Top Things to Do in Myanmar
Formerly referred to as Burma, Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia that is slowly obtaining popularity among travelers. Because of excellent availability from land boundaries, travelers from Thailand and the rest of its neighboring nations in Southeast Asia typically frequent these lands trying to find off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Although not large, there are still stacks of locations to check out in Myanmar Incredible historical sites, gorgeous all-natural landscapes, and a broad variety of cultural landmarks, Myanmar is a country that I advise everybody to position on their bucket lists. Below's a list of destinations in Myanmar (Burma) that are worth going to.
Places to See in Myanmar.
Yangon
The capital city of Myanmar, Yangon is expanding to be a hectic cosmopolitan city where old colonial structures meet ancient pagodas. There are sights like the Shwedagon Pagoda which is one of the most important historical sights in all of Myanmar. The round train is additionally an awesome experience where you can observe the local culture.
Sule Pagoda and Shwendagon Pagoda
Recognized for its mystical pagodas, no trip to Myanmar is complete without seeing Sule Pagoda and also Shwendagon Pagoda. These two pagodas are so lovely, especially throughout daybreak and also sundown.
Sule is smack in the centerof Yangon. It is 48 meters tall as well as was used by the British as the core of their grid pattern plan for Burma in the 1880s. Sule, unlike various other pagodas, is a octagonal-shaped pagoda.
The 2,500 years old Shwedagon Pagoda preserves strands of Buddha's hair as well as other divine relics. It is a need to 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 locals, yet also get to take remarkable 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. Business people, market vendors ... it's one of those points that permits you to experience Myanmar for what it actually is.
Outside Yangon
Mt Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock)
Picture Credits: World Atlas.
Mt Kyaiktiyo is a popular pilgrimage site for devout Burmese Buddhists and is usually full of devotees that take a trip from around the country to admire this spiritual site. From Yangon, this golden rock is accessible by bus or train.
The pagoda itself is composed of a large gold boulder which is balancing at the edge of the high cliff. We advise going to during sundown as the gold rock shines, even more, when the sky becomes various tones of orange and also purple. Although it is a spiritual site, it has also become extremely commercialized yet 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 and offers the biggest variety of locations both within and also outside the country.
By bus: Yangon is also very well linked by both bus and train routes. It's from Yangon that you will have the greatest option of locations to travel to.
By train: Yangon is a significant stop on the nation's train system. Do know that trains are not what you 'd discover in developed nations. There are hard seats and no or inadequate air conditioning. Train travel is additionally a lot slower than bus. Nonetheless, if you desire a local experience, train is the method to go.
Bago
If you want 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 an easy day excursion.
According to tale, the Buddha who when travelled in the area saw a couple of Hintha birds flying across the waters seeking a relaxing location. The male bird arrived at the only available spot which was just 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 flourish at this area.
Shwemawdaw Pagoda.
Called the "Gold Temple" this stupa is the tallest in Burma.
Credits: Wikipedia.
Kyaik Pun Paya
This is residence to the popular 4 Seated Buddha temple.
Credits: 123RF. com.
Shwethalyaung Buddha
One of the biggest reclining Buddha images in Myanmar.
Credits: Renown-travel.com.
Bagan
Promoted by the many sweeping pagodas as well as 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 couple of days traveling around the area hopping from one archaeological site to the next. If you're searching for an enchanting experience, you can ride a hot air balloon over the temples during sunrise. The sunlight glimmering as it rises on top of these ancient ruins is a sight to see and is something that is worth doing during your time there.
In addition to seeing the ancient ruins, you can also check out 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 closest 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 hrs).
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 outing on the gorgeous Inle Lake checking out the rivers with its stilt homes, markets, floating gardens, pagodas, local traders as well as dining establishments. This is a great location to see the sun set as well as the sun rise over the water. Seeing exactly how the locals in Inle fish using conical sphere like nets as they guide their boat with one foot is more info also rather amusing to watch.
Where to stay in Inle Lake
Most of the accommodation is located in close-by Nyuangshwe with a series of budget to deluxe alternatives. You can additionally think about a minimum of one night on the lake for the sunrise 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 & Spa Inle Nyangshwe
Luxury on the Lake: Golden Island Cottages on Inle Lake
Deluxe in Nyuangshwe: La Maison Birmane Boutique
Reaching Inle Lake
By Air: The nearest airport terminal is Heho, which is about 45-60 minutes' ride from Nyangshwe using winding mountain roadways. Anticipate to pay around $20 for your taxi (one of the best offers 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 an additional 40 or so minutes by roadway).
By bus: Inle Lake is well connected with buses travelling from:
Yangon (13 hours)
Mandalay (10 hrs)
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 unbelievable landscape, to staying in a local family's house as well as tucking right into some home-cooked food, there's a whole lot to like regarding it. The most usual expeditions are either 2 or 4 days long.
Getting to Kalaw: Many people begin in Kalaw and 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) but just daily in the morning so you 'd need to co-ordinate your flight time.
By bus: there are buses from Mandalay (8 hours), Bagan (8 hrs) and also Yangon (12 hours).
When should you go? High season (which is both the most preferred however additionally the driest period) is November to February. Myanmar has a wet period unlike the majority of the remainder of SouthEast Asia-- it pours, often non-stop (contrasted to the daily heavy showers of most monsoons). This can produce some miserable trekking conditions.
Mandalay
In comparison to the peaceful as well as subdued streets of Bagan, Mandalay is a large city teeming with life. Busy streets filled with an assortment of tea stores, remarkable Pagodas, and also several visitor attractions make this one of the most preferred areas to go to in Myanmar. Out of all the attractions, climbing Mandalay Hill is most likely a big crowd favorite as it allows you to sweeping views of the city and the Irrawaddy River gleaming from afar.
The U-bein Bridge and also Kuthodaw Pagoda is likewise a rather popular destination and also is a terrific place to observe the culture of the locals.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
The Kuthodaw pagoda in Mandalay includes a gilded pagoda, hundreds of temples housing etched marble pieces and numerous pavilions. The pagoda is additionally 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 thought to be the longest and oldest teak wood bridge on the planet and also extends for 1.2 kilometers. The bridge itself plays a big component in the daily life of citizens with hundreds going across by either foot or bicycle to get to or the local markets. Since coming to be a prominent visitor destination, several now make their livelihood from the bridge by supplying boat rides, selling food and water or by flaunting their outstanding knowledge of its background.
Credits: Rainforestcruises.com.
Getting to U-Bein Bridge: You can reserve a local driver to take you to the U-Bein bridge at sundown. Prices can be high given it's just half an hour outside Mandalay. You can take a tour and also if you spend a little more, you can find a scenic tour that will certainly 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
Reaching Mandalay
By Air: Mandalay has an international airport terminal that is additionally well linked locally. Nevertheless, realize that the airport is about 20 miles outside the city, which can be time consuming (over an hour) and also costly as a result of the {raffic. Internationally, you will connect with more locations by flying from Yangon.
By bus and also train: Mandalay, like Yangon, connects with a lot of the traveler drops in Myanmar.
Hsipaw
Located by the Shan state, Hsipaw is a sleepy village that is pretty well known for its trekking. From Hsipaw, you can head to either Namhsan as well as 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 travelers so it is best explored with the guidance of a tour operator. Hsipaw is a trekking destination that attracts individuals in and also 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 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 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 well-known beaches in Myanmar. Situated on the Bay of Bengal coast, this palm-fringed island has a few hotels set amidst fishing villages providing you a terrific contrast of both. Remarkably, there is a substantial amount of tasks to do in this field with scuba diving, snorkeling, boat scenic tours, and also kayaking. You can additionally just relax on the beach and also consume seafood caught by the local fishermen, and also take an excursion to Pearl Island.
Creidts: svietnamtravel.com
Do know that Ngapali practically shuts down throughout monsoon season (May to October).
Getting to Ngapali Beach
By Air: Flying to Ngapali beach will be your best bet since all other transport modes are seriously minimal. The local airport is Thandwe as well as is just a couple of kilometres from the beach hotels. You can find flights from and also to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Heho (Inle Lake). Nevertheless, these routes thin in monsoon season with terminations on the day being common. Your most dependable path is in and also out of Yangon.
By bus: The only bus route going to Ngapali comes from Yangon and also takes about 11 hrs.