1. Mandalay: Full-Day Guided Excursion
You will depart at 8:30AM from your hotel, at which point you will travel to Mahamuni Pagoda. This pagoda houses one of Myanmar’s most sacred Buddha images, which is covered with thick layers of gold leaves. You will then continue to a local artisan’s workshop of gold leaf making, woodcarving, and kalaga tapestries. Next, you will browse through the Zaycho Market, the oldest, largest, and the most important market in upper Myanmar. In the afternoon you will visit the magnificent Royal Palace complex, with an impressive wooden pavilion and surrounding moat. You will then continue to the Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and teak wood construction. The renovated Atumashi Monastery, which is referred to as an incomparable monastery, features the "world’s largest book", which consists of Buddhist scriptures inscribed on marble slabs. You can go up to the top of Mandalay Hill, which is a vantage point for panoramic views of the city and spectacular sunset views. Your tour will eventually end at approximately 5:30PM.