48 things to do in Myanmar

Myanmar has been on everyone’s holiday radar ever since the country eased restrictions towards foreign visitors. Now is definitely the time to see it, being in that sweet stage where it is becoming more and more accessible to tourists, yet still feels pretty of the beaten track.

Read on for 48 things to do in Myanmar and when you’re ready to search for flights, head over to Cheapflights.co.nz to launch your flight search.

1. Ride a hot air balloon over Bagan

Get a bird’s eye view of the thousands of ancient stupas and temples that dot Bagan by taking a hot-air balloon ride over the city. There are many tried-and-tested companies such as Balloons Over Bagan and Oriental Ballooning that offer rides during sunrise — the best time to fly for those Instagram-worthy views.

2. Go to Bagan Book House

If you love books, this is a must-visit. The Yangon bookshop houses an extensive collection of books in English about Myanmar, dating back to the 19th century.

3. Explore the country’s new capital, Naypyidaw

Naypyidaw has been the official capital of Myanmar since 2005. It houses the country’s Parliament building, the Uppatasanti Pagoda, a zoological garden and an herbal park.

4. And, of course, the previous capital — Yangon

Yangon may be the country’s former capital, but it remains the country’s largest city. It’s home to numerous lakes, temples and pagodas, including the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda.

5. Take a photo of the Shwedagon Pagoda

Speaking of the Shwedagon Pagoda, no trip to Myanmar is complete with taking a photo next to this 645-year-old golden structure.

6. Hop on the circular train

The 39-station loop takes three hours, and it’s the cheapest and best way to see the city of Yangon.

7. Pay your respects at the Taukkyan War Cemetery

The cemetery is a beautiful memorial for allied soldiers who fought in Burma during World War II.

8. Take a walk in the Kandawgyi Park

If you want to take some time out from the hustle and bustle of the big city, head to Kandawgyi Park for a walk amidst trees and a peaceful lake.

9. Buy souvenirs at the Bogyoke Aung San Market

Located on Bo Gyoke Road in downtown Yangon, this market is popular among tourists as the place to buy affordable trinkets, paintings, clothing, antiques, handicrafts and other souvenirs to bring back home.

10. Hang out at 19th Street in Chinatown

Aside from being a street known for its lines of street food stalls offering everything from fruit, barbeque dishes, desserts, fried rice and even local delicacies like fried crickets, 19th Street is also known for its uber-cheap beer and cocktails.

11. Visit the Myanmar Gems Museum

Learn about gems and how they are mined in Myanmar. Aside from getting educated about crystals, you can also find pieces for sale at a good price.

12. Have tea at Acacia Tea Salon

Looking for a quiet setting to unwind with some tea and light meal in Yangon after a long day of exploring? This is the place is for you.

13. Sunset cruise on Rangoon River

One of the best ways to end your day in Yangon is to go on a Rangoon River cruise. Make sure to go during sunset, because the views are just spectacular.

14. Hike Mandalay Hill…

It’s one of the things you simply have to do in Mandalay. It takes an hour and a half to climb up.

15. … and enjoy the view!

Don’t hurry to walk back down. Once on top, sit back and soak in the views of the city. Also, take lots of photos. It takes about the same amount of time going down as it did hiking up, but the views from the top of the hill make it all worth it.

16. Watch a puppet show at the Mandalay Marionettes Theater

An hour-long show starring puppets performing traditional song and dance numbers. It’s an amazing look into Myanmar’s world of puppetry, which dates back to the 11th century.

17. Cross the U Bein Bridge

At 1.2 kilometres, the U Bein Bridge is the longest teak bridge in the world. It’s made from the wood gathered from the royal palace in Inle. Go during sunset for the best views.

18. Explore the Mandalay Palace

While much of the palace did not survive World War II, the site is impressive nonetheless. Whether you’re an architecture fan or just curious about the history of Myanmar, Mandalay Palace is sure to impress.

19. Be awestruck by the murals of Kyauktawgyi Temple

Look out for the beautiful murals located on the south and east side of the structure.

20. Marvel at the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda

Another pilgrimage site you can visit is the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, located 160 kilometres from Yangon. This site is known for its iconic 25-foot, gold leaf covered boulder balancing atop a cliff.

21. Take a Pindaya Cave pilgrimage

The Pindaya Cave is a famous pilgrimage for many Buddhists. A two-hour drive from Inle Lake, the intriguing cave is filled with thousands and thousands of Buddha images, some dating back to the 18th century.

22. Splurge at Green Elephant

The Green Elephant restaurant in Mandalay is considered to be one of the best restaurants in the country. Don’t forget to try their famous pork and mango curry.

23. Eat healthy

After indulging at Green Elephant, have your next meal at the vegetarian restaurant Marie-Min or the organic bakery SIMPLICITY.

24. Try the local dish, Mohinga…

While we’re on the topic of dining, try the local dish mohinga (rice noodle and fish soup), which is usually a breakfast food.

25. …or something out of the ordinary

For the more adventurous, may we also suggest the chicken feet salad? You’ll find it throughout Myanmar, but especially in Chinatown.

26. Discover how “gold leaf” is made

Attaching gold leaf to Buddhist structures is something unique to Burmese culture. If you want to know how it’s done, head over to King Galon Gold Leaf Workshop in Mandalay for some education.

27. Wear a longyi

It’s the traditional fabric worn as a skirt by both men and women in Myanmar. If you want your own, there are a lot of shops selling fabrics in the local markets.

28. See the world’s largest reclining Buddha

The Giant Buddha of Mudon, or Win Sein Taw Ya, is 71 metres tall.

29. Come face to face with the “world’s largest book”

Inside the Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay is the world’s largest book. But it’s not your typical paperback. This book, which contains 1,460 pages, is set in stone. It was originally written in gold but later restored using black paint.

30. Enjoy the beach

Aside from pagodas and ancient temples, Myanmar is also known for beautiful beaches like Thandwe, Ngwe Saung, Chaungta and Ngapali.

31. Snorkel at Ngapali beach or Ngwe Saung beach

If you’re into snorkelling, these two beaches are your best options.

32. Drop by Aung San Suu Kyi’s house

For those who are interested in the country’s recent history, the Burmese politician’s house is located on University Avenue Road in Yangon. (Note: This is not really a tourist spot where one can stop and enter to have a look around, but it is still an interesting spot to see from afar).

33. Paint your face with Thanaka

Thanaka is a pale yellow cosmetic paint worn by women (and some men) in Myanmar. Made from ground bark, it said to help moisturise and protect skin from harmful UV rays. Give it a try.

34. Try the local beer

If you like beer, Myanmar Beer is pretty tasty.

35. Or go wine tasting at a local vineyard

Myanmar has a thriving wine industry. Head to the Shan State and discover its wonderful vineyards, most of which offer wine tastings.

36. Don’t miss Myanmar’s waterfalls

Myanmar is home to many different waterfalls, one of the most beautiful of which is Anisakan Falls.

37. Learn the local etiquette

In Myanmar, it’s impolite to eat with your left hand or to point your toes toward an image of Buddha. It’s always a good idea to learn local etiquette in every country you visit, and what better opportunity than while immersing yourself in the local culture?

38. Learn the local language

Aside from knowing the local etiquette, knowledge of some common local phrases can also come in handy, especially in more rural locations.

39. Unplug

Wi-Fi connections are still not reliable throughout Myanmar. Take this opportunity to unplug from technology.

40. Attend the Taunggyi Fire Balloon Festival

Held every November, the Taunggyi Fire Balloon Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Myanmar. It celebrates the end of the rainy season by releasing beautiful hot-air balloons into the sky. There’s also a fireworks display.

41. Stop over Maha Gandaryon Monastery

Just outside Mandalay is Maha Gandaryon Monastery, where you can see how monks live. It’s important to remember local customs and to always be respectful when visiting the monastery.

42. Volunteer to teach English

If you’re looking to spend an extended amount of time in the area, there are a lot of organisations looking for volunteer English teachers, which is a good way to discover Myanmar and help people in the rural areas who don’t have as much access to education.

43. Inle Heart View Restaurant

If you’re visiting Inle Lake, don’t miss the chance to try the local fare at Inle Heart View. Aside from the amazing food and good service, you’ll also be treated to an amazing view.

44. Boat around Inle Lake

Explore Inle Lake by boat and you’ll see local fishermen at work,  with their distinctive way of rowing their boat with just one leg.

45. Book a homestay

Instead of booking a hotel room, why not opt for a homestay instead? It’s a great way to get a feel for the local culture. Check websites like Airbnb for listings in your destination.

46. Learn how to cook Burmese cuisine

Impress friends back home with authentic Burmese cuisine. There are many classes on offer in cities like Yangon and Mandalay.

47. Bring back some tamarind flakes…

Tamarind flakes are a favourite amongst visitors looking for Burmese snacks to bring back home.

48. …or lotus silk

However, if you want to bring back something that will last, fabrics in lotus silk are also a popular souvenir.

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