Beautiful Myanmar offers an incredible variety of things to do and places to see. It seems that every corner and inch of the country offers some new gem, whether it be an amazing hike through pristine scenery, an enchanting and magical pagoda, or perhaps a relaxing sandy beach.
In fact, it can be difficult to narrow down what you most want to do and see in the country! Here, we’ll round up some of the best places to visit in Myanmar, to inspire your wanderlust and add some ideas to your itinerary. As always, we’re only an email away, if you need help planning your dream Myanmar adventure.
Bagan
It’s hard to choose a single site to visit in beautiful Bagan, so we’re adding the whole city to our list of the best places to visit in Myanmar!
Its inclusion is well-deserved, as Bagan is one of the most beautiful and fascinating towns on earth. With a fascinating history that dates back more than 2,000 years and a seemingly endless number of beautiful temples, it is truly unmissable. Plus, while Bagan is historically significant, it is also lively and welcoming, with many great restaurants and shops as well.
Shwedagon Pagoda
Standing over 100 metres tall, the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most significant and recognisable landmarks in all of Myanmar.
Located in Yangon, the Pagoda is famous for its incredible gilded dome, which is beautiful at any time, but particularly so as the sun sets and rises. It’s certainly an unmissable place to visit while in Myanmar to gain an appreciation for the rich culture and deep spirituality of the region.
Bogyoke Aung San Market
Shopping in a bustling, energetic market is a quintessential part of the Myanmar experience, and simply cannot be missed!
One of the busiest markets in Yangon is the bustling Bogyoke Aung San Market. Here, you can buy absolutely anything and everything – from precious gemstones to fresh produce. If you’re looking for a special souvenir of your time in the city, let your guide help you to find an authentic item at a great price.
Inle Lake Floating Islands
For those looking to experience a unique side of traditional life in Myanmar, a visit to the floating islands of Inle Lake (including Heya Ywama Village and Phaung Daw Oo Phaya) is an incredible experience.
You can learn about the traditional way of life on the islands, including the fishermen’s unique style of rowing their wooden boats. In addition, you can hear more about the customs and beliefs of the communities in this area.
Irrawaddy (Ayerwaddy) River
Myanmar’s largest river is, in many ways, the lifeblood of the country. Flowing from north to south, the river has been important in transporting goods for centuries.
Not only is the river important to the people of Myanmar, but it is also one of the most important features of the environment. The river is home to a very unique species of dolphin known as the Irrawaddy Dolphin. These mammals are critically endangered, but many still live in Myanmar. The chance to see them is an amazing opportunity that you won’t soon forget!
Mount Popa
This amazing natural sight looks beautiful from afar and is even more impressive up close. As you can probably tell from looking at it, Mount Popa is actually an extinct volcano.
Those who hike the hundreds of steps to its peak will be richly rewarded with a beautiful monastery and amazing views out over the landscape. If you love hiking, then it is well worth stopping in on the way to Mandalay, as Mount Popa is one of the most amazing places to visit in Myanmar.
Ku Tho Daw Pagoda – The World’s Biggest Book
Located in Mandalay, the Ku Tho Daw Pagoda is also known as the “world’s largest book”, thanks to the large chiselled grey stones that contain stories about the Buddha.
In total, there is an astonishing 729 stone slabs in total, each one featuring an inscription drawn from the book the Tripitaka. Although it has nearly all worn away nowadays, these inscriptions were initially filled with gold leaf. Nonetheless, they remain a beautiful and fascinating sight.
Shan State
One of the most appealing things about Myanmar is that it is off-the-beaten-path, with many beautiful and unspoiled landscapes to enjoy.
If this is what draws you to Myanmar, then you will love the rugged wilderness of Shan State. Here, you will find a selection of incredible treks and hikes that will take you through the lush foliage, in the shadow of hills and caves. If you’re a nature lover looking to explore the wilderness, then Shan State is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Myanmar.
Ngapali
There really is an amazing variety of things to do in Myanmar, including enjoying some much-needed relaxation by the beach!
Myanmar enjoys many beautiful beaches, but one of the most beautiful and most popular is Ngapali. This stunning beach is postcard-perfect, with a long swathe of soft sand and slowly swaying palm trees. The water is perfect just for splashing about in or enjoy some of the watersports on offer including snorkelling, kayaking or stand-up paddle-boarding.
Thanbyuzayat
This sombre place may not be well-known, but it is one of the most moving places to visit in Myanmar due to its connection with World War II.
It was the Western terminus for the Thai-Burma Railway, a construction project to which many Allied prisoners of war, and forced labourers, lost their lives. At Thanbyuzayat, there is a moving cemetery where more than 3,000 Allied POWS were buried. It is a humbling place to visit and pay your respects to those who died during the war.
Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp
It’s impossible not to love wise and kind spirited elephants, but it’s important to make sure that your visit to the see them is ethical and responsible.
That’s why we love the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp, which is a sanctuary for injured or mistreated elephants. When visiting, you will get the chance to see many of these beautiful mammals up close, and can even bathe and feed them. It’s a great opportunity to make some memories you will treasure forever, and support an ethical business committed to helping the elephants.
Loikaw
Many visitors to Myanmar hope to learn more about the unique groups who live in the country, with their ancient and unique customs and traditions.
At Pro Niti Travel, we are proud to work with local communities to help share their culture with visitors to Myanmar. One of the best places to learn about this is in Loikaw, in Myanmar’s Kayah State. Here, you can hear the amazing stories that have been handed down from generation to generation, and learn about the unique regional customs, such as placing golden rings around the neck to extend its length.
Kawgun Cave
There are plenty of beautiful places to explore above-ground in Myanmar, but there are also some fascinating ones under the earth, such as Kawgun Cave.
Located about 13 kilometers from Hpa-An, Kawgun Cave is believed to date back from the 7th century. Over the past 1200+ years, devotees have added thousands of statues, paintings, and relics in honor of the Buddha, making it an incredibly significant and beautiful place to visit. In addition, the surrounding natural scenery is also very beautiful.
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda or the Golden Rock
As you can probably see from this list, there are many stunning pagodas in Myanmar – however, the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is one of the most dazzling.
The Pagoda itself is beautiful, but it is the setting of the building that is most impressive. You see, the pagoda is balanced on top of a dramatic, gold-covered boulder. Although it looks precarious, the boulder has stood for many years without so much as a wobble. It is the third most sacred Buddhist site in Myanmar and a definite must-see attraction.
Keng Tung
Much of Myanmar is off the beaten path, however, Keng Tung is a particularly picturesque and unspoiled region, perfect for those who love learning about culture and enjoying the outdoors.
Occupying a large swathe of land in the Shan State, Keng Tung (also known as Chiang Tung, Cheingtung, Kyaing Tong and Kengtong) offers some of the best hiking in Myanmar. There are many excellent routes that range from a few hours to a few days, and take you via some of the most beautiful views and scenery in the country. Along the way, there are also many opportunities to learn about the traditional Hill tribes of Myanmar, and their customs.
Mainmahla Island
Myanmar is home to many unique landscapes and animals, perhaps few more so than those found on Mainmahla Island.
This amazing place gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the traditional fishing practices that have been used for generations, while also taking a walk on the wild side and meeting some unique and fascinating creatures. On the island, you can spot animals including crocodiles, Macaques, and Irrawaddy Dolphins.
Mergui Archipelago
Deep in the south of Myanmar lies the Mergui Archipelago, an amazing natural wonder that is visited by few tourists. Those who do make the journey will be richly rewarded!
As the archipelago has been virtually untouched for centuries, it offers incredible opportunities to swim amongst colourful coral and unique fish species. Throughout the archipelago, there are also numerous islands boasting pristine, sandy beaches and thick tropical foliage. It’s a truly amazing region and certainly one of the most amazing places to visit in all of Myanmar.
Chin State
There’s something truly incredible about discovering a part of the world that is visited by few others – and that’s what is on offer in the beautiful Chin state.
Near the border of India and Bangladesh, the Chin state is one of the most remote and undeveloped parts of Myanmar. With dramatic and beautiful mountains as well as modest and humble villages, it’s an incredible place to explore. It’s a hiker’s and photographer’s paradise, while absolutely everyone can enjoy the walk hospitality and fresh air.
