Traveling in Myanmar — You Shouldn’t Miss 10 Unique Places to Visit.

8 min readOct 17, 2021

If you’re looking for a new destination to explore, Myanmar is worth considering for either group or solo travel. With its rich culture and beautiful landscapes, it’s no wonder that many people are drawn to this country.

It’s one of the least touristy destinations, but traveling in Myanmar gives you so many experiences and things do. If you love culture and natural life, Myanmar is one of the interesting places to visit for solo travel. Here are the top unique things you should put on your Myanmar must-do list before it becomes too crowded!

1) Visit Shwedagon Pagoda at Night

It’s the most famous religious landmark of Myanmar, and it looks gorgeous at night. It’s more relaxing to view this ancient pagoda without all the crowds of people around. During the nighttime, you can enjoy great views of the surroundings with lights glowing on the horizon. Not only that, there are plenty of food stalls everywhere if you get hungry. Just 4K away from downtown Yangon, Shwedagon Pagoda is located on Sing Uttara Hill. You can do both daytime and nighttime visits here with no problem!

2) Go cycling through Shwedagon Pagoda & Explore The Bogyoke Aung San Market

This spectacular golden stupa is surrounded by beautiful gardens and you can cycle around the pagoda at your own pace — one of my favorite things to do after exploring all 4 sides! You can also visit nearby Kandawgyi Lake which is much more relaxed than Inle Lake.

Don’t forget to shop at Bogyoke Aung San Market for local handicrafts and souvenirs which is one of the most interesting markets where visitors can buy a wide range of souvenirs and handicrafts. Highly recommended to explore there.

3) Go for a boat ride on Inle Lake

Out of all the activities to do while traveling in Myanmar, a boat ride down Inle Lake is one of the most popular activities because there are so many different villages to visit along the way. You can start by taking an early morning boat tour to get picturesque sunrise views or go at sunset for dramatic sunsets over fields of rice paddies.

There are so many great reasons why it should be top of your list too. The lake is surrounded by mountains so even when you’re in a village, you’ll have views over them in every direction. You can stop off in a local village and see a real side of everyday life from working in fields & living simply.

The people who live here are predominantly from the Intha tribe which means “legs” because they used to be fishermen before becoming farmers. They also believe that Inle Lake has magical powers yet it’s still one of the top go-to destinations for tourists!

4) Visit the Golden Rock.

The Golden Cave (Mount Kyaiktiyo) where Golden Rock is located in Mon State, is 275km away from Yangon or 6 hours by bus. It is also known as Kyauk Kalat Pagoda and is located on the western side of Mouth Kyaiktiyo while Ananda Temple is on its eastern side. Burmese people believed that it can bring luck and protection so people used to come from all around the world just to see it.

It looks like a turtle-shaped big stone that has been covered with gold. The images are printed onto natural rocks that resemble not only gold but other colors as well. It has been considered to be one of Myanmar’s biggest attractions because visitors can hike up 1,729 stairs while carrying all their belongings with them.

It’s a steep trek to the top of the mountain but you will be rewarded with spectacular views. If you love trekking, it’s a must place to visit as there are so many activities and to see for solo travelers.

5) Travel to Bagan and see its ancient temples

Bagan is one of the top attractions where you shouldn’t miss while traveling in Myanmar. It has so many historic sites and unique experiences to offer such as luxurious spa treatments at Bagan hotel, meditation centers, spectacular views, and more.

Bagan boat riding and more than 3000 pagodas and monasteries were built during the 11th to 13th century which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a popular place to visit because of its amazing views and incredible atmosphere. Many picturesque sites make Bagan a popular tourist destination for both locals and foreigners alike. During your to Bagan, you will have multiple opportunities to take a Bagan boat ride going from Bagan to Bagan.

If you are interested in Day trips from Bagan, get up early for stunning views of the sunrise and explore the complete region on a motorbike, Popa Mountain Trekking, or Hot air balloon flights that will fill up your Bagan day trip itinerary.

6) Hot Air Balloons Ride in Bagan

The Hot Air Balloon is a great way to see the surrounding area during your traveling Myanmar. It offers you the perfect scenery as well as you can also enjoy Balloons Ride in Bagan as part of your day trip from Bagan, or as part of an organized tour package. Pilots are well-trained by international standards and a guide is provided for each passenger along with headsets

The balloon tours take off very early in the morning, about an hour before sunrise. It gives you time for breakfast and taking pictures before starting your flight. So if you want to avoid strenuous activity at dawn, then Hot Air Balloons Ride in Bagan is perfect for that!

7) Try Myanmar’s traditional food, including Mohinga and Shan noodles

For all tourists, Myanmar cuisine is one of the most enthralling dishes to try and experience while you’re traveling in Myanmar. Try Shan Noodle Soup, Mohinga, or Sugee cake! Try some traditional Myanmar food today by heating up your appetite for an exotic treat!

Enjoying the street food culture in Myanmar is one of the most exciting things to do when traveling around this country. While visiting Bagan, travelers are invited to try Shan noodle soup at any time during the day, but especially early in the morning before breakfast. This meal is rich in creamy coconut milk adds a tasty touch to your dish.

This is also available at most local restaurants along many streets of Yangon where they offer free refills on soups, curries, meats, and vegetables.

Tea Salad — Lephet thoke — The most Popular Food in Myanmar

Lephet thoke is a well-known traditional food in Myanmar. However, it is more popular among the Shan people than the other races such as Chin, Kayah and Burman. Lephet means tea leaf and thoke means salad in the Myanmar language.

Tea salad ingredients vary to some degree based on the availability of local ingredients and family preferences, but there are basic elements: freshly picked or dried green tea leaves, oil, chili flakes, and garlic paste. Try some traditional Myanmar food at your home or don’t miss trying that food while traveling in Myanmar!

Myanmar Traditional Food ( Tea Leaf Salad)

8) Explore Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city

The city of Mandalay in Myanmar is the second-largest in the country, with a population of over one million. Its central location makes it an important commercial center and transportation hub in Upper Burma. Mandalay also has many artistic attractions including beautiful temples, pagodas, and historical sites which are the most popular tourist attractions while you’re traveling in Myanmar.

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9)Walk over the U-Bein Bridge

The U-Bein Bridge is a well-known landmark not only in Mandalay but also across Myanmar. It’s popular for its beautiful sunsets and excellent photo opportunities. The bridge is the world’s longest remaining teakwood span, and it’s spectacular to visit. When you walk across it in the late afternoon, take some photos of monks walking with their parasols — an image that would appear in many publications throughout the world.

10)Trekking in Kalaw

Trekking is easy and most routes are well marked, though it’s important to go with a guide or company that has ties to the local community. Trekking in Kalaw is an excellent way for visitors to explore one of the best-kept secrets during traveling in Myanmar.

Trekkers will see a lot of green, and they’ll get to see a different side of Burma than the one seen in temples and dust. Trekking companies provide trips at a reasonable rate that are popular among tourists.

Suggested Trekking tour in Kalaw

A two-day trek will cost around $72 per person and includes homestay and meals (breakfast and dinner). The fee lessens on longer treks, as groups need fewer guides for the small party. Trekkers wishing to stay at one location rather than complete a circular route can request this — prices vary depending on the distance from town. Trekking companies are happy to arrange transportation from Kalaw Town.

If planning a trip, consider booking trips during the winter months when the air is cool and often clear. Trekking in Kalaw is an excellent possibility for visitors wishing to view life outside of city limits, while still remaining close enough to retreat into the comfort of civilization after work on day two.

Trekkers can expect to encounter farmers working their fields with bullock-drawn plows, women carrying large bundles of bamboo lashed together atop their backs (often posing for photographs), and machete-wielding farmhands clearing vegetation along trails. Kalaw trekking will make your journey worth coming. No matter how tired you are, this amazing journey makes you feel alive again!

You can see and experience a lot of different things in Myanmar. With the right planning, you should be able to make the most out of your trip with these tips for what not to miss while traveling in Myanmar.

If you want more information on our blog post or need help creating an itinerary that is perfect for your visit, contact us today!