Top Things to Do in Myanmar
Previously known as Burma, Myanmar is a nation in Southeast Asia that is slowly gaining appeal among vacationers. Due to great ease of access from land boundaries, vacationers from Thailand and the rest of its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia typically frequent these lands trying to find off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Although not huge, there are still loads of areas to see in Myanmar Amazing historical sites, lovely natural landscapes, and also a vast range of cultural spots, Myanmar is a nation that I urge everyone to put on their bucket lists. Here's a list of destinations in Myanmar (Burma) that are worth visiting.
Places to Visit 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 just one of one of the most vital historical sights in all of Myanmar. The circular train is also an incredible 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 checking out Sule Pagoda as well as Shwendagon Pagoda. These two pagodas are so gorgeous, particularly throughout dawn and sundown.
Sule is smack in the centerof Yangon. It is 48 meters tall and was used by the British as the center of their grid pattern plan for Burma in the 1880s. Sule, unlike 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 must check out. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with numerous gold plates as well as its stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds.
Ride Yangon's Circular Train
The Yangon Circular Railway is something you definitely need to experience. You will not only experience a day in the life of locals, however also get to take incredible images of the outskirts of the city.
You'll see people going up and down the train selling things, and additionally meet people of all kinds hopping on and also off the trains. Business people, market wholesalers ... it is among those points that allows you to experience Myanmar of what it really is.
Outside Yangon
Mt Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock)
Image Credits: World Atlas.
Mt Kyaiktiyo is a prominent pilgrimage trip for devout Burmese Buddhists and is commonly full of devotees that travel from around the country to pay homage to this spiritual site. From Yangon, this golden rock is accessible by bus or train.
The pagoda itself is comprised of a large gold boulder which is stabilizing beside the cliff. We recommend checking out during sundown as the gold rock shines, much more, when the skies becomes various tones of orange and purple. Although it is a spiritual site, it has actually additionally ended up being extremely commercialized however 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
Getting to Yangon.
By Air: Yangon has an international flight terminal as well as serves the largest variety of locations both within and also outside the country.
By bus: Yangon is likewise extremely well connected by both bus as well as train routes. It's from Yangon that you will have the greatest selection 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 find 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 want a local experience, train is the way to go.
Bago
If you're after even more pagodas, a remarkable reclining Buddha as well as a wine monastery, you will certainly wish to take a trip to Bago.
Bago is just a couple of hrs away from Yangon, making it a simple day excursion.
According to tale, the Buddha who when travelled in the location saw a couple of Hintha birds flying across the waters looking for a resting place. The male bird came down on the only available area which was simply 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 flourish at this location.
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 largest lying Buddha images in Myanmar.
Credits: Renown-travel.com.
Bagan
Popularized by the several sweeping pagodas and stupas, Bagan is a cultural pleasure and also is considered a have to check out by everyone who comes to this nation. With over 2000 ancient ruins, you can spend a couple of days traveling around the area going from one historical site to the next. If you're searching for an enchanting 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 and also is something that deserves doing during your time there.
Aside from seeing the ancient ruins, you can additionally 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 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 linked 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 hrs) or Mandalay (8 hrs).
Inle Lake
Take a day excursion on the gorgeous Inle Lake checking out the waterways with its stilt residences, markets, floating gardens, pagodas, local traders and restaurants. This is a terrific area 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 additionally rather entertaining to view.
Where to stay in Inle Lake
The majority of the accommodation lies in close-by Nyuangshwe with a variety of budget to high-end choices. You can likewise take into consideration at the very least one evening on the lake for the dawn and sundown 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 nearest flight terminal is Heho, which is about 45-60 mins' ride from Nyangshwe by means of winding mountain roadways. Expect to pay around $20 for your taxi (one of 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 another 40 or so mins by roadway).
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 outside, delighting in the amazing landscape, to staying in a local family's residence and tucking right into some home-cooked food, there's a lot to like concerning it. The most typical expeditions are either 2 or 4 days long.
Getting to Kalaw: Lots of people start 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. There is a train from the flight terminal (2 hours) 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 hours) as well as Yangon (12 hrs).
When should you go? High season (which is both one of the most popular yet also the driest season) is November to February. Myanmar has a wet season unlike the majority of the remainder of SouthEast Asia-- it pours, occasionally non-stop (contrasted to the once a day heavy showers of many monsoons). This can create some unpleasant trekking conditions.
Mandalay
In comparison to the quiet as well as subdued streets of Bagan, Mandalay is a large city teeming with life. Hectic roads full of a selection of tea shops, terrific Pagodas, and also several visitor destinations make this one of the most preferred places to visit in Myanmar. Out of all the attractions, climbing up Mandalay Hill is possibly a huge crowd favorite as it enables you to sweeping views of the city and the Irrawaddy River gleaming from afar.
The U-bein Bridge and also Kuthodaw Pagoda is additionally a quite popular attraction as well as is an excellent location to observe the culture of the citizens.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
The Kuthodaw pagoda in Mandalay consists of a gilded pagoda, hundreds of temples housing engraved marble pieces as well as several pavilions. The pagoda is additionally called "the world's largest book", named after the 729 marble slabs etched with Buddhist teachings.
Credits: luxurymyanmarrivercruises.com
U-Bein Bridge
U Bein Bridge is believed to be the longest and oldest teak wood bridge worldwide and extends for 1.2 kilometers. The bridge itself plays a huge part in the daily life of locals with hundreds crossing over by either foot or bicycle to get to or the local markets. Since becoming a prominent tourist destination, several now make their source of income from the bridge by supplying boat rides, selling food and water or by displaying their impressive understanding of its background.
Credits: Rainforestcruises.com.
Getting to U-Bein Bridge: You can book a local driver to take you to the U-Bein bridge at sunset. Prices can be high given it's just thirty minutes outside Mandalay. You can take a scenic tour and if you spend a bit more, you can find a scenic tour that will offer you a wider 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 flight terminal that is additionally well connected locally. Nevertheless, realize that the airport is about 20 miles outside the city, which can be time consuming (over a hr) as well as costly 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 a lot of the visitor drops in Myanmar.
Hsipaw
Situated by the Shan state, Hsipaw is a sleepy village that is quite popular for its trekking. From Hsipaw, you can head to either Namhsan as well as 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 guidance of a tour operator. Hsipaw is a trekking location that draws people in and also keeps them there most likely since it's cooler as well as the air cleaner than a lot of other places 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 hrs) and also Yangon (15 hrs).
Ngapali Beach
If you're wanting to kick back by a seaside destination, head to Ngapali more info Beach which is one of the most well-known beaches in Myanmar. Situated on the Bay of Bengal coastline, this palm-fringed island has a couple of resorts set amidst fishing villages providing you an excellent contrast of both. Surprisingly, there is a substantial amount of tasks to do in this field with scuba diving, snorkeling, boat scenic tours, as well as kayaking. You can additionally merely kick back on the beach as well as eat seafood captured by the local fishermen, as well as take an outing to Pearl Island.
Creidts: svietnamtravel.com
Do realize that Ngapali practically closes down during monsoon season (May to October).
Reaching Ngapali Beach
By Air: Flying to Ngapali beach will certainly be your best bet due to the fact that all various other transportation modes are seriously minimal. The local flight terminal is Thandwe and is simply a couple of kilometres from the beach hotels. You can discover flights from and to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Heho (Inle Lake). Nonetheless, these paths thin in monsoon season with terminations on the day being common. Your most trustworthy path is in and also out of Yangon.
By bus: The only bus route going to Ngapali comes from Yangon and also takes around 11 hrs.