10 Things to See and Do in Myanmar

Are you planning a trip to Myanmar soon? This enchanting country captivated us from the moment we set foot in it back in 2011, and our subsequent visits only deepened our love for it. If you're still unsure about what awaits you, this post will reveal the top 10 things to see and do in Myanmar.

Beyond the stunning temples and breathtaking landscapes, Myanmar is a country that draws you in. Unfortunately, it is often marred by political instability and unrest, resulting in some areas being off-limits to tourists. Therefore, before embarking on your journey, we strongly recommend checking the current situation through reliable sources like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In this list of must-see attractions in Myanmar, we focus on sites that are accessible to tourists and easy to reach. From colonial cities to serene villages, from mountain treks to otherworldly temples, are you ready to explore one of the most fascinating destinations in the Southeast Asia? You’re in for a treat.

The first hours in a new country are often strange; you must adapt to a new city, a new culture, a new way of life. But arriving in Myanmar is an entirely different experience. It felt less like stepping into a new country and more like landing on another planet.

Women and children with faces painted with a yellow paste we later identified as thanaka. Men wearing knee-length sarongs known as longy. Rickety cars that seemed to have arrived straight from the 1950s (and indeed, they probably did), driving on the left side of the road due to British colonial heritage, but with the steering wheel on the left, a remnant of Asian madness.

Still think Myanmar is an unoriginal destination? Keep reading because the following 10 things to see and do in Myanmar will ignite your desire to visit even more.

Don’t forget to book your IATI travel insurance with a 5% discount here. No matter your destination, avoid troubles and don’t take chances.

1. Bagan: The Land of Temples

Our first visit to Bagan allowed us to climb some of its temples. The most vivid memory is the magical sunrise at 5 AM atop Shwesandaw Paya, completely alone (well, except for a nearby crow). Surrounded by hundreds of temples, with the silhouette of Mount Popa in the background and a golden atmosphere enveloping everything, Bagan is undoubtedly one of the essential places to see in Myanmar. Few destinations are as special as this ancient capital.

→ Here’s a detailed guide to Bagan and all the useful info

2. Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake

If someone had told me after the trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake that I would later consider it a must-do in Myanmar, I would have thought they were crazy. I still remember how exhausting it was and the pounds of mud that clung to me. But it was all worth it. The scenery might not be extraordinary, but the authentic experiences we had made it unforgettable.

From ingesting mysterious powders in a healer's hut to spending a night in a Buddhist monastery, chatting with the famous “Happy Happy” monk, and sleeping in a local village, we learned that muscle soreness fades, but memories last forever.

→ If you want to check out everything that happened on that eventful trek, here’s our Trekking Diary

3. Inle Lake: A Gem of Myanmar

Arriving at Inle Lake after the trek felt like finishing a marathon and sinking into a warm, bubbly bath while munching on chocolates and sipping champagne. Pure paradise! We would have loved it even if it were ugly, but it turned out to be one of the most captivating places we've ever visited.

Life at Inle Lake moves slowly, just like its waters; everything seems stagnant yet is constantly in motion, though you might not perceive it. On our first trip, we spent nearly a week here without even realizing it 😉. Between boat rides, bike rides, sunsets, temples, and markets filled with all sorts of snacks, time flew by.

→ Check out our guide with everything to see and do at Inle Lake

4. Yangon: The Heart of Myanmar

Though it has not been the capital since 2006, Yangon remains the heart and engine of the country. It may take a sensitive eye to appreciate its charm, and it might not be love at first sight. However, Yangon is one of those places that manages to touch the souls of travelers.

If you can look past the traffic jams, peeling walls, tangled electrical wires hanging from every corner, and the red spittle that decorates the streets like a Pollock painting, you might even grow fond of it. Yangon is not only home to some of the most important temples in the country (from the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda to Sule Pagoda), but it also overflows with vibrant personality.

5. Mandalay: A Cultural Hub

Mandalay is one of the most significant tourist hotspots in Myanmar, and just the name evokes a sense of exotic wonder. In reality, it is a chaotic and bustling city (it's the second-largest in the country), but it undeniably offers numerous sites worth visiting.

Among them are the Mahamuni Paya, home to the most revered Buddha statue in the country, the Shwe In Bin Monastery, an ancient teak wood monastery, and Mandalay Hill, where you’ll encounter local artisans and the unique Burmese script while climbing to the top for breathtaking views.

If you haven't yet seen the Burmese script, prepare to be amazed. It is the most unusual and beautiful writing we've ever encountered, filled with loops and curves that make it look more like the script of an alien colony than that of earthly inhabitants.

There are many other things to do in Mandalay, but some of the best require extra time and money as they are a bit far away. We will discuss those in the next section.

→ Here’s our complete guide to Mandalay with all the useful info

6. Surroundings of Mandalay: Inwa, Sagaing, Amarapura, and Mingun

Interestingly, we found the surroundings of Mandalay even more captivating than the city itself 😉. We recommend dedicating at least four days to explore these wonderful enclaves. Here’s a brief overview of each:

• Inwa: Once the most prosperous city in the area and a former capital of Burma. Its fortified citadel is filled with temples and monasteries, such as the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, Yadana Hsemee Pagoda, Bagaya Monastery, and Lay Htat Gyi Temple.
• Sagaing: A hill dotted with monasteries and Buddhist stupas. For the best views, hike up to the Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda.
• Amarapura: Home to U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world (its sunsets are considered among the best in Asia).
• Mingun: This tranquil town along the Irrawaddy River is home to one of the most beautiful pagodas in Myanmar (Hsinbyume Paya) and the world’s largest unfinished pagoda, as well as the second-largest bell ever cast.

→ Check out our post for more details on the best excursions from Mandalay

7. Gokteik Viaduct Train: A Thrilling Experience

Another top thing to do in Myanmar is to ride the train over the Gokteik Viaduct, a towering railway bridge with breathtaking views. If you want to experience the vertigo of crossing it, catch the train from Mandalay or Pyin U Lwin towards Hsipaw.

The journey isn’t short; expect around 15 hours – welcome to Myanmar, my friend – but as always in Asia, the hours fly by: between the landscapes out the window and the happenings inside the carriages, you won’t even notice. Your backside might, though 😉.

Fun Fact: The viaduct stands nearly 700 meters high and was built in 1901 to connect central Burma with the north (during this time, Burma was part of the British Empire).

8. Hpa An: Off the Beaten Path

This destination may not be well-known, but we have no doubt it’s another of the best things to see in Myanmar. Do you trust us? Thanks 😉. But first, you need to answer these questions: Do you enjoy mountain climbing? Exploring caves? Visiting temples? If you answered yes, Hpa An will blow your mind. If not, don’t go; you’ll be cursing us XD.

If you decide to include Hpa An in your travel itinerary, it’s best to start from Yangon and pass through another popular destination in Myanmar: Kyaiktiyo. This place, with its difficult-to-pronounce name, is famous for the Golden Rock: a golden granite boulder perched on a cliff topped by a small pagoda. It’s one of the holiest temples for the Burmese, who cover it with gold leaf during pilgrimages, giving it a unique appearance.

→ Here’s a guide with everything to see and do in Hpa An

9. Ngapali Beach: A Relaxing Escape

Unfortunately, we can’t share personal experiences about Ngapali Beach; when COVID-19 turned the world upside down in March 2020, Rober was just about to board a flight to this beach destination in Myanmar with a friend. In the end (and now we’re grateful), they decided to swap the beach for Bangkok and return home to croquettes and potato omelets.

So you can imagine how eager Rober is to return and finally experience it. What awaits you at Ngapali Beach? Essentially, days of relaxation spent strolling along long sandy beaches dotted with palm trees and taking dips in the Bay of Bengal.

It definitely seems like a fantastic plan to wrap up your journey in Myanmar. Although it could also be the penultimate stop before putting the finishing touch on your adventure… How? We’ll tell you in the following section.

10. Mrauk U: An Original Myanmar Experience

While Bagan represents the most sought-after image for travelers to Myanmar, Mrauk U can be the absolute surprise. Yes, the splendor of Bagan is hard to surpass, but in Mrauk U, you’ll feel like you’ve found a mini Bagan, with hardly any tourists, and that, dear friends, has an invaluable charm.

Located on the western coast of the country, away from the typical tourist circuit, it was once one of the most powerful capitals in this part of the world. During its heyday, numerous Buddhist temples and pagodas were constructed, now forming a beautiful archaeological site.

Map of Must-See Attractions in Myanmar

Myanmar is vast, and the places to visit are scattered throughout the territory. However, planning a route that covers them in 3 to 4 weeks isn’t difficult. To clarify, here’s a map showing the locations of essential places to visit in Myanmar:

These are our recommendations for visiting and making the most of this beloved Asian country. As you know, it is currently not going through the best of times, and we hope everything returns to "normal" soon.

Do you know any more things to see and do in Myanmar? Have you visited the ancient Burma? What did you think? We have yet to meet anyone who has traveled there and didn’t enjoy it… and we can’t say we’re surprised.

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