What to do in Myanmar: top 8 things to do in Burma

There are so many things to do in Myanmar that it is hard to know when to stop listing. I will do my best to cover the main attractions, but this post is just a summary of places to go. To know more of each of the places make sure to check the independent posts for the individual destinations. Here is a list of what to do in Myanmar (in no particular order):

Travel warning: as of 2023, Myanmar is in a very unstable political and military state and there’s a lot of civil unrest. For this reason, it is not safe for tourists. I recommend that you do not visit Myanmar until the situation is resolved.

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1. Yangon

Yangon is the largest city in Myanmar and its former capital It was substituted by Naypyidaw in 2006, but it still keeps that feeling. As many asian cities, it is chaotic but it has a decadent charm that makes it worth the visit. It has also some really interesting sights like the famous Shwedagon pagoda, Sule pagoda, Kandawgyi lake and many more. Your flight will most likely land there, so it is worth spending a day or two exploring it. There are some day trips you can do from Yangon as a base camp as well, like Bago and the Golden Rock Temple. Find out how Yangon became what it is now and what you can do in the city:

→ History of Yangon

→ What to do in Yangon: top 10 things to do

The central stupa of the Shwedagon pagoda

2. Mandalay

Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar and the last royal capital of the country. It moved to Mawlamyine in the 19th century at the arrival of the Brits. However, it still retains some of the sights from the former Kingdom like the Mandalay Palace, and other musts like the Mandalay hill. There are many attractions relatively close to Mandalay like the U-bain bridge (the largest teak bridge in the world), the former imperial capital of Inwa or the monumental town of Mingun. Mandalay is a perfect pit stop before or after heading to Bagan, and it is worth spending two or three days. Here are some things you can do while you’re in Mandalay and a few amazing day trips using Mandalay as a base camp:

→ What to do in Mandalay

→ Day trips from Mandalay

The Mandalay Palace complex

3. Bagan

Bagan is the crown jewel of Myanmar. Present in many bucket lists and rightfully compared to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, it is an unavoidable stop in the country. Bagan is an ancient city that between the 9th and 13th century was the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, which unified the regions that later became the current Myanmar. That means that some of these kick-ass temples are 1000 years old and are still standing.

Full disclosure, after the earthquake of 2016 some of the temples had structural damages and are not open to visit anymore. But worry not, in the over 2,200 temples that are scattered in the plains of Bagan there is plenty to visit!

A few of the over 2200 temples in Bagan

4. Inle Lake

Inle Lake is a high altitude freshwater body with very scenic views and a mix of cultures from different tribes of the surrounding areas that makes it a backpacker haven. That is, you’ll probably find more tourists here than in the rest of your trip. That being said, Inle Lake has this laid back and relaxing atmosphere that is quite refreshing after some days of non-stop traveling.

I have read many half-hearted reviews about Inle Lake and perhaps it is because I went there in low season, or perhaps because I was in a cheerful mindset after my trekking days through the Shan highlands, but it was one of the highlights of my trip:

Are there many tourists? Yes, but the bunch I met were open like-minded people who brought a smile to my face, and many of them were long-term travelers.
Are the tours of the lake tourist-oriented? Yes, but the stops at local factories of lotus fiber weaving and cigars, ended up being interesting and they don’t push a sell on you.
Are the dancing fishermen fake? Unconfirmed, but the sunsets over the lake are breathtaking and, you know what? I think the dancing fishermen are very aesthetic, regardless of how fake they are.

So, if you ask me, do not miss Inle Lake if you are in Myanmar.

Fisherman sailing at Inle Lake

5. Trekking in Myanmar: Kalaw and Hsipaw

For me, one of the best experiences I had in Myanmar was to trek through the Shan Highlands. Here are the reasons:

The view of rice fields and tea terraces was stunning.
The freshness of the air was very welcome after the pollution of Yangon and Mandalay and the dusty air of Bagan.
The homestays with local tribes was eye-opening.
Meeting other like-minded backpackers and having the time to bond with them was a big plus, and I am still in touch with some of them.

If you have good legs and you don’t mind the odd Burmese restrooms and showering with a bucket of cold water (you’ll get used to it), this is an experience that you will cherish the rest of your life. There are several hotspots in Myanmar for trekking, the major ones being Kalaw and Hsipaw.

A local walking through the rice fields in our trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake

6. The current capital: Naypyidaw

Naypyitaw, is the current capital of Myanmar and was entirely planned to become that. The fun part is that despite being humongous in every sense, it is quite empty. It is not unusual to be able to sit on the six lane-highways that cross the city (please do not try to do that). Despite not being one of the main tourist attractions, if you have the time I suggest that you go and pay a visit to see how strange the capital of Myanmar is. An upside: since it is always so empty, 5-star hotels are a bargain! Perhaps it can be a one-night relax experience during your trip.

One of the empty highways in Naypyidaw. Photo credit: francediplomatie on VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-SA

7. The south: from Hpa An to the Myeik archipelago

The south of Myanmar is the dreamed land for travelers that look for off-the-beaten-track trips. If the country is still relatively unspoiled, the south is even more so.

Starting off from Hpa-An, a small sleepy town with rural feel, much different to other cities like Yangon and Mandalay, and way less monumental than Bagan. It holds the charm of the old-school countryside. Even more south is Mawlamyine, which is the fourth largest city in Myanmar and has some serious sightseeing. Southernmost you can find the Myeik (or Mergui) archipelago in the Andaman Sea. This is a perfect site for scuba-divers and snorkelers alike. Composed of over 800 islands, it will give you a different side of Myanmar, more wild. Island hopping and beach days also make it attractive.

The unusual pagoda of Kyauk Kalap, south of Hpa An. Photo credit: jasoneppink on Visual Hunt / CC BY

8. Head to the beach

A very underestimated attraction of Myanmar are its beaches. They are still largely unvisited by tourists and therefore are a good way to get a feel of the real local experience while getting a bit of rest from your otherwise activity-heavy trip. That being said, there’s plenty of things you can do at the beach in Myanmar: trekking along the coast, kayaking or snorkeling in the Andaman sea. For a beach experience in Myanmar head to Ngapali beach in the north, Ngwe Saung or Chaung Tha east of Yangon or Kanthaya beach for the quietest experience.

Tropical vibes at Ngapali beach. Photo credit: ReflectedSerendipity on VisualHunt.com / CC BY-SA

Closing statement

As you see, there is plenty of things to do in this wonderful country. If it’s your first time visiting and you have a very limited time, I suggest you stick to the essentials: Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake. If you have more time, gradually add other stops in your trip. Make sure to include visits that are feasible within your route and where transportation is possible without wasting a lot of time. For a two-week trip, I suggest to add Yangon and a trekking to the essentials, for example. If you have a lot of time, include the south and then some beach days. If, like me, your time was limited, save it for an extra trip you will for sure want to plan.

Before heading to Myanmar, make sure you read the posts about planning your trip and the packing checklist:

→ How to plan a trip in Myanmar

→ What to pack for Burma: 10 Myanmar packing essentials

Until the situation in Myanmar gets better, why not visit other areas of Southeast Asia?

→ Ultimate 3 weeks Vietnam Itinerary: North to South

→ Bangkok: top 10 things to do

→ What to do in Singapore: Top 11 things to do in Singapore

→ Perfect 3 days itinerary in Ubud, Bali

→ Perfect 10 days Flores itinerary in Indonesia