Top 20 attractions in Myanmar

Myanmar is a state in Southeast Asia, located in the west of the Indochina peninsula. Formerly called Burma. It can offer tourists the unique nature of the subtropics, a scattering of Buddhist temples and excellent beaches.

Tourism in Myanmar has been developing not so long ago and every year there are more and more interesting places to visit. Beach holidays are also not very developed, there are not so many hotels, so it is possible to relax by the sea almost alone.

The climate is always hot in these places, the swimming season is year-round, but it is better to avoid the rainy months that last from April to October. The main holiday in the country is the Water Festival, which marks the beginning of the long-awaited rains with wild fun of the locals. Fishing is developed in the country, seafood is fresh and very cheap. The average cost of a portion of lobsters, oysters or octopus is less than a dollar. Fresh fruits and vegetables are sold everywhere, regardless of the season.

What to see in Myanmar?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

Yangon city

One of the largest cities in the country, the former capital. Cultural, industrial and transport center. The city has preserved a large number of buildings of the colonial period. The main attraction of the city is the Shwedagon Stupa.

shwedagon pagoda

Huge (almost 100 meters) pagoda, covered with golden paint. The most revered, "main", pagoda of Burma. Contains 4 major relics of the Buddhas. Richly decorated, an object of high religious and artistic value.

Temples in Bagan (Pagan)

Popular with tourists, the city of Myanmar is home to 4,000 ancient temples and pagodas. The buildings are located in a valley with traditional Burmese natural relief, the combination of nature with many temples creates a unique landscape. Each temple has its own religious and artistic value. There are lookouts in the valley.

Thatbyinnyu Temple

The most impressive and tallest temple in Bagan. The height of its walls is 60 meters, and the length of each is 58 meters. Built in 1150. The architecture of the temple is Indian, with artistic brickwork. The building is large in area; earlier it housed a whole monastery complex. The last earthquake (1979) caused some destruction of the building and now tourists are not allowed on the upper terraces.

Chaittiyo Pagoda (Golden Stone)

Pagoda in Mon State. Mounted on a huge boulder, located on a ledge of rock. The pagoda and the stone are covered with gold. They are a place of pilgrimage and a tourist attraction. The monument must be reached on foot about 3 km from the bus stop.

Chautaji Pagoda (Reclining Buddha)

Located in Yangon. It houses a very ancient and large statue of the reclining Buddha. The age of the monument is approximately 1000 years. For a long time, the Buddha was hidden by the jungle and discovered by chance, during the laying of the railway.

Sule Pagoda

A unique building in the center of Rangoon. Approximate age is over 2000 years. It has religious and historical value. It's not very big, it's a bit crowded inside. Beautifully illuminated at night.

Royal Mandalay Palace

A large palace complex, almost completely restored by restorers. From the original construction of the 19th century, only minor details of the wall and the moat remained. It was the residence of the kings of Burma. Now a historical museum has been created in the palace. Tourists can enter the palace only through the eastern gate.

The ancient city of Mrauk-U (Mrauk U)

An archaeological site lost in the jungle. A well-preserved complex of ancient buildings. The area around is hilly and tourists use this feature to watch and photograph spectacular sunrises and sunsets over the ancient city.

Mingun Paya Stupa

A grandiose construction that was started in the city of Mingun by a local ruler and was not completed. Various assumptions are made about the reasons for the abandoned stupa, but all of them are controversial. The beginning of construction is determined in 1790. It continued for several decades, but the work was stopped. The builders managed to carry out only a third of their plans.

Damayangji Buddhist Temple

The majestic temple of Bagan, the largest in the valley. A monumental building, not completed to the end, but, nevertheless, representing a unique value. Construction dates back to 1167. You can’t go inside the temple, the entrances to it are walled up. It is possible to go up to the balconies and use them as a convenient viewing platform, the view of Bagan is one of the most spectacular.

Taung Kalat Monastery (Mount Popa)

Buddhist monastery on a lonely mountain rising in the middle of a valley. The mountain is an extinct volcano. The buildings are located on top of the plateau, and almost float in the air. Around the monastery there is a lot of greenery, clean springs. The ascent to the mountain is carried out along a rather steep long stone staircase carved into the rock. It is considered one of the most beautiful temple buildings in the world.

Mingun bell

A huge bicentennial bell, the second largest in the world. Cast according to ancient technology from five types of metals. It was made for the largest planned Buddhist temple, which was not built. The bell rings, anyone can hit it with a mallet.

Pindaya caves

Place of Buddhist pilgrimage. The caves are located in the mountains, covered stairs lead to them. There are about 8,000 Buddha statues in the caves. They are carefully arranged and decorated. In the depths of the caves there are grottoes, underground lakes and caves.

Irrawaddy river

Myanmar's main waterway. Crosses the whole country, divides its territory into two conditional halves from north to south. The river is navigable, you can make a long journey along it. The river bed is diverse, some areas are difficult to pass and not suitable for travel. There are many temples along the banks of the "calm" areas. Many fish live in the waters and a special kind of dolphins - Irrawaddy.

inle lake

A unique freshwater lake with a rich fauna, a bird sanctuary. Along the banks, in houses on stilts, the Intha people live. Their original way of life, agriculture "on the water", on floating gardens is the most popular tourist attraction in Myanmar.

Ubein Wooden Bridge

The oldest and longest wooden bridge in the world. Built across Lake Tauntome. Made from teak, a very durable local wood left over from the construction of the royal palace. The bridge is about 200 years old, some of the piles (1086 in total) have to be gradually replaced. It has places to relax, the opportunity to observe the landscapes and the daily life of the Burmese.

Tattooed women of the Chin tribe

A tribe living on the outskirts of Burma has long tattooed the faces of women. Now it is forbidden and for the sake of the opportunity to see unique old women with tattoos, tourists overcome a rather difficult path to the village. There you can also get acquainted with the traditional Burmese ways of subsistence farming.

Ngapali beach

Ngapali Beach is a real treasure of Myanmar. Clear ocean, fine white sand, this place was one of the first authorities decided to turn into a resort. But so far they are only at the beginning of the journey, and therefore being here one on one with nature, while using the comfort of luxury hotels is a real opportunity for tourists. Season from October to May.

Thingyan Water Festival

State three-day holiday, precedes the New Year. It takes place in April throughout the country. Symbolizes the beginning of the rainy season. All participants pour water over each other from various containers: buckets, water pistols, plastic bottles are used. Burmese and guests of the country at the festival tirelessly have fun and dance.