Top Things to Do in Myanmar
Previously known as Burma, Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia that is gradually getting popularity among visitors. Because of excellent access from land borders, tourists from Thailand and the rest of its nearby countries in Southeast Asia commonly frequent these lands in search of off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Although not very large, there are still heaps of areas to visit in Myanmar Unbelievable historical sites, lovely natural landscapes, as well as a wide range of cultural sites, Myanmar is a nation that I advise every person to position on their bucket lists. Below's a checklist of destinations in Myanmar (Burma) that are worth checking out.
Places to See in Myanmar.
Yangon
The capital city of Myanmar, Yangon is expanding to be a busy metropolitan city where old colonial structures meet ancient pagodas. There are sights like the Shwedagon Pagoda which is among one of the most vital historic sights in all of Myanmar. The round train is likewise an outstanding 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 seeing Sule Pagoda and also Shwendagon Pagoda. These two pagodas are so attractive, particularly during sunrise and sundown.
Sule is smack in the centerof Yangon. It is 48 meters high and also was utilized 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 other divine relics. It is a need to visit. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with hundreds of gold plates and its stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds.
Ride Yangon's Circular Railway
The Yangon Circular Train is something you definitely have to experience. You will not just experience a day in the life of citizens, but also reach take fantastic photos of the outskirts of the city.
You'll see individuals moving up and also down the train selling things, and additionally meet people of all kinds hopping on and off the trains. Businessmen, market vendors ... it's one of those things that allows you to experience Myanmar of what it actually is.
Outside Yangon
Mt Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock)
Image Credits: World Atlas.
Mt Kyaiktiyo is a popular pilgrimage trip for devout Burmese Buddhists and is often full of devotees that take a trip from around the country to admire this religious site. From Yangon, this golden rock is accessible by bus or train.
The pagoda itself is made up of a big gold rock which is balancing at the edge of the cliff. We advise visiting during sunset as the golden rock glows, even more, when the sky becomes different tones of orange and purple. Although it is a religious site, it has also become extremely commercialized yet however, 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 terminal and also offers the biggest variety of locations both within and outside the country.
By bus: Yangon is additionally very well connected by both bus and train routes. It's from Yangon that you will certainly have the best option of locations to travel to.
By train: Yangon is a significant stop on the nation's train system. Do be aware that trains are not what you would certainly discover in developed countries. There are hard seats and no or inadequate a/c. Train travel is additionally much slower than bus. However, if you want a local experience, train is the way to go.
Bago
If you seek more pagodas, an outstanding reclining Buddha and also a wine abbey, you will intend to take a trip to Bago.
Bago is just a number of hours away from Yangon, making it a very easy day outing.
According to legend, the Buddha that when took a trip in the area saw a number of Hintha birds flying across the waters trying to find a resting place. The male bird came down on the only available place 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 prosper 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 Four Seated Buddha shrine.
Credits: 123RF. com.
Shwethalyaung Buddha
One of the biggest 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 should check out by everybody that comes to this nation. With over 2000 ancient ruins, you can spend a few 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 sunrise. The sun shimmering as it rises on top of these ancient ruins is a view to see and is something that deserves 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 local flight terminal is Nyaung U, which is just 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 and 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 waterways with its stilt homes, markets, floating gardens, pagodas, local traders and also restaurants. This is a terrific location to see the sun set and also the sun rise over the water. Seeing just how the residents in Inle fish making use of conelike sphere like nets as they guide their boat with one foot is also instead amusing to watch.
Where to stay in Inle Lake
A lot of the lodging lies in nearby Nyuangshwe with a variety of budget to high-end choices. You can likewise take into consideration at least one evening on the lake for the dawn as well as 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
Getting to Inle Lake
By Air: The nearest airport terminal is Heho, which is about 45-60 mins' trip from Nyangshwe by means of winding mountain roads. Expect to pay around $20 for your taxi (among the very best offers you'll get in Myanmar for a taxi ride). Heho is a domestic terminal only. A stay on the lake is about another 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 hours)
Bagan (10 hrs)
By train: Inle Lake is not on Myanmar's rail network.
Hiking from Kalaw to Inle Lake
From being outside, enjoying the unbelievable landscape, to staying in a local family's residence as well as tucking right into some home-cooked food, there's a great deal to like concerning it. The most usual treks are either 2 or 4 days long.
Reaching Kalaw: Lots of people begin in Kalaw and trip to Inle Lake as opposed to the other way around.
By air: If you're flying in to Heho, you're halfway there-- just take a taxi from the airport terminal. There website is a train from the flight terminal (2 hrs) yet only once 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) and also Yangon (12 hours).
When should you go? High season (which is both the most popular yet likewise the driest season) is November to February. Myanmar has a wet season unlike the majority of the remainder of SouthEast Asia-- it pours, in some cases relentlessly (contrasted to the daily heavy showers of most monsoons). This can make for some miserable trekking conditions.
Mandalay
In comparison to the quiet and subdued streets of Bagan, Mandalay is a huge city teeming with life. Busy roads full of an array of tea shops, fantastic Pagodas, as well as several destinations make this one of the most preferred locations to visit in Myanmar. Out of all the destinations, climbing Mandalay Hill is probably a large crowd favorite as it permits you to sweeping views of the city and also the Irrawaddy River shining from afar.
The U-bein Bridge and Kuthodaw Pagoda is also a pretty popular tourist attraction and also is a great area to observe the culture of the citizens.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
The Kuthodaw pagoda in Mandalay includes a gilded pagoda, numerous shrines housing etched marble pieces as well as several 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 believed to be the longest and oldest teak wood bridge in the world and also extends for 1.2 kilometers. The bridge itself plays a huge component 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 coming to be a prominent visitor destination, many currently make their livelihood from the bridge by supplying boat rides, selling food and water or by showing off their remarkable knowledge of its background.
Credits: Rainforestcruises.com.
Reaching U-Bein Bridge: You can reserve a local driver to take you to the U-Bein bridge at sundown. Prices can be steep provided it's just thirty minutes outside Mandalay. You can take a tour and also if you spend a little more, you can find a tour that will certainly give you a larger trip 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 likewise well linked locally. However, understand that the airport is about 20 miles outside the city, which can be time consuming (over an hour) as well as expensive because of the {raffic. Internationally, you will certainly connect with more destinations by flying from Yangon.
By bus as well as train: Mandalay, like Yangon, connects with a lot of the tourist drops in Myanmar.
Hsipaw
Located 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 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 discovered with the support of a tour operator. Hsipaw is a trekking location that draws individuals in and also keeps them there probably because it's cooler as well as the air cleaner than a lot of various other areas in Myanmar.
Credits: diytravelhq.com
Trekking in Hspiaw
Getting to 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 also Yangon (15 hrs).
Ngapali Beach
If you're wanting to unwind by a seaside location, head to Ngapali Beach which is among the most well-known beaches in Myanmar. Situated on the Bay of Bengal coast, this palm-fringed island has a few resorts set in the middle of fishing villages giving you an excellent contrast of both. Remarkably, there is a substantial amount of activities to do around with scuba diving, snorkeling, boat excursions, as well as kayaking. You can also merely kick back on the beach and also consume seafood captured by the local fishermen, and also take an outing to Pearl Island.
Creidts: svietnamtravel.com
Do realize that Ngapali practically shuts down throughout monsoon season (May to October).
Reaching Ngapali Beach
By Air: Flying to Ngapali beach will certainly be your best bet because all various other transportation modes are seriously limited. The local airport terminal is Thandwe and is simply a couple of kilometres from the beach hotels. You can find flights from as well as to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Heho (Inle Lake). However, these routes thin in monsoon season with terminations on the day being common. Your most reliable path is in as well as out of Yangon.
By bus: The only bus route running to Ngapali comes from Yangon and also takes around 11 hrs.