Top Things to Do in Myanmar
Formerly referred to as Burma, Myanmar is a nation in Southeast Asia that is slowly obtaining popularity amongst tourists. Because of good access from land borders, vacationers from Thailand and the rest of its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia typically frequent these lands in search of off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Although not large, there are still heaps of places to go to in Myanmar Unbelievable historical sites, stunning all-natural landscapes, and also a broad range of cultural sites, Myanmar is a nation that I urge everybody to position on their bucket lists. Below's a checklist of locations 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 cosmopolitan city where old colonial structures meet ancient pagodas. There are sights like the Shwedagon Pagoda which is among the most important historical sights in all of Myanmar. The circular train is likewise an amazing experience where you can observe the local culture.
Sule Pagoda as well as Shwendagon Pagoda
Understood for its mystical pagodas, no trip to Myanmar is complete without going to Sule Pagoda and also Shwendagon Pagoda. These 2 pagodas are so lovely, particularly during sunrise and sundown.
Sule is smack in the centerof Yangon. It is 48 meters tall and was made use of by the British as the center 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 various other holy relics. It is a should visit. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with thousands of gold plates as well as 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 additionally reach take fantastic photos of the outskirts of the city.
You'll see people going up as well as down the train selling things, as well as likewise meet individuals of all kinds jumping on and also off the trains. Entrepreneurs, market vendors ... it's one of those points that allows you to experience Myanmar for what it actually 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 often 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 made up of a big gold rock which is balancing beside the high cliff. We suggest visiting during sunset as the gold rock shines, a lot more, when the skies turns into different shades of orange as well as purple. Although it is a spiritual site, it has likewise come to be really commercialized but nonetheless, 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
Getting to Yangon.
By Air: Yangon has an international airport terminal and also 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 also train routes. It's from Yangon that you will have the best option of places to travel to.
By train: Yangon is a significant 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 as well as no or insufficient a/c. Train travel is additionally a lot slower than bus. Nonetheless, if you seek a local experience, train is the way to go.
Bago
If you seek more pagodas, an excellent reclining Buddha and also a wine abbey, you will intend to travel to Bago.
Bago is just a couple of hours away from Yangon, making it an easy day outing.
According to tale, the Buddha who as soon as took a trip in the location saw a number of Hintha birds flying across the waters searching for a relaxing place. The male bird came down on the only available area which was just huge 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 thrive at this place.
Shwemawdaw Pagoda.
Called the "Gold Temple" this stupa is the highest in Burma.
Credits: Wikipedia.
Kyaik Pun Paya
This is home to the renowned 4 Seated Buddha temple.
Credits: 123RF. com.
Shwethalyaung Buddha
Among the largest reclining Buddha images in Myanmar.
Credits: Renown-travel.com.
Bagan
Promoted by the numerous sweeping pagodas and also stupas, Bagan is a cultural joy and also is considered a should visit by every person that comes to this country. With over 2000 ancient ruins, you can spend a couple of days traveling around the area going from one archaeological site to the next. If you're seeking a magical experience, you can ride a hot air balloon over the temples during dawn. The sunlight glimmering 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.
Apart 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 flight terminal is Nyaung U, which is simply a number 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 hrs).
Mandalay (7 hours).
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 trip on the stunning Inle Lake discovering the rivers with its stilt houses, markets, floating gardens, pagodas, local traders and also dining establishments. This is a great location to see the sun set and the sun rise over the water. Seeing exactly how the residents in Inle fish using cone-shaped sphere like nets as they steer their boat with one foot is additionally instead entertaining to view.
Where to stay in Inle Lake
Most of the accommodation lies in close-by Nyuangshwe with a range of budget to luxury choices. You can also consider at the very least one evening on the lake for the dawn 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
High-end in Nyuangshwe: La Maison Birmane Boutique
Reaching Inle Lake
By Air: The nearest airport is Heho, which is about 45-60 mins' trip from Nyangshwe through winding mountain roadways. Anticipate to pay around $20 for your taxi (among the best bargains you'll get in 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 most beautiful places to visit in myanmar (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.
Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake
From being outdoors, appreciating the extraordinary landscape, to staying in a local family's house and tucking right into some home-cooked food, there's a lot to like concerning it. The most usual treks are either 2 or 4 days long.
Reaching Kalaw: Most individuals start in Kalaw as well as 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 just daily in the early morning so you would certainly require to co-ordinate your flight time.
By bus: there are buses from Mandalay (8 hours), Bagan (8 hrs) as well as Yangon (12 hours).
When should you go? High season (which is both one of the most popular but likewise the driest period) is November to February. Myanmar has a wet season unlike a lot 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 silent and subdued streets of Bagan, Mandalay is a big city teeming with life. Hectic streets full of an array of tea shops, fantastic Pagodas, and numerous visitor destinations make this one of the most preferred locations to check out in Myanmar. Out of all the tourist attractions, climbing up Mandalay Hill is most likely a huge crowd favorite as it allows you to sweeping views of the city and also the Irrawaddy River beaming from afar.
The U-bein Bridge and also Kuthodaw Pagoda is additionally a rather prominent destination as well as is an excellent place to observe the culture of the locals.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
The Kuthodaw pagoda in Mandalay comprises of a gilded pagoda, thousands of temples housing engraved marble slabs and also a number of pavilions. The pagoda is likewise called "the world's largest book", named after the 729 marble pieces engraved with Buddhist teachings.
Credits: luxurymyanmarrivercruises.com
U-Bein Bridge
U Bein Bridge is thought to be the longest as well as oldest teak wood bridge on the planet as well as stretches out for 1.2 kilometers. The bridge itself plays a big component in the everyday life of locals with hundreds going across by either foot or bike to get to or the local markets. Since ending up being a prominent visitor attraction, several currently make their income from the bridge by supplying boat rides, selling food and water or by flaunting their excellent understanding of its background.
Credits: Rainforestcruises.com.
Reaching U-Bein Bridge: You can schedule a local driver to take you to the U-Bein bridge at sunset. Prices can be high given it's simply 30 minutes outside Mandalay. You can take a tour as well as if you spend a bit more, you can find a scenic tour that will certainly give you a bigger excursion 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 terminal that is likewise well linked locally. However, understand that the airport terminal is about 20 miles outside the city, which can be time consuming (over a hr) and also pricey due to the {raffic. Internationally, you will certainly connect with even more locations by flying from Yangon.
By bus and train: Mandalay, like Yangon, connects with a lot of the visitor 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 expect to see lots of local| life. Although the {reks are easy, some parts are still restricted to tourists so it is ideally explored with the support of a tour operator. Hsipaw is a trekking location that attracts people in and keeps them there possibly because it's cooler and the air cleaner than a lot of other places in Myanmar.
Credits: diytravelhq.com
Trekking in Hspiaw
Reaching Hspiaw: Also on the train line, it takes 13 hours 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 kick back by a seaside location, head to Ngapali Beach which is just one of the most widely known beaches in Myanmar. Located on the Bay of Bengal coast, this palm-fringed island has a couple of hotels set in the middle of fishing villages providing you an excellent contrast of both. Surprisingly, there is a large amount of tasks to do around with scuba diving, snorkeling, boat tours, and kayaking. You can additionally just unwind on the beach and also eat seafood captured by the local fishermen, and also take an excursion to Pearl Island.
Creidts: svietnamtravel.com
Do understand 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 because all various other transport modes are seriously minimal. The local flight terminal is Thandwe and also is just a few kilometres from the beach resorts. You can find flights from and also to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Heho (Inle Lake). Nevertheless, these courses thin in monsoon season with cancellations on the day being common. Your most trusted route is in as well as out of Yangon.
By bus: The only bus route going to Ngapali comes from Yangon and also takes about 11 hours.