Your route map for a spiritual quest in Myanmar

A country that often fails to escape the wishlist of those stoked by wanderlust, Myanmar is perhaps more of a treasure. It might very well be the only Southeast Asian country to have escaped the spotlight, for travelling is the new cool and Southeast Asia sets up the most attainable travel goals ever; think of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and more. While these are hipper places when pitched against Myanmar, this country is more if you like chasing with a fair dose of spiritual as well.

When there is offbeat on your mind, there is no skipping Myanmar and the spiritual wonders that it holds. The country lies just across the Indian border, giving you more reasons to pack your bags and get going. You can also get reach Myanmar via Thailand; once there, this is perhaps the only route map you will need.
Kyaikhtiyo
This one is more famous as The Golden Rock; a pagoda by the side of a sheer cliff. It is believed that the mammoth golden boulder around which it is built is balanced on a single hair of Buddha, defying all laws of gravity. One touch, and it might just go toppling over the cliff, this is how it looks like. But come rain, winds, or storms, the boulder stays perched as it has always been.
Nay Pyi Taw

Nay Pyi Taw is home to the very stunning Uppatasanti Pagoda. At 325 ft, it is one of the tallest pagodas in the country, and houses an ancient tooth relic from China. This is just the place for you if you harbour a wish to trace the Buddhist inclinations in Myanmar. When in Nay Pyi Taw, you can also visit the awe-inducing 10m tall three warrior king monument.

Taunggyi
When in Myanmar, do not miss a trip to the gorgeous Inle Lake. And, when there, there is no missing a day trip to Taunggyi as well. The place is home to Inta folks, the community that practices aquaculture and use their feet to paddle boats! Taunggyi is also where the five famous egg-like Buddha statues are kept, much revered by locals and the followers of Buddhism.

Mandalay
Mandalay has the tag of being the last royal capital of Myanmar (Burma). A few hours at the Mahamuni Pagoda and Mingun Temple will give you hours of bliss; this temple is also where the largest bell in the world is kept. Once done with this dose of spirituality, you can pore over stunning sunset from the U Bein Bridge, and visit the Mandalay Palace as well.

Bagan
Bagan is the most famous attraction in Myanmar, and possibly the biggest reason why you will find the country on a tourist’s list. It was once home to as many as 10000 Buddhist temple, out of which some 2200 stand strong now. The temples are believed to be an equivalent to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, and rightly so for they make for a very fascinating sight and are ancient as well. Do not leave Myanmar until you have witnessed the setting sun over the Shwesandaw Pagoda at Bagan; it is an experience that you will cherish for long.

Yangon
Yes, Yangon is the place that is referred to as Rangoon in popular culture. While Bollywood definitely has a thing for the place, you too should not skip it. Yangon is where you will find Myanmar’s emblem, the stunning Shwedagaon Pagoda. This gold pagoda is believed to have Buddha’s hair for a relic.