Overview
Take a trip to Irrawaddy River on your Myanmar Vacation
Located in Myanmar, the Irrawaddy River (or Ayeyarwady River) flows from north to south before emptying through the Irrawaddy Delta into the Andaman Sea, as with its tributaries. It is a river which will be central to a Myanmar tour as it flows through some of the most important destinations here.
Running through the centre at about 2,170 km (1,350 miles) long, the Irrawaddy River is Myanmar's largest river and is considered the most important commercial waterway. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Road to Mandalay’, after Rudyard Kipling’s poem, Mandalay.
The Irrawaddy River has acted as a useful transport and trade system since the 6th century. By the 12th century, irrigation canals were developed for rice cultivation, and then in the colonial era, the British set up important trading posts along its shores.
Today, many of the country’s goods such as petroleum, cotton, and various commodities are floated down the river to Yangon for export. At the same time, rice, which is grown in the south by the Irrawaddy Delta, is transported by river to the rest of the country.
The Irrawaddy River is home to a large diversity of animals and fish species, including the Irrawaddy Dolphin.
With many cities situated along its banks, the Irrawaddy River offers beautiful, scenic views of everyday life, as well as elegant monasteries and historic temples lining its shores, all to be enjoyed on a Myanmar vacation.
Today, many of the country’s goods such as petroleum, cotton, and various commodities are floated down the river to Yangon for export. At the same time, rice, which is grown in the south by the Irrawaddy Delta, is transported by river to the rest of the country.
The Irrawaddy River is home to a large diversity of animals and fish species, including the Irrawaddy Dolphin.
With many cities situated along its banks, the Irrawaddy River offers beautiful, scenic views of everyday life, as well as elegant monasteries and historic temples lining its shores, all to be enjoyed on a Myanmar vacation.
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Bupaya pagoda on the shore of the Irrawaddy River
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