MINGALABA TO THAILAND!
Myanmar offers a fantastic mixture of experiences; from lush green forest to pristine beaches, a cuisine with influences from neighbouring countries as well as its own taste and literally over a hundred ethnic groups this country draws many visitors back to explore more. The main attraction though is the genuine warmth and friendliness of the people who are open-minded, easy-going and interested to learn more about the world. When travelling through Myanmar you realise this is the kind of trip that is going to be meaningful and memorable for the rest of your life. We can’t tell you exactly why but maybe it’s because in the Myanmar language there is no word for “tourist” there is only a word for “guest”
Myanmar is a bit bigger than France and stretches over than 2,000 km from the snow-capped mountains in the north to the pristine islands of the Andaman sea in the south. It’s as long as from the north of Denmark to the southern-most point of Italy. In between, the country offers a diverse range of habitats from the cool climate in the mountains of Shan or Chin states, to the dry and hot region in the middle of the country (known locally as the ‘dry zone’), and the more humid region – especially during he raining season, on the west coast (Rakhine State).
Due to limitations of infrastructure and because authorities are sometimes a bit overly concerned about the safety of foreigners, some areas of the country are out of bounds to foreign tourists. Areas which are not accessible to travelers include most northern parts in Kachin State, some areas bordering Thailand and parts of the north bordering India, Bangladesh and China. But don’t worry; there are plenty of other areas to visit and we have enough activities to keep you busy for a few months if you have enough time.
PEOPLE
It’s the people that make a country, and that’s certainly the case for Myanmar. Hundreds of ethnic tribes have been living in the region for thousands of years and many continue to follow the traditions of their centuries-old way of life. This diversity is generally celebrated (Myanmar has official public holidays for almost every world religion) and sometimes joked about, with some healthy competition among country states over who has the best food, costumes or other cultural attractions. The ethnic Burmese, called ‘Bamar’, as well as the Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Karen, Mon, Rakhine and the Shan, all share a passion for food and love to try each other’s delicacies, for example, Shan and Rakhine food is very popular in the former capital, Yangon. Whenever people travel through the country, they will always bring back food from the area they visited, as a gift to family members and friends. If you want to make friends with the Burmese during your trip to Myanmar, bring some typical food or candies from your hometown! Wherever you visit in Myanmar, you can be sure to find a truly friendly people that are eager to welcome you into their homes.
FAST FACTS
Official Name
Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Capital City
Nay Pyi Taw
Boundaries
Bangladesh, China, India, Laos and Thailand
Currency
Kyat
Official Language
Burmese
Population
54 million
Total Area
676,578 km2
MYANMAR DESTINATIONS
MYANMAR DESTINATIONS
Many travel itineraries are limited to the 4 main destinations (Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake) but we actually do want to encourage you to skip one of them and instead include at least one destination that is country side and a bit more off the beaten track. After all, about 70% of the population of Myanmar lives in the country side. Which of the above “big 4” to skip if you have limited time? It’s up to you to decide but keep in mind that generally Mandalay is not as romantic or exotic as many people think it is. Country side towns and villages like Hsipaw, Yandabo, Kalaw, Loikaw, Samkar Lake, Salay, Yenangyaung as well as Hpa An, Mawlamyine and Ngapali are certainly all worth a visit as well.
YANGON
The main gateway for visitors to Myanmar is the former capital and economic centre of the country with flights connecting to most airport hubs in Asia. It’s a sprawling city with tree-lined lanes and parks. The compact downtown area offers a colorful mix of people from all over the country – including those from Indian and Chinese descent – working and living in a setting of colonial buildings mixed with modern architecture. We will take you for a stroll through Pansodan Street with its colonial high court, banks and other grand buildings, dating back to the days of the British Empire. Just around the corner you can find the majestic Strand Hotel, a place not to be missed. When entering the building you can really feel the ‘weight’ of its history dating back more than 100 years! The colonial downtown area has recently seen many renovations of heritage building converted into hotels, bars & restaurant and apartments with as most impressive example of excellent reviving the history the former centre of the colonial government; the Secretariat Building.
One of the highlights of every visit to Yangon is, of course the Shwedagon Pagoda with over 2,000 years of history. This pagoda impresses even the most temple-fatigued tourist, as the atmosphere is somehow mystical, sacred and easy-going, all at the same time. People from all over the country visit the pagoda at least once in their lifetime. In addition to seeing thousands of devotees praying and meditating, you will also see youngsters walking around with their fiancées and families on special outings. A visit to Shwedagon Pagoda can take place at any time of the day, and although most guidebooks suggest visiting at the end of the day, we think the best time to visit is in the early morning after breakfast when the markets are open and the fortune tellers are busy or in the evening when it’s quieter and more peaceful and you can light hundreds of oil lamps on the platform.
YANGON
The main gateway for visitors to Myanmar is the former capital and economic centre of the country with flights connecting to most airport hubs in Asia. It’s a sprawling city with tree-lined lanes and parks. The compact downtown area offers a colorful mix of people from all over the country – including those from Indian and Chinese descent – working and living in a setting of colonial buildings mixed with modern architecture. We will take you for a stroll through Pansodan Street with its colonial high court, banks and other grand buildings, dating back to the days of the British Empire. Just around the corner you can find the majestic Strand Hotel, a place not to be missed. When entering the building you can really feel the ‘weight’ of its history dating back more than 100 years! The colonial downtown area has recently seen many renovations of heritage building converted into hotels, bars & restaurant and apartments with as most impressive example of excellent reviving the history the former centre of the colonial government; the Secretariat Building.
One of the highlights of every visit to Yangon is, of course the Shwedagon Pagoda with over 2,000 years of history. This pagoda impresses even the most temple-fatigued tourist, as the atmosphere is somehow mystical, sacred and easy-going, all at the same time. People from all over the country visit the pagoda at least once in their lifetime. In addition to seeing thousands of devotees praying and meditating, you will also see youngsters walking around with their fiancées and families on special outings. A visit to Shwedagon Pagoda can take place at any time of the day, and although most guidebooks suggest visiting at the end of the day, we think the best time to visit is in the early morning after breakfast when the markets are open and the fortune tellers are busy or in the evening when it’s quieter and more peaceful and you can light hundreds of oil lamps on the platform.
MON & KAYIN STATE
These two states remained relatively untouched by tourism and so beautiful that many visitors wonder why they are not more popular. Home to paddy fields; ancient civilizations; the beautiful Thanlwin River; monasteries; and Kayin communities living in forests and limestone mountains, these destinations bordering Thailand have a lot to offer the intrepid traveller. Going east from Yangon by train, bus or private car, you can explore one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Myanmar Buddhists and maybe one of the strangest sites for tourists: Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, also known as Golden Rock. A large gold leaf-covered rock with a small pagoda that looks as if it could tumble into the ravine below at any moment. In the nearby Kelatha national park we serve a home cooked typical Mon lunch, walk with a ranger through the park and visit the ruins what is supposed to be the “golden” ancient capital city of Suvarnabhumi.
We continue south to arrive in Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State, a sleepy town where time seems to have stood still. You can visit the colonial area, the beautiful Sein Don Monastery, the Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery and Exploration Travel can arrange a local Mon-style lunch at a local house. Hpa An in Kayin State can be reached by boat from Mawlamyine, a great trip with stops in U Na Auk village to see the impressive temples, probably the most beautiful in Myanmar. The town itself is famous for the caves – a stunning landscape with paddy fields and limestone mountains, where you can do short walks, biking trips, boat trips or paddle leisurely with a kayak through the creeks.
Mandalay
MANDALAY
We leave Yangon behind us and travel by train, bus or plane to Mandalay, the former royal capital of Myanmar and home to the palace of King Thibaw, the last king of Myanmar. Moving the capital city from one location to another has been a common practice in Myanmar for centuries and still is today. The city Nay Pyi Taw, about a four-hour drive south of Mandalay, was declared the new capital of Myanmar in 2005. While Mandalay city today has lost much of its old charm, the former capital cities surrounding Mandalay are fascinating to visit. In Amarapura, one of our favourite, you can walk over the wooden U Bein Bridge to the other site of the lake, chat with the locals and stroll around the big monastery complex. Sagaing hill is dotted with small stupas and is famous for its silver workshops, while a bit further on is Inwa, also known as Ava, where a mountain bikes or a horse cart is a great way to discover the ruins of the ancient Ava Kingdom. The ruins at Paleik are worth a visit too, a place very few foreigners ever visit. In fact you sometimes feel like you are the first western person to discover these ancient temple ruins! The best experiences in Mandalay though, are biking through the countryside, or cruising leisurely by private boat down the Irrawaddy River or go on a 2 days boat trip upriver to see the endangered Ayeyarwaddy dolphins interact with the local fishermen.
MANDALAY SURROUNDING
If you would like to explore more about the surroundings of Mandalay, a journey south, towards Bagan is a great option to see more of the rural village life. Having the village of Yandabo perfectly located by the Ayarwaddy River, it is a stop worth mentioning for everyone curious about the dry- zone and a possible river cruise combined with an active day exploring a pottery village. Bhamo is a starting point for long and easygoing river cruises down the Irrawaddy River passing traditional villages and towns like Katha where George Orwell and all characters from “Burmese Days” were stationed in the colonial period. Myitkyina is the capital of Kachin state and home of the yearly Kachin New Year festival. About 2 hour’s south of Mandalay (in the direction of Bagan) Exploration Travel helped setting up the Burmese star tortoise information centre in a breeding centre in Min Zon Taung national park, the breeding project of this almost extinct and very cute tortoise is one of the most successful in the world and worth visiting.
EASTERN SHAN STATE
Eastern Shan state has been closed for foreigners till 2013 when Exploration Travel was the first to be granted permission to pass the area with BBC’s Top Gear film crew. Since then it is possible to apply for a special travel permit through this truly stunning area with remote hill tribe villages, high mountains and spectacular views. Certainly one of the last frontiers in travel and an trip that will surely yield many fascinating travel stories at the dining table when you’re back home. A truly exciting way to travel further east than Inle Lake, and emerge with local cultures and enjoy a road trip not many have made.
Daily flights from Heho Airport to Tachileik give you the opportunity to visit Keng Tung (Kyaing Tong), which is a two-hour drive from Tachileik Airport. It is one of the most attractive towns in Shan State with a huge local market and plenty of possibilities to hike to hill tribe villages living around the town. An overland trip through eastern Shan State is also a great new addition.
BAGAN
An icon of tourism in Myanmar,and since 2019 a Unesco world heritage site, the temples of Bagan never fail to impress. Over 2,000 temples, most of them around 800 years old, are spread out over an area covering roughly 8 km2. It’s this landscape that makes the place so special. The best way to explore it is to have your own private transport, so that you can pick and choose where you want to go. Doing this by bicycle, horse and cart, or car, are three of the most popular options. Famous temples like Ananda, Thatbyinnyu, Sulamani and Dhammayangyi are the most architecturally well-preserved, but they are also the most popular with tourists. At other ruins you are more likely to find yourself alone, giving you ample time to peruse and contemplate these ancient structures, without any distractions. Bring a torch and we’ll take you to the Minnanthu Temple area, which has some real treasures. In addition to visiting the temple sites, you can also opt for an aerial view of Old Bagan, floating with the wind in a hot air balloon. Alternatively, you could try one of our food adventures with a focus on local cuisine, a bike tour to remote areas, or a jeep safari to rural villages, among other options.
Bagan Surrounding
West of Bagan on the other side of the Irrawaddy River is where the mountains of Chin State begin. One of the most exciting activities to do in this area is Jeep safari, which takes you to traditional villages where tourists hardly ever step foot. It’s a great way to observe local life, or to learn more about the water well project. A day trip to Pakkoku and returning by boat is another leisurely option worth doing, especially if you don’t have time to take a cruise all the way from Mandalay to Bagan.
You can enjoy a fantastic trip to Mount Victoria in Chin State. Traditional villages and spectacular views make up for the bumpy roads and dust you will have to endure! Some of the older women in the villages still have their faces tattooed – an old custom in Chin State. From the base camp, we hike to the top of the mountain, which is over 3,000 meters high.
A road trip southwards, will bring you to places like Salay with it’s historical buildings and sleepy town Yenangyaung In some of these hidden destinations you will see temples from the Pagan Kingdom that you won’t find in any of the guide books and daily ways of life looks like time has stood still. Both towns have a charming riverside guesthouse. Just north of Bagan the beautiful Yandabo village is known for its pottery and the nearby buffalo village and has an excellent boutique hotel to unwind for a day or two.
Inle Lake
One of the highlights while traveling in Myanmar is a visit to Inle Lake in Shan State. Inle Lake is more than 800 meters above sea level and has a pleasant cool climate. A day trip by motorboat on the lake will bring you to villages built on stilts, floating gardens and colorful markets frequented by different ethnic groups living on or around the lake. Many boutique hotels can be found along its shores and in the town of Nyaungshwe, a primary destination for visitors, just north of the lake. Possible activities include trekking to traditional PaO villages, where you can try their excellent home-cooked vegetarian food; a bike or kayak trip on the lake; or a visit to Nyaungshwe, home to a lively market and the former palace of the last saopha, or Shan prince, of Nyaungshwe.
INLE LAKE SURROUNDING
There are several interesting places around Inle Lake that are worth visiting. The former British hill station of Kalaw has a British colonial ambience with its old villas, churches and schools. The town is inhabited by Burmese, Nepali and Indians, as well as several hill tribes like the Padaung and the PaO. Kalaw is the starting point for rewarding day treks, or longer overnight treks to Inle Lake. It’s also a starting point for trips to Pindaya, which is famous for the tea plantations and the production of tea to drink and to eat (the famous Myanmar fermented tea salad), the Pindaya Caves are filled with almost 8,000 Buddha statues. The Danu trails cover an area west of Pindaya and are an excellent alternative to the busier trekking routes near Kalaw. Most interesting in Kalaw is certainly the elephant conservation camp recently set up to protect elephants and to educate the local population about reforestation. A highlight of your trip to Myanmar could even be washing and feeding the elephants at the camp. South of Inle Lake is the lesser-known, but equally beautiful Samkar Lake and Pekon Lake, an excellent hideaway for an overnight trip from Inle, or coming from Loikaw. The newly developed 3 lakes trekking is an excellent way to explore the lakes on foot with overnight in comfortable lodges or a local home.
KAYAH STATE
Kayah State is Myanmar’s smallest state, tucked away between the southern part of Inle Lake and the north of Kayin State. It is a region with diverse ethnic groups, who follow different beliefs and customs, and have lived for centuries in this isolated, mountainous part of Myanmar on the Thai border. Travel by car and boat to discover several communities, their customs, beliefs and fascinating stories. The Kayah have many different tribes and one of the most well-known is the ‘longneck’ women. A recently set-up community program makes it possible to meet the men, women and children living in these communities and ask them directly about why they wear brass coils around their necks; how they feel about this custom, and anything else you would like to know. The best time to visit Kayah State is during the ‘green season’, from June to September, when the scenery is lush and beautiful.
MRAUK U
The Kingdom of Arakan, based in Mrauk U, reached its peak during the 15th century. In those days Mrauk U was a busy trading port that was frequently visited by Dutch, Portuguese, Middle Eastern and Asian traders. The capital Mrauk U was one of the richest cities in Asia, comparable to Amsterdam or London. What’s left today is a historical site with 700 temples, built in a very different style from the Bagan temples, which look more like forts at first sight. Mrauk U can be reached by car from Sittwe, an adventurous trip with some interesting attractions along the way. You can then return by boat to Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State and fly from there straight back to Yangon, or to Ngapali Beach. Mrauk U is also a gateway for day trips into Chin State over the Lemro River to see the Chin women with their tattooed faces. Unfortunately though the area is off limits to foreign tourists at the moment
Northern Shan state
A beautiful green part of Shan state that is excellent for trekking through green paddy fields and colourful tribal villages. Hsipaw is a charming town which used to the home of a palace (with an Austrian Shan princes famous from the book “:my life as a Shan princess”) and there are several boutique hotels that serve as starting point for day trekking or overnight trekking. Continue by train over the famous and spectacular Gokteik viaduct to Kyaukme for more off the beaten track walks or to Pyin oo Lwin, the former British hill station in the colonial era with ancient tudor houses and botanical gardens. From Pyin oo Lwin is a short drive to Mandalay or continue onwards directly to Bagan. Northern Shan state is also the gateway to China (although border crossing to Yunnan is not allowed at the moment) and the area is ideal for adventure seekers going a bit off the beaten track and locla for the real Shan atmosphere and culture.
NGAPALI BEACH
Ngapali Beach is the prime beach destination in Myanmar, boasting pristine white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. It’s a beautiful, unspoiled place with friendly locals, excellent seafood restaurants and several quality boutique hotels. What more could you ask for at the end, or perhaps the beginning of your trip to Myanmar? Forget about hordes of tourists, high-rise buildings and noisy entertainment venues, Ngapali is a place to simply relax, swim, snorkel and explore local village communities, such as Maung Shwe Lay, in idyllic Andrew’s Bay, home of the sustainable and fantastic Lalay Lodge.
Ngapali Beach can be reached by air from Yangon, while more adventurous travelers can book an overland trip from Yangon through southern Rakhine State, enjoying the beautiful scenery and a number of attractions along the way, before arriving a t the excellent Arakan Nature Lodge on a beautiful stretch of empty beach, a stone’s throw from the Yangon-Gwa-Ngapali main road. It’s a part of Myanmar that has hardly been seen by outsiders since colonial times and very peaceful.
THE SOUTHERN PART OF MYANMAR
The most southern parts of Myanmar offer some beautiful little towns like Dawei and Myeik, where little has changed in a century. Colonial heritage buildings are a reminder of former times when these towns were important trading posts. Further south the Myeik Archipelago is often described as a last frontier when it comes to tourism development – a beautifully pristine region consisting of more than 800 islands, varying in size from very small to hundreds of square kilometres, whose isolation ensures a huge variety of flora and fauna. Top barefoot luxury resorts like Wa Ale Resort are certainly a dream destination for people who love sea, beach and nature.
Myanmar has many faces and a wide range of destinations that will keep you busy for as long as you are free. Now is the time to visit Myanmar, when economic sanctions have been lifted and democracy is beginning to take a hold – an opportunity for the people of Myanmar to build a future. You’ll be surprised how friendly, welcoming and curious the people are when it comes to meeting foreigners; in Myanmar language there is no word for ‘tourist’, there is only a word for ‘guest’
Exploration Travel Myanmar
5/9, 1st floor Bogalay Zay Street,
Botataung Township, Yangon, Myanmar
info@exploration.travel
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