Top Things to Do in Myanmar
Previously called Burma, Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia that is gradually gaining appeal among travelers. Due to great access from land borders, vacationers from Thailand and the rest of its nearby countries in Southeast Asia frequently frequent these lands trying to find off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Although not huge, there are still lots of locations to visit in Myanmar Amazing archaeological sites, gorgeous natural landscapes, and also a wide variety of cultural spots, Myanmar is a nation that I prompt everyone to place on their bucket lists. Below's a list of locations in Myanmar (Burma) that deserve seeing.
Places to Visit in Myanmar.
Yangon
The capital city of Myanmar, Yangon is growing to be a hectic urbane city where old colonial buildings meet ancient pagodas. There are sights like the Shwedagon Pagoda which is just one of one of the most vital historic sights in all of Myanmar. The round train is additionally an outstanding experience where you can observe the local culture.
Sule Pagoda and also Shwendagon Pagoda
Known for its mystical pagodas, no trip to Myanmar is complete without visiting Sule Pagoda and also Shwendagon Pagoda. These 2 pagodas are so lovely, particularly during dawn and also sunset.
Sule is smack in the centerof Yangon. It is 48 meters tall and also 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 preserves strands of Buddha's hair and also other divine relics. It is a should check out. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with thousands of gold plates and its stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds.
Ride Yangon's Circular Train
The Yangon Circular Train is something you most definitely have to experience. You will not only experience a day in the life of locals, however also reach take incredible images of the outskirts of the city.
You'll see individuals going up and down the train selling things, as well as additionally meet people of all kinds hopping on as well as off the trains. Businessmen, market wholesalers ... it is among those things that enables you to experience Myanmar wherefore it truly is.
Outside Yangon
Mt Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock)
Photo Credits: World Atlas.
Mt Kyaiktiyo is a prominent pilgrimage site for devout Burmese Buddhists and is commonly filled with devotees who take a trip 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 recommend going to during sundown as the golden rock shines, a lot more, when the skies becomes various tones of orange and also purple. Although it is a religious site, it has also come to be very commercialized however however, 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 terminal and also serves the biggest variety of destinations both within and outside the country.
By bus: Yangon is also very well connected by both bus and train routes. It's from Yangon that you will certainly have the greatest choice of places to take a trip to.
By train: Yangon is a significant stop on the country's train system. Do know that trains are not what you 'd discover in developed nations. There are hard seats and no or insufficient air conditioning. Train travel is also much slower than bus. Nevertheless, if you seek a local experience, train is the way to go.
Bago
If you're after even more pagodas, a remarkable reclining Buddha and also a wine monastery, you will wish to take a trip to Bago.
Bago is just a number of hrs away from Yangon, making it a very easy day excursion.
According to legend, the Buddha that when took a trip in the area saw a couple of Hintha birds flying across the waters looking for a relaxing place. The male bird landed on the only available area which was simply big 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 location.
Shwemawdaw Pagoda.
Called the "Gold Temple" this stupa is the highest in Burma.
Credits: Wikipedia.
Kyaik Pun Paya
This is home to the renowned Four Seated Buddha shrine.
Credits: 123RF. com.
Shwethalyaung Buddha
Among the largest lying Buddha images in Myanmar.
Credits: Renown-travel.com.
Bagan
Popularized by the numerous sweeping pagodas and also stupas, Bagan is a cultural delight as well as is considered a must check out by everyone who comes to this nation. 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 looking for a wonderful experience, you can ride a hot air balloon over the temples during daybreak. The sun glimmering as it rises on top of these ancient ruins is a sight to see and also is something that deserves doing during your time there.
Aside from seeing the ancient ruins, you can likewise see 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 nearest flight 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 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 attractive Inle Lake exploring the waterways with its stilt homes, markets, floating gardens, pagodas, local traders and also dining establishments. This is a great place to see the sun set and the sun rise over the water. Seeing how the residents in Inle fish using conical sphere like nets as they steer their boat with one foot is also instead enjoyable to see.
Where to stay in Inle Lake
A lot of the lodging is located in nearby Nyuangshwe with a series of budget to high-end alternatives. You can likewise think about at least one evening on the lake for the dawn and 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
Getting to Inle Lake
By Air: The nearest airport is Heho, which is about 45-60 mins' ride from Nyangshwe through winding mountain roadways. Anticipate to pay around $20 for your taxi (one of the best bargains 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 another 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 outdoors, appreciating the incredible landscape, to staying in a local family's home as well as tucking into some home-cooked food, there's a great deal to like regarding it. The most typical trips are either 2 or 4 days long.
Reaching Kalaw: Many people begin in Kalaw and also trek to Inle Lake as opposed to 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 flight terminal (2 hours) however 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) and 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 rest of SouthEast Asia-- it pours, occasionally non-stop (contrasted to the once daily heavy showers of most monsoons). This can create some miserable trekking conditions.
Mandalay
In comparison to the quiet and also subdued roads of Bagan, Mandalay is a large city teeming with life. Hectic roads full of an array of tea stores, fantastic Pagodas, and also numerous traveler attractions make this one of the most popular places to go to in Myanmar. Out of all the tourist attractions, climbing up Mandalay Hill is probably a big crowd favorite as it permits you to sweeping views of the city and also the Irrawaddy River beaming from afar.
The U-bein Bridge and also Kuthodaw Pagoda is likewise a rather prominent tourist attraction as well as is an excellent location to observe the culture of the residents.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
The Kuthodaw pagoda in Mandalay comprises of a gilded pagoda, thousands of temples housing engraved marble slabs and also numerous pavilions. The pagoda is likewise called "the world's largest 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 oldest teak wood bridge worldwide and extends for 1.2 more info kilometers. The bridge itself plays a huge part in the day-to-day life of residents with hundreds crossing over by either foot or bike to get to or the local markets. Since ending up being a preferred 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 excellent understanding of its background.
Credits: Rainforestcruises.com.
Reaching U-Bein Bridge: You can reserve a local driver to take you to the U-Bein bridge at sundown. Prices can be high offered it's simply 30 minutes outside Mandalay. You can take a tour and also if you spend a bit more, you can find a scenic tour that will certainly give you a broader 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, know that the flight terminal is about 20 miles outside the city, which can be time consuming (over a hr) and costly because of the {raffic. Internationally, you will certainly connect with more destinations by flying from Yangon.
By bus and train: Mandalay, like Yangon, connects with the majority of the tourist stops in Myanmar.
Hsipaw
Found by the Shan state, Hsipaw is a sleepy village that is quite 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 anticipate to see great deals of local| life. Although the {reks are easy, some parts are still restricted to tourists so it is best discovered with the guidance of a tour operator. Hsipaw is a trekking destination that draws people in as well as keeps them there possibly because it's cooler and the air cleaner than a lot of 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 hours from Pyin Oo Lwin. There are buses from Mandalay (7 hrs), Pyin Oo Lwin (7 hrs), Inle Lake (12 hours) and Yangon (15 hrs).
Ngapali Beach
If you're seeking to loosen up 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 amidst fishing villages giving you a fantastic comparison of both. Remarkably, there is a large quantity of activities to do in this field with scuba diving, snorkeling, boat tours, and also kayaking. You can likewise merely unwind on the beach and also eat seafood captured by the local fishermen, as well as take a field trip to Pearl Island.
Creidts: svietnamtravel.com
Do be aware that Ngapali virtually shuts down throughout monsoon season (May to October).
Reaching Ngapali Beach
By Air: Flying to Ngapali beach will certainly be your best choice since all various other transport modes are seriously minimal. The local airport is Thandwe as well as is simply a few kilometres from the beach resorts. You can discover flights from as well as to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Heho (Inle Lake). However, these routes thin in monsoon season with cancellations on the day being common. Your most trustworthy 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.