Bago : was reputedly founded in 573 AD by two Mon princes from Thaton. During the late Mon dynastic period it became the center of the Mon kingdom. The city is also famous for its huge reclining Buddha, which measures 55m in length and was originally built in 994 AD.
(General Admission to Bago sights: US$ 10,-)

We start from the hotel in Yangon early in the morning and drive the 1 ½ hrs to Bago for a sightseeing tour of different Pagodas, some of which offer an excellent view over the wide delta region, and also take in the famous reclining Buddha as well as other interesting places. You will have lunch in one of the different local restaurants offering Myanmar as well as Indian and European cuisine. In the evening we will drive back to Yangon, where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Sights to be seen in Bago
Shwemawdaw Paya : is said to be over 1000 years old, originally built by the Mon. It is 114 meters high and is seen from far away. The pagoda has long history of destruction due to earthquakes and reconstruction; it finally reached today's height in 1954, after a leveling of the stupa in a massive earthquake in 1930. The mouth of the two guardian beasts at the west entrance contains two Mahayana bodhisattvas.

Kanbawzathadi Palace & Museum : a former Mon palace, walled in the Mon style, with a square measurement along each side of 1.8 km. The palace housed King Bayinnaung, who established the 2nd Union of Myanmar from 1553 to 1599. It features the newly rebuilt audience hall and the king's apartment. The entire compound was once surrounded by a teak stockade, a few stumps of which can be seen in the new museum. The museum displays Mon, Siamese, and Bagan style Buddhas, Martaban jars (huge water jars from the delta region) etc.

Hintha Gon Paya : a shrine, built by U Khanti, who also constructed Mandalay Hill. It is supposed to be the point rising from the sea where the hintha (mythological bird) landed. It offers brilliant views over Bago and the region.

 Shwethalyaung Buddha : a huge reclining Buddha. It is reported to be one of the most lifelike of all reclining Buddhas. It was Originally built in 994 AD of brick and stucco by the Mon king Migadepa II.

Mahazedi Paya : Originally constructed in 1560 AD by King Bayinnaung, it was destroyed during the sack of Bago in 1757. It wasn't rebuilt, and was nearly levelled by the 1930 earthquake, the current reconstruction only completed in 1982. There is a nice surrounding view from the top. The duplicate tooth of the Buddha and emerald bowl of King Kandy from Sri Lanka was once enshrined here and is now in the Kaunghmudaw Paya in Sagaing. Within the compound is a nice little "Ananda" style temple, which features interesting monk and Buddha images around the wall.

 Shwegugale Paya : this zedi dates back to 1494 and the reign of King Byinnya Yan, while it looks fairly modern. It features a dark gu (tunnel) with 64 seated Buddha images inside.

Kyaik Pun Paya : built in 1476 by King Dhammazedi, it consists of 4 30m high seated Buddhas placed back to back in the directions of the four heavens. A Legend says that there were four Mon sisters connected with the construction and if any of them should marry, one of the Buddhas would collapse.

Art Gallery : "Colours of Myanmar Art Centre", features beautiful paintings with motives from all over Myanmar and its people.