A Guide to Myanmar Travels: Old Bagan Hot Air Ballooning and More

With awe-inspiring architecture, food with depth and flavour, a rich and colourful culture, and humbly hospitable people; Myanmar is a welcome surprise for all who are curious enough to cross its path. 

A country whose positives have long been outweighed by its heavy political undertone; surprisingly, Myanmar sits on the tip of traveller’s tongues. Once you start to open this treasure chest, it’s easy to see why. 

The “Big Four” is a phrase that you will often hear here on your Myanmar travels, it refers to Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake and Mandalay that were first accessible in 1992. Each of Myanmar’s Big Four has its curiosities. From the dusty plains of Old Bagan’s thousands of ancient ruined temples to the shimmer of Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda and Inle’s acrobatic fishermen, there is a seductive charm to Myanmar. 

Catapulted to fame by the late-Anthony Bourdain, Burmese food (to clarify, Myanmar the country; Burmese everything else) sits at the core of your Myanmar experience. A combination of Indian, Chinese and Thai cuisine, Burmese food is subtle, flavoursome and a great way to tap into the country’s culture. 

Away from the bucket list destinations, other than the odd temple complex, and the world’s largest bell in Mingun, sadly we are not allowed to delve further into Myanmar due to civil war or maybe even landmines. However, the ever-changing landscapes and misty haze that sits on them will allow your mind to wonder. 

Read on to explore the wonders of Myanmar’s attractions; 

When to Go to Myanmar

Myanmar’s geographical positioning grants it’s tropical climate. Monsoon season in Myanmar is from May to October, when heavy rains can cause flooding and make some roads almost impassable. Although, the southwest is a little wetter than the central plains, where most of Myanmar’s things to do are.

While October is rain-filled, November to February is the best time to visit Myanmar, with favourable temperatures for all-day outdoor adventures in this beautiful country. 

Should you wish to visit Myanmar from March to May, you will be met with unbearable temperatures that can reach above 40 degrees celsius. If you wish to leave your air-conditioned room, travelling at this time is not advised!

Best Places to Visit in Myanmar

Yangon

As one of the fastest-growing cities in Southeast Asia, the things to do in Yangon change daily. 

As the city develops, Yangon is becoming a city of contrasts; where French colonial buildings crumble next to the shiny shopping malls that still have that lingering smell of newness. To make the most of this city, taking a moment for a cup of Burmese tea and watching the world pass you by before making the obligatory stop at the local market is an essential part of any tour of Yangon, Myanmar. 

While the city’s dazzling temples are the main draw that pulls travellers to Yangon, within minutes of arriving, you’ll almost forget what you came for as you get swept up in the pace of the city. Yangon has a quiet charm to it. It follows a rhythm that you’ll want to follow, leading you to key Myanmar attractions like the refreshing Kandawgyi Park, churches, mosques and pagodas that are right next to each other. 

Shwedagon Pagoda and Sule Pagoda

The two pillars of Yangon, the Shwedagon and Sule Pagodas are among the very best places to visit in Myanmar. 

Also known as the Golden Pagoda, the dazzling Shwedagon Pagoda sits 99 metres in height, completely plated with gold. To add to the sparkle, the stupa is topped by a spire encrusted with diamonds. As one of the most revered pagodas in Myanmar, Shwedagon Pagoda can be seen from just about every corner of the city. 

Sule Pagoda sits at the heart of Yangon’s attractions. Having been used as a central marker for the British to expand the city, getting to the pagoda is like walking through a time machine as you walk past British colonial buildings that lead you directly to its ancient spire. Sule Pagoda is thought to have been built when Buddha was here; estimated to be 2,600 years old. 

Old Bagan

Built between the 9th and 13th centuries, Pagan (now Bagan) was a thriving kingdom and epicentre of Burma (now Myanmar) where there were thought to have been around 10,000 temples built. Due to Myanmar’s wartorn past, just 2,200 temples remain in a complex that was once one of the world’s largest. 

The vast dusty plains tell tales of Pagan’s heyday when even the nobles and middle classes had temples built for them. Come sunset, the complex is particularly mesmerising; hot air balloon rides are among the top things to do in Bagan and the main draw for many visiting the country. If you can’t quite fit that into your budget, not to worry; seeing the balloons rise from one of the viewpoints is equally impressive. 

An Old Bagan ‘city tour’ is typically done by horse and cart or by private car, where you’ll hop between the most important temples that remain to learn about the kings and queens of the Pagan Kingdom. Several viewpoints are located across the Bagan plains which are a great and needed substitute for climbing Bagan’s temples which was banned in 2018. A Myanmar private tour will also take you outside of Old Bagan where you’ll visit the surrounding villages and Nyaung U, the closest town to learn a little about modern-day life in the area.

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda

Watching over Myanmar’s verdant landscape, Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is a pilgrimage site that turns heads. Often simply referred to as Golden Rock, the pagoda is fronted by a golden spire that sits on an oddly-shaped golden rock on the edge of the summit of Kyaiktiyo Mountain. 

While the shrine itself is small, the legends surrounding the Golden Rock make it the second most important pilgrimage site in Myanmar. Said to be balanced by a single strand of Buddha’s hair, the Golden Rock was a gift to a Buddhist hermit from the king, who insisted it was the shape of his head. 

Far from any of Myanmar’s attractions, Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is an ideal day trip from Yangon where you can stay on the mountain next to the pagoda. Waking up early to catch the sunrise is a must!

Mandalay Palace

Sitting in the centre of the former capital, Mandalay Palace’s history echoes across the country, making it top of the list of things to do in Mandalay. 

As the last stronghold of the Burmese monarchy, interestingly, the palace was effectively handed to the British, who used it as an army base during colonial rule. When the Brits invaded the city, rumour has it, the king dropped to his knees and begged while the queen made for the barge that was waiting to take her away from the invasion. Only the library was destroyed at this time. 

In World War II, the Japanese took ownership of the palace. All but the watchtower and the royal mint were destroyed as the allies attacked the Japanese. The palace was rebuilt and reinforced with metal in the 1990s. Although not as authentic as the original, it should still be on your list of places to see in Mandalay like in this 9-day best of Myanmar trip. The architecture still accurately reflects the traditional Burmese style, with the tiered roofs reflecting the rooms’ importance below. 

U-Bein Bridge

Made from the remains of the royal palace of Inwa, the U-Bein Bridge takes you over Taungthaman Lake in Mandalay. It’s the longest wooden bridge in the world, constructed from over a thousand teakwood pillars and was completed in 1851. 

Not for the faint-hearted, this rickety bridge holds its own and is particularly spectacular at sunset when Mandalay’s skies burst into flaming oranges and reds. An evening stroll to remember on any tour in Myanmar. 

Inle Lake and the Intha Fishermen

Inle Lake is the charismatic heart of the country, nestled in the Shan state of Myanmar. With a light haze sitting on the lake’s surface creating a captivating atmosphere of calm, Inle Lake is home to floating villages and gardens that rely on the lake as a source of life and vitality. 

The majority of your time here will be spent hopping between boats as you get to know the Shan way of life on the water. You’ll discover the many different workshops that sit on the edge of the lake and even a temple where cats jump through hoops. However, the image of Inle Lake that sticks most is the Intha fishermen. Perching precariously on one foot while wrapping the other around the oar, the Intha fishermen have perfected the art of balancing to free up their hands to cast their nets. 

Of all Myanmar’s places to visit, Inle Lake will captivate you with its charm as you’ll see in this 11-day less-travelled roads of Myanmar trip. 

Mount Popa

Creating a glimmering top to a rugged volcanic outcrop just a short distance from Bagan, Mount Popa is your reward for climbing 777 steps to the top, as you’ll experience in this 3-day ancient Bagan and Mount Popa trip. 

Founded by a Buddhist hermit in the early 1900s, Mount Popa sits at a lofty position, 2,500 metres above sea level, ideal for attracting Nat spirits to which this is known as the epicentre. Nat spirits are created from human lives reaching tragic ends in Burmese Buddhism. There are 37 Nat spirits enshrined at Mount Popa and more across the country. The most famous is a shrine covered in whisky bottles as the Nat spirit was created from a life of debauchery and alcoholism.

Another of Myanmar’s major pilgrimage sites, Mount Popa welcomes thousands of worshippers, particularly around the full moon. Among the monastery residents are some 2,000 macaques, who are always hungry and keen to greet visitors. It’s important not to feed or show any sign of possessing food to keep them at bay!

How to Get Around Myanmar

Plane

Domestic air travel in Myanmar is reasonably priced, so it would be rude not to take advantage of it! With long rickety roads interrupting smooth transitions between destinations, and some only accessible by plane, you’ll find that this is the most convenient way to get around Myanmar. 

Private Driver

If you are looking for a more intimate Myanmar travel experience, hiring a private driver will have you ticking off your bucket list locations in no time. 

The traffic in Myanmar, by Asian standards, is dream-like. However, what Myanmar lacks in traffic, it makes up for in potholes – hold on tight! 

Myanmar private tours are fully-customisable when you organise with our Local Designers, who are at hand to make your Myanmar travels smooth and stress-free.

Bus and Boat

For those on a budget, top locations like Bagan, Yangon and Inle Lake are connected by frequent bus services. A seasoned Southeast Asia traveller will not be surprised to discover that the long-haul bus stations are far from the city centre. You’ll be able to get a trishaw or a tuk-tuk to your chosen accommodation.

Top Tip: if you are travelling to a smaller destination, check where the bus station is before paying for the tuk-tuk, you might be surprised to find your hotel is close by.

With the Ayeyarwaddy River running through Myanmar, a typical local means of getting around the country is by boat. Connecting you to small villages, ancient sites and countless temples, no trip to Myanmar is complete without heading downstream to snatch a glimpse of the country’s plethora of fascinating sights. 

While local boats between cities are slow and unentertaining, it is possible to join a cruiser that will take you from Mandalay to Bagan in three days that is packed to the brim with activities. 

Horse and Cart

Exploring what was once one of the largest temple complexes in the world in the dry heat of Myanmar sounds arduous, particularly if you choose to do it by bicycle.

To take the hassle and heat out of exploring Old Bagan, you can hire a horse and cart to take you around. This is the most elegant and popular way of exploring the temples, and a fun alternative to a tour!

Where to Stay in Myanmar

Yangon

As Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon has accommodation to match all manner of traveller needs. While the city is large, first-time and return visitors rarely look past Downtown Yangon. Compact and filled to the brim with a variety of accommodation close to Yangon’s attractions, in the downtown area you’ll find everything is easy to reach on foot. 

For those looking for a little more of a local feel, the northern part of the city has all that you could need with a quieter atmosphere. However, perhaps the best part about staying here is the better value for money accommodation. 

Old Bagan

On the outskirts of the impressive architectural complex, there are three different areas that you can choose from when visiting Bagan. Bear in mind; most come to Myanmar just to visit Bagan! 

Bagan is divided into Old Bagan and New Bagan. In Old Bagan, you’ll find all of your up-market chain hotels and unique high-class boutique resorts looking onto the river. This area is quiet, within reaching distance to some of Bagan’s temples, and has a great restaurant selection.

If you are looking for more local life, New Bagan will be your best bet. In 1990, all of Bagan’s residents were relocated here to make room for the hotels. What the area lacks in history it makes up for in local life, a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants and bars. For those looking for something a little more authentic, Nyaung-U is Bagan’s closest town and where you’ll find the nearest airport. The town is lively and is more reserved for budget travellers as it is far from the temple complex. 

Inle Lake

As another of Myanmar’s must-dos, Inle Lake has two options for accommodation; the lakeside or Nyaungshwe, the town that is closest to the lake. 

Similar to Bagan, Nyaungshwe seems to have appeared from the dust of tourists’ feet, where you’ll find budget-friendly hostels back-to-back with restaurants serving pizza and western sandwiches on its main streets. However, there are some cosy, boutique Burmese hotels and resorts to be found. 

If you won’t settle for anything other than staying on Inle Lake, you have to be prepared for the price tag that comes with it. The banks of Inle Lake have been reserved for high-end hotels only in an effort to maintain its natural beauty. Waking up to the haze sitting on the lake’s waters as fishermen do their acrobatic fishing, you’ll quickly realise it is worth the money. 

Mandalay

As Myanmar’s second-largest city, notorious for its traffic chaos, the best area to stay in in Mandalay is the city centre. Although, the city centre is busy, being close to all that Mandalay has to offer will ensure that you make the most of your time in the ancient capital. 

For more luxurious options, you’ll find many hotels within proximity to restaurants on the outskirts of the centre. Mandalay is in a clearly defined urbanised grid structure, making it very easy to navigate.

Food & Drink in Myanmar

A fusion of its global positioning, Burmese food is a cocktail of ingredients that create an impressive variety of flavour, spice, fragrance and texture. Here’s the most famous that you cannot leave without trying;

Laphet Thoke

An iconic dish of Myanmar, laphet thoke is a fermented tea leaf salad that you would be inclined to turn your nose up at; however, the flavour combinations that this dish brings to the table is worth picking a fork up for!

Fermented green tea leaves are tossed with garlic, fried yellow peas, fish sauce, dried shrimp and chilli to create a mix of Asian flavours with a distinctly Burmese twist. Depending on where you are in the country, different salad leaves will be tossed in to bring it all together. 

Mohinga

The first stop on any food tour in Yangon, Mohinga is Burmese champions’ breakfast; a soup that is so popular, it’s considered the unofficial national dish in the country. 

Lemongrass acts as the backbone for this fragrant, light fish-based broth which brings everything together. Starting with your staple of rice noodles, then adding a healthy (and still boney) piece of tilapia or snakehead fish, Mohinga is typically topped with a variety of deep-fried vegetables or a boiled egg for texture. As an old favourite, each part of Myanmar has its take on a classic noodle soup. 

Shan Noodles

As the name suggests, Shan noodles come from the Shan state, where you will find the famous Inle Lake. This dish’s popularity has resulted in the recipe spreading across the country and beyond; however, you’ll always find the best version in its home state. 

Served as either a soup or a warm noodle salad, Shan noodles are typically served with chicken, marinated and cooked in tomato sauce, with a heavy helping of sprouts, greens and peanuts. The simplicity of this dish is a classic approach to Southeast Asian cooking that lets each element sing. 

Milk Tea

A newer addition to Myanmar’s must-tries, the younger generation of Burmese people have found a new form of water, and it’s milk tea. An obsession that has spread across Asia like wildfire, each country has its version of milk tea, and it is a must while travelling!

With a base of tea and condensed milk, the sweetness of milk tea is balanced out by the questionably savoury additions that you can make. Among the popular selections are red beans, corn, and many different colours of jelly that you may never know the flavour of! Finished off with ice and sealed shut, milk tea is surprisingly refreshing. 

Curries

Burmese curry is a daringly simple tasting experience. A lot of garlic and a little ginger lightens what is otherwise a rich curry base that draws clear influence from Bangladesh and India.

Spice-laden countries surround Myanmar, so you’ll be surprised to discover that chilli takes a backseat for Burmese curry. Instead, the star of the show is your choice of fish, meat or seafood that absorbs all of the delicious flavours, sealed in by its steamy cooking process – yum!

Bread lovers will be very happy to know that along with curry, Burmese people have their own take on Indian-style bread too, so you can mop up that flavour with naan bread!

Festival across Myanmar

Thingyan Water Festival

Celebrating Burmese New Year, Thingyan Water Festival is similar to Thailand’s Songkran and is also in April. Over four days, a giant water fight takes place in the form of a cleansing ritual. New Year’s Day itself is a form of good deed day, whether that is sharing food or praying, the day is set aside for togetherness and worship. 

The festival is celebrated across the country, however, Mandalay historically has the biggest celebrations.

Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Festival

Known as the Festival of Lights, Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Festival is the Shan States major festival that usually takes place in November. A mass fighting of evil spirits takes place in a spectacular rising of hot air balloons that are painted elaborately with deities and Buddhist images. 

This is a great time to visit Myanmar as locals are merry with lots of food, beer and music. 

Taungbyone Nat Festival

A festival strictly reserved for the Nat believers of Myanmar who gather at the Nat centre of activity, Mount Popa to dance with the shamans, Nat Gadaw’s who channel the spirits of the Nats.

Normally taking place around July or August, Taungbyone Nat Festival is a celebration of Nats through offerings of fried chicken, beer and money as the Nat Gadaws change costumes according to the Nat spirits they are embodying.

Things to Know Before Your Tour of Myanmar

Visa: You’ll need to get your visa before you arrive in Myanmar, you can get this from the Myanmar embassy in your capital or closest major city. Please note that if you are travelling from another Southeast Asian city, this will be considerably easier. 

Money: The currency of Myanmar is the Burmese kyat. At the time of writing, January 2021, 1 USD is equal to 1,318 kyats.

Exchange: You will only be able to exchange Burmese kyat in the country. Only visit official exchange shops to change your money and make sure that you bring clean and crisp American dollars in large denominations to exchange with. Small denominations will be overcharged and dirty, old money will be rejected. 

Ethics: As you may be aware, the systematic oppression of the Rohinya people has startled the world, while travelling continues, it’s important that while travelling, money goes to locals instead of powers that fuel this machine.

Politics: It’s illegal to talk politics in Myanmar, be mindful when speaking to locals.

Travel: Travel in Myanmar is getting popular, however, infrastructure is lacking, make sure you have accommodation already by booking with our Local Designers before you go.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi was only introduced to Myanmar in 2000, and Google was banned until 2012. If you prioritise connectivity, consider this a holiday off the grid – the speed of the internet will shock you!

Curious about Myanmar travel?

History buffs, foodies, adventurers – we can tell you are on tenterhooks. 

For the ultimate experience, fully-customisable Myanmar private tours take the hassle out of the planning phase of your next trip. From domestic flight bookings to getting the best hotel in the bag, our Local Designers in Myanmar bring you one step closer to the Southeast Asian experience of your dreams. 

At Designer Journeys, we tailor trips to meet your travel style. Whether you want to do the ultimate food tour in Yangon or are looking to see the country a little differently by going off the beaten path, you will rest easy in the knowledge that your holidays in Myanmar will be exactly as you envisioned. 

Better yet, if you don’t immediately see a trip that meets your needs, select ’design your own trip’ and fill out our simple form that gets the ball rolling a little bit closer to the trip of your dreams!