Top Things to Do in Myanmar
Previously known as Burma, Myanmar is a nation in Southeast Asia that is gradually gaining appeal amongst vacationers. As a result of good accessibility from land borders, travelers from Thailand and the rest of its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia usually frequent these lands searching for off-the-beaten-path journeys.
Although not large, there are still stacks of places to go to in Myanmar Incredible historical sites, stunning natural landscapes, as well as a large array of cultural landmarks, Myanmar is a country that I urge everybody to put on their bucket lists. Right here's a listing of locations in Myanmar (Burma) that are worth checking out.
Places to Go To in Myanmar.
Yangon
The capital city of Myanmar, Yangon is expanding to be an active municipal city where old colonial structures meet ancient pagodas. There are sights like the Shwedagon Pagoda which is among the most crucial historical sights in all of Myanmar. The round train is likewise a remarkable experience where you can observe the local culture.
Sule Pagoda and also Shwendagon Pagoda
Recognized for its mystical pagodas, no journey to Myanmar is complete without going to Sule Pagoda and Shwendagon Pagoda. These 2 pagodas are so lovely, particularly during sunrise and sundown.
Sule is smack in the centerof Yangon. It is 48 meters high and was used 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 of age Shwedagon Pagoda enshrines strands of Buddha's hair and also various other holy relics. It is a must see. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with numerous gold plates as well as its stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds.
Ride Yangon's Circular Railway
The Yangon Circular Train is something you certainly need to experience. You will not only experience a day in the life of residents, but additionally get to take incredible images of the outskirts of the city.
You'll see people moving up and also down the train selling things, and also meet people of all kinds hopping on as well as off the trains. Entrepreneurs, market wholesalers ... it is among those points that enables you to experience Myanmar wherefore it really is.
Outside Yangon
Mt Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock)
Photo Credits: World Atlas.
Mt Kyaiktiyo is a popular pilgrimage site for devout Burmese Buddhists and is usually filled with devotees that travel from around the nation to pay homage to this spiritual site. From Yangon, this golden rock is accessible by bus or train.
The pagoda itself is composed of a huge gold boulder which is balancing beside the cliff. We recommend seeing during sundown as the gold rock shines, even more, when the sky turns into different shades of orange and also purple. Although it is a religious site, it has also ended up being really commercialized but nonetheless, 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 and serves the biggest variety of destinations both within and also outside the nation.
By bus: Yangon is additionally very well connected by both bus as well as train routes. It's from Yangon that you will have the best option of locations to travel to.
By train: Yangon is a major stop on the nation's train system. Do know that trains are not what you would certainly discover in developed countries. There are hard seats as well as no or insufficient air conditioning. Train travel is also a lot slower than bus. Nevertheless, if you want a local experience, train is the way to go.
Bago
If you seek more pagodas, an impressive reclining Buddha and a wine abbey, you will intend to travel to Bago.
Bago is only a couple of hrs away from Yangon, making it an easy day excursion.
According to legend, the Buddha who when travelled in the area saw a couple of Hintha birds flying across the waters searching for a relaxing location. The male bird arrived at the only available spot which was simply big enough for one bird, upon which the female perched on top of the male bird. Upon seeing this, the Buddha foretold that one day a city would certainly prosper 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 famous 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 several sweeping pagodas and stupas, Bagan is a cultural joy and is considered a need to visit by everybody that comes to this country. With over 2000 ancient ruins, you can spend a few days traveling around the location 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 daybreak. The sunlight 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.
In addition to seeing the ancient ruins, you can likewise visit 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 nearby airport 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 connected by bus:
Inle Lake (10 hrs).
Yangon (9 hrs).
Mandalay (7 hours).
By train: Bagan is on Myanmar's rail network and you can connect with Yangon (16 hrs) or Mandalay (8 hours).
Inle Lake
Take a day excursion on the attractive Inle Lake checking out the waterways with its stilt residences, markets, floating gardens, pagodas, local traders and restaurants. This is an excellent 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 also instead enjoyable to enjoy.
Where to stay in Inle Lake
A lot of the lodging is located in nearby Nyuangshwe with a range of budget to luxury alternatives. You can also take into consideration a minimum of one evening on the lake for the dawn and sundown views.
Budget: Ostello Bello Hostel Nyangshwe
Budget: Song of Travel Hostel Nyangshwe
Mid-Range: Thanakha Inle Hotel Nyangshwe
Mid-Range: Aureum Palace Resort website & Spa Inle Nyangshwe
Luxury on the Lake: Golden Island Cottages on Inle Lake
Deluxe in Nyuangshwe: La Maison Birmane Boutique
Getting to Inle Lake
By Air: The local flight terminal is Heho, which is about 45-60 minutes' trip from Nyangshwe by means of winding mountain roads. Expect to pay around $20 for your taxi (among the most effective deals 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 hours)
Mandalay (10 hrs)
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 amazing landscape, to staying in a local family's residence and also tucking into some home-cooked food, there's a lot to like regarding it. The most common trips are either 2 or 4 days long.
Reaching Kalaw: Most people start in Kalaw and also trek to Inle Lake instead of the other way around.
By air: If you're flying in to Heho, you're halfway there-- just take a taxi from the flight terminal. There is a train from the airport terminal (2 hours) yet only once daily in the early morning so you 'd need to co-ordinate your trip time.
By bus: there are buses from Mandalay (8 hrs), Bagan (8 hrs) as well as Yangon (12 hrs).
When should you go? High season (which is both the most preferred but likewise the driest period) is November to February. Myanmar has a wet period unlike a lot of the remainder of SouthEast Asia-- it pours, sometimes non-stop (compared to the once daily heavy showers of the majority of monsoons). This can create some miserable trekking conditions.
Mandalay
In contrast to the quiet as well as subdued streets of Bagan, Mandalay is a large city teeming with life. Hectic roads full of an array of tea stores, wonderful Pagodas, and also many traveler attractions make this one of the most prominent places to visit in Myanmar. Out of all the attractions, climbing Mandalay Hill is possibly a huge crowd favorite as it enables you to sweeping views of the city and the Irrawaddy River beaming from afar.
The U-bein Bridge and also Kuthodaw Pagoda is likewise a quite popular destination and is a terrific area to observe the culture of the residents.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
The Kuthodaw pagoda in Mandalay consists of a gilded pagoda, hundreds of temples housing etched marble pieces and several pavilions. The pagoda is additionally called "the world's biggest 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 on the planet as well as extends for 1.2 kilometers. The bridge itself plays a big component in the everyday life of residents with hundreds crossing over by either foot or bike to get to or the local markets. Since ending up being a popular traveler destination, many now make their source of income from the bridge by offering boat rides, selling food and water or by showing off their impressive expertise 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 steep offered it's just 30 minutes outside Mandalay. You can take a scenic tour as well as if you spend a little more, you can find a scenic tour that will certainly provide 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
Reaching Mandalay
By Air: Mandalay has an international airport that is also 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 also pricey as a result 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
Found by the Shan state, Hsipaw is a sleepy village that is pretty popular for its trekking. From Hsipaw, you can head to either Namhsan and also Kyaukme. Namhsan is known as 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 ideally explored with the support of a tour operator. Hsipaw is a trekking location that draws people in and keeps them there most likely because it's cooler and the air cleaner than many various other areas in Myanmar.
Credits: diytravelhq.com
Trekking in Hspiaw
Reaching 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 hours), Inle Lake (12 hrs) and also Yangon (15 hrs).
Ngapali Beach
If you're wanting to relax by a seaside location, head to Ngapali Beach which is among the most widely known beaches in Myanmar. Situated on the Bay of Bengal coast, this palm-fringed island has a couple of resorts set in the middle of fishing villages giving you a terrific comparison of both. Remarkably, there is a substantial quantity of tasks to do in this field with scuba diving, snorkeling, boat scenic tours, as well as kayaking. You can likewise simply loosen up on the beach and also consume seafood caught 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).
Reaching Ngapali Beach
By Air: Flying to Ngapali beach will be your best bet because all other transport modes are seriously limited. The local airport terminal is Thandwe as well as is simply a couple of kilometres from the beach resorts. You can discover flights from as well as to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Heho (Inle Lake). Nonetheless, these routes thin in monsoon season with cancellations on the day being common. Your most reliable route is in as well as out of Yangon.
By bus: The only bus route going to Ngapali comes from Yangon and takes around 11 hours.