Let’s face it, taking an international trip can call for a lot of planning along with choosing the ideal travel bucket list and finalizing a place. For travelers who are looking to experience pristine white beaches, serene Buddhist architecture, and colorful cities, with few crowds, Myanmar is the perfect place for you.
This magical land showcases sparkling lakes, a million gold-spired temples, and ancient architecture along with cool and misty mornings. The best time to travel to Myanmar is during the dry season, roughly November to February.
If this is your first time visiting this charming country with your family, then below are some tips to help you make planning easier.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Myanmar (Burma)?
Just like its popular neighbor Thailand, Myanmar experiences a rainy season from roughly May to October, while the rest of the year is fairly dry. Some parts of this country can get a bit colder so most travelers prefer to visit Myanmar during November and March.
You can also visit this country during November or February during the dry season. Just keep in mind that early February is the Chinese New Year and so certain local attractions can get busy and crowded.
Myanmar Tourist Places: A Guide to Shop, Eat, and Sightsee
The best Myanmar tourist places have earned themselves a reputation as family magnets. This country is ideal for people who don’t want to follow the usual trend but explore a whole host of alternatives off the beaten track.
Whether you want a relaxing beach break or a full-on adventure, here are some of the top places to see and things to do in Myanmar while you are on your 8-day trip.
1. Bagan
The capital of the ancient Burmese empire Bagan offers a host of activities for travelers to do and see. You can explore the Balloons over Bagan sunrise and sunset trips over the temple or even explore the Ananda temples and the views over the Irrawaddy.
Visitors can enjoy the evening puppet shows and even shop the lacquerware and antiques which are quite popular over here.
2. Mandalay
The second largest city in Myanmar after Yangon, Mandalay offers a lot to see for first-time travelers. Here visitors can visit the old colonial houses, luxury cruises that run down the Irrawaddy to Bagan, and even the rich culture of the mighty Shwenandaw Monastery.
Travelers can also explore the literature and amazing temples along with the Royal Palace, also known as the Maha Myat Muni, which is one of the most visited sites of pilgrimage around.
4. Mrauk U
As part of your Myanmar tour package, this small town offers a ton of Buddhist temples, ruins, and pagodas which are the remains of the Arakanese kingdom’s capital city.
Visitors can explore the monasteries, stupas, temples and even check out the sculptures.
5. Ngapali Beach
With soft sand and gentle surf, Ngapali Beach is perfect for trying local food, relaxing with a sunset cocktail or even enjoying the sleepy atmosphere. Here visitors can swim, fish, snorkel or even arrange a boat to explore the area.
6. Rangoon
Rangoon is a melting point of over four million people and offers a lot more energy and bliss. With tons of hotel choices, shopping, and local food, travelers can even try the teas, and coffees, or drive past the lakeside home of Aung San Suu Kyi.
This city is also famous for its raw silk outfits, handicrafts, paintings, and antique lacquerware.
7. Old Burma
If you’re looking for train travel in Myanmar, then you can take the train from main Yangon to Mandalay or even old Burma. In Burma, travelers can enjoy ballooning over Burma or a river cruise from Mandalay to Bagan on the wide Irrawaddy River.
Visitors can also trek in Kalaw which offers jungle-clad hills and clementine groves ideal for hikes. Don’t miss out on exploring the Shwedagon Pagoda, the Inle Lake, or even shop tribal artifacts, gold leaf, statues, and more at the Bogyoke market which is the hub of shopping in Yangon.
8. Ngwe Saung
Myanmar is to feel bliss and there is no better place to experience this than Ngwe Saung. This little-known gem of a beach offers blue sea, pale sand, palm trees, and warm weather.
Travelers can scuba dive, snorkel, explore the nearby cafes, or even catch the Water Festival (Thingyan) in April.
9. Kakku Pagoda
Kakku Pagodas are believed to date back over 2,000 years. These 2,500 pagodas dot the hills near Inle Lake and are well-preserved. Travelers will need to take a scenic ride through the hill through the Pa-Oh villages to get here.
Visitors can explore the pagodas, small shrines, carvings, and stupas which still show their original shades.
10. Kalaw
Don’t miss taking a train journey from Yangon to Kalaw. This route offers amazing trekking trails, the majestic stature of the Shan Hills, and is packed with hotels, an amazing food market, and beautiful valleys making it one of the best places to go on a family trip.
Travelers can easily hike here without any permit and even try the amazing local food.
11. Pindaya
Pindaya is one of the off-the-beaten-track sites that visitors will possibly come across. This area is in the Myelat region and offers a glimpse into the Buddhist temples, deep caves, and over 8000 images of Lord Buddha.
Travelers can explore the caves, check out the statues, and even visit the lake beside Pindaya.
12. Hpa-An
Hpa-An is quite popular among visitors and a lot of travelers visit this rugged town. This town is nestled across the tranquil and reflective waters of the Thanlwin River.
Travelers can visit popular spots around this area like the Zaydan Road, the lakeside of Kan Thar Yar, or even Mount Zwegabin and the monastery located there.
Where to Go in Myanmar with Kids?
Myanmar is open all year round and perfect for families to visit especially from October to March. Along with having several popular attractions to explore, this country also offers several activities for kids to do as well. Below are some of them.
Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp
Green Hill Valley Elephant Sanctuary is one of the best places for families. Kids can have an up-close encounter with elephants and even learn about them. You can bathe, feed, and cuddle these ‘giants of the land’.
A boat trip to the islands of Ngapali
Book a boat trip and explore the nearby islands with your little ones. The kids can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, visiting Pearl Island, and Thandwe and even spot corals and fish in the sea. Parents can even teach their kids fishing.
A scenic train ride
Most kids love to ride trains. Travelers can take a short scenic train ride through Myanmar’s beautiful landscape from Kawal to Inle Lake.
Eat and shop at local markets
Visitors can take their kids to the colorful markets where they can try new foods, explore the unique souvenirs and gifts, or even sign up for a family cooking class to learn a new dish.
See a traditional Puppet show
Yangon, Bagan, and Mandalay offer traditional puppet shows where locals showcase ancient stories and sagas through colorful dolls. This is ideal for the kids and some places will even stage performances after the show.
Ready for a Grand Myanmar Adventure?
Interested in exploring the temple-strewn landscapes and stunning temples in Myanmar, whatever your interests are, our specialists will build activities into your trip that suit your tastes.
At Anubhav Vacations, our team of professionals knows Myanmar’s well-known cities and its little-visited villages. This allows us to create a tailor-made itinerary for you no matter what you’re looking for.