Top Things to Do in Myanmar
Previously known as Burma, Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia that is gradually getting popularity amongst visitors. Because of good availability from land boundaries, travelers from Thailand and the rest of its nearby nations in Southeast Asia commonly frequent these lands looking for off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Although not huge, there are still lots of areas to visit in Myanmar Extraordinary archaeological sites, gorgeous natural landscapes, and also a vast selection of cultural sites, Myanmar is a country that I advise everybody to position on their bucket lists. Here's a list of locations in Myanmar (Burma) that are worth checking out.
Places to Check Out in Myanmar.
Yangon
The capital city of Myanmar, Yangon is expanding to be an active metropolitan city where old colonial buildings meet ancient pagodas. There are sights like the Shwedagon Pagoda which is one of the most important historical sights in all of Myanmar. The round train is also an amazing experience where you can observe the local culture.
Sule Pagoda and Shwendagon Pagoda
Known for its mystical pagodas, no journey to Myanmar is complete without visiting Sule Pagoda as well as Shwendagon Pagoda. These two pagodas are so beautiful, particularly throughout sunrise and sunset.
Sule is smack in the centerof Yangon. It is 48 meters high and was made use of by the British as the core of their grid pattern plan for Burma in the 1880s. Sule, unlike other pagodas, is a octagonal-shaped pagoda.
The 2,500 years old Shwedagon Pagoda enshrines strands of Buddha's hair and various other holy relics. It is a need to see. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with thousands of gold plates and its stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds.
Ride Yangon's Circular Railway
The Yangon Circular Train is something you absolutely have to experience. You will not only experience a day in the life of citizens, however also reach take impressive images of the outskirts of the city.
You'll see people moving up and down the train selling things, and additionally meet people of all kinds hopping on and off the trains. Business owners, 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 trip for devout Burmese Buddhists and is typically loaded with devotees who travel from around the country to admire this spiritual site. From Yangon, this gold rock is accessible by bus or train.
The pagoda itself is made up of a big gold rock which is balancing at the edge of the high cliff. We advise visiting during sunset as the golden rock glows, even more, when the sky becomes various tones of orange as well as purple. Although it is a religious site, it has actually also come to be very commercialized however nevertheless, a view 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 airport and offers the biggest variety of locations both within as well as outside the nation.
By bus: Yangon is likewise effectively linked by both bus as well as train routes. It's from Yangon that you will have the best selection of places 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 would certainly discover in developed countries. There are hard seats and no or inadequate a/c. Train traveling is also much slower than bus. Nonetheless, if you desire a local experience, train is the means to go.
Bago
If you want more pagodas, an impressive reclining Buddha and also a wine monastery, you will intend to take a trip to Bago.
Bago is only a number of hours away from Yangon, making it an easy day trip.
According to tale, the Buddha who once took a trip in the area saw a couple of Hintha birds flying across the waters seeking a relaxing place. The male bird arrived at the only available spot which was simply large enough for one bird, whereupon the female perched on top of the male bird. Upon seeing this, the Buddha foretold that one day a city would prosper at this place.
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 temple.
Credits: 123RF. com.
Shwethalyaung Buddha
One of the biggest lying Buddha images in Myanmar.
Credits: Renown-travel.com.
Bagan
Popularized by the numerous sweeping pagodas and also stupas, Bagan is a cultural joy and is considered a have to go to by every person who comes to this country. With over 2000 ancient ruins, you can spend a few days traveling around the location hopping from one archaeological site to the next. If you're searching for an enchanting experience, you can ride a hot air balloon over the temples during sunrise. The sun shimmering as it rises on top of these ancient ruins is a view to see as well as is something that deserves doing during your time there.
Besides seeing the ancient ruins, you can additionally visit Mount Popa and also 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 flight terminal is Nyaung U, which is simply a couple of miles from old Bagan. It is a domestic terminal only.
By bus: Bagan is well linked by bus:
Inle Lake (10 hrs).
Yangon (9 hours).
Mandalay (7 hrs).
By train: Bagan is on Myanmar's rail network as well as you can connect with Yangon (16 hours) or Mandalay (8 hours).
Inle Lake
Take a day outing on the attractive Inle Lake discovering the rivers with its stilt residences, markets, floating gardens, pagodas, local traders and also restaurants. This is a terrific location to see the sun set as well as the sun rise over the water. Seeing just how the citizens in Inle fish utilizing cone-shaped sphere like nets as they guide their boat with one foot is likewise instead entertaining to view.
Where to stay in Inle Lake
A lot of the lodging lies in nearby Nyuangshwe with a variety of budget to deluxe choices. You can likewise consider at least one night on the lake for the daybreak as well as sunset views.
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
High-end on the Lake: Golden Island Cottages on Inle Lake
High-end in Nyuangshwe: La Maison Birmane Boutique
Getting to Inle Lake
By Air: The nearest airport terminal is Heho, which is about 45-60 minutes' trip from Nyangshwe via winding mountain roadways. Anticipate to pay around $20 for your taxi (one of the best offers you'll enter Myanmar for a taxi trip). Heho is a domestic terminal only. A stay on the lake is about another 20 mins away from Nyuangshwe by boat (or an additional 40 or so mins by road).
By bus: Inle Lake is well connected with buses travelling from:
Yangon (13 hrs)
Mandalay (10 hours)
Bagan (10 hrs)
By train: Inle Lake is not on Myanmar's rail network.
Hiking from Kalaw to Inle Lake
From being outside, appreciating the unbelievable landscape, to staying in a local family's house as well as tucking right 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: Most people start in Kalaw and also trek to Inle Lake rather than the other way around.
By air: If you're flying in to Heho, you're halfway there-- just take a taxi from the airport terminal. There is a train from the flight terminal (2 hrs) but just once a day in the early morning so you 'd require to co-ordinate your trip time.
By bus: there are buses from Mandalay (8 hours), Bagan (8 hours) as well as Yangon (12 hrs).
When should you go? High season (which is both one of the most preferred but also the driest season) is November to February. Myanmar has a wet season unlike a lot of the remainder of SouthEast Asia-- it pours, in some cases relentlessly (compared to the once daily heavy showers of most monsoons). This can make for some miserable trekking conditions.
Mandalay
In comparison to the peaceful as well as subdued roads of Bagan, Mandalay is a large city teeming with life. Busy streets filled with a selection of tea stores, terrific Pagodas, and many tourist attractions make this one of the most prominent locations to go to in Myanmar. Out of all the destinations, climbing up Mandalay Hill is most likely 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 and Kuthodaw Pagoda is also a pretty prominent tourist attraction as well as is a terrific place to observe the culture of the locals.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
The Kuthodaw pagoda in Mandalay includes a gilded pagoda, numerous temples housing engraved marble slabs and numerous pavilions. The pagoda is likewise called "the world's largest book", named after the 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist teachings.
Credits: luxurymyanmarrivercruises.com
U-Bein Bridge
U Bein Bridge is believed to be the longest and also oldest teak wood bridge on the planet and stretches out for 1.2 kilometers. The bridge itself plays a big part in the everyday life of locals with hundreds crossing over by either foot or bicycle to get to or the local markets. Since ending up being a popular traveler attraction, many now make their source of income from the bridge by offering boat rides, selling food and water or by displaying their excellent knowledge of its history.
Credits: Rainforestcruises.com.
Reaching U-Bein Bridge: You can book a local driver to take you to the U-Bein bridge at sundown. Prices can be high offered 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 provide you a wider trip 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
Reaching Mandalay
By Air: Mandalay has an international airport terminal that is also well connected locally. However, be aware that the flight terminal is about 20 miles outside the city, which can be time consuming (over a hr) and also expensive because of the {raffic. Internationally, you will connect with more destinations by flying from Yangon.
By bus as well as train: Mandalay, like Yangon, connects with the majority of the visitor drops in Myanmar.
Hsipaw
Situated by the Shan state, Hsipaw is a sleepy village that is pretty well known for its trekking. From Hsipaw, you can head to either Namhsan and Kyaukme. Namhsan is referred to as the tea capital of Myanmar so expect to see lots of local| life. Although the {reks are not difficult, some parts are still restricted to travelers so it is best discovered with the support of a tour operator. Hsipaw is a here trekking location that attracts individuals in as well as keeps them there probably since it's cooler and the air cleaner than a lot of various other areas in Myanmar.
Credits: diytravelhq.com
Trekking in Hspiaw
Reaching Hspiaw: Also on the railway, it takes 13 hrs from Mandalay or 7 hrs from Pyin Oo Lwin. There are buses from Mandalay (7 hours), Pyin Oo Lwin (7 hrs), Inle Lake (12 hrs) and Yangon (15 hours).
Ngapali Beach
If you're looking to kick back by a seaside destination, head to Ngapali Beach which is one of the most well-known beaches in Myanmar. Located on the Bay of Bengal coastline, this palm-fringed island has a few hotels established in the middle of fishing villages giving you a fantastic contrast of both. Remarkably, there is a large quantity of activities to do in this field with scuba diving, snorkeling, boat trips, and kayaking. You can additionally simply kick back on the beach and consume seafood caught by the local fishermen, and also take an excursion to Pearl Island.
Creidts: svietnamtravel.com
Do understand that Ngapali practically closes down throughout monsoon season (May to October).
Reaching Ngapali Beach
By Air: Flying to Ngapali beach will be your best option due to the fact that all other transportation modes are seriously limited. The local airport is Thandwe and is just a couple of kilometres from the beach hotels. You can find 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 reliable route is in and also out of Yangon.
By bus: The only bus route running to Ngapali comes from Yangon as well as takes about 11 hrs.