Around Yangon

HTAUKKYAN ALLIED WAR CEMETERY
Htaukkyan can be be reached in a 1 hour drive from downtown Yangon towards Bago. 27,000 Allied soldier’s tombs from the 2nd World war are there in a well-kept cemetery. “All souls Day” is usually held on November 11 with the aid of the British Embassy.

ETHNIC VILLAGE
This is situated in Takayta township, about 45 minutes away from downtown Yangon. There are houses and models of 8 different National races of Myanmar and their traditional costumes. The place is also tranquil and worth a visit if a person is interested in ethnic people and wants to get away from the busy city’s life. Visit the village if you have no time to see the ethnic groups during your journey through Myanmar.

SYRIAM & KYAUKTAN PAGODA
Syriam used to be an important seaport in the 17th century, even before the Portuguese time. One can do a day trip from Yangon. A centuries old Catholic Church, the nice surrounding of Kyaik Khauk Pagoda and thousand year old Buddha images from Kyaik Maw Wun Pagoda are worth seeing. Kyauktan Pagoda is in the middle of a river and can be reached by small boats.

TWANTE (TWANTAY) POTTERIES
Twante is a small town which is famous for its pottery. The potteries work in an old fashioned way, everything is done manually. It is best to start your journey in the early morning. People in that area earn their living by fishing and farming. One can go around town by trishaw or pony carts. It is a 2 hours journey across Yangon river by boat and continuing on a bumpy road. Alternatively you can go from Yangon by boat. There is in the meantime a bridge to Twante, from downtown Yangon it is however a long way.

There is private boat (RV Mahaythi) running between Yangon and Twante, offering a package. Guests can go with this new boat and do sightseeing in Twante by trishaw or horse cart and return to Yangon by that boat. The boat is supposed to run daily between October and April but depending on demand. Lunch will be hosted on board.
The potteries were severely damaged during the Cyclone Nargis in May 2008 but have been repaired shortly afterwards already.

HLAWGA WILDLIFE PARK
Around 1 hour drive towards Bago, further than the War Cemetery, there is a wildlife park with a scenic lake. You can see monkeys and birds, and a little zoo. Especially on weekends and holidays, the park is packed with Yangon people coming there for picnic.