Top Things to Do in Myanmar
Previously called Burma, Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia that is gradually gaining popularity among visitors. Because of excellent access from land borders, travelers from Thailand and the rest of its neighboring nations in Southeast Asia frequently frequent these lands trying to find off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Although not huge, there are still lots of locations to check out in Myanmar Unbelievable historical sites, gorgeous all-natural landscapes, and also a wide range of cultural sites, Myanmar is a country that I advise everyone to put on their bucket lists. Below's a list of destinations in Myanmar (Burma) that are worth going to.
Places to Go To in Myanmar.
Yangon
The capital city of Myanmar, Yangon is growing to be a busy urban city where old colonial buildings meet ancient pagodas. There are sights like the Shwedagon Pagoda which is among the most important historic sights in all of Myanmar. The round train is additionally an awesome experience where you can observe the local culture.
Sule Pagoda and Shwendagon Pagoda
Known for its mystical pagodas, no trip to Myanmar is complete without checking out Sule Pagoda and also Shwendagon Pagoda. These 2 pagodas are so lovely, particularly during dawn and also sundown.
Sule is smack in the centerof Yangon. It is 48 meters high as well as was used by the British as the core of their grid pattern plan for Burma in the 1880s. Sule, unlike various other pagodas, is a octagonal-shaped pagoda.
The 2,500 years of age Shwedagon Pagoda enshrines strands of Buddha's hair and also other divine relics. It is a have to see. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with thousands of gold plates as well as its stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds.
Ride Yangon's Circular Train
The Yangon Circular Train is something you absolutely have to experience. You will not only experience a day in the life of citizens, but additionally reach take outstanding photos of the outskirts of the city.
You'll see people moving up and also down the train selling things, and also meet people of all kinds hopping on and off the trains. Businessmen, market wholesalers ... it is just one of those things that enables you to experience Myanmar wherefore it really is.
Outside Yangon
Mt Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock)
Picture Credits: World Atlas.
Mt Kyaiktiyo is a prominent pilgrimage site for devout Burmese Buddhists and is usually full of devotees that take a trip from around the country to pay homage to this spiritual site. From Yangon, this gold rock is accessible by bus or train.
The pagoda itself is comprised of a huge gold rock which is balancing at the edge of the cliff. We advise seeing during sunset as the golden rock glows, much more, when the skies develops into different tones of orange and also purple. Although it is a spiritual site, it has actually likewise ended up being extremely commercialized yet however, a sight to see.
Where to stay in Yangon
Budget: Little Yangon Hostel
Budget: Pickled Tea Hostel
Mid-Range: Jasmine Palace Hotel
Mid-Range: Hotel Grand United (21st Century Downtown)
Luxury: Sule Shangri-La
Luxury: The Savoy
Reaching Yangon.
By Air: Yangon has an international flight terminal and offers the biggest variety of destinations both within and outside the nation.
By bus: Yangon is additionally very well linked by both bus and train routes. It's from Yangon that you will certainly have the best choice of locations to take a trip to.
By train: Yangon is a major stop on the country's train system. Do be aware that trains are not what you 'd discover in developed nations. There are hard seats as well as no or insufficient air conditioning. Train traveling is additionally a lot slower than bus. Nevertheless, if you want a local experience, train is the way to go.
Bago
If you seek even more pagodas, an excellent reclining Buddha and a wine monastery, you will certainly intend to take a trip to Bago.
Bago is just a couple of hours away from Yangon, making it a very easy day excursion.
According to legend, the Buddha who when travelled in the area saw a couple of Hintha birds flying across the waters searching for a relaxing location. The male bird landed on the only available place which was just large enough for one bird, upon which the female perched in addition to the male bird. Upon seeing this, the Buddha foretold that one day a city would prosper at this area.
Shwemawdaw Pagoda.
Called the "Gold Temple" this stupa is the tallest in Burma.
Credits: Wikipedia.
Kyaik Pun Paya
This is residence to the famous 4 Seated Buddha shrine.
Credits: 123RF. com.
Shwethalyaung Buddha
Among the biggest reclining Buddha images in Myanmar.
Credits: Renown-travel.com.
Bagan
Promoted by the many sweeping pagodas as well as stupas, Bagan is a cultural delight and also is considered a must check out by everyone that comes to this nation. With over 2000 ancient ruins, you can spend a few days traveling around the area hopping from one historical site to the next. If you're searching for a magical experience, you can ride a hot air balloon over the temples during sunrise. The sunlight shimmering as it rises on top of these ancient ruins is a view to see and is something that is worth doing during your time there.
Besides seeing the ancient ruins, you can additionally visit Mount Popa and the monk monasteries.
Mount Popa
Where to stay in Bagan
Budget: Ostello Bello, Bagan
Mid-Range: The Hotel at Tharabar Gate
Luxury: Bagan Lodge
Getting to Bagan
By Air: The closest airport terminal is Nyaung U, which is just a couple of miles from old Bagan. It is a domestic terminal only.
By bus: Bagan is well connected by bus:
Inle Lake (10 hrs).
Yangon (9 hrs).
Mandalay (7 hrs).
By train: Bagan is on Myanmar's rail network and you can connect with Yangon (16 hours) or Mandalay (8 hrs).
Inle Lake
Take a day outing on the gorgeous Inle Lake exploring the waterways with its stilt homes, markets, floating gardens, pagodas, local traders and also restaurants. This is a fantastic location to see the sun set and also the sun rise over the water. Seeing exactly how the residents in Inle fish utilizing cone-shaped sphere like nets as they guide their boat with one foot is likewise rather amusing to watch.
Where to stay in Inle Lake
The majority of the lodging lies in close-by Nyuangshwe with a series of budget to high-end choices. You can also think about at least one evening on the lake for the daybreak and also sunset sights.
Budget: Ostello Bello Hostel Nyangshwe
Budget: Song of Travel Hostel Nyangshwe
Mid-Range: Thanakha Inle Hotel Nyangshwe
Mid-Range: Aureum Palace Resort & Spa Inle Nyangshwe
Deluxe on the Lake: Golden Island Cottages on Inle Lake
Luxury in Nyuangshwe: La Maison Birmane Boutique
Reaching Inle Lake
By Air: The nearby flight terminal is Heho, which is about 45-60 mins' ride from Nyangshwe via winding mountain roadways. Anticipate to pay around $20 for your taxi (among the best bargains you'll enter Myanmar for a taxi ride). Heho is a domestic terminal only. A stay on the lake is about an additional 20 minutes away from Nyuangshwe by boat (or an additional 40 or so minutes by road).
By bus: Inle Lake is well connected with buses travelling from:
Yangon (13 hrs)
Mandalay (10 hrs)
Bagan (10 hrs)
By train: Inle Lake is not on Myanmar's rail network.
Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake
From being outside, enjoying the unbelievable landscape, to staying in a local family's residence as well as tucking into some home-cooked food, there's a great deal to like about it. The most typical expeditions are either 2 or 4 days long.
Getting to Kalaw: Many people begin in Kalaw and also trek to Inle Lake instead of the other way around.
By air: If you're flying in to Heho, you're halfway there-- simply take a taxi from the airport. There is a train from the flight terminal (2 hrs) yet only once a day in the morning so you would certainly need to co-ordinate your trip time.
By bus: there are buses from Mandalay (8 hrs), Bagan (8 hrs) and Yangon (12 hours).
When should you go? High season (which is both the most prominent yet additionally the driest period) is November to February. Myanmar has a wet season unlike most of the remainder of SouthEast Asia-- it pours, sometimes relentlessly (compared to the once daily heavy showers of a lot of monsoons). This can create some unpleasant trekking conditions.
Mandalay
In comparison to the peaceful and also subdued roads of Bagan, Mandalay is a large city teeming with life. Hectic roads filled with a variety of tea shops, wonderful Pagodas, and numerous attractions make this one of the most popular places to visit in Myanmar. Out of all the attractions, climbing Mandalay Hill is probably a large crowd favorite as it permits you to sweeping views of the city as well as the Irrawaddy River shining from afar.
The U-bein Bridge as well as Kuthodaw Pagoda is likewise a pretty prominent destination and also is a terrific place to observe the culture of the locals.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
The Kuthodaw pagoda in Mandalay includes a gilded pagoda, thousands of temples housing engraved marble pieces as well as numerous pavilions. The pagoda is also called "the world's biggest book", named after the 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings.
Credits: luxurymyanmarrivercruises.com
U-Bein Bridge
U Bein Bridge is thought to be the longest and also oldest teak wood bridge worldwide as well as stretches out for 1.2 kilometers. The bridge itself plays a large component in the everyday life of citizens with hundreds crossing over by either foot or bicycle to get to or the local markets. Since coming to be a prominent tourist destination, many now make their source of income from the bridge by providing boat rides, selling food and water or by showing off their impressive expertise of its history.
Credits: Rainforestcruises.com.
Getting to U-Bein Bridge: You can reserve a local driver to take you to the U-Bein bridge at sunset. Prices can be high given it's just half an hour outside Mandalay. You can take a tour and if you spend a bit more, you can find a scenic tour that will certainly give you a larger scenic tour of Mandalay including lunch.
Where to stay in Mandalay
Budget: Ostello Bello, Mandalay
Mid-Range: The Link 83 Mandalay Boutique Hotel
Luxury: Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort
Getting to Mandalay
By Air: Mandalay has an international airport that is likewise well connected domestically. Nevertheless, realize that the airport is about 20 miles outside the city, which can be time consuming (over an hour) as well as costly due to the {raffic. Internationally, you will certainly connect with even more destinations by flying from Yangon.
By bus and train: Mandalay, like Yangon, connects with the majority of the traveler drops in Myanmar.
Hsipaw
Located by the Shan state, Hsipaw is a sleepy village that is quite popular for its trekking. From Hsipaw, you can head to either Namhsan and also Kyaukme. Namhsan is called the tea capital of Myanmar so anticipate to see lots of local| life. Although the {reks are not difficult, some parts are still restricted to travelers so it is best explored with the support of a tour operator. Hsipaw is a trekking location that draws people in and keeps them there probably because it's cooler and also the air cleaner than many other places in Myanmar.
Credits: diytravelhq.com
Trekking in Hspiaw
Getting to Hspiaw: Also on the train line, it takes 13 hours from Mandalay or 7 hrs from Pyin Oo Lwin. There are buses from Mandalay (7 hours), Pyin Oo Lwin (7 hours), Inle Lake (12 hours) and Yangon (15 hours).
Ngapali Beach
If you're looking to loosen up by a seaside location, head to Ngapali Beach which is among the most well-known beaches in Myanmar. Located on the Bay of Bengal coast, this palm-fringed island has a couple of hotels set amidst fishing villages providing you a terrific comparison of both. Surprisingly, there is a vast here quantity of tasks to do around with diving, snorkeling, boat scenic tours, as well as kayaking. You can also simply loosen up on the beach as well as eat seafood caught by the local fishermen, and take an excursion to Pearl Island.
Creidts: svietnamtravel.com
Do know that Ngapali practically closes down during monsoon season (May to October).
Reaching Ngapali Beach
By Air: Flying to Ngapali beach will be your best choice since all other transportation modes are seriously minimal. The local flight terminal is Thandwe and also is just a couple of kilometres from the beach hotels. You can discover flights from and also to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Heho (Inle Lake). However, these paths thin in monsoon season with terminations on the day being common. Your most reputable path is in and out of Yangon.
By bus: The only bus route running to Ngapali comes from Yangon and also takes about 11 hrs.