The locals believe that sweeping the floors of the Pagoda on the day of the week they were born is an accumulation of good deeds, which is required in order to pass into a good next life after death.
Belinda Jiao’s photography at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar.
Bell boys wearing traditional Burmese outfit, welcoming guests. The Karaweik Palace is well-known for serving authentic traditional Burmese dishes, historically enjoyed only by the royals.
Belinda Jiao photography at Karaweik Palace in Yangon, Myanmar.
A mother seen carrying her baby child next to the ‘sleeping Buddha’.
Belinda Jiao’s photography at the Shwethalyaung Budda in Bago, Myanmar.
The young man (left) who helped taking care of the tour members, and the driver (right) who took care of the commute between various cities throughout the 5-day tour. They have done a bravo job and I really wanted to remember them in my photos. By the way, they also cleaned up my puke as I felt sick after some food in the tour bus. Incredible work ethic and service!
This photo was taken after I woke up from a nap while the rest of the tour members were shopping at a local flea market. The two were waiting for the time to come to drive the coach to the pickup point.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
Two teenage girls were spotted completing some paperwork together in a Pagoda.
Belinda Jiao’s photography at Yangon, Myanmar
A man in the typical Burmese Longyi. This dress helps improve comfort in the lower half body given the hot and humid weather, and avoids curves of the body to be clearly visible due to tight trousers. It is their practice that showing the shape of legs is an act of sexiness.
Belinda Jiao photography at the Taukkyan War Cemetry in Yangon, Myanmar.
Two kids selling peanut crackers around the quay as tourist take the boat towards the Island Pagoda. It is a Buddhist teaching that they should not beg for money; instead they should generate their income by running a business. This is why the kids sell snacks along popular tourist spots. We as tourists were also warned not to hand them money as a donation, because this will give them the wrong incentives.
Belinda Jiao photography at Thanlyin/ Yangon, Myanmar.
Three girls seen helping each other put flowers in their hair.
Belinda Jiao photography at Taukkyan War Cemetry in Yangon, Myanmar.
An old local Burmese man sitting outside a temple.
Belinda Jiao Photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
A little girl accompanied by her mother outside the local temple.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
Hawkers selling various foodstuffs outside the Bandula Park, which is where The Independence Monument was located.
Belinda Jiao photography at Bandula Park, Yangon, Myanmar.
A nun preparing to meditate at golden hour at the Shwedagon Pagoda.
Belinda Jiao photography at Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar.
A middle-aged man who got out of his van to purchase some snacks at a nearby convenience store.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
A local boatman steering the motor-operated boat from the mainland Thanlyin towards the Island Pagoda.
Belinda Jiao photography at Thanlyin, Myanmar.
An old man sitting by the entrance to a Pagoda, occasionally hitting the bell.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
A Burmese boy with face paint, which is a symbol of happiness for the locals.
Belinda Jiao photography in Yangon, Myanmar.
Women seen outside a Pagoda selling various knitted clothing and slippers.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
A woman taking care of her coconut stall outside of a Pagoda on a sunny winter day.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
A middle-aged man working as a security guard outside the remains of the Portuguese Catholic church, enjoying the morning in his chair, in Thanlyin. Thanlyin is approximately 40 km south of Yangon.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
A young boy who was interested in my camera and loved having his pictures shot. On his face is a type of plant oil, which can act as sunscreen. Locals draw such patterns to show a sign of merriness.
Belinda Jiao photography at Thanlyin/ Yangon, Myanmar.
The excited boy brings along his friend, who happily posed for me, captured at the quay while I waited to board the boat towards the Island Pagoda.
Belinda Jiao photography at Thanlyin/ Yangon, Myanmar.
After dropping us off onto the Island Pagoda, a young man steered the boat in order to head back to the quay.
Belinda Jiao photography at Thanlyin/ Yangon, Myanmar.
An old man resting on the footsteps of a little house on the Island Pagoda. He is dressed in the traditional Burmese Longji. Sometimes males utilise the pocket space in their waist to store daily essentials.
Belinda Jiao photography at Thanlyin/ Yangon, Myanmar.
The boy who helped us on and off the motor boat. He speaks excellent mandarin and was a cheerful presence to have around!
Belinda Jiao photography at Thanlyin/ Yangon, Myanmar.
A middle-aged man posed for my photo at the Island Pagoda.
Belinda Jiao photography at Thanlyin/ Yangon, Myanmar.
A nun resting on the footsteps leading towards the entrance of the Island Pagoda.
Belinda Jiao photography at Thanlyin/ Yangon, Myanmar.
The boy who helped passengers on and off the speed boat, who always wears a genuine smile on his face.
Belinda Jiao photography at Thanlyin/ Yangon, Myanmar.
It is very common for local people to chill or eat at the rear space of their cars and vans. A middle-aged man reading his papers and having lunch in the People’s Park.
Belinda Jiao photography at the People’s Park in Yangon, Myanmar.
5 girls, who I believe are Indonesian, visits the the Island Pagoda. They giggled and laughed when I asked for a photo of them, and had a great laugh when I showed them the photos afterwards.
Belinda Jiao photography at Thanlyin/ Yangon, Myanmar.
A monk turned and saw that I was pointing my camera at him; so he gathered his friend (right) and posed for the photo.
Belinda Jiao photography at the Island Pagoda in Thanlyin, Myanmar.
A woman looking after her fruit stall at the fruit market in the heart of Yangon, Myanmar.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
A teenage boy selling bubble guns at the Maha Bandula park, dressed in the typical Longyi. The Bandula park is where the Independent Monument is located, which commemorates the Independence of Myanmar from British Colonisation.
Belinda Jiao photography at Maha Bandula park in Yangon, Myanmar.
Middle-aged men resting under the tree in a Pagoda.
Belinda Jiao photography in Yangon, Myanmar.
A woman looking after her fruit stall at the fruit market at the heart of Yangon, Myanmar.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
A security guard idling in his chair at a Pagoda.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
A man selling flowers that are offered as sacrifice to Buddhas outside a Pagoda.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
A woman seen painting the gates to a Pagoda.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
Three kids were welcoming the incoming tour in mandarin, who gladly posed for a picture, outside the Hsin Hpyu Daw Park, which houses the Yangon white elephant.
Belinda Jiao photography at Yangon, Myanmar.
A woman enjoying her snack in the shades of the Island Pagoda during noon time.
Belinda Jiao photography at the Island Pagoda in Thanlyin/ Yangon, Myanmar.
A waiter serving typical Burmese soup at the Karaweik Palace restaurant.
Belinda Jiao photography at the Karaweik Palace Restaurant in Yangon, Myanmar.