2014 – Myanmar -“Trains in Circles”

A trip around Myanmar

We visited Myanmar in early 2014. We flew in from London via Doha on Qatar Airways.

We made a trip around the country in a clockwise direction. We started in Yangon and flew to Bagan. We then continued by boat along the Irrawaddy River to Mandalay. We returned from Mandalay by overnight sleeper train to Yangon.

Before we left Yangon at the start of the trip we took time to take the fascinating circular railway around the city. The loop is just 30 miles long but takes 3 hours to circumnavigate.

The flight to Bagan

We arrived just as the Hot Air Balloons were taking to the sky.

We spent the next two days touring the temples.

We went off to the market by pick-up truck to buy longhi (traditional Dress)

The next day we got up bright and early for a 13 hour trip up the river to Mandalay.

A lovely Sunrise on the river

We spent a very relaxing day on board all day.

We arrived in Mandalay just before nightfall.

Our hotel, near the red canal, was a wonderful oasis. The area around the hotel was fascinating too.

Next day we ventured out to see the sights of Mandalay. We started with the Golden Buddha where men (only) continue to add gold leaf to the figure.

We had a trip out to the famous rickety bridge.

And we saw more temples.

The next day we had a 50 minute stroll up Mandalay Hill.

We boarded the overnight sleeper express heading from Mandalay to Yangon

Locomotive made in India !

Porters boarded the train on the outskirts of Yangon

We arrived the next morning at Yangon at 7:30am.

We toured the religious sites of Yangon.

We had time to spend in the markets of Yangon too.

Despite the fact the country now drives on the right the majority of motor vehicles in Burma are left-hand drive. They are mostly Japanese second-hand imports.

Many are former company vehicles with their Japanese company names still on them !

A taxi we took in Bagan was an ex-driving school car complete with a “excuse my driving” sign in Japanese on the back window. When we translated it for the driver he wasn’t too happy.

Many of the city buses in Yangon are still in their old Japanese liveries with the doors on the left blocked up….