21 Feb
Betel Chewing in Myanmar
Betel is an evergreen Indo-Malayan climbing or trailing shrub (Piper betel), having usually ovate leaves used to wrap betel nuts. In the ancient days, the Myanmar people usually showed their hospitality by serving kunhsay-laphet (betel, tobacco and tea) to the guests. Their idea was to show warmness to the outsiders and to become more friendly while chewing and talking. It was a kind of an entertainment at that time. The betel leaves and the nuts were all served together in a lacquer ware box especially made for it.
21 Feb
Homalin
Homalin is a peaceful town in the northwestern part of Myanmar. The town lies on the poetic Chindwin River and near the India Border and is the capital of the Homalin Township. As other places in Myanmar, Homalin is a warm and wet township. The temperature is about 30oC in summer and dropped to 10oC in winter. The major inhabitant here is the Naga with unique Naga Traditional New Year Festival – one of the most interesting festivals that you can miss in Myanmar. About transportation, you can reach Homalin by the 530-km-long main road, boat or plane from Mandalay or Yangon with Homali Airport. Homalin, a great place for opening New Year!
21 Feb
Leshi
Leshi, or Lashe or Lay Shi is a township located in the Sagaing Division of Myanmar. Its principal town is Leshi. The major resident here is the Naga and like Homalin, this place is also famous for the Naga New Year Festival and others festivals. The scenes are very attractive with mountains; wooden house of the Naga and forests… Leshi gives you great chances to enjoy the festivals with friendly locals and wonderful views.
21 Feb
Mingun bell
Located in Mingun, Sagaing Region, about 11 km north of Mandalay, on the western bank of the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar, the Migun bell was considered as the largest ringing bell in the world until 2000. It was built by the longest reigning monarch of the Konbaung dynasty King Bodawpaya (1782-1819) and weighs 55,555 viss (90.718 kilograms or 199.999 pounds). This number is engraved on the surface of the bell. In more detail, the outer diameter of the rim is 16 feet 3 inches (4.95 m).
21 Feb
Monywa
Monywa is a city in Sagaing Region, Myanmar, located 136 km northwest of Mandalay on the eastern bank of the River Chindwin. Monywa is a major centre for trade and commerce and for agricultural produce from the surrounding Chindwin valley, especially beans, orange, pulses and jaggery (palm sugar). In addition, the local industry includes mills for the production of cotton, flour, noodles, and edible oils. Sausages from Alon called wet udaunk are quite popular, and Budalin longyi (sarong) is known for the strength of the fabric and its checked patterns.
21 Feb
Sagaing Overview
Sagaing is the capital of Sagaing Region in Myanmar and located on the Irrawaddy River. Nowadays, Sagaing, with numerous Buddhist monasteries, is the most important religious and monastic hub of the area. About history, Sagaing, in the past was the capital of the Sagaing Kingdom (1315-1364) which ruled a part of the central area of Burma after the fall of Pagan dynasty. During the Ava period (1364-1555), the city was the common fief of the crown prince or senior princes.
