10 Amazing Places to Visit in Myanmar

The Golden Land of Myanmar is quite unlike any other country you have experienced before in Southeast Asia as well as the world. Rated as one of the friendliest countries in the World, Myanmar spent many years closed to the rest of the World because of its turbulent political history.

But now thanks to more welcoming tourism initiatives by its government, the country has opened up to foreigners. The amazing places to visit in Myanmar will give you an incredible mix of modern and old traditions and cultures. The natural beauty of Myanmar- you will find here soaring mountains, pristine beaches and meandering waterways that are quite unparalleled and so is the cuisine. You will be intrigued by her culture, the golden pagodas and palaces and will discover hidden gems in almost every city you visit.

Is Myanmar safe to travel?

There are some areas where tourists are not are not allowed due to some disturbances but all the popular places to visit in Myanmar and the hotels are completely safe.

Can you travel to Myanmar without visa?

There are few countries Indian can travel without visa and holders of Indian passport do not require a visa to enter Myanmar for tourism visits for up to 30 days. Indian passport holders can also avail the visa on arrival at the Myanmar airport.

Visa- visa can be applied online via https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/ which will take around 48-72 hours. It will cost around $ 50.

Quick View:

1. 10 amazing places to visit in Myanmar
2. A sample itinerary for Myanmar
3. Tips when travelling to Myanmar
4. Embassy
5. Checklist to travel to Myanmar

What are the most famous places to visit in Myanmar?

Sule Pagoda- Sule Pagoda in Yangon houses a hair relic of Buddha and is the perfect place for peace and meditation in the middle of the busy city.
Mount Popa- This is a must visit if you love to hike. The extinct volcano in Mandalay will take you to the top and reward you with panoramic views of the plains.
Shwedagon Pagoda– One of the most sacred Pagodas in Myanmar, made with golden rock, its architecture will take your breath away.
Kalaw- This place is known for its amazing trekking trails and beautiful picturesque destinations. If you want to calm the adventurer inside, then this is the place to be.
Macleod Island- This is an ideal option for you to venture into if you want to witness amazing views all around and explore the rich variety of flora and fauna.
Mandalay Palace- To soak in the beautiful views of the city, you must definitely visit this place.
Maha Bandoola Garden- A garden in Yangon, it is a perfect place to relax with your friends and family after sightseeing.
U Bein Bridge– Walk on the bridge at sunset and admire the stunning surrounding views of the Taungthaman Lake.
Mergui Archipelago- Dive into the serene waters to view some of the unique vibrant fishes and explore the marine life underwater.

Which is the most beautiful town to visit in Myanmar?

Kalaw is a hill town and one of the least explored places around in Myanmar but has gradually crept its way through the tourist scene because of its amazing trekking trails and beautiful picturesque destinations. It is located at top of the beautiful and majestic stature of the Shan State Hills. It is packed with resorts and hotels alongside an amazing food market and the best part is that you can hike all the way through without any kind of permit whatsoever.

Places to visit in Myanmar in winter

Bagan- This is a dream destination for capturing beautiful sunrises. The glowing sun rays kissing the Pagodas is a spectacle to behold. You can hop into a hot air balloon in the open sky during sunrise or sunset.
Mount Popa- Hike 777 steps to reach the summit of this sacred monastery, perched at the top of the extinct volcano. The cool weather in December makes the climbing easy and interesting.
Kakku- It is one of the spellbinding sites of the country perfect for some picture perfect shots. Dotted near the glittering Inle Lake, it is one of the best places to visit in winters.
Mandalay- To explore Mandalay to the fullest, winter is the best time to visit. You can explore all the famous temples and Pagodas during the day and experience the rich culture, literature and heritage of the country.
Inle Lake- Summer is the best time to explore the lake. It offers some really fun things to do like fishing, trying your hands at lotus weaving and touring the floating garden.

Places to visit in Myanmar in summer

Mergui Archipelago- This place is a must visit in summer as it has some of the top beaches like Ta Fook. You can enjoy spotting some exotic marine life underwater and relax on the beaches.
Ngapali Beach- This is the best beach in Myanmar and you can enjoy water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and cycling. This is an ideal place to escape in summer.
Kalaw- A hill station in Myanmar, it is known for its beautiful destinations and trekking trails. Summer would be the best time to explore Kalaw.
Chaung Tha- It is a coastal town and beach resort in Myanmar known for its pristine beaches. You can stay in the beach resort and enjoy a wonderful holiday.

Best time to visit Myanmar

The best time to visit Yangon is during the cooler months, from October to March, with relatively low rainfall. If you want to take advantage of low season prices, the wet season of July-August is also an option.

Flight Connectivity

There’s a direct flight to Yangon from Kolkata that takes about 2 hours. Other cities in India can connect through Kolkata or Bangkok.

Check out our list of 10 amazing places to visit in Myanmar

1. Yangon

Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city is by far the most exciting place to be in the country. It is famous for its luxury hospitality, rich heritage and revered Buddhist sites like the historic Shwedagon Pagoda. You will find here a mix of British Colonial Architecture and modern high rises.

The golden facade of the world famous Shwedagon Paya, is awe inspiring. There are lovely parks and a famous open market in the city selling gemstones, cotton and food products.

How to commute locally in Yangon?

Public buses, taxis or private cars is the best way to travel to the busy city.

Yangon Hotel recommendations

Inya Lake Hotel- starting from INR 4000 per night.
The Link Yangon Boutique Hotel- starting from INR 3000 per night.
Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel- starting from INR 3000 per night.
8 Mile Hotel- starting from INR 2500 per night.
The Loft Yangon- starting from INR 5000 per night.
The Strand- starting from INR 21000 per night.
Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake- starting from INR 6500 per night.

Where to dine at?

Pansodan- Reflecting Yangon’s multicultural society, the restaurant is a handsomely restored heritage building with two-level dining rooms. Get the authentic flavours of Burmese, Chinese and Indian dishes, ranging from the classic noodle dish mohinga to crispy chilli pomfret.
Sofaer & Co- This restaurant is famous for its interiors along with the food. The famous dishes suggested are the Burman Scotch egg and grilled Mandalay tea-leaf smoked pork and you can also try noodles and curries.
800 Bowls Sule Square- You can dine at this classy modern restaurant and have mouth-watering fresh la mian pulled noodles and dumplings.

Yangon Attractions at a Glance

Shwedagon Pagoda- the most sacred site of Buddhists
Sule Pagoda- it’s a beautiful 46 metres stupa
Kandawgyi Lake- known for its boardwalk which wraps around the water.
Bogyoke Aung San market- best place to shop for textiles, handicrafts and paintings.
Walkthrough China Town- Visit this local market to have the best street food.
Visit the National Museum- Have a look at the Burmese artefacts as well as galleries of antiques from the Konbaung Dynasty.
Strand Hotel- This colonial building is one of the most iconic pieces of colonial architecture. It is Yangon’s premier high end hotels.

2. Naypyitaw

The modern capital city of Myanmar, exhibits the ancient architecture and is known for the Union Parliament, The Presidential Palace, the official residences of the Cabinet of Myanmar and the headquarters of government ministries and military.

How to reach?

You can take a direct flight to Naypyitaw from Yangon.

Hotel Recommendations

Aureum Hotel Resort- starting from INR 14000 per night.
Emerald Palace Hotel- starting from INR 3000 per night.
The Myat Mingalar Hotel- starting from INR 4000 per night.
Nirvana Hotel And Resorts- starting from INR 4000 per night.

Where to dine at?

Tai Kitchen- Enjoy exotic Asian and Thai cuisines with larp gai and rice as its signature dish.
Shwe Si Taw- Asian cuisine, friendly staffs and affordable prices.
Sea Food Island- Exotic Seafood with beautiful interiors and good mannerism.

Attractions at a Glance

Uppatasanti Pagoda- admire the architecture.
The Gem Museum- See the collection of priceless gems.
Water Fountain Garden- Enjoy the beautiful fountain.
Thapyaygone Market- Shop at this street market.

3. Mandalay

Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar, is busy with an urban and active vibe. There are lots of things to see and do here and culture lovers and curious travellers will love to explore the place, also well known as a popular university town.

The city is the economic and religious hub of upper Myanmar and is centered around the Royal Palace. It is known for its unique architecture and cultural diversity.

How to reach Mandalay?

If you are a cruise lover, take a day cruise from Bagan to Mandalay. Alternatively, you can take a flight from Yangon to Mandalay.

Mandalay Hotel Recommendations

Mandalay City Hotel- starting from INR 4,000 per night.
Rupar Mandalay Resort- starting from INR 6,000 per night.
Hilton Mandalay- starting from INR 10,000 per night.
Hotel A1- starting from INR 3,000 per night.
Ayarwaddy River View Hotel- starting from INR 4,000 per night.

Where to dine at in Mandalay?

Man Myo Taw- Great for fried rice, pork dumplings and chicken and pork buns.
Min Min Restaurant- Famous for its Honey Duck and chicken.
Mingalabar Restaurant- Don’t miss the mutton curry and tamarind salad.

Mandalay Attractions at a Glance

Mandalay Hill- witness sunset, visit several ancient temples and pagodas.
Mandalay Palace- have a good general view of the multilayered pyramid.
U Bein Bridge- for the interesting scenery.
Shwe In Bin Kyaung- for the gorgeously carved teak monastery.

4. Bagan

Bagan, a major historical landmark in Asia, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will find here more than 2,000 ancient Buddhist temples and pagodas. Here you can explore local villages and architecture on foot or horseback, go up on a hot air balloon and float closer to the ancient stupas or simply relax in the resort and soak in the peace and calm of the place.

How to reach?

You can reach Bagan via flights from Yangon or Mandalay. The best way to explore Bagan is by hot air ballooning which offers 8-16 passenger flights or horse carriages. Early morning would be the best time to travel and enjoy the view.

Hotel Recommendations

Check out some of the best hotels to stay in the region:

Bagan River View Hotel- starting from INR 4,000 per night.
Bagan Thande Hotel- starting from INR 5,000 per night.
Hotel Temple View Bagan- starting from INR 2,600 per night.
Aye Yar River View resort- starting from INR 7,500 per night.
Bagan Lodge- starting from INR 12,000 per night.

Where to dine at?

Khaing Shwe Wah- Get a taste of Asian and Burmese cuisines at this popular place.
TS Bagan Restaurant- Enjoy the flavours of Fried noodles and Thai style fish.
Taste of Myanmar- The only place to get the famous Myanmar beer. Enjoy with the authentic Burmese cuisine.

Attractions at a glance:

Bagan Temples- for ancient architecture.
Hot air ballooning- for the fantastic sky view of Old Bagan.
Sunset boat cruise in Bagan- for a beautiful
Bagan Archaeological Museum- have a look at the relics displayed at the museum.
Horse cart ride- For authentic adventuring around the place.

5. Inle Lake

Located at the heart of the Shan Plateau, Inle Lake is surrounded by mountains, forest and humble villages.

It is natural and unpolluted and is famous for its scenic beauty and the unique leg rowing of the native dwellers.

You can watch the traditional fishing methods of the villagers here, take boat tours, visit traditional markets, and shop for handicrafts.

How to reach?

You can take a direct flight from Yangon or Mandalay Airports to Heho Airport to reach Inle Lake.

Hotel Recommendations

Aureum Resort and spa- starting from INR 11,000 per night.
Myanmar Treasure Resort Inle- starting from INR 7,500 per night.
Amata Garden Resort- starting from INR 6,000 per night.
Inle Princess Resort- starting from INR 11,000 per night.

Where to dine at?

Bamboo Hut- Signature dishes suggested here are pork curry and steamed fish.
Eyeful Lake- You can visit this floating restaurant on a market day. Enjoy some fresh fish from the lake with lemon juice made with local homemade ingredients.
Green Chilli Restaurant- Intha cuisine is highly recommended which are produced by natural local ingredients such as fermented fish and beans.

Attractions at a Glance

Inle Floating Gardens- for the scenic view of the garden.
Local market- shop traditional handicrafts.
Phaungdawoo Festival- Anticipated and significant religious event.
Jumping cats monastery- Take a look at the beautiful structure and see the cats jumping like in the circus.

6. Ngwe Saung

Ngwe Saung is a popular beach among tourists visiting Myanmar. It is situated to the west of Myanmar on the Bay of Bengal. It’s a real joy to be here, take in the sun, and picturesque beach views.

Visit the Lover’s Island and the elephant camp and the local market to have a great fun-filled time.

How to commute?

You can take a direct flight from Yangon to Ngwe Saung.

Hotel Recommendations

The Village Resort- starting from INR 7,000 per night.
Grand Ngwe Saung Resort- starting from INR 4,000 per night.
Forest Home Resort- starting from INR 1,500 per night.
The Emerald Sea Resort- starting from INR 5,000 per night.
JL Lodge- starting from INR 2,500 per night.

Where to dine at?

Garden Breeze Restaurant and bar- Amazing authentic seafood, especially their crab dishes.
Snow White Restaurant- Great seafood with a good ambience.
Casablanca Restaurant- Amazing traditional Thai food with friendly staff.

Attractions at a Glance

Lover’s Island- take a walk at the island and wait for the tide to fall.
Bird Island- enjoy seeing the beautiful birds and crabs on the beach.

7. Macleod Island

It’s a private island in Myanmar with 22 bay-facing bungalows. Here you get to enjoy the pristine beaches and untouched tropical forests and a wealth of wildlife.

You can explore a variety of outdoor activities like island hopping tours, hiking the island’s peak, sea kayaking and swimming in the bay to a close.

How to commute ?

You can take a flight from Yangon Airport to Kawthoung Airport in Myanmar which is the nearest to Macleod Island. After reaching Kawthoung Airport you can take a jetty to the island.

Hotel Recommendations

Eain Tau Phyu Hotel- starting from INR 2,500 per night.
Myint Mo Hotel- starting from INR 2,000 per night.
Pearl Laguna Resort- starting from INR 5,000 per night.
Myanmar Andaman Resort- starting from INR 5,000 per night.

Where to dine at?

White Pearl BBQ and Restaurant- After enjoying the view of the Macleod Island you can enjoy the heavenly delights of Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines. Don’t forget to try the best seafood BBQ and mushrooms with a mug of fresh beer.

Attractions at a Glance

Nyaung Oo Phee Island- for snorkelling.
Reindeer beach- for a relaxing

8. Nyaung Shwe

Located on the northern side of Inle Lake, this is a place that offers a vibrant atmosphere with beautiful monasteries.

There are a number of restaurants and bars here which you can visit after spending a long day at the Lake.

How to commute?

You can take a short flight from Yangon or Mandalay to Heho, Myanmar and then you can hire a taxi to Nyaung Shwe.

Hotel Recommendations

Cassiopeia Hotel- starting from INR 1,500 per night.
Hotel Amazing- starting from INR 2,000 per night.
Golden Dream Hotel- starting from INR 1,500 per night.
Golden Empress Hotel- starting from INR 1,500 per night.
Thousand Island Hotel Inle – starting from INR 2,000 per night.

Where to dine at?

Inlay Hut Indian Food House- Enjoy the best of Indian and Asian dishes with the essence of local.
Bamboo Hut- Try the best curry of the Inle Lake here with a perfect view of the Lake.
Dosa King- A great news for all the south Indian lovers! Get the best and large sized dosas and enjoy other Indian dishes like butter chicken, curry etc.

Attractions at a Glance

Inle Lake- for a refreshing and relaxing day near the lake and boat trip.
Htat Rian – for a great cave temple experience
Red Mountain Estate Vineyards & Winery- have exotic food and wine.
Lotus Garden- natural walk, bird watching, on farm fishing.
Gallery 19- explore the photographs painted by the local artists.

9. Ngapali

The Ngapali beach is on the Bay Of Bengal in the South of the Rakhine state. Although Rakhine state has been in the headlines for political disturbances, this is a safe and premier beach resort of Myanmar, frequented by tourists.

Ngapali is all about beautiful sand and surf set in rural surroundings. You can relax here under the palm trees and swim occasionally in the azure waters of the bay. Evening sunsets are equally beautiful. Try your hand at local fishing.

How to commute?

You can take a flight to Sandoway from Yangon.

Hotel Recommendations

Thande Beach Hotel- starting from INR 4,000 per night.
River Top Lodge- starting from INR 3,000 per night.
Pleasant View Resort- starting from INR 7,000 per night.
Amazing Ngapali Resort- starting from INR 10,000 per night.
Bayview- the beach resort- starting from INR 10,000 per night.

Where to dine at?

Seagull- Try their seafood BBQ which is super fresh and delicious.
Sea King by the Beach- Enjoy the best and pocket-friendly cocktails here and juices and salads. Do Try the amazing tea leaf salad and the avocado salad.
Coconut Beach Restaurant- Great seafood and delicious vegetarian and non vegetarian curries. If you go for a fruit shake, do try the banana one, it’s super nice and creamy!

Attractions at a Glance

Ngapali Beach-Scuba Diving Adventure
Thandwe market- to shop in the local market.
Fishing village- If you love fishing.
A private tour on the beach

10. Pyin Oo Lwin

The colonial hill station can be a summer retreat to escape the fearsome heat of Mandalay and Lower Myanmar.

You can enjoy a popular weekend here experience what’s left of the old colonial charm.

Don’t miss a visit to the Botanical Garden and the waterfalls.

How to commute?

You can take a direct flight from Yangon or Mandalay to Pyin Oo Lwin.

Hotel Recommendations

Win Unity Hotel- starting from INR 4000 per night.
Hotel Pyin Oo Lwin- starting from INR 8000 per night.
Kandawgyi Hill Resort- starting from INR 4500 per night.
Royal Park View Hotel- starting from INR 3000 per night.

Where to dine at?

The Taj- The best of Indian and Asian cuisines are available here!
The Club Terrace Food Lounge- Built in an old building, with alfresco seating, this is the best place to have lunch with cocktails.
Feel- As the name says, get a feel of the colonial style restaurant with the Asian and Burmese cuisines. One of their best dishes are a mix of rice with sesame.

Attractions at a Glance

National Kandawgyi Gardens- stroll around the wonderful garden.
Lakefront feel- relax near the lake and have good food.
Aung Htu Kan Tha Paya- admire the architecture.
Central Market- for shopping.

A Sample Itinerary for Myanmar

We have a number of packages to Myanmar from India. You can choose the package as per your interest and days that you want to plan your travel for. We can also help you to customize your Myanmar package.

This is an 8 day trip to Myanmar where you get to see the mesmerizing attractions.

Day 1: Arrival at Yangon. Sightseeing tours of Kandawgyi Park, Shwedagon Pagoda.

Day 2: Take a morning flight to Bagan. Tour of this beautiful city which includes Ananda, Nyaung U market and much more. Watch the sunset and enjoy puppet show and dinner.

Day 3: Horse cart ride to temples and visit the rural village. Later in the afternoon, go on a boat tour on the Irrawaddy River.

Day 4: Arrival at Mandalay. Visit the holy Sagaing hill. Enjoy sunset at U Bein.

Day 5: Morning boat trip to Mingun and explore Mingun Bell. Back to Mandalay. Continue the tour of Mandalay.

Day 6: Arrival at Heho. Visit Pindaya limestone cave. Transfer to Nyaung Shwe.

Day 7: Full day tour of Inle Lake. After lunch, enjoy magnificent views of the Lake.

Day 8: Departure to India from Yangon with happy memories.

Tips when travelling to Myanmar

Currency- The currency of Myanmar is Burmese Kyat. 1 Burmese Kyat can roughly be bought for 0.048 rupees. Debit cards are accepted at some places but it is preferable to carry currency with you.
Weather- Most of Myanmar has a tropical monsoon climate with 3 reasons. It remains cool with an average maximum temperature of 32 degrees. The summer days usually has a temperature of 36 degrees and are humid. The rainy season has an average temperature of 29 degrees with heavy rainfall.
Transport- The main ways to get around Myanmar is by air. There are also trains, boats and taxis available to commute.
Safety- Myanmar is safe and possesses no serious problems. Some remote areas of the country remain off limits due to internal conflicts and the Rohingya refugee crisis.
Etiquettes- Carry a shawl or wear modest covered clothing while entering stupas, temples and pagodas. Try out their local customs and say no to public display of affection.
Mobile Network and sim card- The major mobile service providers are ooredoo, Telenor and Airtel. You can buy a sim card at the Yangon international airport itself.
Power Plugs- You need power plugs and sockets of C, D, F and G type.
Taxi- The four types of taxis are Grab, Oway, Hello and OK. It is convenient to book grab taxis over the phone, whereas Hello taxis serve as the local taxis.

Embassy

The Indian Embassies address in Myanmar is:
545–547 Merchant St,
Kyauktada Township, Yangon.
TELEPHONE- 95-1-388412, 243972

Checklist to travel to Myanmar

There are some essential items that you should not miss when travelling to Myanmar.

Travel Documents- Passport, Visa, Travel insurance, tickets, medical documents and relevant ID cards.
Money- Debit card, local currency, US Dollars.
Clothes- Conservative clothes, Pashmina, comfortable flip flops, sunglasses and hats.
Electronics- Mobile phone, camera and travel adapter.
Health and hygiene- Medications that you are on, basic medical kit, women hygiene items, toiletries, insect spray.

Myanmar- The ultimate destination for all travellers

Myanmar remains at heart a rural nation of traditional values. Its famous Pagodas, traditional customs and cultures, gentle and humorous people and iconic attractions make people curious to travel to Myanmar. To experience all of the splendid places to visit in Myanmar and more of these, explore the Myanmar tour packages from India to visit this exotic location.

Now you know about the best places to visit in Myanmar. So, do you want to go on a fun-filled and interesting holiday? Book your holiday package with us and all that you need to do is write to us at connect@flyingsquirrelholidays.com or contact us on 033-40525777.