This morning, you will be transferred to Bagan’s jetty to take a local boat downstream the Irrawaddy River to Salay, a satellite town of Old Bagan during the 12th and 13th centuries. In the early 20th century, the town is one of the most important ports of oil distribution industry on the Irrawaddy river. The industry, however, has moved upstream to the town of Kyauk. Kalay now is a sleepy town, full of colonial charm.
We will arrive in Salay around mid-noon. Start our sightseeing tour with a visit to Salay House, a colonial building, which located on the river bank. Nowadays, it is a restaurant and museum with antiques, recreating the flavor of this historic time period. Here, you can experience the world of a British-Colonial trading company - the Ayeyarwaddy Royal Trading Company (ARTco). After the tour of this interesting museum, sit down for a lovely meal and enjoy nice view of Irrawaddy River.
Afterward, take a short 30-minute walking tour through peaceful streets of Salay. Along the way, explore the faded colonial buildings while listing interesting stories behind them. We will pass by several monasteries and ancient pagodas before ending at Yoke Sone Kyaung Monastery, a cultural heritage site in Salay. It is famous for its spectacular woodcarvings and also it is the native town of the famous writer Salay U Pone Nya during the time of the Myanmar Kings.
We then head to the traditional Burmese village of Magyeekan. It takes about 10 minutes to drive from Salay to this village. Upon arrival, we take a stroll along the dusty paths, observe the villager’s daily activities and learn about their lives.
Your tonight’s accommodation is a traditional guesthouse which is built in traditional style with western toilets and a shower, ensuring a comfortable stay. A traditional Burmese meal will be served for your dinner. Overnight in Magyeekan village.
