Burma Myanmar – 15 beautiful places to discover, Travel Guide
Burma Myanmar - 15 beautiful places to discover, Travel Guide
Table of Contents
Myanmar Burma on Map
Informations
Burma Myanmar is the largest country in Mainland Southeast Asia and the 10th largest in Asia by area. As of 2017, the population was about 54 million. Its capital city is Naypyidaw, and its largest city is Yangon (Rangoon).
When to visit: The best time to visit it is from the first week of October to the last week of February.
Language: The official language is Burmese.
Currency: Myanmar Kyat (MMK)
Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=2 USD, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=18 USD You can find more information about the visa here.
Things to do
Shwedagon
The Shwedagon is the most important sacred building and the religious center of Myanmar in Rangoon. It is considered the symbol of the whole country and is one of the most famous stupas in the world. Built on the heavily fortified Singuttara Hill, which is decorated with two terraces and is the southernmost foothill of the Pegu-Joma mountain range, the structure towers over the country’s largest city.
Ananda Temple
The Ananda Temple, located in Bagan, Myanmar is a Buddhist temple built in 1105 AD during the reign of King Kyansittha of the Pagan Dynasty. The temple layout is in a cruciform with several terraces leading to a small pagoda at the top covered by an umbrella known as hti, which is the name of the umbrella or top ornament found in almost all pagodas in Myanmar. The Buddhist temple houses four standing Buddha statues, each one facing the cardinal direction of East, North, West and South. The temple is said to be an architectural wonder in a fusion of Mon and adopted Indian style of architecture.
Sule Pagode
According to legend, the pagoda was built before the Shwedagon Pagoda more than 2,600 years ago during Buddha’s lifetime. The octagonal floor plan of the main stupa points stylistically to peculiarities of Mon architecture and chronologically to the 1st century AD.The pagoda plays an important role in Myanmar’s religious and political life, such as the 1988 Uprising and the 2007 Saffron Revolution.
Chaukhtatgyi Temple
The complex houses one of the largest reclining Buddhas in Myanmar. The length specifications vary between 66 m and 72 m.A plaque attached to the monument states 216 ft. The current statue was created in the 1960s after the failed previous figure from the early 20th century was destroyed.
Maha Bandula Park
The Maha Bandula Park is a public park, located in downtown Yangon, Burma. The park is bounded by Maha Bandula Garden Street in the east, Sule Pagoda Road in the west, Konthe Road in the south and Maha Bandula Road in the north, and is surrounded by some of the important buildings in the area such as the Sule Pagoda, the Yangon City Hall and the High Court. The park is named after General Maha Bandula who fought against the British in the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826).
pagoda forest
Nestled in the timeless jungle forests of Myanmar lies the surreal village of Indein filled with over 1,000 crumbling Buddhist pagodas built in the 14th century. Amusing Planet writes, “The village is reached only by boat through the Inn Thein creek, a long narrow foliage-cloaked canal that wind through the dense overgrowth. The scenic 8km boat ride from Inle Lake can be made only in the rainy season and winter, and not in summer as the water becomes too shallow.” Visitors to the small village climb a long flight of stairs to arrive at the dense jungle forest above, and two sets of pagodas — Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein. Great Big Story took their cameras to the pagoda forest and you can watch it in full above, and check out some of the extraordinary photos below.
Sai Yok National Park
Sai Yok National Park is a national park in Sai Yok district, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. The park, home to mountains, waterfalls and caves, is part of the Western Forest Complex protected area. Sai Yok National Park is in the Tenasserim Hills mountain chain, 100 km northwest of Kanchanaburi town. The Khwae Noi river runs through the park.
Water Fountain Garden
The 165-acre garden is situated near the Naypyidaw City Hall with a steel structure arch-way. Also included in the garden are a main pond with three fountains and 11 small ponds with 13 different fountains, a 9.1 m high clock tower, nine recreation centers, two small gardens, two stone gardens and ten feet wide buggy road and footpaths.
The Golden Rock
The Golden Rock is located on a mountain near the town of Kyaikto in Mon State. It is considered a place of pilgrimage (main time November to March) for Buddhists and also an important tourist destination.
Dhammayangyi Temple
The Dhammayangyi Temple in Bagan was built by King Narathu around 1170 as atonement for the assassination of his father Alaungsithu and is very similar in architecture to the Ananda Temple. It is about a kilometer southeast of Old Bagan. The temple floor plan corresponds to a Greek cross. The roof surfaces and terraces on the central single-storey cuboid are steeply inclined, giving the impression of a pyramid. Entrance halls are built in the four cardinal directions. The masonry is of the best quality. According to legend, the builder Narathu, who was considered cruel, had the masons executed if he managed to force a needle between the bricks.
Thatbinnyu Temple
The Thatbinnyu Temple in Old Bagan was probably dedicated under King Alaungsithu in 1144 and marks the beginning of the middle period of construction in Bagan.The galleries on the two lower floors, the center of which is massive, served as accommodation for monks. In the middle of the third floor there is a sanctuary with a large seated Buddha, books and sacred objects are kept on the fourth floor.
Shwesandaw Pagoda
The step pyramid has five square terraces, then two intermediate octagonal steps and finally the classic cylindrical stupa structure with bell, turban, double lotus, banana bud and hti. On the four sides stairs lead up to the fifth terrace. They used to serve the worshipers so that they could reach the now-vanished terracotta panels depicting scenes from the Jatakas on each terrace; nowadays tourists climb up to admire the sunset.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
The Kuthodaw Pagoda is a complex completed in 1868 in the Myanmar city of Mandalay. It consists of 729 stupas in the form of pavilion-like temples, each with a white marble slab with Burmese writing. The Pali Canon, the life and teachings of the Buddha, is laid down on the marble slabs. The originally gold-plated letters are now only colored black. The pagoda is also known as “The largest book in the world” because of this extensive representation. Before the creation of this complex, the texts were mainly written on palm leaves or wood. The inscriptions were included in the UNESCO Register of World Documents.
Mahamuni Buddha Temple
The Mahamuni Image is enshrined in this temple, and originally came from Arakan. It is highly venerated in Burma and central to many people’s lives, as it is seen as an expression of representing the Buddha’s life.Ancient tradition refers to only five likenesses of the Buddha made during his lifetime; two were in India, two in paradise, and the fifth is the Mahamuni Image in Myanmar. Legend holds that the Buddha himself visited the Dhanyawadi city of Arakan in 554 BC. King Sanda Thuriya requested that an image be cast of him. Once complete, the Buddha breathed upon it, and thereafter the image took on his exact likeness.
Inle Lake
Inle Lake, a freshwater lake in Myanmar’s Shan State, is known for its one-leg rowers and floating villages and gardens. The life of the people is totally focused on the lake
Where to stay
A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Myanmar offers its guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.
Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature – Myanmar’s hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.
We managed to find the best three companies that offer hotels, holiday homes and transportation. These are: Booking.com,Trip.com and Vrbo. We have already tested these companies and we warmly recommend them. As a result this will just bring you good deals for your next vacation.
Top hotels we recommend in Yangon : Lotte Hotel Yangon, Melia Yangon, Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon, Inya Lake Hotel
Where to eat
Traditional food to try in Myanmar
- Shan-style noodles – The dish is a combination of thin, flat rice noodles in a clear, peppery broth with marinated chicken or pork, served with a side of pickled vegetables.
- Ngapi Ye – This dip for deep fried items contains mashed fish or ngapi, lemon juice, shrimp powder and garlic.
- Coconut Rice – Cooked rice with onions, coconut milk, sugar and salt
- Htamin Jin – This rice dish is cooked with potatoes, tamarind pulp, and shrimp paste.
- Ohn No Khao Swè – This Burmese curried soup contains egg noodles accompanied by coconut cream, vermicelli, and chicken along with spices.
- Laphet Thoke − Tea leaf salad
- Nan Gyi thoke – round rice noodles with chicken, thin slices of fish cake, par-boiled bean sprouts and slices of hard-boiled egg.
- Khao Soi is a noodle soup made with chicken broth, shallots, and bean sprouts.
- Mohinga is the national dish of Myanmar. This hearty, herb-based, lemongrass and rice noodle soup, often supplemented with the crunchy pith of the banana tree is usually eaten for breakfast.
- Mandalay Mont Di – is a hearty, warm salad of fat rice noodles, chicken or beef curry, chili oil, toasted chickpea powder, coriander and sliced shallots.
- Kyaw − Fried snacks
- Myanmar Shrimp Curry
Best restaurants
- L’Opera – Italian restaurant in Yangon.
- Le Planteur Restaurant and Bar – french restaurant in Yangon.
- The Corriander Leaf – authentic Indian cuisine
- Thai 47 is one of the well know restaurant in Yangon. It serves all types of Thai dishes, Alcohol, Beer, Roasted Milled Rice Grilled, Pork Neck Salad and Beef Grilled
- Golden Pho restaurant provides fresh and healthy authentic Vietnamese dishes
- If you look for tasteful seafood restaurants, Minn Lann seafood is the best.
- Myaungmya Daw Cho Mohinga – This famous mini-chain of mohinga shops has several locations in Yangon, and for about $3 U.S. you can take home a powdered mix of the soup base.
- Aung Mingalar Shan Noodle Restaurant is a good place to try Shan food.
Tips and Tricks
- When you arrive, change just a small amount of money in the airport, as the fees are high at both the changers and in the ATMs
- The best & cheapest way to get around Yangon is by bus
- Don’t forget to tip
- It’s cheaper to travel Myanmar if you stay in one city for a few days at a time.
- Book accommodation with breakfast
- Cash is king in Myanmar. Don’t expect to be able to use your card for much, if at all
- Take your shoes off before you enter homes, and even some stores.
- April and October/November are very holiday-heavy due to Myanmar following the Buddhist calendar. This may result in some places being closed
- North Americans and Europeans will pay $50USD each for a 30-day visa
- Don’t give any money to or buy things from children in the streets. It encourages them to stay there
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Shopping
What should we buy from Myanmar?
- Gems – Be it ruby, jade or pearl, you can find it all original in Myanmar because Myanmar is a great miner of such stones.
- Gold Leaf – In Mandalay, you can find many workshops, which offers to supply of the purest form of gold leaves.
- Gem Paintings – the gemstones are crushed and added to the colors of the paint
- Local sweets
- Marble Sculptures
- Silk – You will hardly find any cloth store without silk there in Myanmar because silk is really popularly used in Burmese tradition.
- Burmese Skirt – This Longyi aka a long skirt in the Burmese tradition is unique. The reason behind its uniqueness is the shape and it is worn by both man and woman, who follow Burmese traditions.
- Multifarious clip art – These marionette puppets are made from Burmese art and are used for the puppet show, however, you also get the buying option for them too.
- Drapery Art – This art is called the tapestries, in which the cloth is painted and pasteurized.
- Sand Paintings
Getting around
Local transport in Myanmar is usually some mix of public buses, taxis, pick-ups (adapted pick-up trucks with seating in the covered back portion), motorcycle taxis (where the passenger rides pillion) and cycle rickshaws. Public buses run only in the largest cities, including Yangon and Mandalay, and are very cheap.
Buses are usually faster and cheaper than trains, and are generally the best way to get around on a budget. There are many different bus companies and most are privately owned. Taking buses can be quite tiring, however, since most long-distance services run through the night, stop regularly for toilet breaks and arrive before dawn.
The railway system in Myanmar is antiquated, slow and generally uncomfortable. On most routes a bus is faster and more reliable – it is not uncommon for express trains to be delayed by several hours, and local trains are even worse. Trains are also more expensive than buses
Hiring a car is not a realistic option in Myanmar , but it’s easy to arrange a car and driver (from around $40/day) through your accommodation or travel agencies. Bicycles are available in many places for around K2000 per day. In some parts of the country, for example Mawlamyine and Hpa-an, it is also possible to hire a motorcycle, typically for K8000–10,000 a day plus fuel.
Getting here
The cheapest way to reach Myanmar from outside the region is usually to fly to a regional hub such as Bangkok or Singapore. Current routes within Asia include flights to Yangon from Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok. Connections with Mandalay are limited to Dehong, Kunming and Bangkok.
Myanmar National Airlines, Royal Brunei , Myanmar Airways International, SriLankan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and ANA (All Nippon Airways) all fly direct to Myanmar.
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