Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia, sandwiched between Nepal, India, and Thailand.
Famous for its stunning Buddhist temples, beautiful beaches, and colorful culture, Myanmar is on a lot of people’s bucket lists. In the same way that Egypt is known for ancient pyramids, Myanmar is known for ancient temples, and there are a lot of them to explore.
This unique country is shrouded in mystery and sadly in conflict, but it remains without question one of the world’s most beautiful regions.
If you get the chance to travel to the Golden Land that is Myanmar, here’s a list of the top must-see attractions…
Yangon City
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city in Myanmar. The city is famous for its unique culture and religious sites, the most famous of which is the grand Shwedagon Paya Pagoda which is visited by thousands of pilgrims each year.
You don’t need to have any religious affiliation to appreciate this incredible sight. Historians believe the pagoda has been around from as early as the 6th century, making it one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the world.
Inle Lake
Inle Lake can be found in the Shan State, in the northern regions of Myanmar. This picturesque lake is a photographer’s dream but what really makes it popular is the floating shops and water-based living you’ll find there.
Locals have built entire communities on the water, you’ll find everything from hotels and houses on stilts to small, traditional boats carrying fresh fruit and vegetables around. The best way to tour the lake is definitely by boat, and you’ll easily be able to buy souvenirs or a snack as you float next to the local market.
Inle Lake Hotel On Stilts
Speaking of Inle Lake, if you’re staying in Shan for a few days you’ll want a hotel, and what better way to get a feel of local life than to stay in a classic stilt house. Relax and enjoy the beautiful views from your window and the gentle lapping of water all around you.
You’ll find a variety of accommodations on Inle lake from budget options that have all the essentials to luxury hotels that’ll make you feel you’ve just stepped into a 5-star villa in the Maldives. Whatever you’re after, you’re sure to find the perfect place to stay in this unique and beautiful landscape.
Ngapali Elephant Sanctuary
Whenever tourists visit a country famous for its wildlife, one animal that always tops the list is elephants. These majestic creatures are a sacred symbol to many, and a delight to meet for everyone
One of the best places in Myanmar is the Ngapali Elephant Sanctuary, a place that rescues and takes care of the resident elephants, allowing them to live safely in their natural habitat. Visitors can enjoy plenty of photoshoots as well as the opportunity to learn more about these wonderful and intelligent animals.
Bagan
Bagan is an ancient city found in Myanmar’s Mandalay region. The city, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most historically and culturally significant in the entire country.
Bagan, formerly known as Pagan, was the center of the Bagan Kingdom, the first kingdom to unify all the regions in the country and bind them together, which eventually led to the country of Myanmar as it is today. Bagan is home to an incredible 2000 monuments all from different eras, hence the UNESCO status.
Hot Air Balloon
Another reason Bagan is so famous is its legendary hot air balloon rides. You’ve probably seen pictures of it on Instagram, a sky full of earth-toned hot air balloons with countless temples covering the ground beneath them.
The hot air balloon experience is absolutely as cool in real life as it looks in the photos. It might cost you a bit, but it’s worth it. The vistas are stunning and you’ll definitely want to bring a camera to capture the incredible aerial views. As long as you aren’t afraid of heights, this will be the highlight of your trip!
20 Lane Highway
The 20-lane highway is exactly what it sounds like. The road was built to eliminate the future problem of not having enough space, which has been an issue in many cities, even the modern ones. Ironically, this area is still nearly empty, so you have endless lanes waiting for traffic.
These vast futuristic lanes are a unique and surreal sight. With more roads and fewer people than any other city, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see what a place looks like before people move there.
Ngapali Beach
When you think of Myanmar, you likely imagine a combination of lush plantations and hilly terrain, but there are also beaches such as Ngapali Beach to enjoy. This beautiful beach with its pristine white sand stretches along Myanmar’s coast for around 3 km.
Here you’ll find a mix of locals fishing, children swimming, and tourists sunbathing. This gorgeous oasis is a very popular spot because of its dreamy weather and turquoise blue ocean that fades gently into the horizon.
Tafook Island
If you’re craving some alone time away from tourists and bustling cities, then Tafook Island is the perfect solution for you. This beautiful island has been described by visitors as an ‘untouched paradise’ and it really does live up to that description.
The island takes about one hour to get to by boat from the Ranong Province, and it’s well worth the trip. The sand here is a purer white than you can imagine and the warm aqua waters lap gently against the beach. If you’re looking for somewhere to switch off and relax, this might just be the best place in Myanmar.
Mahar Sadan Caves
Are you someone who finds bats cute and thinks they shouldn’t only be seen at Halloween? If so, you’ll like these caves. Apart from the beautiful temple and artifacts and statues, the Mahar Sadan Caves are famous for being home to a large number of bats.
The sudden screeching may make you jump, but these furry little creatures are totally harmless and happily go about their business while adding to the atmosphere. The caves are accessed by boat, and it’s an amazing experience to see this grand space hidden away within the rocks.
Kalaw Treks
More interested in outdoor adventures than sightseeing? Well, in the town of Kalaw you can have both. This hill town is part of the Shan State and boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in Myanmar.
One of the most popular activities in Kelew is hiking and trekking. The landscape here lends itself perfectly to outdoor pursuits, with lush rolling fields, gentle slopes, and just the right amount of sun. There are a lot of options for hiking, from hiring a guide to following set trails or even going in a group.
Mandalay Hill
Mandalay Hill is located in the Mandalay city center. This 240-meter tall feature is where the city gets its name from, and it is an iconic landmark that makes Mandalay easy to spot from miles away.
Apart from climbing the hill and getting a top-class view of the city below, you can also explore the streets and look up at the towering hill that casts a perpetual shadow (which is quite handy when the sun is out.)
Mount Popa
Mount Popa is Myanmar’s signature volcano, and unlike others, you may have visited, this one is only sleeping. Mount Popa is a dormant volcano, and it’s unlikely it will erupt again, but there’s always the possibility.
You’ll find this famous volcano in the Mandalay region, relatively close to Bagan. Apart from its status as an impressive and beautiful landmark, Mount Popa is also considered a sacred place in the Buddhist religion and is home to many legends and myths as well as a pagoda at the summit.
National Botanical Gardens
The Myanmar National Botanical Gardens can be found in the Alpine town of Pyin U Lwin. They consist of 170 hectares of ground and are set at an elevation of 1000 meters.
You’ll find yourself wandering through perfectly manicured lawns, past flower beds showcasing every color imaginable, and across small picturesque lakes. The grounds here are exceptionally well maintained, and if you’re a gardening enthusiast this is somewhere you’ll definitely want to add to your itinerary.
Shwe Inn Thein Paya
This group of crumbling yet ornate pagodas is an incredible sight, best described by Jeremy Clarkson as ‘like something out of an Indiana Jones film.’ This beautiful place is part of Indien village, near Inle Lake.
Being surrounded by these ancient monuments is indeed an atmospheric experience, although to truly grasp how many there are you really need an aerial view. You can easily get a little lost wandering through the maze of pagodas, but in a good way since it’s a very peaceful and reflective place.
