highlights of myanmar

To help you decide on your itinerary and give you an idea of what is available in Myanmar we have highlighted some of the major places of interest throughout the country. Once you have chosen where you would like to go, and what you would like to see, we can advise on the most appropriate routing and tailor an itinerary to meet your requirements. If you would like further information or would just like to discuss the various options that are available please contact us.

We have also put together a selection of sample itineraries to show you what is possible over varying durations. Again any of these suggestions can be tailored to accommodate your desires and ideas. For further information please click here.

A golden land of glittering temples and charming people.

Yangon

Myanmar’s golden capital city, Yangon (formerly Rangoon) is a city that has barely changed for more than half a century and its colonial buildings still dominate the skyline. Yangon is most famous for the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, a massive golden pagoda that attracts hundreds of pilgrims every day, but has a host of other attractions. Large Buddhas, busy markets, glittering pagodas, ancient temples and a few calm, scenic lakes make Yangon one of the most fascinating capitals in Southeast Asia.

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Bago

Only two hours drive from Yangon, Bago is a former ancient capital. Originally founded in the 6th century the city achieved prominence during the 13th – 16th centuries when it became the centre of the Mon kingdom of Ramanadesa. Remnants of this great age can be found in the town’s museum. Otherwise sightseeing here includes some inspiring temples, lively markets, cheroot making and woodcarving centres.

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Bagan

Founded in 849AD on the dusty banks of the Irrawaddy River, Bagan sprawls across central Myanmar and is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in all of Asia. The plains of Bagan are home to around 2200 temples, stupas and pagodas of varying shapes and sizes. In its heyday, in the 13th century, there were over 4000 temples, stupas and pagodas, many of which were covered in gold giving visitors of the day a not-so subtle clue as to the kingdom’s wealth and power. Today’s visitor can only imagine what it would have been like in the 13th century but enough temples remain to provide an amazing spectacle, even today. One of the highlights of a visit to Myanmar and most memorable for its tranquillity and the sheer scale of it all.

For further information on Bagan, what to see and where to stay please see our section on travel ideas.

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Mount Popa

Towering over its surrounding landscape, Mount Popa is often referred to as Myanmar’s Olympus and is just a short trip from Bagan. A truly amazing spectacle Mount Popa, meaning ‘flower’ in Sanskrit, is an extinct volcano set amid beautiful hills. It is the most significant place in the country for Nat spirit worship and has been so for over 700 years. A climb up Mount Popa, passing local monkeys on the way, is worth it for the great view and to explore the charming temple perched at the top.

For more information on the Nats please click here .

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Mandalay

Myanmar’s second largest city was the Royal capital in the pre-colonial era. It is a city of fascinating monasteries and gem covered temples and has the huge fortifications of the former royal palace at its heart. Mandalay is not an ancient city, founded as it was in 1857, but it is deemed to be the cultural hub of Myanmar and is a centre for silk and cotton weaving, marble carving, bronze and silver crafts and Kalaga tapestries. You can get a great feel for the city and its position in the heart of Myanmar as you watch the sunset from Mandalay Hill. Excursions out of Mandalay include the monastery and pagoda covered hills of Sagaing, the former ancient capitals of Amarapura and Ava, as well as the scenic trip upriver to Mingun, home to the world's largest uncracked bronze bell.

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Pyin-U-Lwin

Myanmar’s best-known colonial hill station is situated on a plateau in the Shan Hills over 1000m above sea level. Founded by the British, and around an hour’s drive north from Mandalay, the hill station was used in colonial times as a retreat from the extreme heat of the Burmese summer. Today’s visitors can also enjoy the fresh air of the Shan Hills as well as the magnificent botanical gardens and colonial architecture.

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Sittwe & Mrauk-U

Sittwe is the provincial capital of Rakhine, Myanmar's most westerly state, and is a Muslim city in a largely Buddhist country. The town has two museums of interest and has a huge local fish market that is intriguing. The main attraction however is the excursion upriver, travelling through wonderful surroundings, to reach the ancient former capital of Mrauk-U. Mrauk-U was the capital of one of Burma’s most important kingdom’s and as such is a significant archaeological site. There are around 70 ruined temples and stupas here that were built in the 15th & 16th centuries in a range of different shapes and designs. If you are keen on archaeology you will definitely want to visit Mrauk-U!

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Kalaw

In the scenic Shan state, Kalaw sits high (1320m) on the western edge of the Shan Plateau. Its elevated position made it a great place to escape the summer heat and so, during colonial times, it became a British hill station. Some colonial architecture still remains but the town now serves as a base for trekkers to start their adventures. The region is good for discovering shy hill tribes and nearby is Pindaya which is famous for the caves which house around 8000 Buddha statues.

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Inle Lake

Inle Lake is one of the most charming places in Myanmar and offers visitors a colourful combination of magnificent scenery and fascinating cultural life. The lake itself is perhaps best known for the unique leg rowers who use incredible skill and dexterity to steer their boats around the lake, many catching fish as they go. Elsewhere there are stunning floating gardens, villages built on stilts over the lake itself and even a lakeside monastery. This is no ordinary place and a visit here is highly recommended.

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Kengtung

A magnificently picturesque town located in the Shan State, Kengtung sits in the centre of the Golden Triangle. Due to its location it serves as the main departure point for one day trips into the mountains to explore the ethnic minority villages of the Akha, Lahu, Wa & Shan tribes. Some of the most remote mountain areas exist here and the more adventurous traveller can reach Tachileik, on the border with Thailand or Monglar which is on the Chinese border.

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Kyaiktiyo

Located southeast of Yangon, Kyaiktiyo or ‘Golden Rock’ Pagoda is one of the most famous and treasured landmarks of Myanmar: an enormous gold leaf covered rock which is poised precariously at the edge of a steep cliff. Legend has it that a hair of the Buddha is enshrined in the pagoda that sits on top of the rock. The rock is approached by either by a 6 mile hike uphill, for the fit and able, or by an interesting drive up a steep road followed by a 45- 60 minute walk to the ultimate destination. Sedan chairs are available to rent for those who can’t face walking the final section.

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Ngapali Beach

Ngapali Beach, northwest of Yangon in the Bay of Bengal, is Myanmar’s most prestigious seaside resort and is reached by a short flight from Yangon, Bagan or Heho. A delightful, undiscovered, paradise far from the tourist crowds where white sand, blue sea and swaying palm trees are the order of the day. A stay in Ngapali is definitely a relaxing affair and there are a few decent hotels in the resort at which to unwind.

Visitors seeking activities can choose to hire a boat to explore offshore islands, rent bicycles for a trip to the fishing villages or visit the colourful local market in Thandwe. There are a number of local restaurants within walking distance of the hotels where local dishes in particular fish and sea food are served.

For more information on where to stay please see our section on beach life.

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Ngwe Saung Beach

The relatively new resort of Ngwe Saung is located approximately 170 miles to the west of Yangon and 22 miles northwest of Pathein and can be reached by a 4 to 5 hour car journey from Yangon passing through the rural Irrawaddy Delta. Alternatively take the 20 minute flight from Yangon to Pathein, from where the hotel’s shuttle bus will transfer you to Ngwe Saung Beach.

The unspoilt stretch of white powdery sand at Ngwe Saung Beach offers beach activities such as swimming, windsurfing & snorkelling and is the ideal retreat for guests seeking a peace and quiet after a hectic tour. Besides beach activities guests can visit small fishing villages and local markets, explore the countryside by bicycle or enjoy a boat trip to one of the offshore islands. Outside the hotels activities are limited and so is the choice of restaurants.

There are a couple of decent hotels in the resort and for more information on where to stay please see our section on beach life.

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Mergui Archipelago

Mergui Archipelago is comprised of over eight hundred islands and covers an area of ten thousand square miles. These pristine islands had, until January 1997, been closed to all foreigners for well over fifty years. This area is totally untouched by modern development and has a rich history of maritime trade, mysticism and piracy. The modern day Mergui Archipelago is almost exactly as it was in days gone by, bar the piracy! Due to the archipelago’s virtual isolation, the islands and surrounding seas are alive with an amazing diversity of wildlife, flora and fauna.

We offer an exciting trip to archipelago and for further information on this please see our section on beach life.

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