there but they lived in hostile times as Burmese kings and Chinese warlords fought against them to gain control of their fertile land.

We begin our journey at Inlay Lake. The magical beauty of this body of water has attracted and fascinated people since time immemorial and this unique lake is home to the Intha people.

The next leg of the journey leads to a far more tranquil section of the lake that features floating gardens that are around a hundred metres long and two metres wide and consist of a densely interwoven carpet of water hyancinths.

Mandalay, 'The City Of Art', is located in the centre of Shan State. It was founded in 1857 and up until the British conquered it in 1885 it was the capital of the kingdom of Burma. The Mahamuni Pagoda is the centre of worship and is also where the Mahamuni Buddha is kept, the country's most highly worshipped Buddha statue.

Around twelve kilometres beyond Hsipaw is the legendary Bagyo Pagoda. Surrounded by a magnificent wall it is thought that the sanctuary is more than seven hundred years old. An important festival takes place each year around Tabaung, the time of the full moon in February and March, and is the highlight of the town's cultural calendar.

The Shan people in the north of Myanmar have most certainly retained their cultural heritage and Shan State is an exotic combination of both nature and culture and a land of beauty and joie de vivre!

Vista Point MANDALAY Myanmar

MANDALAY

Mandalay, 'The City Of Art', is located within the centre of Myanmar, that was formerly known as Burma. It was founded in 1857 and up until the British conquered it in 1885 it was the capital of the kingdom of Burma. Two thousand four hundred years after the death of Buddha , King Mindon ordered the one hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants of Amarapura to relocate here.

The well preserved Shwe Inbin Monastery is one of the last examples of the traditional monasteries whose splendour once made Mandalay famous. The complex has all the architectural elements of a typical Burmese monastery but it is its beautiful wood carvings that are the most striking.

To the north of the city is the two hundred and thirty six metre high Mandalay Mountain that dominates the plains below. The tree covered mountain is dominated by the towers of many temples and as Buddha once lived on this mountain it is considered to be extremely sacred and thus contains several pagodas and shrines.

Amarapura, the 'Immortal City', is situated in the south. It was the first of the country's royal cities and today it is a small town in which its inhabitants earn their living from weaving.

On the western hills are some of the most elegant and splendid monastery complexes such as the Umin Thonzeh Pagoda where forty five Buddha figures stand in a semi-circle, dignified and benign.

Once known as the Centre Of The World and today the religious and financial centre of the region, Mandalay lies at the heart of Burmese culture.

BAGAN MYANMAR

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YANGON MYANMAR

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MANDALAY MYANMAR

This is part of a series, Planet Terra, which when licensed allows you to add your own custom narration to meet you specific marketing needs. Contact us at TravelVideoStore.com for more details about licensing this episode or any of the 365 other episodes to destinations around the world.

SAGAING MYANMAR

This is part of a series, Planet Terra, which when licensed allows you to add your own custom narration to meet you specific marketing needs. Contact us at TravelVideoStore.com for more details about licensing this episode or any of the 365 other episodes to destinations around the world.