Myanmar Travel Guide

Country Overview

Widely known as "The Golden Land" for its rich cultural history and glittering pagodas, Myanmar is one of South East Asia's largest and most diverse countries, stretching from the Eastern Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, and is endowed with beautiful landscapes and scenery; from snowcapped mountains to thick tropical forests and pristine beaches.

After decades of internal conflicts and self-isolation, Myanmar is slowly opening up to tourism, but the warmth of its many different ethnic races, the charming culture and archaeological sites still remain intact, and this country -also known as Burma- retains a halo of mystery and exoticism. Come to unveil Myanmar!

Country at a Glance

• Capital: Naypyidaw
• Population: 55 million
• Language: Burmese
• Currency: Kyat (MMK)
• Time zone: UTC +06:30
• Electricity: 230 V / 50 Hz. Sockets: Types A, C, G and I
• Dialing code: +95

Best Time to Visit Myanmar

As a South East Asian country, Myanmar has a tropical climate. Although the dry season runs from October to May, the best time of the year to visit Myanmar is between November and February, when it's dry and temperatures are not too high yet due to the cold breeze that blows in, making sightseeing a lot more bearable. Most tourists visit the country during this time, so make sure you book your accommodation well in advance. The months right before and after this high season are a good option as well, and you will find less visitors, although temperatures above 40 ºC are not uncommon during May and June.

From mid-May to late September, the southwest monsoon brings downpours and even floods some areas, with some places closing due to inaccessible roads. The central plains get the least rain. Although Myanmar can be visited all year round, try to avoid these months.

Top Places to Visit

The second-largest country in South East Asia has many truly incredible places waiting to be explored. From thousand-year-old cities and sacred religious sites to unspoiled beaches and fascinating trekking routes.

Yangon

The former capital and biggest city of the country also boasts the largest number of colonial-era buildings in South East Asia. Stroll through the streets of this colorful and tuk-tuk-packed metropolis formerly known as Rangoon; explore its museums and markets, and taste its delicious food.

Yangon

Mandalay

Filled with monasteries, markets and temples, Mandalay is the second-largest city and old royal capital of the country. Visit the famous walled Royal Palace -home to 40 different buildings- and the Kuthodaw Pagoda, attend a show at the Mandalay Marionettes Theater and climb Mandalay Hill to enjoy fantastic views.

Inle Lake

You will see markets, monasteries, fishermen using traditional conical nets and gorgeous floating gardens, while you navigate in a wooden boat. With over-water villas on stilts above the water and green gardens growing straight from the lake, the natural beauty of this huge body of water will be one of the highlights of your trip to Myanmar.

Ngapali Beach

The most popular beach destination in the country. A paradise of white sand, turquoise water and palm trees along the Bay of Bengal coast, with several resorts spread out next to traditional fishing villages. Enjoy the sun and swim, go fishing, kayaking or snorkeling to see exotic fish.

Things to Do

Myanmar has been off-limits for decades, but this country full of cultural richness and natural beauty has opened up, and today it is a major tourist destination that offers its visitors many unforgettable experiences. Here are some of the top things to do in the Golden Land.

Hot-Air Balloon Ride Over Bagan

The main touristic attraction in Myanmar is home to more than 3,000 breathtaking temples spread across the countryside. This ancient city is a magical archaeological site that you can explore by bicycle or, even better, take a hot-air balloon ride to fully enjoy this incredible scene, which is still a pilgrimage site nowadays.

Bagan Balloon Ride

Visit Shwedagon Pagoda

Yangon is home to one of the most famous pagodas in the world, that no visitor should miss. This 99-meter golden temple, gilded with gold and jeweled on the top with diamonds and rubies, is visible throughout the city and it sparks even more when it reflects the sunlight. It is believed to contain, among other relics, eight strands of hair from Gautama Buddha.

Attend a Show at the Mandalay Marionettes Theater

One of the best venues in Myanmar where you will be able to appreciate an authentic cultural show is the Marionettes Theater in Mandalay, where the art of puppetry -that has played an important role in the country's culture since the 11^th century- is kept alive today with colorful marionettes recreating traditional tales onstage.

Hike up to the Golden Rock

This huge boulder coated in gold leaf, which balances on the edge of a cliff on top of Mountain Kyaiktiyo, has a small pagoda built on top of it. Every year, thousands of pilgrims and tourists travel to this spectacular location. Reaching this impressive rock is a big part of the experience; an 11-km hike that can be shortened by getting into the open trucks that will leave you much closer.

Shopping

You will find many supermarkets, department stores and street stalls throughout the country -mostly in Yangon- selling local products, but head for the famous Bogyoke Aung San Market for an authentic shopping experience in Myanmar. With more than 2,000 shops offering a huge selection of locally-made items, you will enjoy an interesting and funny experience. And bargaining is, of course, acceptable and expected. If you have enough time, Myanmar is an excellent place to have some tailor-made clothes made.

Myanmar is famous for its precious gem production (rubies, jade or sapphire stones, etc.), but be careful when buying jewelry; it is not uncommon to be sold fakes. Besides, it is illegal to take them out the country without a certificate.

Longyi Skirts

A traditional Burmese costume which comes in different colors and designs and is very popular among tourists in Myanmar. These cylindrical-shape clothes are wrapped around the waist like a long skirt, and can be worn by both sexes.

Lacquerware

The making of the most-sought after handicrafts in Myanmar has a long tradition; it is believed to have started in Bagan around the 12th century. Made of bamboo and lacquer, these items can be more expensive than other souvenirs due to the amount of hard work required to produce them.

Parasols

You will surely see a workshop of these beautiful paper umbrellas during your time in Myanmar. Handmade by artisans using natural raw materials -mainly, bamboo and cotton-, they will help you protecting yourself from the sun.

Puppets

Puppetry is a very popular art in Myanmar, not only in the famous Marionettes Theatre in Mandalay, but also in restaurants, hotels and touristic areas throughout the country, where puppet performances take place frequently.

Sand Paintings

These famous pieces of sand art are one of the most commonly bought items by tourists. They are made of yellow sand, sprinkled through a screen, that makes up a beautiful sparkling effect. You will find them throughout the country, especially in Yangon or Bagan.

What to Eat

Burmese cuisine is less known worldwide than that of neighboring countries such as Thailand, India or China, but it boasts a large number of delicious dishes, balancing sour, bitter, salty and spicy flavors. As is common in South East Asia, many restaurants and stalls tend to specialize in a particular dish.

Meals are usually eaten at teahouses, as there are very few restaurants outside the main cities and most of them serve Chinese or Indian food. Street food is very popular (and delicious).

Burmese eat from dishes -that are served simultaneously- on a low table, while sitting on a bamboo mat. Rice is the main dish, and it is accompanied by a fish, a meat, a soup and vegetables. Using the fingertips of their right hand, they form a small ball of rice and mix it with the other dishes.

As Burmese Buddhists do not eat meat, most restaurants in Myanmar offer vegetarian options.

You should not leave Myanmar without trying at least these dishes:

Tea leaf salad: Sour and slightly bitter leaves are mixed by hand with shredded cabbage, sliced tomatoes, nuts and peas. The most popular dish in the country.

Shan-style rice: Rice cooked with turmeric and topped with flakes of freshwater fish and garlic oil. Usually served with leek roots, cloves of raw garlic and fried pork rinds.

Mohinga: The typical local breakfast is considered Myanmar's national dish. Rice vermicelli served in a fish-based broth made with spices and herbs.

Nangyi thoke: Thick round noodles with chicken, slices of fish cake and bean sprouts, served with a bowl of broth.

Tap water is not safe to drink in Myanmar, so do not drink it unless you know it has been purified. Bottled water is available throughout the country, and most restaurants leave jugs of green tea on the tables to drink for free. Avoid ice from street stalls.

Getting Around

None of the three international airports in the country connect to any destinations other than East Asia or the Middle East, so most travelers to Myanmar will have to schedule at least one layover at one of Asia's international hubs.

For domestic travel, planes and buses are the main ways to get around the country. Flying is a convenient choice given the long distances and the low prices of flight tickets. And some remote destinations are only accessible by plane. But delays are not uncommon. Overnight buses are popular, cheap and usually faster than trains although they can also be tiring and you will not enjoy the scenery.

Trains and boats are more scenic ways to travel, but slow and unreliable, so try to avoid them unless you have plenty of time ahead.

For city transport, taxis are available in the main cities and some large towns. They don't have meters, so you will have to agree the price beforehand. Motorcycle taxis are common as well. Hiring a bicycle can be a good way to get around explore smaller cities.

Keep in mind that traveling can be restricted in some areas outside the most popular touristic destinations.

Dressing

Myanmar is very traditional and mostly made up of Buddhist people so, as in many countries in South East Asia, you should dress conservatively. Be respectful and avoid wearing any revealing clothes, such as shorts above the knee, or tops that show the shoulders, especially when visiting temples. You will have to remove your footwear before entering any Buddhist site, a pair of sandals or flip-flops will be useful.

When packing your luggage, choose loose fitting, thin materials to keep you cool in the heat. For trekking, take lightweight but sturdy walking shoes, and a light raincoat if you are traveling during the monsoon season. Do not forget to take a hat and a good mosquito repellent.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Myanmar caters for all preferences and budgets, from family-run guest houses (where you might not always get air conditioning, electricity or hot water) to luxury resorts and everything in between, but foreign visitors are only allowed to overnight in officially licensed hotels. At the beginning of this century, the increasing popularity of the country as a touristic destination in South East Asia led to a relative shortage of rooms, but the improved infrastructure and increasing tourism levels have made the prices go down in recent years. It is advisable to book in advance if you are visiting top touristic spots, such as Bagan and Inle Lake, especially during high season. Homestays and camping are technically illegal in Myanmar, although generally tolerated in more remote parts of the country.