Top Things to Do in Myanmar
Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar is a nation in Southeast Asia that is gradually getting popularity among travelers. Because of excellent availability from land boundaries, tourists from Thailand and the rest of its neighboring nations in Southeast Asia commonly frequent these lands trying to find off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Although not huge, there are still loads of areas to visit in Myanmar Amazing archaeological sites, beautiful natural landscapes, as well as a vast selection of cultural sites, Myanmar is a country that I advise every person to put on their bucket lists. Here's a checklist of destinations in Myanmar (Burma) that are worth checking out.
Places to See in Myanmar.
Yangon
The capital city of Myanmar, Yangon is expanding to be an active urban city where old colonial buildings meet ancient pagodas. There are sights like the Shwedagon Pagoda which is one of the most important historic sights in all of Myanmar. The circular train is also an amazing experience where you can observe the local culture.
Sule Pagoda as well as Shwendagon Pagoda
Recognized for its mystical pagodas, no journey to Myanmar is complete without visiting Sule Pagoda as well as Shwendagon Pagoda. These two pagodas are so lovely, particularly during sunrise and sundown.
Sule is smack in the centerof Yangon. It is 48 meters high as well as was utilized by the British as the nucleus 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 as well as other divine relics. It is a must visit. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with thousands of gold plates and also its stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds.
Ride Yangon's Circular Railway
The Yangon Circular Railway is something you certainly have to experience. You will not only experience a day in the life of citizens, however also reach take fantastic photos of the outskirts of the city.
You'll see people going up and down the train selling things, and likewise meet people of all kinds getting on and also off the trains. Business owners, market vendors ... it's one of those points that enables you to experience Myanmar for what 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 frequently loaded with devotees who travel from around the nation to admire this spiritual site. From Yangon, this golden rock is accessible by bus or train.
The pagoda itself is comprised of a huge gold boulder which is balancing beside the cliff. We suggest checking out during sundown as the gold rock shines, even more, when the sky becomes various tones of orange and purple. Although it is a religious site, it has additionally become very commercialized however nevertheless, 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
Getting to Yangon.
By Air: Yangon has an international airport terminal and offers the biggest variety of locations both within and also outside the nation.
By bus: Yangon is likewise extremely well connected by both bus and train routes. It's from Yangon that you will have the best option of areas 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 nations. There are hard seats and also no or poor air conditioning. Train travel is additionally much slower than bus. However, if you're after a local experience, train is the method to go.
Bago
If you want even more pagodas, an impressive reclining Buddha as well as a wine abbey, you will certainly want to take a trip to Bago.
Bago is only a couple of hours away from Yangon, making it an easy day trip.
According to tale, the Buddha who when travelled in the area saw a number of Hintha birds flying across the waters seeking a resting area. The male bird came down on the only available area which was just large enough for one bird, whereupon the female perched in addition to the male bird. Upon seeing this, the Buddha foretold that one day a city would certainly succeed at this location.
Shwemawdaw Pagoda.
Called the "Gold Temple" this stupa is the highest in Burma.
Credits: Wikipedia.
Kyaik Pun Paya
This is residence to the popular Four Seated Buddha temple.
Credits: 123RF. com.
Shwethalyaung Buddha
One of the biggest reclining Buddha images in Myanmar.
Credits: Renown-travel.com.
Bagan
Popularized by the many sweeping pagodas as well as stupas, Bagan is a cultural pleasure and is considered a have to visit by everyone that comes to this nation. With over 2000 ancient ruins, you can spend a couple of days traveling around the area hopping from one historical site to the next. If you're trying to find a magical experience, you can ride a hot air balloon over the temples during daybreak. The sunlight glimmering as it rises on top of these ancient ruins is a sight to see as well as is something that is worth doing during your time there.
Aside from seeing the ancient ruins, you can likewise see 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 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 hours).
Yangon (9 hours).
Mandalay (7 hours).
By train: Bagan is on Myanmar's rail network and you can connect with Yangon (16 hours) or Mandalay (8 hours).
Inle Lake
Take a day outing on the gorgeous Inle Lake checking out the waterways with its stilt homes, markets, floating gardens, pagodas, local traders as well as restaurants. This is a great place to see the sun set as well as the sun rise over the water. Seeing how the locals in Inle fish utilizing cone-shaped sphere like nets as they guide their boat with one foot is additionally rather amusing to watch.
Where to stay in Inle Lake
Most of the accommodation is located in nearby Nyuangshwe with a variety of budget to luxury options. You can additionally take into consideration a minimum of one evening on the lake for the sunrise as well as 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
High-end on the Lake: Golden Island Cottages on Inle Lake
Deluxe in Nyuangshwe: La Maison Birmane Boutique
Reaching Inle Lake
By Air: The local flight terminal is Heho, which is about 45-60 minutes' trip from Nyangshwe through winding mountain roadways. Anticipate to pay around $20 for check here your taxi (one of the best offers you'll get in Myanmar for a taxi ride). Heho is a domestic terminal only. A stay on the lake is about another 20 minutes 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 hours)
By train: Inle Lake is not on Myanmar's rail network.
Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake
From being outside, enjoying the amazing landscape, to staying in a local family's house and also tucking into some home-cooked food, there's a great deal to like regarding it. The most usual expeditions are either 2 or 4 days long.
Getting to Kalaw: Lots of people begin in Kalaw as well as expedition to Inle Lake rather than the other way around.
By air: If you're flying in to Heho, you're halfway there-- simply take a taxi from the airport terminal. There is a train from the airport terminal (2 hrs) but only once daily in the morning so you 'd require to co-ordinate your flight time.
By bus: there are buses from Mandalay (8 hrs), Bagan (8 hrs) and also Yangon (12 hrs).
When should you go? High season (which is both the most popular however likewise the driest season) is November to February. Myanmar has a wet period unlike the majority of the remainder of SouthEast Asia-- it pours, occasionally relentlessly (compared to the once daily heavy showers of the majority of monsoons). This can produce some miserable trekking conditions.
Mandalay
In comparison to the peaceful as well as subdued streets of Bagan, Mandalay is a big city teeming with life. Hectic roads filled with a variety of tea stores, wonderful Pagodas, as well as lots of visitor destinations make this one of the most prominent locations to visit in Myanmar. Out of all the attractions, climbing Mandalay Hill is probably a huge crowd favorite as it enables you to sweeping views of the city as well as the Irrawaddy River shining from afar.
The U-bein Bridge and also Kuthodaw Pagoda is likewise a rather prominent tourist attraction and is a fantastic location to observe the culture of the citizens.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
The Kuthodaw pagoda in Mandalay includes a gilded pagoda, numerous temples housing engraved marble slabs as well as several pavilions. The pagoda is likewise called "the world's largest book", named after the 729 marble pieces etched with Buddhist teachings.
Credits: luxurymyanmarrivercruises.com
U-Bein Bridge
U Bein Bridge is believed to be the longest and also oldest teak wood bridge in the world and also stretches out for 1.2 kilometers. The bridge itself plays a large part in the day-to-day life of citizens with hundreds crossing over by either foot or bicycle to get to or the local markets. Since becoming a preferred traveler destination, many now make their livelihood from the bridge by supplying boat rides, selling food and water or by displaying their impressive 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 given it's just 30 minutes outside Mandalay. You can take a tour and if you spend a little more, you can find a scenic tour that will offer 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 flight terminal that is likewise well linked locally. Nevertheless, know that the airport is about 20 miles outside the city, which can be time consuming (over an hour) and also pricey due to the {raffic. Internationally, you will connect with even more locations by flying from Yangon.
By bus and train: Mandalay, like Yangon, connects with most of the visitor drops in Myanmar.
Hsipaw
Found by the Shan state, Hsipaw is a sleepy village that is rather popular for its trekking. From Hsipaw, you can head to either Namhsan as well as Kyaukme. Namhsan is known as the tea capital of Myanmar so anticipate to see great deals of local| life. Although the {reks are easy, some parts are still restricted to tourists so it is ideally explored with the guidance of a tour operator. Hsipaw is a trekking destination that draws people in and keeps them there possibly due to the fact that it's cooler and also the air cleaner than many various other locations in Myanmar.
Credits: diytravelhq.com
Trekking in Hspiaw
Getting to Hspiaw: Also on the train line, it takes 13 hrs from Mandalay or 7 hrs from Pyin Oo Lwin. There are buses from Mandalay (7 hrs), Pyin Oo Lwin (7 hrs), Inle Lake (12 hrs) and also Yangon (15 hours).
Ngapali Beach
If you're wanting to relax by a seaside destination, head to Ngapali Beach which is one of the most well-known beaches in Myanmar. Situated on the Bay of Bengal coast, this palm-fringed island has a couple of resorts set among fishing villages providing you a great comparison of both. Surprisingly, there is a vast quantity of tasks to do around with diving, snorkeling, boat excursions, and kayaking. You can additionally just relax on the beach as well as consume seafood caught by the local fishermen, and also take a day trip to Pearl Island.
Creidts: svietnamtravel.com
Do realize that Ngapali almost shuts down throughout monsoon season (May to October).
Getting to Ngapali Beach
By Air: Flying to Ngapali beach will certainly be your best bet due to the fact that all various other transport modes are seriously limited. The local airport terminal is Thandwe and is simply a few kilometres from the beach resorts. You can find flights from and also to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Heho (Inle Lake). Nonetheless, these routes thin in monsoon season with terminations on the day being common. Your most reputable route is in as well as out of Yangon.
By bus: The only bus route running to Ngapali comes from Yangon and also takes about 11 hrs.