Top Things to Do in Myanmar
Previously known as Burma, Myanmar is a nation in Southeast Asia that is slowly obtaining popularity amongst travelers. As a result of good access from land borders, travelers from Thailand and the rest of its neighboring nations in Southeast Asia frequently frequent these lands trying to find off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Although not large, there are still stacks of locations to check out in Myanmar Unbelievable archaeological sites, gorgeous natural landscapes, as well as a large selection of cultural spots, Myanmar is a nation that I urge everyone to place on their bucket lists. Here's a listing of destinations 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 urbane city where old colonial buildings meet ancient pagodas. There are sights like the Shwedagon Pagoda which is among 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
Known for its mystical pagodas, no trip to Myanmar is complete without going to Sule Pagoda and Shwendagon Pagoda. These two pagodas are so gorgeous, especially during daybreak as well as sunset.
Sule is smack in the centerof Yangon. It is 48 meters high as well as was utilized by the British as the nucleus 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 other divine relics. It is a must visit. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with thousands of gold plates and also its stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds.
Ride Yangon's Circular Train
The Yangon Circular Railway is something you most definitely have to experience. You won't 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 people of all kinds jumping on and off the trains. Business people, market wholesalers ... it is among those points that allows you to experience Myanmar of what it truly is.
Outside Yangon
Mt Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock)
Image Credits: World Atlas.
Mt Kyaiktiyo is a prominent pilgrimage site for devout Burmese Buddhists and is commonly filled with devotees who travel from around the nation 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 boulder which is stabilizing at the edge of the cliff. We suggest visiting during sundown as the gold rock glows, much more, when the skies turns into different shades of orange and purple. Although it is a spiritual site, it has also become very 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
Reaching Yangon.
By Air: Yangon has an international airport and also serves the largest variety of locations both within and outside the nation.
By bus: Yangon is additionally effectively linked by both bus and also train routes. It's from Yangon that you will certainly have the best choice of places 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 find in developed countries. There are hard seats and also no or insufficient air conditioning. Train travel is also much slower than bus. Nonetheless, if you desire a local experience, train is the method to go.
Bago
If you want more pagodas, an impressive reclining Buddha and also a wine abbey, you will want to take a trip to Bago.
Bago is just a couple of hours away from Yangon, making it an easy day excursion.
According to tale, the Buddha who as soon as took a trip in the area saw a number of Hintha birds flying across the waters seeking a resting area. The male bird came down on the only available area which was just huge 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 home to the renowned Four Seated Buddha shrine.
Credits: 123RF. com.
Shwethalyaung Buddha
Among the biggest lying Buddha images in Myanmar.
Credits: Renown-travel.com.
Bagan
Popularized by the numerous sweeping pagodas and also stupas, Bagan is a cultural delight and is considered a need to go to by every person that comes to this country. With over 2000 ancient ruins, you can spend a couple of days traveling around the location hopping from one archaeological site to the next. If you're looking for a magical experience, you can ride a hot air balloon over the temples during dawn. The sunlight shimmering as it rises on top of these ancient ruins is a sight to see as well as is something that deserves doing during your time there.
In addition to seeing the ancient ruins, you can also visit Mount Popa as well as 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 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 hrs).
Mandalay (7 hrs).
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 outing on the gorgeous Inle Lake checking out the rivers with its stilt homes, markets, floating gardens, pagodas, local traders and also restaurants. This is an excellent area to see the sun set as well as the sun rise over the water. Seeing just how the citizens in Inle fish using conical sphere like nets as they steer their boat with one foot is likewise instead enjoyable to see.
Where to stay in Inle Lake
The majority of the accommodation lies in close-by Nyuangshwe with a variety of budget to luxury options. You can also take into consideration at the very least 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 & 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 nearest airport terminal is Heho, which is about 45-60 minutes' trip from Nyangshwe by means of winding mountain roads. Anticipate 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 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 hrs)
Bagan (10 hours)
By train: Inle Lake is not on Myanmar's rail network.
Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake
From being outside, appreciating the extraordinary landscape, to staying in a local family's residence as well as tucking right into some home-cooked food, there's a lot to like concerning it. The most common expeditions are either 2 or 4 days long.
Getting to Kalaw: Many people begin 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-- just take a taxi from the airport. There is a train from the airport terminal (2 hrs) however just once a day in the early morning so you would certainly need to co-ordinate your trip time.
By bus: there are buses from Mandalay (8 hrs), Bagan (8 hrs) and also 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 most of the rest of SouthEast Asia-- it pours, sometimes relentlessly (compared to the daily heavy showers of many monsoons). This can produce some miserable trekking conditions.
Mandalay
In comparison to the peaceful and subdued streets of Bagan, Mandalay is a large city teeming with life. Hectic roads filled with a variety of tea shops, terrific Pagodas, and many tourist attractions make this one of the most prominent locations to visit in Myanmar. Out of all the tourist attractions, climbing Mandalay Hill is possibly a huge crowd favorite as it enables you to sweeping views of the city and also the Irrawaddy River beaming from afar.
The U-bein Bridge as well as Kuthodaw Pagoda is likewise a rather popular destination as well as is a wonderful location 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 pieces as well as several pavilions. The pagoda is likewise called "the world's biggest 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 as well as oldest teak wood bridge in the world and also extends for 1.2 kilometers. The bridge itself plays a huge part in the day-to-day life of citizens with hundreds crossing over by either foot or bike to get to or the local markets. Since becoming a preferred traveler destination, many currently make their source of income from the bridge by offering boat rides, selling food and water or by flaunting their outstanding 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 sunset. Prices can be steep provided it's just thirty minutes outside Mandalay. You can take a scenic tour and if you spend a bit more, you can find a tour that will certainly give you a broader 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 linked locally. Nonetheless, be aware that the airport is about 20 miles outside the city, which can be time consuming (over an hour) as well as costly because of the {raffic. Internationally, you will connect with even more destinations by flying from Yangon.
By bus and also train: Mandalay, like Yangon, connects with the majority of the traveler drops in Myanmar.
Hsipaw
Situated 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 and also Kyaukme. Namhsan is referred to as the tea capital of Myanmar so expect to see lots of local| life. Although the {reks are not difficult, some parts are still restricted to travelers so it is best discovered with the support of a tour operator. Hsipaw is a trekking location that attracts people in and keeps them there probably 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 railway, get more info it takes 13 hrs from Mandalay or 7 hrs from Pyin Oo Lwin. There are buses from Mandalay (7 hours), Pyin Oo Lwin (7 hrs), Inle Lake (12 hrs) and Yangon (15 hrs).
Ngapali Beach
If you're seeking to loosen up by a seaside location, 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 couple of resorts established in the middle of fishing villages giving you a fantastic contrast of both. Remarkably, there is a large amount of tasks to do in this field with scuba diving, snorkeling, boat trips, and kayaking. You can additionally simply loosen up 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 know that Ngapali practically shuts down during monsoon season (May to October).
Reaching Ngapali Beach
By Air: Flying to Ngapali beach will be your best option due to the fact that all other transportation modes are seriously limited. The local airport terminal is Thandwe and is just a couple of kilometres from the beach hotels. You can find flights from as well as to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Heho (Inle Lake). Nonetheless, these paths thin in monsoon season with cancellations on the day being common. Your most reliable path is in and out of Yangon.
By bus: The only bus route running to Ngapali comes from Yangon and also takes about 11 hours.