burma travel guide

Myanmar (Burma)

It's a new era for this extraordinary and complex land, where the landscape is scattered with gilded pagodas and the traditional ways of Asia endure.

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Must-see attractions.

Shwedagon Paya

One of Buddhism's most sacred sites, the 326ft zedi (stupa) here is adorned with 27 metric tons of gold leaf, along with thousands of diamonds and other…

Mandalay Hill

To get a sense of Mandalay’s pancake-flat sprawl, climb the 760ft hill that breaks it. The walk up covered stairways on the hill's southern slope is a…

Bagaya Kyaung

This lovely 1834 teak monastery is Inwa’s most memorable individual attraction. It's supported on 267 teak posts, the largest 60ft high and 9ft in…

Mt Victoria

The highest peak in Chin State – 10,016ft – and the third-highest in Myanmar, stunning Mt Victoria is one of the principal attractions of southern Chin…

Mahamuni Paya

Every day, thousands of colourfully dressed faithful venerate Mahamuni's 13ft-tall seated buddha, a nationally celebrated image that’s popularly believed…

Shwethalyaung Buddha

Following the destruction of Bago in 1757, this huge reclining buddha was overgrown by jungle and not rediscovered until 1881, when a contractor unearthed…

National Museum (Yangon)

Even though the museum's collection is poorly labelled and often badly lit, the treasures that lie within this cavernous building deserve a viewing. The…

This small, heart-shaped lake has huge spiritual significance for the Mizo people, who inhabit both sides of the nearby Myanmar–India border. Rih Lake…

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A Complete Myanmar Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

December 24, 2019 · In: Myanmar

Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar is a county that may not be at the top of your must visit list. However, I’m here to tell you that it should be! Myanmar completely surprised me with it’s kind people, raw beauty and deep rooted history! I’ve put together this beginner’s guide to Myanmar and have included all my top travel tips so that you are prepared before you even go!

Having only recently opened its doors to tourism, the infrastructure isn’t exactly up to the same standards as some other Southeast Asia countries. However, it is a constant work in progress and the people are really working hard to make it easier for visitors to travel around.

This beginners guide to Myanmar is a good starting point if you’re planning to visit so save this guide and use as a reference before you land in this beautiful country!

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you use these links to purchase a product or service I will receive a small compensation at no additional cost to you. Everything I recommend are products or services that I personally use and have been essential for me as a travel blogger. 

Traveling to Myanmar? Don’t leave home without getting travel insurance! You never know when something could go wrong and you’ll definitely want to be covered by insurance! Click HERE to get a quote!

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Table of Contents

Where is Myanmar? A Myanmar Map

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is located in Southeast Asia. It is surrounded by India and Bangladesh in the west, China in the north and Thailand and Laos on the east.

Is Myanmar Safe?

The short answer: yes. As long as you stick to the main tourist route. These destinations usually include Mandalay, Bagan Kalaw, Inle Lake, Yangon, Hpa-An and Ngapali. It was not that long ago that Myanmar opened its doors for tourism so there are still a lot of things they are figuring out. Also there is still a lot of conflict going on within Myanmar so it is advised to stick to the main areas and not go off exploring in other parts of the country.

How to Get to Myanmar

Most visitors will enter Myanmar through one of the main international airports. These would be Mandalay International Airport (MDL) and Yangon International Airport (RGN). When you fill out your e-visa form you will need to enter in the destination at which you will be arriving in country.

There are other smaller airport in which you can enter however they may be more expensive than arriving via the larger ones.

I had also read that it is not recommended to do any border crossings by land and that it is best to fly into one of the main airports. However, if you choose to do a border crossing then Thailand might be your best entry point.

When you arrive into Myanmar you will need to have a copy of your e-visa printed to show to immigration. I did not have to show an onward flight or a flight out of the country upon arrival but have heard that sometimes they will ask. Therefore I would be prepared with either a pre-booked flight to another destination or be ready to book one in the moment at the airport.

How to Get Around Myanmar

The first thing to include in this beginner’s guide to Myanmar and quite possibly the most important is how to get around! Myanmar has many different modes of transportation.

How you choose to travel throughout the country depends entirely on your budget, length of stay and personal preference. These are a few of the main options that you can use to travel around Myanmar and within the cities.  

Myanmar by Airplane

The majority of travelers with either fly in and out of Mandalay or Yangon as they have the larger international flight options. There are also many domestic flights available which would be beneficial for those needing to save time. They will be more expensive than the bus or train so keep that in mind.  

Myanmar by Train

I didn’t personally take the train while in Myanmar as I had heard some bad experiences from some friends. They had said that the trains we less organized and very uncomfortable compared to the buses. Also in some circumstances the trains actually took longer than the buses.  

Travel Myanmar by Bus

For every single journey in Myanmar I took the JJ’s VIP Express Bus. The bus had large, reclining seats, a working tv with english movies, water and either a snack or meal. They also provided a blanket because the bus gets very cold. I’d also recommend you bring a sweater and wear pants. Mostly all of the journeys are overnight usually leaving around 9 or 10PM. The travel time is around 6-10 hours depending on your destination.

The only issue I had with the night buses is that you’d arrive at your destination around 4 or 5AM and weren’t always allowed to check into your room. I did get lucky with a few of my hotels as they had the room available and let me in early so I could rest.

You can book your tickets on bookaway.com , 12go.asia , through your hotel or travel agency in town. If you want to pay with credit card it is best to book through one of the mentioned websites above! You can also book directly through the JJ’s website but I didn’t use that since the prices seemed to be the same and their website was a bit confusing.  The tickets cost anywhere from around $15-25 depending on your destination.

The bus stations for the JJ bus all have bathrooms which you can use just before leaving. The bus will also make stops along the way for the bathroom but just know that it usually is every few hours so I don’t recommend drinking a ton.  All of the restrooms that we stopped at along the way had toilet paper, however I would still recommend you bring your own.

I had a wonderful experience with the buses in Myanmar and would highly recommend them if you are traveling around the country.  

Use the GRAB App in Myanmar

In the bigger cities, Mandalay and Yangon, Grab Taxi is available. If you have a SIM card it will be super easy to use and save you the hassle of trying to haggle with the tuk tuk drivers at 4 in the morning when your bus arrives. The Grab app gives you multiple options for the type of vehicle and they even have the tuk tuk as an option. You will need to pay in cash for your ride but that’s the same with any other mode of transportation.  

If you don’t already have the Grab app downloaded to your phone be sure to do that prior to arriving to Asia as they will need to send you a verification code via text message.  

Myanmar Travel by Tuk Tuk

The tuk tuk is pretty much a standard option in many of the SE Asia countries. It is no different in Myanmar. If you decide to take a tuk tuk that you do not book through Grab make sure to negotiate hard. They will give you an outrageous price so be ready to haggle or walk away.  

Rent Motorbikes & E-Bikes

You can rent a motorbike in Myanmar but I would only do so in the bigger cities if you are a confident driver. The prices are around 8K kyat ($5.31 USD) for a manual bike or 15K kyat ($10 USD) for an automatic. The price is for 24 hours and includes a helmet.  These prices were the highest I have seen compared to many other countries in SE Asia. 

In Bagan, tourists can only rent the e-bike. This costs 8K kyat ($5.30 USD) per day and can be rented through your hotel or rental shops in town. The prices all seem to be around the same. The downside to the e-bike is that the battery doesn’t last that long and you’ll most likely have to return to your hotel at some point during the day to swap out your bike.  

Use a Myanmar Taxi

Another option to get around town is to hail a taxi. They will probably not be metered so you’ll have to agree on a price before stepping into the vehicle. I noticed that the prices for taxis were similar to Grab and cheaper than a tuk tuk. One time in Yangon I got quoted a cheaper price for a taxi than a Grab so it doesn’t hurt to ask around!

Archaeological Zone Fees in Myanmar

In Myanmar they have what’s called Archaeological Zone Fees. Now this only applies to a few of the cities and not everywhere. These fees are also only for tourists. In Inle Lake you have to pay 15,000 kyat ($10 USD) per person to enter the entire area. If you arrive by bus they will make you pay the archaeological zone fee as soon as you get off the bus or even while you are still on the bus.

In Bagan, the zone fees of 25,000 kyat ($16.75 USD) are paid once you exit the bus and drive via tuk tuk into town to get to your hotel. Here they will take a picture of you and give you a printed receipt. Keep this receipt on you or take a picture of it just in case you are asked to show it in the future.

In Mandalay you will have to pay zone fees which include your entrance fee into certain temples or sights. For example, the zone fee of 10,000 kyat ($6.50)  in Mandalay town covers the Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery, Kuthodaw Pagoda and a few more. You will have to pay an additional zone fee of 5,000 kyat ($3.30 USD) for Mingun town to see the Mingun Pagoda and the Hsinbyume Pagoda.

Fees for Temples or Sights in Myanmar

At some of the temples you will will have to pay an entrance fee. The amount is usually smaller than the zone fee and you should only be required to pay this in places like Yangon. You should only be charged a fee for a specific temple or sight if there is not a zone fee or if there is a camera usage fee. This happened to me only in Inle Lake where I was charged a very small amount of 500 MMK ($0.30 USD) for a camera fee.

TIP: Only pay for your digital camera and say that you won’t be using your phone. They will try to charge for you for each device and no one is checking or cares once you’re in.

Phone Service Options including Data & Wifi

Once you arrive at the airport you will see a few different options for data plans and SIM cards for your phones. The two main ones we saw were Ooredoo and Mytel which offer a tourist pack depending on how long you will be in country and how many GB’s you think you’ll need.

Purchasing a SIM in the airport is about the same price as doing it out in town and it’ll save you a ton of hassle later so just do it there.

I chose to use Ooredoo and it was not that great but neither was the wifi anywhere we went. Therefore, I’m not sure if the other option would be much better. I think in general the wifi and internet just isn’t very stable in Myanmar.

Even if you stumble upon a cafe or restaurant that offers free wifi, as well as your hotel, the connection will be slow and almost non-existant.

I paid 11,500 MMK ($7.75 USD) for my data package which was for 9500 MB and good for 30 days.

Photography in Myanmar

Capturing the perfect photograph on your Myanmar holiday is very easy to do! Tripods are allowed everywhere and they don’t have any specific rules against photography. There are a few temples that require you to pay a “photography fee” and two of them were in Inle Lake.  

Drones are allowed in the country but are NOT allowed to be flown unless you have retained a permit. Even then they have some pretty strict laws on where you can and cannot fly. If you have a drone and have not received permission to fly I would not risk it. Our hotel in Bagan said that if you got caught flying a drone over the temples you would either receive a 500,000 kyat ($332) fine or get your drone confiscated.  Not sure how accurate that information is or whether the punishment is much harsher but I decided it wasn’t worth finding out. In summary, just don’t fly a drone. 

» Click HERE for my full Travel Photography Gear Guide!

Myanmar Visa: How to Apply for an e-Visa to Myanmar

Most passport holders from other countries will need to apply online for a visa to Myanmar prior to visiting. You will need to do this about 5 days before your arrival as it can sometimes take that long and you’ll need to find a place to print out your visa.

To apply, you will need a copy of your passport and a passport sized photo that you can upload. The cost is $50 per person and it is good for 28 days.  

NOTE: You CANNOT get a visa on arrival in Myanmar so make sure to apply online. 

» Click HERE to apply for your online (e-visa) to Myanmar!

Vaccination Recommendations

Many counties around the world recommend getting the same vaccinations prior to your trip. A few of these you may have already gotten when you were a child and some you may need to get or update before leaving your country. I know that some of these vaccinations can come with a hefty price tag but I guarantee you’d rather be safe than sorry.

As always it is best to talk to your doctor or a travel medical clinic to determine what the best options are for you.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends the following vaccinations for travelers heading to Myanmar: Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, varicella (chickenpox), polio and the flu. Polio is actually a bit one right now due to recent outbreaks in Asia. If you had your polio vaccination as a child then confirm that you’ve also had your adult booster.

Other recommended vaccinations are: Hepatitis A, Thypoid, Japanese Encephalitis and Hepatitis B. You could also consider getting the Rabies series and you would need proof of Yellow Fever if you’ve come from a country where YF is present.

Another thing to keep in mind are the mosquitos. It is recommended to take anti-malarial medication while you are in Bagan but again, it is best to speak to a medical professional. Additionally, always wear insect repellent with DEET to prevent contracting Dengue Fever as it is very common in Asia.

The Currency in Myanmar & ATMS

The currency in Myanmar is the kyat or MMK. The conversion rate as of December 2019 is 1 USD = ~1,500 MMK. Most places, including your hotel, restaurants, motorbike rentals and entrance fees will only take cash so it’s best to have enough on you.

I only used kyat which I withdrew from an ATM in town. ATM’s can easily be found throughout the cities but as always I recommend using one attached to a bank just in case something happens and the machine doesn’t return your card.

Another thing to note is that sometimes your card will not work at certain ATM’s and will be rejected. Just try it in another machine before worrying that something is wrong with your card. Also keep in mind that some of the smaller towns like Inle Lake might be more difficult to get cash so I recommend bringing enough with you for the duration of your stay there.

Myanmar Weather: Best Time to Go

There are three different seasons in Myanmar. From October to around March is their dry, winter season. I went in November and the temperature during the day would get quite warm but at night it was cool and pleasant. There will be a brief time when it becomes very hot and that is from March to May.

Then from May to October is will be their wet, rainy season. However, don’t let that deter you from visiting during those months. Low season is often the best time to go due to less tourists and cheaper prices.

» TIP: Visit from the beginning of October until the beginning of April to see the hot air balloons. They do not fly during the rest of the year!

What to Wear in Myanmar

While traveling around Myanmar it is important to keep your shoulders and legs covered when entering the temples. This applies to both men and women. Many of the temples have strict rules and will either deny entry or have a skirt or shawl that you can borrow or rent. Also, wear easily removable shoes when you are visiting the temples as you will have to leave your shoes outside.

Since the weather is very hot, you’ll want to have light weight clothing that will keep you cool when out exploring for the day. However, in the evenings the temperature gets cooler and the overnight buses can be freezing. Therefore you’ll also want to pack a sweater, pants and maybe even a scarf! I bought one at the lotus & silk factory in Inle Lake!

Haggling in Myanmar

Since Myanmar is newer to the Southeast Asia travel circuit, haggling is not exactly common practice in the country. I found that the price given is usually the price you will end up paying. Granted I didn’t do much shopping there but you won’t find the same sort of haggling or negotiating game that is so commonly used throughout most of Southeast Asia.

The only thing I bought in Myanmar was a scarf at the lotus, silk & cotton factory in Inle Lake and the price was set.

Myanmar Travel Budget

Just like traveling anywhere in the world, your budget depends entirely on you. Myanmar is definitely a budget friendly destination but you could also splurge here if you wanted.

A hot air balloon ride in Bagan for example will set you back $350 USD a person. A fancy hotel could cost you well over $200 a night. However, you can also travel through Myanmar very inexpensively. Most rooms that I stayed in were under $20 a night for 2 people including breakfast. They were equipped with hot water, A/C and wifi even if the connection wasn’t that strong.

Dining in Myanmar can also be inexpensive if you eat at a local restaurant and stick to the standard dishes like fried noodles and fried rice.

Overall we spent on average around $45-60 a day for the 2 of us including hotel, food and transportation. Our daily expenses were a little higher on the days we had to pay the zone fees.

The Myanmar Time Zone

When checking the time you may notice that Myanmar has a 30-minute time difference compared to most of the world. However, this is not that uncommon. The same goes for India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and a few other countries so don’t think something is wrong with your phone!

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December 28, 2019 at 11:05 am

Myanmar looks absolutely incredible guys! Dying to go there 😍

December 29, 2019 at 4:09 am

Thank you Alina! It was such a stunning destination!

February 17, 2020 at 9:06 am

Thank you Alina! It is just a beautiful place with friendly people that you should definitely add it to your bucket list!

December 28, 2019 at 3:46 pm

Myanmar looks beautiful! It was never a place that had crossed our minds to visit but I think it might have earned a spot on the bucket list. Thanks for the fantastic guide!

February 17, 2020 at 9:05 am

Thank you Hannah! You would definitely love it here and you should add it to your bucket list to go asap!

December 28, 2019 at 3:57 pm

What excellent tips on traveling to Myanmar! I have been wanting to visit and these tips are super helpful to know prior to going. Thanks! 😁

January 23, 2020 at 3:38 am

Thank you so much Vanessa! I appreciate that so much and I am so glad that this post was helpful!

December 28, 2019 at 5:34 pm

Great tips! Look like a beautiful place to visit, thanks for sharing, I haven’t heard much on the destination

Thank you so much! It was a beautiful place and definitely one of my favorites for this trip!

December 28, 2019 at 5:52 pm

Ok how beautiful is Myanmar? This is such a helpful guide and answered all the questions I had. Can’t wait to actually visit Myanmar. I know I’ll get there at some point.

December 29, 2019 at 4:07 am

Thank you Emma! It really is such a beautiful country and let me know if you have any other questions when you finally make it there!

January 4, 2020 at 11:13 am

Such beautiful pictures! We’ve spent most of the past couple years in Southeast Asia, and we were planning to FINALLY visit Myanmar last fall and then ended up changing our plans. I’ve been wanting to go there for so long – hopefully on the next trip!

January 23, 2020 at 3:40 am

Thank you so much Jen! Such a bummer that you didn’t make it there during your time in SE Asia but now you’ll have something to look forward to when you go back!

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Myanmar Travel Guide

Myanmar (formerly Burma) is one of the best kept secrets of Southeast Asia travel. This is a wild, beautiful country with very friendly people.

Even though it hasn't been spoiled by tourism yet, that may change before long because there are so many amazing things to see here. We felt like time travelers stepping into some of the old temples and ruins of Bagan .

Read through this complete Myanmar travel guide for more info on what to expect!

Quick Facts

Burmese; 'Thank you' is 'chay-tzoo-beh'

Kyats & US Dollars

VOA or eVisa for 100+ nationalities

Tropical; hot & humid year round

Power Plugs

Type C / D / F / G

As a tourist, your main airports in Myanmar will be Yangon (code: RGN) and Mandalay (code: MDL). These have lots of direct flights from other countries in Southeast Asia and beyond. There's a small airport in Bagan (NYU), but most people drive there from Mandalay. You can shop for flights to Myanmar on Skyscanner.

In general, Myanmar is a pretty safe travel destination, with a low violent crime rate from the UN of 2.3 per 100k inhabitants (66% lower than the global average). There are a few areas not advised for travel because of unrest, but these are well away from the popular tourist spots. I’ve traveled in many parts of the country and didn't witness any crime. Myanmar got 4.5 million tourist arrivals in 2019.

The climate of Myanmar is tropical, so the weather is hot and humid year round, although the months from November to February are a bit cooler. The rainy season runs from June to September/October. It's still possible to visit Myanmar during the rainy season, but you might want to give yourself some extra days as a buffer in case of bad weather.

Myanmar can be a very cheap place to travel, with hostels and private hotels available from $8 USD . Meals are also cheap, costing about $1 to $3 depending on location.

Transportation in Myanmar is generally by motorbike or car, and these can be rented to self drive, but hiring a driver is cheap and often preferable. The Grab transportation app is great for getting around cities like Mandalay.

The best Myanmar tours & activities

Bagan Travel Guide

My latest blog posts about Myanmar

How To Visit The Temples Of Bagan In Myanmar

The forgotten temple city of Bagan in Myanmar is like a bizarre fairytale, with a landscape of mysterious and exotic pagodas that goes beyond just culture shock. …

Mingun Pagoda: Pahtodawgyi Ruins By Mandalay Myanmar

The awesome Mingun Pagoda (also known as the Pahtodawgyi ruins) is one of the most interesting things to see near Mandalay, Myanmar. This is a giant unfinished …

Shwezigon Pagoda – Golden Temple In Bagan, Myanmar

The Shwezigon Pagoda (also called Shwezigon Paya) is a fantastic gold covered Buddhist temple in Bagan, Myanmar (Burma). This pagoda was built in the 11th century, but …

Anisakan Falls (Dat Taw Gyaint Waterfall) By Mandalay Myanmar

Anisakan Falls (also known as the Dat Taw Gyaint Waterfall in Burmese) is a nice hike in the mountains of northern Myanmar. This trail is budget friendly, …

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The Complete Myanmar Travel Guide

With ancient temples and pagodas, untouched landscapes and an emerging culture, Myanmar is slowly opening up to the modern world. There is much to learn and discover about this magical country. If Myanmar is in your dreaming list, please find the useful information about the country in our Myanmar travel guide below.

Table of Contents

I. Myanmar Travel Facts

Crime and theft, touts and pests, list of visa exemption countries, visa on arrival, iv. when to visit myanmar, yangon international airport, mandalay international airport, naypidaw international airport, get to myanmar from thailand, get to myanmar from india, get to myanmar from laos, golden rock, mergui archipelago, pick-up trucks, motorbike taxi, private car, overnight cruise, private car, hotel in yangon, hotel in bagan, hotels in mandalay, hotels in inle, hotels in kalaw, hotel in hsipaw, hotel in mrauk u, hotel in golden rock, hotel in ngapali, hotel in mergui archipelago, ix. what to eat in myanmar, best itinerary for 1 week in myanmar, best itinerary for 2 weeks in myanmar:, southeast asia tours packages, currency, credit cards & exchange money, electric socket, tipping in myanmar, internet connection, what to wear for travel in myanmar, food and water hygiene, insects and bugs, medical in myanmar.

• Country Name: Officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
• Capital: Naypyidaw
• Location: in Southeast Asia, bordered by Bangladesh and India at the northwest, China at the northeast, Laos and Thailand at east and southeast, and the Andaman Sea at south and southwest.
• Time Zone: GMT+6:30
• Land Area: 676,578 km2, the largest country in Mainland Southeast Asia
• Climate: Tropical
• Official Language: Burmese
• Religion: Buddhism (87.9 %), Christianity (6.2%), Islam (4.3%) & Others (1.6%)
• Ethnic Groups: Bamar (68%), Shan (9%), Karen (7%), Rakhine (4%), Chinese (3%), Indian (2%), Mon (2%) and others (5%). Myanmar has total 135 ethnic groups
• Country Calling Code: +95
• Driving side: Right.

II. Safety in Myanmar

In general, Myanmar is an extremely safe country, especially in the main tourist areas. Myanmar may not appear safe at times, because of on-going ethnic civil war or political tensions. But as a tourist, these hardly affect you. However, there are few things you should be aware of

Petty theft is low, likely due to the country’s strict penalties it imposes on criminals. However, like every country on earth, petty crime (like pickpocketing and purse snatching) does happen in Myanmar, so you should take some basic precautions to keep your valuables safe. Standard safety measures should be exercised, such as keeping valuables concealed and a firm grip on bags, just in case. Wearing a money bag or wallet is an easy way to avoid pickpockets.

Tourists can see some touts who try to approach and recommend some particular services (hotel, restaurant, souvenir shops…). Touts make their money by collecting commissions from the service they recommend successfully. However, it is not dangerous. You just need to refuse them politely but firmly, then they’ll back down and let you carry on your way. Compared to other parts of Southeast Asia, this really is a minor problem in Myanmar – you may not ever come across a tout in your travels here.

In main tourist destinations, vendors may increase their prices, trying to scam tourists into spending more for what you buy. You might find a few rude and pushy locals trying to guilt-trip you about their poverty, just to get a few extra-dollars. Although this will make you feel uncomfortable while you’re there, there is no threat to your safety. Simply walk away without playing their game.

III. Myanmar Visa

Except for these countries mentioned above, all nationalities are required to get a Visa to Myanmar. Traditionally, you can do Visa in Myanmar Embassies in your country. Find the nearest embassy here: https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/Home/EmbrassyLink

It is easier than ever to travel to Myanmar now, thanks to the recent move to processing visas online. Nowadays, residents of 100 countries can apply for an E-visa through the official Myanmar government website: https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/

E-visa fee is US$ 50 per person and you can get it within 3 working days. For express service, it costs US$ 56 per person and you can get Visa done within 24 hours even in holidays and weekends. E-visa is valid within 90 days from the issued date. You can use it to enter Myanmar through international airports and land border crossing points. For more information, view our link: https://myanmartravel.com/myanmar-visa/

Visa on Arrival is the newest option to get Visa to Myanmar. As 2020, there are 13 nationalities are allowed to get Visa on Arrival for tourism purpose

To get Visa On Arrival, you need to queue up at Visa on Arrival desk at International airports to make the visa done before going through Immigration counters. Visa fee is US$ 50 per person. However, Visa on Arrival are granted at 3 international airports only. View more information in our link: https://myanmartravel.com/myanmar-visa-on-arrival/

Myanmar climate is subtropical/tropical and divided into three seasons:

• A “cool” winter from November to February
• A hot summer season in March and April
• A rainy season from May to October

Tourists tend to avoid the rainy season and travel in the dry season which runs between October and April. The peak inflows occur between November and February when it is considered as the best time to visit in Myanmar thanks to cooler and dry weather . Days remain warm but it can get chilly at night in the hills. In March, the thermometer can leap from highs of around 28C in central Burma to over 40C, with debilitating levels of humidity.

In fact, you can visit Myanmar all year round. The rainy season depends on location. Annual rainfall in the delta region is approximately 2,500 mm (98.4 in), while average annual rainfall in the Dry Zone in central Myanmar is less than 1,000 mm (39.4 in). As a result, if beach vacation is not your plan, you are still able to visit highlights of the country as Bagan, Mandalay as they are located in Dry Zone. The advantage of traveling in rainy season is that you can book hotel and air ticket at half price of normal season. The places are also less crowded which allows you to freely enjoy the location.

Try to time your visit to include a Full Moon day as this is a popular time for street parades and festivities in monasteries. Avoid the Maya Thingyan Water Festival (usually in April) when a lot of businesses is closed, sometimes for ten days.

V. How to get to Myanmar

Flights to Myanmar are the usual option for travelers as the first mode of entry. But, considering the location of Myanmar – shares the border with China, Thailand and Laos, India and Bangladesh – there are multiple avenues for land entry even not all of them are advised due to safety. Besides, some international cruises stop at Yangon Thilawa Port and passengers may disembark there for tours in few days.

Myanmar has 3 international airports :

• Mandalay (located right in the middle of Myanmar)
• Yangon (located in the south)
• Nay Pyi Taw (situated in between Mandalay and Yangon)

Almost everyone arrives in Myanmar at either Yangon or Mandalay airport. Few airlines use Nay Pyi Taw at present.

Yangon international airport, the main gateway to get to Myanmar.

Although of former capital, Yangon International Airport remains the primary entry point for most international visitors. Flying in and out of Yangon is cheaper and has more connections than Mandalay. You can book direct flights from many countries in Asia to Yangon and vice versa. There are regular direct flights to Yangon from:

• Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) with Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia;
• Bangkok & Chiang Mai (Thailand) with Bangkok Airways and Air Asia;
• Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) with Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet;
• Guangzhou (China) with Myanmar Airways International;
• Hong Kong with Cathay Dragon;
• Kunming (China) with Air China;
• Kolkata (India) with Myanmar Airways International;
• Dubai (UAE) with Emirates;
• Doha (Qatar) with Qatar Airways.
• Tokyo (Japan) with All Nippon Airways

Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Doha and Dubai are the hubs that most travelers from Europe, North America and Australia go through to get to Myanmar. You can easily find direct flights through these cities.

From Yangon airport, it takes at least 45 minutes to drive downtown. Local taxis are available. For information on Yangon airport terminals, domestic connections and how to get to central Yangon from the airport, go https://myanmartravel.com/yangon-international-airport/ .

Mandalay international airport, the second biggest airport in Myanmar

Mandalay International Airport offers just few international flights. It hosts direct flights from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singapore and Kunming. Except for Bangkok, the other flights to Mandalay are not operated daily.

From the airport, it takes an hour’s drive to downtown Mandalay. Visitors on prearranged tours will be picked up by private car, while independent travelers may need to take a taxi or buses to downtown. Find more information here: https://myanmartravel.com/mandalay-international-airport/

As you can see, Bangkok has very good connections with Myanmar as well as other countries all over the world. Thailand offers visa-free travel for the citizens of many countries; the length of the stay period depends on what country you are from – varying from 14 days to 3 months.

Hence, we highly recommend travels to book return flights between your original country and Bangkok. If so, you can fly to Yangon and depart from Mandalay or vice versa. This helps to save time and money. The Bangkok to Yangon flight time is around one hour and will typically cost between US$150 and $250 return (depending on time of year and which airline you use).

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is served by many major international airlines, and flights from there and from Bangkok Don Mueang Airport to Yangon are frequent, fast and cheap (in case you need to change airports in Bangkok between two flight, the journey between the two airports is one hour by free shuttle bus or taxi).

Naypyidaw airport is located 16 kilometers southeast of capital city Nay Pyi Taw. Although it serves the capital, there is very small number of direct international connections, mainly from Bangkok, Thailand and few major cities in China as Beijing, Kunning, Shenzen & Nanning. However, flight schedule is not reliable as Naypyidaw is not major tourist destination. It takes about 30 minutes to drive from the main hotel zones and most government offices and ministries. Taxis are around K15,000; there are no public transport options.

At present it is possible to travel freely over land between the Myanmar borders with Thailand and India. The border crossing with Laos is remote and permission to cross remains uncertain, and the borders with both Bangladesh and China are closed to foreigners.

Tak Immigration check point connects Mae Sot town in Western Thailand to Myawaddy town in Southeastern Myanmar

There are four Thai/Myanmar border points opened to foreigners

• Mae Sai – Tachileik (in the Shan State of eastern Myanmar on the border to northern Thailand)

Foreigners can cross the border at Mae Sai in Thailand (near attractions of Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai) to get to Tachileik in Myanmar side. From Tachileik, you can travel overland to Kyaing Tong in Myanmar. Both Kyaing Tong and Tachileik have airports with internal flight connections to Mandalay, Yangon and Heho (for Inle Lake, Kalaw and Taunggyi).

• Mae Sot – Myawaddy (in the Kayin State of southeastern Myanmar on the border to western Thailand)

It is the most practical crossing point for tourists because of its relative proximity to the main Myanmar transport network and places of interest such as Mount Kyaiktiyo (the Golden Rock), Hpa An and Mawlamyine. Mae Sot has daily direct flights and frequent buses to Bangkok. On the Myanmar side, buses from Myawaddy run daily to Mawlamyine, Hpa An and Yangon. The new road connecting Myawaddy to the rest of Myanmar, so the drive is much better than it was before.

• Ranong – Kawthaung (in the southernmost part of Myanmar, Tanintharyi Region on the border of the Thai Peninsula and the cluster of islands)

The crossing point offers options for further travel in Myanmar – buses or flights on to Myeik, Dawei and north to Yangon, plus cruises to the Myeik Archipelago. In fact, this point is preferable to be the ending point of Myanmar trip, after few days relaxing at the cruise or private island resorts in Mergui.

• Phu Nam Ron – Htee Khee (in the south of Myanmar, near Dawei on the border to the Central Thailand)

This remote border crossing point allows access between Phu Nam Ron in Thailand (nearest Kanchanaburi) and Htee Kee in Myanmar (the nearest town is Dawei). Note that e-visa is not valid for entry at this border crossing. You need to prepare a normal paper visa.

The Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Moreh connects India to Kalewa in Myanmar’s Sagaing Division.

There are two opened border crossings connecting Myanmar and India. Both accept e-visas, require no special travel permits and are not in areas of restricted travel.

• Moreh – Tamu (in the Sagaing Region of northwestern Myanmar on the border to northeastern India)

In western Sagaing Division is the border crossing between Moreh (India, Manipur state) and Tamu (Myanmar, Sagaing Division). The small town of Tamu serves primarily as a transport and logistics hub for cross border trade between India and Myanmar. There is also an ATM, a variety of restaurants, and several hotels that accept foreigners.

• Zokhawthar – Rih Khaw Dar (a six-hour drive from the border village of Khawmawi in the northwestern Chin State of Myanmar on the border of Southeastern India)

The Myanmar government opened this border crossing to increase the trade flow to remote northwestern Chin State. That being said, this mountainous region offers incredible scenery, rugged roads, and a unique cultural experience. Just outside of Rikhawdar village is the heart-shaped Rih Lake.

There is a Myanmar/Laos border crossing that connects Kyainglap in eastern Shan State with Xieng Kok in Luang Namtha Province by the Myanmar-Laos Friendship Bridge. The bridge was opened in 2015 and the only bridge crossing the Mekong River to connect the two countries. The towns on both sides are very remote, with undeveloped infrastructure and unpaved roads. On the Myanmar side, the nearest towns to the border are Tachileik at 97km and Kyaing Tong at 164km (six hours drive). It has been announced that by authorities that the border crossing is open to foreigners, but you attempt it at your own risk. E-visa is also not available for entry from this point.

Some international cruises stop at Thilawa, a deep river port south of Yangon. From Thilawa, it takes about one hour to drive to Yangon downtown. Normally, travelers will have 2 or 3 full days to explore the country. You can choose day excursions to visit Yangon or overnight trip to further areas of Bagan or Inle Lake.

VI. Highlights of Myanmar

Many people think that the attractions of Myanmar are only Buddhist sites, so they do not want to spend much time in the country. But this it absolutely not true. The country is filled with everything from culture exploration, multi-day hikes, cycling tours and river journeys. And with Myanmar’s location next to the Andaman Sea (and the Bay of Bengal), beach time and diving are also on the list.

Sunset over Shwedagon Pagoda, looking from Kandawgyi Lake.

Although Yangon is no longer the capital of Myanmar, it remains largest and busiest city (the military regime decided to move the capital from Yangon to Naypyidaw in 2006). The city has many fabulous things to explore.

For beautiful cultural and spiritual attractions, the most important site is the gold-covered Shwedagon Pagoda . The National Museum will give you a good introduction to the nation’s fascinating history. There are many other Buddhist sites of significance in Yangon such as the Sule, Botahtaung, and Chaukhtatgyi pagodas.

The other charm of Yangon is meandering through its narrow streets, winding market lanes, and past its colonial stone buildings. Pagodas are thickly embedded in this bustling commercial hub and the waterfront is always busy and interesting.

The circle train is nice experience to get acquainted with local life. It is the cheap mode of transportation which people use to travel through the outskirts of Yangon. The slowly traveling train gives you unique opportunity to enjoy observing the lively and colorful life of the rural Burmese people

Lastly, you’ll find the best selection of shops and restaurants in Yangon. From humble street food stalls, sprawling markets and fancy restaurants, Yangon can suite all taste. One must-try experience is having Burmese tea in a tea house, the social hub of local people. Tea has very important role in Burmese life. People use lots of time at Tea houses, like Westerners hang out at cafes and pubs. Tea houses can serve some traditional noodles for quick breakfast or some deep – fried or sweet snack for break meals.

Balloon flights over Bagan temples at sunrise

Bagan is home to more than 2,000 pagodas between the 9th and 13th centuries which nestles in the green hills. It is really a world wonder and are certainly worth checking out when you’re traveling to Myanmar. History lovers are also sure to be amazed of artifacts and architecture on show in Bagan. Here you will see the efforts to the conquering, uniting and empire-building Buddhist kings and queens. Many travelers stay for at least two days to cover the temple grounds and have adequate rest from doing so in the heat.

Spend your time to explore as many as you can, and clamber the high hills for sunrise and sunset. The area is beautiful at any time of the day, however, things are especially enchanting when the sun go up or down.

Fortunately, there’s now another and perhaps equally fantastic way to see all of the Bagan plain – you can take a hot air balloon as the sun rises – truly unforgettable. Between the months of October and April, hot air balloons rise in the sky around the pagodas, giving visitors an epic view of the landscape below.

From Bagan, you can do day excursions to some nearby attractions such as Mt. Popa, Salay..

Sunset over U Bein bridge, the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world

Mandalay is the second-largest city in Myanmar. Life here is a little bit slower than it is in Yangon, allowing you to slow down a little and scratch the surface of this enchanting city.

It is one of Myanmar’s most significant spiritual areas, with over half of the country’s monks residing in Mandalay. You’ll find plenty of beautiful temples, including the famous Shwenandaw Monastery – noted for its exquisite wood carvings, gold leaf beating workshop, Kuthodaw Pagoda – known as the world biggest book or Mahamuni Pagoda – contains a relic of the Buddha which has true significance to the Burmese people. Mandalay is also home to the restored Mandalay Palace.

Part of the beauty of Mandalay owes to its setting between the river and hills. As well as exploring the city on foot, it’s a delight to walk up Mandalay Hill for a beautiful view of the city Mandalay is also a base to explore the nearby former royal capital cities, such as Sagaing and Inwa. One of the most beautiful moment you should not miss is sunset over U Bein bridge, the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world. In Mandalay, you can take boat trip along the river to Bagan or up the North to visit the remote areas as Bhamo, Myitkyina…

A beautiful boat trip to floating villages on Inle Lake

It is the second largest lake in Myanmar in the northern Shan State. It is a vast basin, snaking off into tiny canals with small hand-built dams and floating gardens. People come here to see the fisherman using traditional fishing methods. They do not handle the oar by hands but using one leg. In addition, their daily life in floating villages is also highlight of the trip. You can take a boat trip to discover these villages including Phaungdawoo pagodas which is believed the holiest in Inle Lake, floating gardens, 5-day market and their traditional work (lotus weaving, cigar making…)

Participate in daily care for elephants in Kalaw.

Kalaw is particularly known as a base for treks of varying lengths. It is a former colonial hill station in the Shan hills, 2 hours driving from Inle Lake. Travelers can simply enjoy the cool breeze and colonial architecture. However, it’s better to explore the surrounding villages by foot. Kalaw has been visited by tourists even during the regime’s days, when a seven-day stay was the maximum Myanmar visa granted for tourists. Although this beautiful destination is growing in popularity, it has not lost its sense of authenticity and tranquility.

Treks range from a few hours to a few days, meaning there is something for everyone – from the total novice to the enthusiast. For long trek, travelers will stay overnight in monastery in villages. The villages you will visit on these treks will be a lasting memory of Myanmar.

The other highlight in Kalaw is Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp. It is home of retired elephants. They aim to provide friendly home and environment for elephants. So, elephant riding is not available here but you will have a chance to play and bath for them.

Breathtaking scenery in Hsipaw

Hsipaw is known for its hiking trails, but less popular than Kalaw due to more remote location (6-7 hours to drive from Mandalay). Hsipaw is a small town with limited accommodation and infrastructures. But it has important meaning in Burmese history. Here you can visit Shan Palace where the last Prince of Hsipaw lived with his Austrian wife. If you want to discover the off beaten track places before the crowds come, Hsipaw is a good idea.

You can do 1 to 3-day trek to nearby villages and meet different ethnic people. Following that, the three-hour train journey from Hsipaw to the former colonial summer hideaway of Pyin Oo Lwin, across the Goteik Viaduct is a heart-racing journey and an unforgettable experience in Myanmar.

Mrauk U, the mystical town in fog

Mrauk U used to be the capital of the Mrauk U Kingdom, a powerful empire that existed from 1430 until 1785. Today Mrauk U is a small town where the Myanmar’s the second largest archeological zone is located. You can see centuries old monuments forming the backdrop for daily life of local people. With fog that is often appeared, the area has very mystical atmosphere to visitors.

Among hundreds of pagodas, the remarkable sites include Shitthaung Temple, known as “80,000 Images”, erected in 1536, after King Meng Ba conquered Bengal, the unique stone carvings in the multi-spire Andawthein Ordination Hall, the circular Ratanabon Pagoda, vaulted passages with impressive stone sculptures in the huge fortress-like temple of Dukkhanthein and the first erected pagoda at Laymyetnha. In addition, you can do day trips to Vesali ancient city and scared Mahamuni Buddha Image, similar to the one in Mandalay.

Lastly, you can visit some ethnic villages nearby and the most well – known is Chin people with tattooed face. Compared to Bagan, Mrauk U receives very few visitors. Due to internal conflicts in Rakhine area, the area has been usually closed to foreign visitors. Before travelling to the area, make sure there are no travel restrictions.

Golden Rock, the scared Buddhist site for local people

It is one of Burma’s most sacred Buddhist sites, located in Mon State. It is a small pagoda built on the top of a granite boulder, covered with gold leaves pasted on by its male devotees. The pagoda enshrines Buddha’s hair relic. Coming here, you can see an amazing sight of the massive boulder hanging over a steep cliff. After dark, the Golden Rock is a mystical place with the candle lights. The complex consists of several viewing platforms, a number of pagodas, shrines containing Buddha images and shrines for Nats, the Burmese spirits. There are also a few restaurants and guest houses nearby.

Enjoy slow and relaxing life in Ngapali

A beautiful coastline and tropical climate making beach is one of the best experience in Myanmar. Of Myanmar’s coastal regions, Ngapali is the best known and most popular beach for foreign visitors. With over seven kilometers of beautiful white sand, clear blue water and a generally peaceful atmosphere, many visitors declare Ngapali to be the best beach in Southeast Asia.

Life here is slow and relaxing, although a selection of modest restaurants, beach bars, and shops are available to make your stay enjoyable. In the future, this area can be another Southeast Asian beach hotspot like Pattaya or Phuket in Thailand. But right now, it still hosts only small numbers of tourists.

Kayaking around the isolated island in Mergui Archipelago

Mergui Archipelago, off the far south coast of the long peninsula mainland of Myanmar, has hundreds of islands. While many people come here for pristine beaches, it’s coral reefs attract divers to the region for undiscovered territory. To reach to the islands, you will need to catch a flight from Yangon to Kawthaung, a base for boat trips to islands. The best thing to do here is to stay at eco resorts on private islands to immerse in unspoiled nature.

These eco resorts cost from one hundred to nearly thousand US dollars per day including everything your trip trip. The resorts will offer trekking to surrounding jungles, water sports or diving service. This is also convenient ending point of your trip if you want to exit Myanmar for Thailand. It takes 30 minutes to reach Ranong, Thailand from Kawthaung. From Ranong, you can take a bus to Phuket or fly directly back to Bangkok.

VII. Get around

For short sightseeing.

There are plenty of options available to explore one site, depending on each location.

It is easy to book taxi in major destinations

Taxis are available in large towns and cities. They range from 1970s Toyotas to occasional new left-hand-drive imported vehicles. Traditionally, taxis have no meters but drivers tend not to overcharge as outrageously as in many other Southeast Asian countries. At the moment, there are many taxi apps (Grab, Oway Ride, Hello Cabs…) operating in Myanmar. The aim to provide fixed fares, safety and comfort to clients.

But unfortunately, these apps just focus mainly in Yangon. Grab and Hello Cabs provide service in Bagan and Mandalay as well but options are still limited. In other areas, you must reply on your bargaining skill. Expect to pay around 2,000–4,000 kyats (1.50–3 USD) in short distance. For longer journeys, such as from Yangon airport to the city centre, you’ll most likely be charged 18,000 –20,000 kyats (12 – 15 USD).

YBS, a new and modern bus system in Yangon city

Public buses run only in the largest cities, including Yangon and Mandalay. Recently, they’ve been regulated and there is an actual schedule in place. However, the buses are usually quite crowded. A one-way journey costs 200 kyats (less than 0.5 USD).

Pick – up truck is the most popular mean of transportation for local people.

A local version of public bus in Myanmar. They are popular in most of towns through the country. Pick-up trucks cover set routes and pick up and drop people off on the way. They usually depart regularly throughout the day and can get so full that passengers must sit on the roof. If you want the most comfortable seats, in the cabin, then you can pay a little extra. However, it is not easy for tourists because they do not show the route in English.

Experience a ride with local motorbike taxi driver

Except for Yangon where motorbike is banned, motorbike taxi can be seen everywhere in Myanmar. Motorbike taxis are cheaper than car taxis, so a typical ride between two destinations in the city should come to less than 5,000 kyats (3.5 USD).

Trishaw is the unique way for short distance

They are still in use in many towns, although they are being edged out by motorcycle taxis, which are much faster and normally around the same price. They are available on most street corners. It is more authentic way to go in short distances.

Cycling on sandy roads that takes you to villages and temples around Bagan.

Cycling is a wonderful way to explore the local area, especially in the smaller towns and villages. With about 5 USD, you can rent a bicycle for whole day. This provides you with the ultimate freedom to move at your own pace and leisure. Most hotels offer bicycle for rent, even some hotels offer for free. The best spots to hop on two wheels are when exploring the ancient pagodas of Bagan, peaceful surroundings of Pyin Oo Lwin (included in your trip) or around the villages and gardens on the banks of Inle Lake.

Discover the famous Bagan temples on a horse carriage ride.

It is used as a key form of transportation in small towns, or to ferry tourists around in a number of places, notably Bagan, Inwa and Pyin Oo Lwin. Price is about US$5 for half – day rent.

Renting a private to have the most comfort with your family or friends.

Another way to get around is by hiring a private car. You’ll be on the move independently by more modern and comfortable vehicle. Private transfer gives you the flexibility and convenience to your trip. You no need to follow the existed schedule but can set your own one. The rental fee is not so high. A full day city tour in Yangon or Mandalay costs about US$ 35 in 4-seater car. It is more than economic if you share it with family or friends.

For long distance

Although the infrastructure in Myanmar has been developing, there are plenty of transportation mode to travel between destinations

Flight is the fastest way to travel within the country

Given the long journey overland, travelling by plane is the easiest way to travel, especially to the remote areas (such as Kengtung) where overland routes are closed to foreigners. As now, Myanmar has 5 airlines which run services on domestic routes: Air KBZ, Golden Myanmar Airlines, Mann Yadanarpon Airlines, Myanmar National Airlines, and Air Thanlwin (formerly Yangon Airways). Most of them are private airlines, except for Myanmar National Airlines.

Most of flights base in Yangon. If you choose to depart from Yangon, you can fly to anywhere in the country. However, while private airlines operate flights from/to main destination, only Myanmar National Airlines operate flights to the remote areas such as Loikaw, Myitkyina,.. Few private airlines also operate flights to these areas but the schedule is not reliable.

Airlines in Myanmar use mainly ATR aircraft, so no business class is available. One flight may have several stops before the final destination. At each stop, some passengers will get off, some will get on, and some will stay on board and wait for a later stop. Please be aware of this, so that you are not surprised while on plane. One fun fact is that it possible to make a journey one way in few routes (for example, Nyaung U to Thandwe) than the other way (Thandwe to Nyaung U).

Bus is available to every corner of the country.

Bus is good option to travel on a budget. There are many different bus companies and most are privately owned. You can take buses to every corner of the country. Buses are usually faster and cheaper than trains. For long distance journey (from Yangon to other highlights), overnight buses are very comfortable with air-conditioned, reclining seats, a place to charge your phone.

You will be provided a pillow, blanket, snack, and water bottle on bus. Make sure you bring warm clothes as they tend to crank up the air-conditioning. There are also local buses running segments of longer routes which are in worse condition. They are smaller and tend to be jam-packed with luggage. On major routes, such as Yangon to Mandalay, it’s worth to take a more modern bus at a small additional fee

Train journey in Myanmar is not just for the transportation, but a good chance to discover local life.

The railway system in Myanmar is antiquated, making the journey very slow and generally uncomfortable. It can take up to 17 hours from Yangon to Mandalay while bus takes 9 or 10 hours only. Trains are usually preferable to travel from Yangon to Bagan or Mandalay. It is also possible to get to Inle Lake by train but there is no direct train. So, you need to change the train between. Due to the long time spent on these routes, night train is usually preferable.

Sleeper carriages accommodate four passengers and come with blankets and linen. They can be reserved 3 days in advance at train stations. Long-distance trains often have restaurant cars, and food vendors either come on board or carry out transactions through the windows whenever the train stops. The bathrooms onboard are basic and often unclean. However, train journey in Myanmar is not just for the transportation. It is for the experience itself: many routes run through areas of great beauty (the Goteik viaduct between Pyin Oo Lwin and Hsipaw is a good example), plus there is the chance to interact with local people (the circle train in Yangon)

The river cruise along Irrawaddy River.

With so many rivers running through the country, river boat & cruise are the good way to experience the life of the Myanmar people.

In several destinations, you can take a boat as a slow and cheap mode of transportation. The boat journey between Mandalay and Bagan takes about 10 – 12 hours depending on which direction you take. Mandalay – Bagan is recommended as it faster and have one stop for sightseeing at local village. It is operated daily from October to April. Price is about US$ 40 – 50 per oneway ticket. It is also popular way to get to Mrauk U from Sittwe as road condition is not very good.

Overnight cruises are usually operated along Irrawaddy and Chindwin River. Irrawaddy River is the largest and the most important one in the country. It’s 2,210km and navigable for over 1,600km. On Irrawaddy River, the popular route is between Mandalay and Bagan which may take from one to several nights. The longer cruise will take you to upper destinations as Katha, Bhamo… The cruise from Yangon to Mandalay is sometimes operated as well.

The Chindwin River is the main tributary of the Irrawaddy and is navigable for 965km. Following its flow, you can cruise up to remote areas in the North as well as Homalin or Nagaland. Most of local cruises such as Irrawaddy Princess II or Royal Princess only provides one or two nights cruise between Bagan and Mandalay. For longer routes, you should check with international brand cruises including Pandaw, Paukan or Ananda Sanctuary Cruise.

Traveling by private car with Myanmar Travel

If you want to combine some stops on the way which other modes hardly reach, private car is the best way. For example, you can do overland journey from Yangon to Golden Rock, then Bago, Naypyidaw and finally Mandalay. It gives you the different scenes of Myanmar life and nature. But the downside is the high cost.

VIII. Hotels in Myanmar

Hotel prices in Myanmar can vary anywhere between US $30 – 500 per night for one or two people, catering for all budgets and preferences. Most of hotels have their prices in US dollars, however they will accept payment in both US dollars and kyat. The vast majority of hotels include buffet breakfast.

Hotel price in Myanmar has actually decreased in recent years, due to improved infrastructure and increasing tourism levels. Interestingly enough, this was not the case ten years ago, when there was a huge shortage of accommodations due to the newly-opened tourism across the whole country. At the moment, with hundreds of new hotels popping up throughout Myanmar, travelers are easier to find good hotels with more reasonable price.

Although, accommodations are quite basic and are slightly more expensive compared to other Southeast Asian countries as Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia. If you’re traveling during peak season or holidays, it is best to book your accommodations in advance. To help you in planning out, we would like to recommended some of the best places to stay in Myanmar from middle range to luxurious hotels

Lotte Hotel Yangon

As the biggest and the most commercial city of Myanmar, Yangon has a bloom of hotels in different categories. Beside old aged hotels such as Strand, Belmond Governor’s Residence, Savoy or Sule Shangri – La, there are many international brand luxury hotels (Pacific, Melia, Lotte) as well as basic local hotels going into operation. Therefore, this makes hotels’ price in Yangon much more reasonable than it is in other areas. With about US$ 100, you can book a room at luxurious hotels as Wyndham, Chatrium… For the best options, please view our post here

https://myanmartravel.com/best-hotels-in-yangon/

Amata Garden Resort Bagan

In recent years, Bagan also has an increase of hotels but they are mainly middle ranged ones. Bagan still lacks options for luxury hotels when there are just few choices such as Aureum Palace Hotel, Bagan Lodge or the newest one Heritage Bagan Hotel. Actually, middle ranged hotels in Bagan are quite good when they offer big rooms with nice decoration, modern facilities and especially swimming pool. It helps travelers to hide from the heat in Bagan. Please find out our recommendations in this post:

https://myanmartravel.com/best-hotels-in-bagan/

Hotel Yadanarbon

Although being the second biggest city in Mandalay, the development here is not really equal. In recent 5 years, there is only new luxury hotel which is Pullman Mandalay Hotel. While the number of new hotels in Yangon is much more. The middle – ranged and basic hotels are also increased but cannot be compared with ones in Yangon or Bagan. Hotels in Mandalay tend to be city hotels with small rooms and basic facilities. Here is the link for hotels in Mandalay:

https://myanmartravel.com/best-hotels-in-mandalay/

In Inle, travelers have many options to choose for overnight stay from budget to luxury. Nyaung Shwe town is the main gateway to Inle Lake. So, it is the busiest area where you can find shops, restaurants, bars and markets. Hotels in this area are mainly boutique and basic ones. It is popular are for backpackers and young travelers who are interested in party and nightlife.

If you look for romantic and quiet, you should stay in floating resorts on the lake or in the East and Southeast area of the lake. Here you can find luxurious hotels with direct view of the lake. However, it is not convenient to go out after dark from these areas, so you have only option to entertain yourselves at your resort.

Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min

Below are our recommendations:

Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Inle

• Location: Mine Thauk Village, East Inle Lake. It is 13km from Nyaung Shwe Town
• Features: traditional style villas with half of them are floating over the water.
• Facilities: Fitness centre, swimming pool, Souvenir shop
• Price: from US$ 160 per room per night
• Location: Thalae Oo Village, Southeast Inle Lake, 20km from Nyaung Shwe
• Feature: modern design with duplex buildings. Some rooms offer direct view of the lake
• Facilities: Wifi, swimming pool, spa, bar & fitness center
• Price: from US$ 150 per room per night

Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min

• Location: Mine Thauk Village, East Inle Lake, 13km from Nyaung Shwe town
• Price: from US$ 100 per room per night

Inle Resort & spa

• Location: Myaung Yoe Gyi Village, near Nyaung Shwe town. Can access by boat or car
• Feature: nice hotel with traditional decoration and lush garden
• Facilites: Wifi, swimming pool, spa & fitness center
• Price: from US$ 70 per room per night

Shwe Inn Tha Floating Resort

• Location: On the lake
• Feature: floating bungalow are decorated in royal Burmese style. Family room is available for a family of three or four people
• Facilities: Wifi, swimming pool & spa
• Price: from US$ 90 per room per night

Paramount Inle Resort

• Feature: traditional setting with all rooms has private balcony
• Facilities: Wifi & spa
• Price: from US$ 55 per room per night

Amazing Nyaung Shwe Hotel

• Location: Yone Gyi Street, in the heart of Nyaung Shwe,
• Feature: a boutique hotel in traditional style
• Facilities: Wifi, a garden & spa
• Price: from US$ 50 per room per night

Kalaw has many lovely hotels which offer beautiful view of mountain. Being a hill town, most of hotels in Kalaw locates in hills surrounding the town which are in walking distance to the centre.

Kalaw Heritage Hotel

Amara Mountain Resort

• Location: it takes 20 minutes walking or 5 minutes driving to the town.
• Feature: The hotel is set in the old colonial building, surrounded by beautiful garden. Each room is located in duplex villa and decorated in local style
• Facilities: Wifi, restaurant, bar, garden & spa
• Location: 5 minutes to drive to downtown
• Feature: Another hotel setting in the colonial building and lovely garden. Its rooms are decorated in colonial style
• Facilities: Wifi, restaurant & bar, free shuttle to/from downtown
• Price: from US$ 60 per room per night

Dream Mountain Hotel

• Location: 10 minutes walking to centre of town, easy to access restaurants and attractions
• Feature: Spacious room with big windows offering nice view of mountains
• Price: from US$ 75 per room per night

Hsipaw is quite new in tourism map. Although the infrastructure has developed, the options are still limited. Almost of accommodation are guesthouses, just few hotels can be used for foreign standard.

Riverside @ Hsipaw Resort

Hsipaw Resort

• Location: on the eastern bank of the Dokhtawady River, opposite to the town. You need to take a quick boat trip to reach hotel which is offered free.
• Feature: the hotel offers 28 comfortable river view rooms located in 14 duplex bungalows. All rooms are in rustic style.
• Facilities: restaurant & bar

Mr. Charles Hotel

• Location: in the central town. Convenient to access attractions.
• Feature: the best hotel in town which offers clean rooms and professional staffs.
• Facilities: restaurant & garden
• Price: from US$ 40 per room per night

Mrauk U has been suffered from many civil wars. This makes Mrauk U a sleepy town with very poor living conditions. As it has been closed to tourists many times, hotels in Mrauk U are old and expensive. Below are two best ones:

Mrauk U Princess Resort

• Location: 4km from key temples. It takes about 15 minutes driving
• Feature: a boutique hotel setting in the lovely garden and lotus pond. All are villas decorated in traditional style
• Facilities: Wifi, restaurant, garden, swimming pool & spa
• Price: from US$ 220 per room per night

Shwe Thazin Hotel

• Location: in walking distance to key temples and town centre.
• Feature: the lowest rooms are in new building without character. Superior and deluxe are in bungalow types and decorated in traditional style
• Facilities: Wifi, restaurant & garden

Normally, Golden Rock requires just 1 night stop to explore the site. There are not many options to choose and all of them are very basic. Travelers have the options to stay at the base of Kyaikhtiyo mountain or at the top. From the base to top of the mountain, it takes at least 2 hours while the most beautiful moment to visit the Rock is at sunset. Therefore, travelers prefer to stay on the mountain so that they do not miss this magical moment. We recommend following hotels:

Mountain Top Hotel

• Location: at the top of mountain, just 5 minutes walking to the Golden Rock.
• Feature: Rooms are spacious and has beautiful view of nature.
• Facilities: Wifi, restaurant & bar

Golden Rock Hotel

• Location: next to the open truck stop point where all vehicles must be stopped. From here, you need to walk to the Golden rock in about 45 minutes.
• Feature: Clean and comfortable rooms
• Price: from US$ 80 per room per night

Pristine Mermaid Resort Ngapali

As one of the most beautiful beaches in Myanmar, there are many beautiful beach resorts in Ngapali. Hotels in Ngapali are not big buildings like ones in neighbor country Thailand but designed mostly in villa/bungalow type. So, clients will have private and peaceful atmosphere. In general, hotel prices in Ngapali are high and can be increased double during Christmas and New Year period. Despite of this, the availability can be quickly in full. So, if you have plan to come during this period, you had better book at least one month in advance to get good hotels.

Here are the best hotels in Ngapali: https://myanmartravel.com/best-hotels-in-ngapali/

Mergui has little modern beach hotels with full amenities like other beaches of the country. Instead, Mergui offers a variety of eco resorts which are located in different islands belonging the Archipelago. These resorts are accessed by boat from Kawthaung jetty. They also arrange pick-up service from Kawthaung airport in Myanmar or from Ranong airport/jetty in Thailand. In these resorts, do not expect TV and Air – condition but you will have a chance to immerse yourselves into unspoiled nature and clear water. Due to the remote location, resorts in Mergui will sell a package which includes everything, not only room.

Wa Ale lies in Lampi Island Marine National Park, Myanmar’s remote Mergui Archipelago

Victoria Cliff Nyaung Oo Phee Resort

• Location: In Nyaung Oo Phee Island. It takes 1.5 hours by speedboat from Kawthaung jetty
• Feature: the modern resort in Mergui with many choices of accommodation from tent, basic room to beach villa. Swimming pool, bar and fitness centre are available.
• Shuttle speed boat schedule: daily
• Activities: Fire show, snorkeling, kayaking, diving, massages, coral planting & sunset cruise
• Package Price: from US$ 250 per person per night including full board, snorkeling equipment, fire show and shuttle boat transfers

Andaman Eco Resort

• Location: In Macleod Island. It takes 1.5 hours by speedboat from Kawthaung jetty
• Shuttle speed boat schedule: operated on every Wednesday & Saturday. Depart and return on the same day.
• Activities: snorkeling, kayaking, diving, massages and jungle trekking
• Package Price: from US$ 300 per room per night including breakfast, dinner, snorkeling equipment, scheduled hiking and shuttle boat transfer

Boulder Bay Eco Resort

• Location: in Boulder Island. It takes 5-6 hours by normal boat from Kawthaung jetty and 2 hour by speed boat (on request and extra charge applies)
• Shuttle boat schedule (normal boat)

Depart from Kawthaung: on Monday, Thursday & Saturday Depart from resort: on Tuesday, Friday & Sunday

• Activities: sea canoeing, boat trip, walking, jungle trekking, snorkeling, diving & yoga
• Package Price: from US$ 1380 per room for the shortest package 4 days/3 nights, including full board meals, scheduled boat transfer, land transfer to/from the airports & all activities in the resort.

Awei Pila Resort

• Location: In Kyun Pila private island. It takes 2 hours by speedboat from Kawthaung jetty
• Feature: luxury eco resort with beach villas. Swimming pool & bar are available.
• Shuttle speed boat schedule: not fixed. Stay 3 consecutive nights and above receive free return transfer.
• Activities: snorkeling, kayaking, diving, massages & cultural exploring (Moken village)
• Package Price: from US$ 650 per room per night including full board, non-motorized activities and non-alcoholic beverages. The transfer cost of US$ 240 per person is added if you stay less than 3 nights.

Wa Ale Resort

• Location: In Lampi Island Marine National Park. It takes 1.4 hours by speedboat from Kawthaung jetty
• Feature: top luxury eco resort which offer comfort accommodations, from luxury tented and treetop villas to private houses…all with spectacular views of the Andaman Sea.
• Shuttle speed boat schedule: on Tuesday & Saturday
• Activities: snorkeling, kayaking, diving, massages & cultural explorer.
• Package Price: from US$ 600 per person per night including full board, House wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, land transfer to/from airports and shuttle boat transfer

Myanmar authentic food at Karaweik Palace, Yangon.

Compared to neighbor countries as Thailand, China and India, Burmese cuisine is totally overshadowed. With Myanmar opening to the outside world, visitors now have a chance to discover a cuisine that’s been largely hidden from sight for the past 50 years. Burmese food emphasizes on rich, predominately savory/salty flavors which are much influenced from its neighbors. However, Burmese food combines many ingredients which are not found in any other cuisine, so it is absolutely worth a try. As in most of Southeast Asia, Myanmar restaurants and stalls tend to specialize in a single dish or culinary style.

For a comprehensive taste of the cuisine, we’ve chosen these 5 Burmese dishes and snacks which visitors should try in the first visit. Please check out them on our post: https://myanmartravel.com/myanmar-cuisine-where-to-eat-in-yangon/ Besides, you may be interested in checking out few other posts to have more idea if what to eat in other regions outside of Yangon

• What to eat in Mandalay: https://myanmartravel.com/best-food-in-mandalay/
• Best restaurants in Mandalay: https://myanmartravel.com/best-restaurants-in-mandalay/

Bagan : https://myanmartravel.com/best-restaurants-in-bagan/

X. Suggested Myanmar itinerary

As listed above, you won’t be short on options to visit in Myanmar. There are many itineraries for travel, depending on your time and hobby. Normally, travelers will spend at least 3 nights to explore the country. If you are in such short time, one place you should not miss is undoubtedly the pagodas of the Bagan plain.

Either you enter the country through Yangon or Mandalay, you can catch a morning flight to Bagan and return in late afternoon next day. It allows you to have 2 full days and 1 night to visit the area. Then, take the rest of time exploring the city you choose for arrival and departure. In Yangon, a visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda is a must. In Mandalay, do not miss sunset at Ubein bridge.

Longer itineraries would involve Inle Lake. A week would give you Mandalay and its deserted cities around it or Yangon with its pagodas, markets and colonial-era streets, the Bagan plain and Inle Lake. The reason I put “or” between Yangon and Mandalay that it is fine to skip one of big cities and spend time for other highlights. Actually, Mandalay is nearer to other main attractions, so choosing Mandalay as starting and ending point is good idea in case you it fits your flight schedule. If you love to stay on beaches, spend 3 days more for Ngapali and 5 days more for Mergui.

Fly into Yangon or Mandalay where you can spend one to two full day(s) experiencing either city, spend two full days in Bagan, two full days in Inle Lake (one day for a boat tour and one day for biking around the lake) and another one or two days in your city of departure.

Suggested tour itinerary: https://myanmartravel.com/tour/captivating-myanmar-journey/

Two weeks would allow you to add Golden Rock and few days relaxing at beautiful beaches of Ngapali.

Suggested itinerary: https://myanmartravel.com/tour/myanmar-discovery/

With two weeks or more, you can have more flexibility with your chosen way to get around the country, whether that is with night buses or train instead of domestic flights. One or two night on the boat between Bagan and Mandalay can be an option. Keep in mind that taking a domestic flight will take up a morning, afternoon or evening (most will be around one hour), and that a night bus, while ‘costing’ you 8 to 12 hours, will save money, but might leave you very tired when you arrive.

With the long flights from US or Euro to Southeast Asia, travelers from these areas prefer to visit more than one country in their trip. If Myanmar is the main purpose of your trip, you may extend few days or even few weeks to visit nearby countries as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand or Vietnam. Please find our suggested itineraries:

• Vietnam Myanmar Holiday
• Best of Laos and Myanmar
• Cambodia and Myanmar Tour
• Authentic Thailand & Myanmar – 10 Days
• From Angkor Wat to Bagan

For other Myanmar itineraries and packages, refer to our post: https://myanmartravel.com/myanmar-trips/

XI. Things to know before arrival

English is widely spoken in major destinations

With 135 ethnic groups living together, there are hundreds of different languages throughout the country. However, official national language is Burmese. In main tourist destinations, English is widely used. Many young people and most people who work in the Myanmar tourism industry have a reasonable grasp of English. So you do not need to worry too much about being understood, However, learning a few simple phrases in Burmese will always elicit a smile and courtesy from the locals. Mandarin is increasingly spoken in the cities and border towns of the northern half of the country.

Money situation is much easier than before thanks to ATMs’ network

If you have researched about Myanmar, you may have heard that the money situation in the country is complicated. In fact, it was the case over the last few years. Things have become much easier now as you can use credit cards in Myanmar to pay for your purchase or withdraw cash from ATMs. You will find some ATMs in big cities and major destinations, however the fees are often high. It is the same for credit cards when you need to pay 5-7% for processing fee on top of bills. Therefore, many travelers prefer to bring foreign currency to exchange to get the best rates.

The currency of Myanmar is the kyat. USD and EURO are widely popular and you can use them to exchange to Kyat. Although they are accepted in some places, kyat is generally preferred and more convenient to use. You can exchange money at exchange shops at airports or at the banks to get the best rate. Be noted that the notes should be new & clean bills. The old and damaged bills may not be accepted or get lower rate. View more details on our post: https://myanmartravel.com/myanmar-currency/

Two round prongs socket is more popular than three round prongs socket in Myanmar

The voltage in Myanmar is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Myanmar has two different types of plug sockets that are commonly used. One is the European socket with two round prongs and some with socket D type which has three round prongs. However, two round prongs socket are more popular. To avoid the hassle of having to buy new adapters for everywhere you go, we recommend you to bring a Universal Travel Adaptor.

Tipping isn’t compulsory in Myanmar, but it is encouraged when you are happy with the service. In fact, they do not care much about it but if they got, it will be a huge encouragement for them to do their business. It’s more expected in hotels, tours (guide & driver) and restaurants that give one of those black booklets when you receive your check. Sometimes, you’ll see that tips are included at a Western-style establishment (upscale or at a hotel) and it’s typically 5%-10%.

Compared to few years ago, it’s increasingly easy to keep your friends and family updated thanks to the increasing availability of Wi-Fi in many parts of Myanmar. In big cities and major tourist areas, most of hotels and guesthouses offer Wifi to clients and it works quite well. But in remote places, you may find that the Wi-Fi is unstable. In this case, you might consider to get a local SIM card. Myanmar has a fast 4G connection throughout the cities, and it is quickly expanding to even less-populated areas.

You will be able to pick up a SIM card either at the airport or from local shops within most cities at very reasonable cost. View more information about SIM card in Myanmar: https://myanmartravel.com/sim-cards-in-myanmar/

Most local people in Myanmar dress modestly. You can see in the country that traditional longyi is still wore by both men and women in their daily activities. So, tourists are recommended to do the same. It does not mean that you must dress modestly all the time. Myanmar is a country that is made up of mostly Buddhist people so dressing conservatively is really important when you visit temples/pagodas. You need to keep your shoulders and knees. This will help you to feel comfortable in smaller towns and remote villages where people rarely touch foreigners.

Things are a little more relaxed in major cities and tourist hotspots. Of course visiting Myanmar is not for only temples. For your relaxing time in hotels or on beaches, you can wear your favorite items as shorts, string dress… A must for Myanmar is making sure you have shoes that you can take on and off easily. All religious sites in Myanmar require you to remove your shoes before entering. We recommend simply picking up a pair of sandals.

Due to tropical climate in Myanmar that is hot and humid, you should wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes in natural fibers such as cotton, silk or linen which keep you cooler. Sun glasses and hat are useful to hide from the heat. Light jacket and sweater are advised when you travel to Shan State (Inle Lake, Kalaw or Hsipaw). In case you do trekking, good shoes are recommended.

Travelers most commonly become sick due to diseases spread through food and water. Luckily, there are a few simple ways to make sure you stay healthy. Avoid drinking tap water, and even ice cubes. Instead, drink bottled water, which is cheap in Myanmar. There is no reason to completely avoid street food stalls if food is usually cooked hot and fresh in front of you. Only eat fruit that has a skin that can be peeled, and vegetables that have been cooked. This is especially so outside the main tourist areas.

Myanmar is hot and humid, so mosquitoes are everywhere. Mosquitoes can carry infectious diseases such as dengue fever and malaria. Before the trip, it’s a good idea to consult your travel doctor to see if you need any additional vaccines or medication for your personal health. During the trip, avoid them by using bug spray protection, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and sleeping under a mosquito net or in an air-conditioned room. Check your mattress for bed bugs along the seams after turning on the light, and before placing any of your belongings on the bed, or sleeping in it.

Finding reliable healthcare is difficult in Myanmar, and local healthcare facilities are generally poor, especially outside of big cities. Your best chance will be in Yangon. However, sometimes you cannot wait until you reach Yangon. So, you should prepare personal medications from home just in case. For emergency, you can find the most reliable medical centers in main destinations on our posts

• Hospitals in Yangon: https://myanmartravel.com/best-hospitals-in-yangon/
• Hospitals in Bagan: https://myanmartravel.com/faq/is-there-any-good-hospital-in-bagan-myanmar-1/
• Hospital in Mandalay: https://myanmartravel.com/best-hospitals-in-mandalay/
• Hospital in Inle Lake: https://myanmartravel.com/faq/is-there-any-good-hospital-in-inle-lake-myanmar-1/

Related Posts

Best hotels in Ngapali

Bagan weather

Myanmar Currency – Money Suggestions for Travelers in Myanmar

Myanmar Traditional Clothes

How to get from Bagan to Mandalay

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Best things to do in Myanmar (Burma)

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written by Jo James

updated 10.07.2023

Wherever your itinerary takes you, travel in Myanmar (Burma) is sure to provide a wealth of new exotic experiences – whether you’re air-kissing at your waiter in a city teahouse or witnessing your first nat ceremony. To mark the release of our first guide to the country, we've picked the best things to do in Myanmar.

1. Eat breakfast in a Burmese teahouse

2. float down the irrawaddy, 3. relive the raj, 4. enjoy local food and drink culture, 5. explore buddhism’s quirky side, 6. join a nat ceremony, 7. take your time on a burmese train, 8. try thanaka, 9. rock famous burmese items, 10. sample village life, 11. shop at bogyoke aung san (scott market), 12. get wet during thingyan, 13. watch the sunset over the ancient temples of bagan, 14. exploring inle lake - one of the best things to do in myanmar, 15. be amazed by mandalay royal palace, 16. pay respect at the shwedagon pagoda, 17. walk across u bein bridge.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma) , your essential guide for visiting Myanmar.

Travel ideas for Myanmar (Burma)

Created by local experts

Old World Myanmar

Myanmar offers visitors a tantalisingly exotic culture of gilded stupas, red-robed monks and elaborately carved teak palaces. Discover the country’s rich cultural heritage as you take in its spectacular charms.

Myanmar Family Adventure

An ideal short tour for families and first-time visitors to get a glimpse of what Myanmar is all about, discover the land of rice and rivers, breath-taking pagodas and stupas. Meet the locals in Mandalay, Yangon and Inle Lake and sleep on the Ayeyarwady for a real family adventure.

Love Yangon

Explore the intriguing architecture, captivating art and delightful culinary scene of Yangon with a visit to Myanmar’s bustling former capital.

Myanmar Dreams

One of the least developed countries in Southeast Asia, Myanmar offers a magical visitor experience. From your base in some of the country's most deluxe resorts, get out and explore the untouched treasures that Myanmar has to offer.

Classical Myanmar

Experience the best of Myanmar with this trip of a lifetime. See historic Yangon, before moving on to the great plains of beautiful Bagan with its ancient Buddhist pagodas. Discover Mandalay’s hidden gems, see ancient capitals and boat around Inle Lake.

Famous Waterways of Myanmar: Inle Lake and the Irrawaddy River

Experience Myanmar as never before: cruise along the Irrawaddy River, take a boat trip around Inle Lake and Sagar, and fly over Bagan and its many temples in a hot-air balloon. This comprehensive trip also explores the cities of Yangon and Mandalay.

From Yangon ’s traffic-choked streets to dusty village lanes, Myanmar’s teahouses are local institutions. Enthusiastic tea boys dodge between the tables, slopping tea into saucers and serving up deep-fried snacks.

Patrons air kiss loudly to attract the staff’s attention, their eyes on the football match on TV and their minds on teashop gossip. Stop for a bowl of mohinga – the nation’s favourite noodle soup, or refuel with a char kway (a Chinese-style doughnut) dunked in a delicious cup of sweet, milky tea.

A visit to Myanmar is a magical experience. Take this tailor-made Myanmar Highlights trip and explore Yangon, with its busy harbour bustling markets and glistening pagodas. Encounter meditating Buddhas and traditional villages, and be awestruck by mystical Mandalay’s hidden gems.

The Irrawaddy River curls south from the foothills of the Himalayas, unfurling past Mandalay and Bagan ’s temple-covered plain before spilling its silt-rich waters into the Andaman Sea. Myanmar’s most important waterway is plied by everything from luxury teak-decked steamers to ponderous government ferries and leaking speedboats.

Climb aboard your vessel of choice and float downstream to see a slice of riverside life – and remember to keep an eye out for rare Irrawaddy dolphins. See our tailor-made trip to the Famous Waterways of Myanmar and you will experience Myanmar as never before. Cruise along the Irrawaddy River, take a boat trip around Inle Lake and Sagar and fly over Bagan and its many temples in a hot-air balloon.

Irrawaddy River, Bagan, Myanmar @ Shutterstock

Echoes of British Burma reverberate in a handful of places around Myanmar. From streets lined with peeling colonial-era buildings and afternoon tea at The Strand in Yangon , to ghostly locations from George Orwell’s novel Burmese Days in Katha .

Nowhere are these echoes louder than in Pyin Oo Lwin , a former hill station. Here horse-drawn carriages trundle past mouldering teakwood mansions and a bell cast for George V’s Silver Jubilee still chimes from the town’s Purcell Tower.

The old style horse cart at Pyin oo Lwin, Myanmar © Shutterstock

As in other Southeast Asian countries, in Burmese food it’s considered important to balance sour, spicy, bitter and salty flavours. This is generally done across a series of dishes rather than within a single dish.

Enthusiastic tea drinkers, the Burmese are one of the few cultures to eat tea as well, in the form of lahpet thouq or tealeaf salad. Irregular, caramel-coloured lumps of jaggery are one of the great pleasures of a Burmese meal. Made from boiled toddy palm sap and jokingly called “Burmese chocolate”, jaggery is exceedingly addictive. Try it plain or flavoured with coconut shreds and sesame seeds.

All over Myanmar, you’ll see spindly bamboo ladders disappearing into spiky Palmyra palm trees – a sure sign that a toddy tapper is at work nearby. The palm’s sweet, white sap ferments naturally into toddy, a cloudy, lightly alcoholic beverage also called palm wine or tan-ye .

Myanmar’s only home-grown alcoholic drink toddy is only available from low-key village bars close to where it’s made. Tasting it one of the unique things to do in Myanmar.

Jaggery in Myanmar @ Image by Jo James

Related articles from the blog

Myanmar’s Theravada Buddhism is shot through with a thick vein of mystery and magic, with enough offbeat sights and stories to revive the interest of the most jaded temple-goer.

Climb to the Golden Rock, a precarious gold-crusted boulder held in place for centuries by a few strands of Buddha’s hair. Meet alchemist monks searching for the secret to eternal life at Hpa-An’s crag-top pagoda and clamber through the insides of a vast concrete Buddha outside Mawlamyine.

The Golden Rock @ Image by Jo James

Natkadaws ply a middle-aged lady with whisky as she gyrates to music from a traditional orchestra. Members of the audience tuck 1,000-kyat notes into her clothing to propitiate the nat who has possessed her.

Myanmar’s native belief system – that the world is suffused by a collection of unruly nats who require frequent mollification with alcohol, music and money – contrasts sharply with Buddhism. However, many Burmese people happily believe in both. Catch the country’s largest nat ceremony in Taungbyone each August, or head to Mount Popa, Myanmar’s most important centre of nat worship.

Nat statue in Myanmar © Shutterstock

Journeys on Myanmar’s antiquated narrow-gauge rail network are often uncomfortable and comically bouncy, and timing is unpredictable in the extreme.

The Rough Guides to Myanmar (Burma) and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

However, in exchange for risking a bruised bum and late arrival, train travellers are rewarded with one of the best things to do in Myanmar - a fantastic chance to interact with local people. From friendly fellow passengers and holidaying monks to the poised ladies who sway down the aisle selling snacks from trays balanced precariously on their heads.

Goteik Viaduct, Hsipaw © Shutterstock

Each morning Burmese women and children daub their cheeks with powdery yellow swipes of thanaka . This is a natural sunblock and cosmetic made from the ground bark of the wood apple tree, with its sandalwood-like fragrance. However, you feel about its beautifying abilities – that tawny shade of yellow isn’t for everyone – freshly applied thanaka is wonderfully cooling, and makes your face smell great for hours.

Trying thanaka is one of the unique things to do in Myanmar @ Shutterstock

Once you’ve sorted out your thanaka , the natural next step is to get yourself a longyi – a tube of fabric worn by men and women across Myanmar. The male version (a paso ) is often nattily checked or striped, and tied with a knot in front, while the female version (a htamein ) is more richly patterned, and tucked into a fold around the waist.

Pick out your favourite design and take it to a tailor, who will sew it up for you and you’re all set. Just ensure that it’s tied tightly enough to avoid any inadvertent flashing. Also, note other famous Burmese handicrafts, for example, the elegant Shan paper umbrellas, which can be both an accessory and a great gift from a trip.

Burmese man with traditional dress longyi in Bagan, Myanmar © Shutterstock

Take to the hills in Shan State and trek along the now-classic Kalaw to Inle Lake route, or head north to explore the less-visited area around Hsipaw and Kyaukme.

Whichever hike you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to stay overnight in Shan and Palaung villages along each trail which something that isn’t yet possible elsewhere in Myanmar. It offers the opportunity to experience rural life first-hand , with roosters for alarm clocks and water buffalo for trail mates.

One of the best things to do in Myanmar is to immerse yourself in the local rural life @ Image by Jo James

Bookending the northern side of downtown Yangon is the city’s principal tourist honeypot, Bogyoke Market – or Bogyoke Aung San Market, as it’s officially known – home to Myanmar’s most diverse and foreigner-friendly collection of souvenir shops, jewellery wallahs and other consumerist collectables.

The modern market is an attractive and atmospheric place, albeit a million miles away from the ramshackle chaos of your average Myanmar bazaar. It also hosts the best collection of craft and souvenir shops under a single roof in the country. The most upmarket and touristy shops are the streetside places under the arcade fronting Bogyoke Aung San Road, many of them stuffed with huge quantities of Myanmar jade.

While in theory, Thingyan – the week-long Burmese New Year festival – is a time to solemnly reaffirm one’s Buddhist beliefs. However, to the outside observer, it seems more like a raucous, countrywide water fight.

As temperatures soar each April, everyday life grinds to a halt and children and teenagers take to the streets to soak each other and passers-by (foreigners are singled out with particular relish) with buckets and out-sized water pistols. Festivities reach fever pitch in Mandalay, where streets are lined with makeshift stages from which revellers hose down passing motorists to a booming soundtrack of local hits.

Bagan is unquestionably one of Asia’s great sights . A vast swathe of temples and pagodas rises from the hot flat plains bordering the Ayeyarwady River. The landscape is bristling with uncountable shrines and stupas which carpet the countryside in an almost surreal profusion.

While visiting Bagan, you'll be amazed by the Ananda Paya one of the largest and most stunning of all the Bagan temples, its landmark spire rising 52m high above the surrounding plains. The Ananda is generally considered the culminating masterpiece of early-period Bagan architecture.

Where to stay in Bagan

• For price and quality: Bagan View Hotel
• For couples: The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate

Find more accommodation options to stay in Bagan.

Bagan, Mandalay, Myanmar © Shutterstock

A land of rolling mountains, idyllic lakes, floating farms and umpteen minority peoples, Shan State is by far the largest in the country. It is also deservedly one of the most popular with foreign travellers. In a giant place with only three major cities, it’s perhaps inevitable that the primary attractions are the natural variety – Inle Lake is a swoon-worthy postcard picture come to life.

To the east is the delightful town of Nyaungshwe, which functions as the main base for Inle Lake. This is the most popular attraction in Shan State by far, and one of the best things to do in Myanmar. The overwhelming majority of those who visit go on a boat tour of some description, but other drawcards include a charming winery, a soothing hot spring resort and scores of great restaurants.

This exciting, active tailor-made Off the Beaten Track trip is split into two parts: the first takes in the best that Southern Myanmar has to offer, including Yangon and Inle Lake; whilst the second ventures off the beaten track, exploring ancient pagodas, rivers, mountains and caves.

Fishermen in Inle Lake at sunrise, Inle, Shan State, Myanmar © lkunl/Shutterstock

Mandalay is centred on the moated square of land that once hosted the large Mandalay Royal Palace - the last royal palace of the Burmese monarchy. The area has belonged to the military for decades, and the palace itself is long gone, though a huge replica has been erected.

The whole area is still a functional part of town, though one controlled by the military and, as such, mostly off-limits to foreigners. You’re free to visit the shops and teahouses just off the main road heading in from the east, but precious little else bar the reconstructed palace at the centre.

Where to stay in Mandalay

• For budget stays: Ostello Bello Mandalay
• For families: Dragon Phoenix Hotel

Find more accommodation options to stay in Mandalay.

Replica of Mandalay Royal Palace build in 1990s © Shutterstock

Myanmar’s and Asia's most sacred temple, and one of the world’s most majestic Buddha monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda towers above Yangon like some kind of supersized spiritual beacon. A magically shimmering outline by day, a spectacular blaze of gold after dusk, when the lights come on.

The pagoda is the most revered in Myanmar, said to enshrine eight strands of hair of the historical Buddha, Gautama, along with further relics of his three predecessors. The pagoda remains not only the holiest shrine in Myanmar but also a potent symbol of national identity and a major rallying point for the pro-democracy movement since colonial times.

Visiting the pagoda remains one of the magical things to do in Myanmar at any time of the day or night. It is particularly beautiful around sunset when locals come to pray and the great gilded stupa seems almost to catch fire in the last of the day’s light.

Pagoda Shwedagon in Yangon, Myanmar © Shutterstock

One of the best things to do in Myanmar if you’re in the Mandalay area , the spectacular U Bein Bridge stretches more than 1200m across Lake Taungthaman. It is, in fact, the world’s longest teak footbridge. Most evenings it probably also hosts the world’s longest unbroken line of tourists. No bad thing, and in fact quite a spectacle when the colours of everyone’s shirts are flared up by the sun’s last rays.

A visit to the bridge can complicate some day-trip itineraries – most visitors like to walk the length of the bridge, so unless you want to walk it twice, ask your driver to pick you up from the other end. It’s also possible to rent paddle boats here; these are usually only available at the western end, where most of the tour buses drop off.

Sunset at U Bein Bridge in Myanmar © Shutterstock

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Things to Know Before Traveling to Myanmar (Burma)

Updated on August 17th, 2024

What's it like to travel or go backpacking in Myanmar (Burma)? Here's what to know for how to prepare for a trip to Myanmar with our travel tips, itineraries and ideas for what to pack.

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Posted in Myanmar (Burma)

Table of contents

• What are some common scams in Myanmar?
• What are the 1-week and 2-week itineraries for Myanmar?
• Which Bug Spray to Use in Myanmar
• Can I get local SIM data on my phone in Myanmar?
• Food in Myanmar
• Will I have any issues using credit cards in Myanmar?
• What should women pack for traveling in Myanmar?
• Problems with Car Volume and Traffic in Myanmar
• Sunscreen and hats: protection from the sun
• When is High Season in Myanmar?
• What is Grab (the Southeast Asian Uber)?
• How to get around Myanmar: Night Bus vs. Flying
• Should I take trains in Myanmar?
• Is traveling in Myanmar dangerous or safe?
• Is there tipping in Myanmar?
• Are there foreigner prices (the “foreigner tax”)?
• What is the currency in Myanmar?
• ATM Fees and Withdrawals in Myanmar
• Which plugs and outlets does Myanmar use?
• Is there ethnic diversity in Myanmar?
• What are the religions in Myanmar?
• What are the Burmese people’s attitudes toward travelers?
• How much English is used in Myanmar?
• Drinking the Water in Myanmar
• Do I need a travel visa for Myanmar?
• How fast is the WiFi in Myanmar?
• Can you work remotely in Myanmar?
• Is there public WiFi in Myanmar?
• Is there alcohol in Myanmar?
• How can you eat vegetarian in Myanmar?
• What is the street food in Myanmar?
• Renting scooters, e-Bikes and motos in Myanmar
• Renting bicycles in Myanmar
• Renting mountain bikes
• What’s the time zone in Myanmar?
• Should you buy gems (rubies, sapphires) and gold in Myanmar?
• Animals (pets, strays, monastery cats) in Myanmar
• Where to stay in Myanmar
• Hostels in Myanmar

2024 update: Myanmar is still going through a period of civil unrest, according to the US State Dept. at travel.state.gov. Travelers are asked to “reconsider traveling to Myanmar (Burma) due to armed conflict and the risk of wrongful detention of foreigners. The Travel Advisory for Myanmar (Burma) was renewed on July 24, 2023, as “Level 4: Do Not Travel.” For more information on this topic as well as developments, please visit the US Dept. of State website .

Is it easy to travel in Myanmar (Burma)?

In our minds, we pictured travel in Myanmar to be like travel in other parts of Southeast Asia, but a bit less developed. After two weeks in the country, we were surprised at the current tourism infrastructure, which allowed us to travel freely and conveniently around the major traveler hot spots, and with ample amounts of English along the way.

As we like avoiding over-tourism , we were pleased with the amount of places in Myanmar that still felt empty, and we went to the most popular places on the most popular route!

We also felt Myanmar was an affordable destination , where our daily budget was $35 each, per day. With this budget, we took first-class “VIP” overnight buses, stayed in private rooms and even enjoyed some cocktails at bars.

A few tips for traveling in Myanmar

Pack like a minimalist — it’s best to travel light in Southeast Asia. Also, remember to discuss with your travel partner about flexibility, budget and the extent to which you’ll plan your activities. Leave room for changes and unexpected availability of transport.

Here’s what you need to know before starting your travel or backpacking trip through Myanmar.

What are some common scams in Myanmar?

Although Myanmar is exceedingly safe as far as traveling for travelers goes, there are several ways that scammers try to get more money out of you. Please note that none of these scams are dangerous; rather, these are ways people may try to trick you to pay a bit more or try to swindle you for a service you did not ask for.

Are there any scams in Bagan?

While in Bagan , we had rented an E-bike (motorized scooter) and were searching for sunrise spots at dawn one morning. A man on a motorbike saw us, and in English, offered to take us to a spot he knew of. We accepted, and followed him.

He brought us to a truly secret spot we never would have found, and we found two other foreign couples sitting atop a pagoda. When we asked them how they had found the place, they said the same guy who brought us had brought them the day before, and for the other couple, the day before that. They said after leaving, he’ll have waited for us and will try to sell us paintings out of his bag.

That is exactly what happened. One of the couples said they flat-out said no to the trick, and the other couple said they bargained and bought one. We took the route of negotiating and buying a painting from this man, who had, after all, taken the time to bring us to a somewhat legitimate sunrise viewpoint, and we also thought the paintings were nice, but it was a trick after all.

If you want to avoid this completely, say no to strangers who offer to help you and bring you somewhere.

Are there taxi scams in Myanmar?

We found that Grab, one of the helpful travel apps we downloaded before arrival, only worked in Yangon to get a fair price. When you get off the night bus or want to take a taxi in a different smaller city, you’ll likely get quoted a higher-than-usual amount (this is also because Grab’s prices are quite low).

Check pricing quotes or share a taxi with other travelers in order to create an Uber pool situation, as this is what we did when we arrived in Bagan. We got a better price and shared a car with another traveler, as we were all going in the same direction.

You can also get a quote from your hotel before you go. A taxi from the Bagan bus station cost us 10,000 Kyat because we shared the taxi. In Inle Lake, you can walk from most parts of town to your hotel, as everything is quite central, so there is no need for a taxi.

Is it OK to leave your shoes when you visit temples?

The best type of shoes to have in Myanmar is a sturdy sandal like Birkenstocks so that you can slide them off easily when you visit temples. When taking off shoes, be careful to keep your shoes out of the designated bins. We had someone tell us that she watched our shoes while we visited the temple’s interior and that we needed to pay her.

To avoid this, we found it fine to leave them in clusters of shoes wherever locals left their shoes.

Should you pay anyone for taking photos?

At Inle Lake, people let you take their photo, and then ask for money. This applies to the dancing fishermen and tribal people who know that they look unique and authentic to tourists. We nearly expected anyone who was unique-looking enough to merit a photo to expect a tip, so we kept a few hundred Kyat handy to do so.

If you don’t want to be paying anyone for taking their photo, keep your camera hidden, as to not attract attention.

Are the fishermen of Inle Lake fake or real?

In Inle Lake, the dancing fishermen with the large nets aren’t always real fishermen. We heard that they can make more from tourist tips than from fishing for fish.

The boat drivers will slow down when they see your boat, and if you’re taking pictures, your boat driver will bring you closer. The fishermen expect to be paid for posing, so if you want a photo of this quintessential Inle Lake scene, expect to be paying the fisherman a few hundred Kyat for his time.

We were happy to tip the fishermen, because we sure can’t stand on one leg on a boat with a giant net! That’s talent!

What are the 1-week and 2-week itineraries for Myanmar?

Where to go with a few weeks in myanmar.

There are many itineraries for travel in Myanmar and there’s really no bad way to see Myanmar. We went from Yangon to Bagan to Inle Lake, and back. We recommend flying out of Mandalay if possible, so you don’t have to return to Yangon, if return flight prices allow.

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Best itinerary for 1 week in Myanmar

Fly into Yangon or Mandalay where you can spend one to two full day(s) experiencing either city, spend two full days in Bagan , two full days in Inle Lake (one day for a boat tour and one day for biking around the lake) and another one or two days in your city of departure.

For a more detailed itinerary, check out a travel guide by Lonely Planet! It helped us a lot during our trip throughout Myanmar. Get one on Amazon or Bookshop.org .

Best itinerary for 2 weeks (or 10 days) in Myanmar

With two weeks, you can allow for more flexibility with your chosen way to get around the country, whether that is with night buses (our choice, in order to travel more sustainably ) or domestic flights.

Keep in mind that taking a domestic flight will take up a morning, afternoon or evening (most will be around one hour), and that a night bus, while ‘costing’ you 8 to 12 hours, will save money, but might leave you very tired when you arrive.

In two weeks, you can allot three days for Bagan, three or four full days in Inle Lake like we did (a chance to visit Indein, and a morning-afternoon to try a cooking class) and a full two days in Yangon or Mandalay on either end.

If you choose to travel fast, you can add a stop in Ngapali Beach or jump on a 2-day Kalaw-to-Inle Trek, which also comes in a 3-day version, that you can book at most hostels.

Which Bug Spray to Use in Myanmar

Do the mosquitoes in myanmar have diseases.

Most of the country has mosquitoes and some carry diseases like malaria or dengue fever. While we did not go into our trip with any worries about malaria (a disease spread by mosquitoes in tropical regions), the threat of dengue fever (a very serious disease that travelers can contract in Southeast Asia) is real.

You can buy bug spray (or bring a reputable brand of spray) at a pharmacy when you arrive. The one that we got contains 40% DEET and is what everyone traveling in Myanmar recommends. It was also 1200 Kyat ($0.57 USD).

This spray probably did work, but we still got bitten daily, mostly around our ankles, legs and hands.

Come prepared with a travel-sized Tiger Balm to apply to bug bites.

Can I get local SIM data on my phone in Myanmar?

You can get local data, or you can come with your own. We use Google Fi .

How to get international data with Google Fi

We used our Google Fi plan to help us get around Myanmar. We each used around 1 GB on data during our two-week trip. We don’t use too much data, typically, and we used data mostly for looking at maps, texting friends on WhatsApp and sharing the occasional photo with family.

Local SIM Card for Travelers

A lot of other travelers got a local Myanmar SIM card. You can get data much cheaper than the kind we used. We recommend this if you don’t have an international phone plan, like Google Fi or T-Mobile. You’ll be able to use your local SIM data in situations when WiFi isn’t strong.

Food in Myanmar

Burmese food is likely a cuisine you haven’t tried much if you have never been to Myanmar! We had heard some tips from friends like, ‘Try the tea leaf salad!’ and a passing mention of curry. Burmese food can be heavy on the fried stuff and the oil, so we tried to balance our daily diet with fresh fruit in order to stay healthy on the road .

What is Burmese food like?

We found the food in Myanmar to be like a mix between Indian and Thai, with some influence from Chinese food and some Western food available as well.

Most meals consist of fried noodles, with Shan Noodles getting all the fame and popularity. Shan Noodles originates from the Shan State, where Inle Lake is located.

Street food it Yangon seemed rather Indian-influenced to us, as you could pass by stands selling samosas and other fried treats. There is a plethora of fresh produce being sold on many streets in downtown Yangon, with some streets dedicated to selling fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and sausage.

Which cuisines to try in Myanmar

Throughout our time in Myanmar, we had Thai food twice (in Bagan and Yangon), sushi once (Genki Sushi in Yangon), Chinese food at a Yunnanese restaurant (Chinatown, Yangon), Indian food in Nyaung Shwe at Innlay Hut and some Western-style food at our hostels (burgers or chicken sandwiches).

In Yangon, you can find plentiful amounts of Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Thai eateries, as these are the other main Asian cuisines represented. There are a handful of Vietnamese restaurants in Yangon as well, but it’s recommended to try the Burmese cuisines like the traditional foods from Shan State (you’ll see lots of signs for ‘Shan Noodle’).

Aside from these, we saw Vietnamese, Japanese and Malaysian-Singaporean eateries around the country.

Is there Western, Foreign or Imported Food in Myanmar?

If you need foreign or imported food items while in Myanmar, you can check out City Market in the Junction City Mall in downtown Yangon. This store has the largest selection of Western goods that we came across.

Other brands we saw that were re-branded for Myanmar were foods like potato chips, Coca-Cola, several sports drinks, coffees, teas and ice cream.

Will I have any issues using credit cards in Myanmar?

We used credit cards roughly three times during our 12-day trip, only at our accommodation and at one rooftop bar that belonged to a hotel.

Myanmar is still a cash society, and credit cards will only be accepted at larger establishments. Additionally, if credit is accepted, not all types of credit cards may work. It’s best to always have enough cash on hand to get through your day and your next large purchase, like a night bus.

A pair of pants for night buses

Once you land, you’ll be glad you brought loose light-weight pants (even though it’ll be so hot most days you’ll be wearing shorts by default). Conversely, you can buy some loose ‘backpacker pants’ upon arrival at any market. For visiting temples, note that legs need to be covered and shorts are typically not allowed.

If you don’t want to rent a longyi (menswear sarong, or ankle-length sheet of cloth typically worn by men instead of pants) when visiting a temple, you can buy one for $2-3 at a local shop in Chinatown of Yangon.

Handkerchief or bandana for multiple purposes

Having a hankie or bandana handy will be great for wiping your glistening face when perspiring daily, or for covering your mouth during bike or scooter rides because it can be pretty dusty.

What should women pack for traveling in Myanmar?

Myanmar is generally a traditional and conservative society. In the tourist hot spots of Yangon, Inle Lake and Bagan, dressing as you would at home in the summer is fine; note, however, that in visiting the homes of locals or Buddhist temples and pagodas, that shoulders and legs must be covered.

Loose skirts and dresses, or loose pants

Becca found it helpful to dress for the day in a maxi dress that was sleeveless on top, and hit close to her ankles on the bottom. This way, if visiting a Buddhist temple or shrine (which is bound to be part of your day!), she only had to cover her shoulders and arms with a shawl, scarf or sarong in order to hit the dress code requirements.

Problems with Car Volume and Traffic in Myanmar

Interestingly enough, Yangon, the biggest city in the country, does not have motorbikes on the roads. There are only cars. Ironically, this creates a huge amount of traffic, and a debatable level of safety … you decide.

How bad is traffic in Myanmar?

Once we got out of Yangon, we didn’t encounter any traffic jams except for maybe a cow crossing the road in more of the rural places of the country.

Traffic in Yangon, however, should be taken very seriously(!). When our hostel staff told us to budget two hours for getting to the Yangon bus station from downtown, we didn’t believe them.

We did listen, though, and sure enough, it took us over two hours from downtown Yangon to travel 14 miles to the bus terminal in the suburbs. It was truly unbelievable. So, if you have an 8 pm bus departure with the JJ Bus, leave two and a half hours to get there.

Sunscreen and hats: protection from the sun

The sun is very strong in Myanmar, even in the fall and winter. We brought our own travel-sized sunscreen from home, in a 30 SPF and 50 SPF variation. We found that most travelers were also carrying around their own travel-sized sunscreen brought from home.

If you choose to forego sunscreen while you’re out in the sun… we’ll just say we saw some sunburned people (especially from that Kalaw trek) and we’d recommend having a trusty hat with you as well. If you didn’t bring one from home, don’t worry at all, because most markets, tourist shops and vendors will want to sell you one!

When is High Season in Myanmar?

High season for Myanmar begins in November and lasts until March. The best time to go is between December and February, when rain dies down and the temperatures drop a bit, too. We enjoy traveling in the off-season as a way to save money long-term .

We went in October, which, lucky for us, turned out to be a nice time to go! October is ‘shoulder season,’ so there is still a chance of heavy or frequent rain, but for our first ten days, we did not experience even a drop.

Low season, or off-season, is from April to September, when monsoons ensue and when some roads will flood or have a chance of mudslides. Some people prefer to travel in low season, so this is entirely up to you and when you can make the trip. Most of Southeast Asia will be rather wet between April and September.

What is Grab (the Southeast Asian Uber)?

Like in Vietnam , there is no Uber in Myanmar. Instead, use Grab! It’s what the locals do.

Where does Grab work in Myanmar?

Grab works in Yangon and does not work in Inle Lake and Bagan. We haven’t visited other cities, so don’t know much about the connectivity nationwide.

Grab is great for getting around Yangon and for getting an idea on how much a cab ride should cost. You can set up your Grab to pay with credit or cash. If you choose to pay for your ride in cash upon the completion of the drive, make sure you have a bunch of smaller change, as drivers are known for claiming to only have big bills.

How to get around Myanmar: Night Bus vs. Flying

Is it safe to take night buses in myanmar.

During our trip, we always took a night bus instead of flying. The cost was much lower to take three night buses rather than three flights around the country, and this choice saved us on accommodations for the nights we spent on buses. It was totally safe and there were other travelers.

We arrived the next day after a bus and were a bit tired, but took mid-day naps. That was fine because it’s so hot in Myanmar that you’d want to nap anyway!

Should I take trains in Myanmar?

We did not take trains in Myanmar, but we met travelers who did. Trains are known to be slow and old, and if you wish to take one, you’re signing up for an adventurous experience!

One tip we heard is that if you take a night sleeper compartment bus to avoid the top bunk, as the spiders and insects like to hang out up there, and the space between the ceiling and the bed is rather small. You could be sleeping with a good bunch of wildlife in close reach.

We did ride the Yangon city ‘circle train,’ which is the equivalent of a light rail or above-ground metro. It’s really old, and there’s no AC, no fan, no frills… but it made for a cool thing to do for a morning (until we were done with sweating) and you can see a lot of local life in the outskirts of the city.

Is traveling in Myanmar dangerous or safe?

Traveling in Myanmar is incredibly safe, even if you are traveling solo . In fact, Myanmar is probably one of the safest places we have ever been, where crime is not even a topic that travelers talk about.

We walked in Nyaung Shwe (Shan State) at 4 a.m. after being dropped off our bus there, and no one bothered us. We also were not hassled much at the airport at midnight when we arrived in Yangon. We felt perfectly safe being outside and looking for our Grab taxi.

In Yangon, we did not experience any pickpockets, but we do suggest keeping your bag close to your body and not flashing lots of money in public spaces. Much of the population in Myanmar is poor and as we mentioned in common scams, above, there are people who want to make some money off of innocent travelers.

The only dangerous areas in Myanmar are the off-limits areas, which have already been closed by the government to tourists. These are the conflict areas, but luckily they do not overlap at all with places of interest like Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake.

Is there tipping in Myanmar?

Similar to traveling in other Asian countries, tipping is not inherently part of the culture.

Do people tip in Myanmar?

Tipping isn’t required in Myanmar, but it is encouraged when you’re happy with your service. It’s more expected in places that give one of those black booklets when you receive your check. Sometimes, you’ll see that tips are included at a Western-style establishment (upscale or at a hotel) and it’s typically 5%-10%.

Is tipping expected in Myanmar?

We gave tips when the person giving the service least expected it, and it sometimes made their day. You can do this simply by rounding up your bill to the nearest thousand, or handing off a few thousand to your server or hairdresser (in our case) upon leaving.

Should you tip the Inle Lake boat people?

At each stop during a standard Inle Lake boat tour, locals who work for the establishment will help you off your boat so that you don’t fall. We found that most of the time, no one asked for tips, but during our second boat tour, we were asked for tips by a small boy who helped us on and off.

You are welcome to tip these individuals, as a few hundred Kyat is small change to us, and they may appreciate it.

Are there foreigner prices (the “foreigner tax”)?

At times, there is a blatant different price for tourists versus price for locals. This happens often at large religious or national sites.

While it’s frustrating, the logic is that the average Burmese person does not have a lot of money, and in this way, the establishment can make a profit off of tourism and at the same time, allow nationals to be able to access religious and cultural landmarks.

In the case of a famed place like Shwedagon pagoda, this is a religious place where people go daily or weekly, or to which they may make a pilgrimage from far away, and the price should not be a deterrent.

When buying food or items in markets, you will probably be charged the foreigner price, and this is also because the vendor knows you can afford more than the average local — after all, you already traveled from far away to their country! It’s not fair, but if you are already on vacation, chances are you are coming from the luxury of being able to leave your home nation.

What is the currency in Myanmar?

We recommend that you do your research on traveling with foreign currencies before you leave. The currency in Myanmar is the Burmese Kyat/Myanmar Kyat.

What are the little stickers on receipts?

We noticed that we received little stickers on receipts. These are for declaring taxes, if you wanted a small refund when you exit Myanmar. We don’t typically collect these taxes unless we make a big purchase. If you spent over $500 at retail stores, you might be eligible to get $50 or so back, when you depart for your next country.

What is the largest bill in Burmese Kyat?

The largest bill in the Kyat is the 10,000-Kyat note, equivalent of $6.54. When going to an ATM, you’ll need to withdraw 200,000 Kyat to have $130.

ATM Fees and Withdrawals in Myanmar

Make sure you have the appropriate credit and debit cards for your trip before you land and use an ATM.

What is the largest withdrawal from an ATM in Myanmar?

The largest withdrawal is 300,000 Kyat from an ATM.

What is the ATM fee in Myanmar?

The bank fee will also amount to fee of 6000 Kyat. Plan accordingly if you plan to pay for everything in cash (night buses, accommodation), and keep this in mind when withdrawing.

Which plugs and outlets does Myanmar use?

While we brought an international converter . Luckily, the hostels at which we stayed during our trip had the standard US outlet we are accustomed to. The voltage in Myanmar is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. We also saw sockets of type C, which is common in Europe. We recommend bringing a converter in case you need one.

Is there ethnic diversity in Myanmar?

While on the surface, people in Myanmar people may seem or look “Burmese,” what’s truly incredible about this country is the ethnic diversity. In addition to Burmese, there are at least 50 ethnic dialects spoken from north to south, along with languages from other countries like Chinese.

In Yangon alone, we noticed people of Indian descent and Chinese descent, in addition to the ethnic Burmese population. This ethnic diversity leads to more diversity in food, language and religion.

What is the Burmese language like?

Before we left, Becca downloaded a Burmese language app to get a preview of what the language is like. If you want to preview the language of where you’ll be traveling, read our tips for learning a new language for travel .

What are the religions in Myanmar?

Religious diversity in Myanmar is incredible to see, especially in downtown Yangon and Yangon’s Chinatown. Here, for example, the density of the population has created city blocks that have both a Buddhist temple and a Hindu temple, and neighboring blocks that have a Jewish synagogue and a Muslim mosque.

There are also several Christian churches of several varieties. Around Myanmar, there are tribes and ethnic groups that have animistic beliefs, meaning a belief in spirits (called ‘nats’).

What are the Burmese people’s attitudes toward travelers?

We got the vibe that people wanted to talk with us to practice their English, thank us for visiting their country or to say hi. In one case, one local showed us around to all of his friends at a market and gave us bananas and watermelons, asking nothing in return!

Are locals safe in Myanmar?

We mostly had great experiences as foreign travelers in Myanmar. We were shown an incredible amount of hospitality, with nothing to ask for in return, when interacting with locals.

In being invited by locals to their homes or villages, we do suggest taking some sort of precaution, such as having cellular data in case something is to happen to you or your safety. In our own personal experiences, we were shown nothing but generosity.

How much English is used in Myanmar?

We were pleasantly surprised and somewhat amazed with the widespread use of English in Myanmar. Given, we interacted mostly with individuals working in tourism — hostel staff, bus staff, bar servers and tourism hosts at workshops or stores.

Not everyone speaks English, though, and one thing to keep in mind is that, similar to people in much of Asia, Burmese people will avoid saying ‘no’ or admitting that they don’t understand you at all.

As an alternative, they will answer as best they can, even if a language barrier causes them to miss your question or your point completely. This is to ‘save face,’ and you will encounter this in much of Asia.

Drinking the Water in Myanmar

Can you brush your teeth with the water in myanmar.

We did, and we typically brush our teeth with the water anywhere, but we never swallow any of it. If you have concerns, you can brush your teeth with purified water.

Can you drink the water in Myanmar?

No. The water source from the tap is not clean in the entire country. There are several options of bottled water that have different treatments for drinking. We didn’t have any issues with the bottled water.

In restaurants and hotels, you can usually find a source to fill a water bottle; in fact, jugs of drinking water are pretty common to see, even in markets.

We had most hostels and night buses provide bottles of drinking water to us upon boarding, or on the nightstands in the room when we arrived.

Travel ‘greenly,’ and re-purpose these bottles by filling them up from large jugs, as to avoid buying new bottles and wasting plastic.

Do I need a travel visa for Myanmar?

Yes, you do need a visa! Be sure to check visa requirements before you travel to anywhere in Asia.

In fact, all travelers from Western countries require a visa. The countries that have their visas waived are mostly within Southeast Asia (Singapore and Thailand, for example) or East Asia.

To get the Myanmar travel visa, apply online and pay the $50 USD fee at the Myanmar tourist visa website .

How fast is the WiFi in Myanmar?

Myanmar does not have such fast WiFi, when compared with other places we’ve been. Of all the cities, Yangon had the average fastest WiFi by far, and Nyaung Shwe had the slowest, but after all, you’re not traveling all the way to Myanmar for the WiFi! Internet in Nyaung Shwe was around 7 Mbps.

Can you work remotely in Myanmar?

Becca tried working remotely in Myanmar, and the best luck was in Yangon in our hostel lobby. We would not confidently recommend Myanmar as a destination for a fast connection to WiFi in order to get work done. There are also sometimes power outages.

If you do choose to get some work done in Myanmar, keep in mind that the time zone is on the half-hour, as it may affect your appointments or calendars. You can also use our remote work tips .

Is there public WiFi in Myanmar?

There isn’t that much public WiFi in Myanmar. You might find WiFi at a mall in Yangon, but it is still less than common in general.

In the hotels that we visited and the hostels that we stayed at, the fastest WiFi that we saw in the country was 15 Mbps. We had some proximity connection issues throughout our hostels. We were always able to connect when we wanted to, but didn’t feel like it was a place that we could work reliably for an extended period of time.

Is there alcohol in Myanmar?

While Burmese people do not have an extensive bar culture, it is possible to drink in Western-style establishments like dive bars, pubs and rooftop bars throughout Yangon. Many hostels will have their own bar as well.

Myanmar has two local brands of beer, which are Dagon and Myanmar Beer. Depending on the bar, you can get imported beers, imported liquors and imported wine.

We did enjoy a visit to Red Mountain Winery to try Burmese wine, which was a treat (especially with the view).

Cocktails are popular, especially those made with rum. Before you leave Myanmar, try a Mandalay sour, made with Mandalay rum and lime.

How can you eat vegetarian in Myanmar?

Our best luck with vegetarianism was with hostel breakfasts! Usually, a breakfast consisted of eggs, fruit, toast, potatoes and fried rice or fried noodles.

We had great luck in eating vegetarian (or vegan, in Becca’s case) with Indian cuisines, especially when we could express in English that we needed dishes free of butter for lactose intolerance.

While we did not delve into any street food, mostly because we don’t consume too much fried food in general, we found that veggie-friendly Burmese dishes were all of the yummy salads, which are often dressed with chickpeas, peanuts, soy sauce and ginger. You can also typically find egg fried rice or egg fried noodles anywhere.

What is the street food in Myanmar?

As mentioned, street food is pretty oily, greasy and fried in Myanmar. Street food in Yangon had a bit of an Indian vibe, right down to the fried samosas or breads we saw being sold on the street. Some street food was completely new to us as well, but we delighted in seeing Asian pears, tiny mandarins, apples, coconuts and watermelons for sale.

Renting scooters, e-Bikes and motos in Myanmar

Renting motorized bikes and scooters was rather easy in Myanmar, and when renting in Bagan, we weren’t even asked for monetary collateral (this was because the rental shop was across from the hostel and instead asked for our room number — honors system — so that we could be tracked down in a worst case if we did not return the scooter).

Most rentals were by the hour or half day, but can be bargained for. We paid 4000 Kyat for three hours, or less, around 3000 Kyat, for taking an e-Bike out for two hours. You can agree on a return time with the shop owner.

Before setting out on a scooter or moto, make sure you have some practice under your belt, as that’s the safe thing to do. As in the rest of Southeast Asia, the local ‘tattoo’ is surely the battle wounds of a fall.

Want to stay insured in case of injury? Get some travel insurance, with World Nomads or SafetyWing before you go.

Renting bicycles in Myanmar

Most hostels or hotels in Bagan and Inle Lake (outside major cities) will have rental bicycles of their own, and these will likely be for free for a very low cost. While it’s very nice that they come as a perk during your stay, the fact is that these bikes are not of the best quality and don’t enjoy such great up-keeping.

We walked around Nyaung Shwe to try to find a better bike situation, and our first experience was trying old slightly beat-up mountain bikes at a shop near Ostello Bello Hostel .

While the price was going to be super low for our day of biking around the lake, the bikes did not seem sturdy and so we forwent this option.

Renting mountain bikes

Our best bike rental experience was at a shop called KKO Mountain Bike Rental on the main road of Nyaung Shwe (Youne Gyi Road).

Here, we bargained a 6-hour rental for two bikes for a total 10,000 Kyat. This seems steep, considering the cost of other things, but we were able to take out new mountain bikes with gears and breaks working properly and even had the luxury of padded gel seats.

What’s the time zone in Myanmar?

Myanmar uses a unique time zone of GMT+6:30, which is EDT+10.5 hours or EST+11.5 hours for daylight savings time in the US.

Myanmar is 30 minutes behind Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, and 1.5 hours behind China, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Having trouble figuring it out? Check out one of our favorite tools for doing the time zone math easily.

Should you buy gems (rubies, sapphires) and gold in Myanmar?

If you spend even a few hours in Yangon, you’ll see that there are many shops and vendors selling gold and precious stones. You’ll also see this in the silversmithing tourist shops of Inle Lake during your boat tour of the lake villages.

There are lots of other great things to do in Yangon. Learn about all of the best things to do in Yangon !

Some of the prices for stones are very affordable by Western standards, but the catch is that you’ll probably never know the grade or class of the stone you’re getting, if it’s a ‘real’ sapphire or ruby (and not glass or a less-precious softer stone) and if the gold or silver is real.

We looked at the gold and stones for fun, but did not buy anything, for this concern mentioned above. If you are serious about buying gold and gems, we suggest doing your research to work with a reputable agent or a verified wholesaler.

Animals (pets, strays, monastery cats) in Myanmar

Stray dogs and cats.

You’ll find lots of dogs and cats all over Myanmar. Be careful, as some dogs and cats might have fleas or ticks and a very select few may be harmful. We noticed a lot of young puppies and kittens and we couldn’t get enough of the cuteness, but decided not to pet them.

Danger of snakes in Myanmar

Myanmar has a lot of snakes and some can be venomous. Be careful when going off-road in Bagan and in other rural areas. Luckily, we didn’t see any, but heard a lot of stories of people getting close to them or seeing snakes in the road. Yikes!

Large insects and bugs

We found some gigantic crickets and cockroaches (some dead, some alive) — like seriously, these were out of Jurassic Park. They’re seemingly harmless, but keep in mind that big bugs exist and you might see a few here and there.

Where to stay in Myanmar

Accommodation ranges from the basic guesthouse to the 5-star Shangri-La Hotel in Yangon. We chose our accommodation to be the middle of the road: new hostels with modern amenities.

In Yangon, Bagan and Inle Lake, there are heaps of places to stay. Interestingly enough, this was not the case even ten years ago in Myanmar, when there was a shortage of accommodations due to the newly-opened tourism in the country.

Hostels in Myanmar

Hostels in Myanmar are a fun and social place to be. We recommend checking ratings and prices on Hostelworld before booking. Some hostels may hike up pricing on weekends or in high season, so if you see a jump in price from one month to the next, that could be why.

What are hostels like in Myanmar?

Hostels had amenities such as WiFi, free included breakfast, hot water (most of the time), helpful 24-hour front desk staff, an “early check-in” room at Baobabed Nyaung Shwe/Inle Lake for guests who arrive in the early hours of the morning from a night bus, daily snack tastings, free flow coffee and tea, pool tables, rooftop pools, a cafe or restaurant and daily happy hour. Hostels in Myanmar are an awesome place to be!

When we hostel, we always opt for a private room, ideally with a private bath for convenience. We find that this is a happy medium between having peace and quiet and the benefit of being able to meet and socialize with other travelers, which is always a great thing to do in a new country where everyone can exchange tips, advice and recommendations.

Cheers! If you’re curious about what to bring and what to expect for a long trip, check out guide for how to prepare for a trip abroad !

Here are some items that made our trip seamless:

• The Priority Pass airport lounge membership helped us relax during our layover in Beijing and before our return flight in the Yangon airport.
• Birkenstock sandals were great for sliding on and off when visiting Buddhist religious sites.
• noise-canceling headphones were crucial for the 13-hour trans-Pacific flight to Beijing.
• Our Cabeau travel pillow let us fall asleep on flights and on night buses — those tiny flat pillows don’t make the cut!
• Travel insurance is valuable if you plan on E-Biking or motorcycling because you never know what can happen.
• The Lonely Planet guidebook (get one on Amazon or Bookshop.org ) was great for reading up on history, culture, language and food of Myanmar.
• Our backpack locks with keys ensured our backpacks were secure during those overnight journeys.
• Our quick-dry towels are small and mighty, and came in handy because they dry pretty fast.

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Myanmar Travel Guide

Is Myanmar’s appeal in its temple-laden skyline, glittering against the late afternoon sky from a lofty vantage point? Or is it the busy streets where smiling locals go about their daily duties? Though the country only recently opened its gates to tourism, it’s no question that it’s always been destined for surreal, elevating explorations. This is beguiling Burma, and it’s waiting for you.

The Highlights

It’s hard to contest Inle Lake’s allure. The freshwater lake is as charming as they come, fringed with floating gardens and stilt houses that witness the constant passing of leg-rowing men on wooden fishing boats. If you’re seeking to immerse yourself in Myanmar’s local culture and breathe the country air, you’ve found the right place. Feast on fresh seafood and consider a trek to hilly Kalaw.

Seeking respite from the scorching heat might lead you to Kalaw , one of Myanmar’s charming towns in the Shan Hill country and an old colonial village. It serves as a starting point for many hiking and trekking adventures, but stay in town for just a little while. Stay at a guesthouse, meander through the markets and rub elbows with the locals. This is the ideal place to slip into the slow rhythm.

Not many places can rival the unspoilt coast of Ngapali in the Bay of Bengal just outside of Thandwe. Island excursions and watersports are popular here, but it’s enough to stay grounded. The white sand beaches are perfect for the more laid-back exploits including lazing on the beach, watching local fishermen bring in their catch, visit local markets, and eat fresh seafood to your heart’s content.

Mahamuni Buddha Temple

To the many tourists that roam the grounds of Mahamuni, it’s one of Myanmar’s most famous pagodas. To the devotees, it’s home to one of the only five likenesses of the Buddha. This Buddhist temple, located in Mandalay , is famed for its 13th-foot Buddha image, which is the stuff of legends. It’s also home to six large bronze statues that were looted from the Angkor Wat in the 15th-century.

Even hard to impress folks will find it difficult not to be roused by Mingun’s most famous attraction. This little town outside made its mark on the map thanks to Mingun Pahtodawgyi, an unfinished temple whose remains still stand, albeit in ruin. It’s more of a peculiar stop than a religious one. 

From Yangon, head east to Hpa-An , a little village on the bank of Thanlwin River. It serves as a base for many adventures. Visit Saddan Cave, home to a few dozen Buddha statues. Summon a bit of courage and delve deeper until you come out the other side. Next, trek to the top of Mount Zwegabin. The climb is gruelling, but the views are spectacular and a lone monastery is begging to be explored.

The Location

This Southeast Asian country borders India in the west, China in the north, and Laos and Thailand in the east. It is a 20h 35m flight from Los Angeles, with a two-hour layover. From London, it’s about 13h 40m with an hour and 15 minute stop.

Capital City

Naypyidaw, more than 300 kilometres north of Yangon, serves as Myanmar’s official capital. Though Yangon remains to be the more dynamic city, Naypyidaw has that strange, almost too manicured look that is worth glimpsing.

Main Airport

The Yangon International Airport, located in Mingaladon about 11 kilometres from Yangon, is Myanmar’s main and busiest domestic and international hub.

Language Spoken

The official language of Myanmar is Burmese, although there are seven regional languages that are recognised. A small percentage of the population speak Myanmar English, however, more people are learning the language.

Myanmar uses the Kyat. The currency code is MMK. Cash is still king in Myanmar for obvious reasons. It’s the main form of payment in most of the country. Carry cash, but no more than you need for a few days, as there are many ATMs.

Currently, only a few Asian countries hold a 14-day visa exemption to Myanmar. Citizens of most countries must obtain an eVisa for tourism and business. These countries include Australian, the United States, Canada, and the UK.

Electricity

Myanmar uses a 230V current, 50Hz frequency, and type C, D, F and G power sockets. Travellers from the US and Canada will definitely need adapters as well as converters.

Vaccinations

Vaccines recommended for Myanmar are Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Cholera, Rabies, Japanese encephalitis, and Influenza. Anti-malarial tablets are highly advised, as is a Dengue Fever vaccine.

Emergency Calls

The emergency phone number for Myanmar differ depending on the area. For Yangon, call 199 for the police, 191 for fire and 192 for an ambulance. In Bagan, it’s 95-2-67243 for the police, 95-2-60191 in case of fire, and 95-2-67219 for the hospital.

When to Visit

Peak Season

Myanmar is at its busiest during the winter season, which is essentially the country’s driest season. This starts around November and lasts through February when the temperatures in the daytime are bearable and the nighttime temperatures are pleasant. The great thing about Myanmar is that everything is low cost so even in the high season, budget travel is possible. Plus, November is that start of the hot air balloon festivals as well as pagoda festivals so your list of options for covetable experiences is longer. That is if you can bear the heavy foot traffic. If you’d prefer to avoid that, consider the rainy season.

March and April might be the worst months to visit Myanmar as the temperatures rise to well above 40°C. However, if you can forgive the heat, mid-April might be fun as you can take part in the annual water fight to celebrate the Buddhist New Year. To really avoid the crowds, come in May when the wet season is only just starting. In fact, if you’re looking to mainly visit Bagan, Inle Lake and Mandalay, May through August might just be ideal for you as the crowds are thinner and these three dry regions are more bearable. Even consider September or October when it’s cooler, less wet and the leg-rowers at Lake Inle hold their boat festival.

Myanmar (Burma) Tours

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Visit Responsibly

Sustainable tourism in myanmar, faqs about myanmar (burma), do you tip in myanmar.

Only ever leave a gratuity if you’re satisfied with the service. Guides may be tipped 10,000 kyats, drivers 6,000 kyat and housekeepers 1,000. Those are for each day of service. 1,000 kyat per bag for bellhops are appreciated, and loose change from your bill should be enough at restaurants.

What is the internet access like?

Internet connection can range in quality, but you should have no problem with day-to-day tasks like emailing or surfing the web. WiFi is available in many cafes, hostels and hotels for free, but outside urban areas, this is not as common. There are many pay-as-you-go mobile data plans available.

Is the tap water safe to drink?

Absolutely not. Stick to bottled water and the complimentary green tea at restaurants.

Can I use my credit cards?

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Myanmar, although again, cash is still king. Before your trip, call your bank to make sure that your particular card is accepted and so that your bank doesn’t flag your charges as fraudulent.

What are the public holidays?

Public holidays include Independence Day on January 4, Union Day on February 12, Maka Bucha on the day of the full moon of the third lunar month, and Peasants' Day on March 2. There’s also Thingyan on April 13, 14 and 15.

What are the toilets like?

Be prepared to squat and use water in lieu of toilet paper. While many of Myanmar’s toilets and restaurants offer Western-style toilet facilities, the rest of the country still use squat toilets and outhouses. Carry toilet paper with you at all times and throw them in the bin instead.

What is the dress code for tourists in Myanmar?

Myanmar does give travellers a bit of leeway when it comes to the dress code but it’s important to note that it is still a conservative country. Longer bottoms and less revealing tops are preferable. Women should have their shoulders and knees covered when visiting religious sites.

Is it easy to get a visa to Myanmar?

Thanks to its electronic visa system, it’s really easy for citizens of most countries to obtain a visa for Myanmar. It will only take about three days to process and set you back the US $50.

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Myanmar (Burma)

Get this book for free by becoming a Lonely Planet Insider:

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$2.99 USD/month (charged annually) Learn more

Inside Lonely Planet Myanmar (Burma) Travel Guide :

• Colour maps and images throughout
• Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
• Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
• Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
• Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
• Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, religion, politics, cuisine, environment, wildlife, architecture, responsible travel, festivals, sport, traditional crafts, dance, theatre, music, literature, cinema
• Over 60 maps

Coverage Includes: Yangon, Southern Myanmar, Bagan, Central Myanmar, Yangon-Mandalay Highway, Temples of Bagan, Eastern Myanmar, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Northern Myanmar, Lashio, Myitkyina, Western Myanmar and more

eBook is available in ePub, MOBI and PDF.

ISBN: 9781786575463

Edition: 13th

Publication Date: July 2017

Writers: Simon Richmond, David Eimer, Adam Karlin, Nick Ray, Regis St Louis

448 pages, 64pp color, 64 maps | Dimensions: 128mm × 197mm

Next edition due: July 2025

Which guidebook is right for me?

Country, city & regional guides.

• Top experience collections
• Regional itineraries recommended by experts (from a couple of days to multi-week)
• 3D illustrations and guided tours of key sights
• Extensive coverage of history and culture
• Detailed maps throughout - includes walking maps and a pull-out planning map

EXPERIENCE guides

(country, city & regional).

• Led by local experts that reveal their favorite experiences and hidden gems
• Personal itinerary building tools
• Seasonal planning calendars
• QR codes unlock additional online content

POCKET guides

(city & regional).

• Special features cover most popular sights
• Content organized by neighborhhod
• Recommended 1, 2, 3 and 4-day itineraries
• Guided walking tours

• 3 Other destinations
• 4.1 History
• 4.2 Culture
• 4.4 Politics
• 4.5 Climate
• 4.8 Holidays
• 4.9 Units of measure
• 4.10 Tourist information
• 6.1.1 Visa-free
• 6.1.2 E-Visa
• 6.1.3 Visa on arrival
• 6.1.4 Visa at an embassy or consulate
• 6.2 By plane
• 6.3.1 Thailand
• 6.3.2 China
• 6.3.3 India
• 6.3.5 Bangladesh
• 6.4 By boat
• 7.1 Restricted areas
• 7.2 By plane
• 7.3 By train
• 7.4 By boat
• 7.6 By pick-up
• 7.8 By taxi
• 7.9 By ride-hailing
• 7.10 By motorbike
• 7.11 By bicycle
• 7.12 On foot
• 10.1.1 US dollars
• 10.1.2 ATMs
• 10.1.3 Credit cards
• 10.1.4 Money exchange
• 10.1.5 Travellers cheques
• 10.2.1 Tipping
• 10.2.2 Costs
• 10.2.3 What to buy
• 12.1 Teahouses
• 15.2 Illegal substances
• 15.3 Begging
• 15.4 Fake monks
• 15.5 Corruption
• 15.6 Driving conditions
• 15.7 Civil conflict
• 15.8 Politics
• 16.2 Healthcare
• 17.1 Politics
• 17.2 Religion
• 18.1 Telephone
• 18.3 Internet

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Myanmar (မြန်မာ myanma ), or Burma is a country in Southeast Asia .

Since the 1960s, the country, which was previously a part of the British Raj , has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. For a considerable period, Myanmar has been afflicted with political instability, sectarian violence, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and a prolonged history of colonial exploitation that paid scant attention to human development.

Setting aside its challenges, the country features awe-inspiring ancient temples, lively local markets, and captivating landscapes, such as unspoiled beaches, picturesque hills, and verdant forests. The genuine warmth of the Burmese people, combined with delectable cuisine, creates an ideal destination for gastronomes and culture aficionados alike.

• 19.7475 96.115 1 Naypyidaw ( formerly Pyinmana ) — newly designated capital of the country
• 17.343333 96.498056 2 Bago ( formerly Pegu ) — historic city near Yangon full of Buddhist sights
• 9.983333 98.55 3 Kawthaung — beach town in the far south which is as much like Thailand as Myanmar gets
• 21.983056 96.084444 4 Mandalay — former capital of the Konbaung Dynasty built around the Mandalay Royal Palace and main commercial centre of Upper Myanmar
• 16.484722 97.625833 5 Mawlamyine ( Moulmein ) — capital of Mon State and the third largest city
• 22.028056 96.470556 6 Pyin U Lwin ( Maymyo ) — a cool town (in both temperature and attractions) which is a former British colonial hill station
• 20.780556 97.037222 7 Taunggyi — capital of Shan State in the heart of the Golden Triangle
• 16.733333 95.966667 8 Twante — a delta town that is famous for pottery
• 16.795 96.16 9 Yangon ( formerly Rangoon ) — the economic centre, known for its pagodas and colonial architecture

Other destinations

• 20.55 96.916667 2 Inle Lake — a large shallow lake famous for boat trips, visiting floating villages inhabited by the Intha people, hiking, and also a source of excellent silk
• 21.291389 99.603889 3 Kengtung — between Mong La (on the border with China) and Tachileik (on the border with Thailand) in the Golden Triangle, known for the Ann (black teeth people) and Akha tribes and trekking
• 17.3 97.016667 4 Kyaiktiyo — a gold-gilded rock sitting atop a cliff and a major pilgrimage site
• 20.920278 95.253889 5 Mount Popa — an extinct volcano regarded as the Mount Olympus of Myanmar, a green oasis high above the hot plains and an easy day trip from Bagan
• 20.59 93.1925 6 Mrauk U — former capital of the Rakhine Kingdom, with many ancient pagodas that serve as a reminder of that era
• 18.43716 94.3232 7 Ngapali — beach resort in western Rakhine State , on the Bay of Bengal
• 16.858333 94.391667 8 Ngwe Saung — longest stretch of beach in Ayeyarwaddy (English: Irrawaddy) Division, white sandy beach and crystal clear water are the features of Ngwe Saung Beach
• 18.82 95.215556 9 Pyay — a town on the Irrawaddy River midway between Yangon and Bagan, known for its archaeological site Sri Kittara , the ancient Pyu capital from 2 to 9 CE
• 16.766667 94.733333 10 Pathein — a river town in the Irrawaddy delta, known for manufacture of umbrellas, gateway to Chuang Tha and Ngwe Saung Beaches

Like most of Southeast Asia's countries, Myanmar's people and history is a glorious mishmash of settlers and invaders from all fronts. The Mon and the Pyu are thought to have come from India , while the now dominant Bamar (Burmese) migrated through Tibet and, by 849, had founded a powerful kingdom centred on Bagan . The ethnic diversity of the region, and the dominance of the Bamar people in the central plains, set up the geopolitical struggles between them and the multitude of smaller ethnic groups surrounding, which have continued unabated until the present day. From the 9th century to the 19th century, the Burmese empire grew through conquests of Thailand ( Ayutthaya ) and India ( Manipur ), and shrank under attacks from China and internal rebellions.

Eventually, Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire, and King Thibaw, the last Burmese monarch, was exiled to Ratnagiri in what is today India . Like in their other colonies, the British maintained control partly through a "divide and conquer" strategy, in which they deliberately stoked tensions between different ethnic and religious groups, resulting in ethnic and religious conflicts that have never been resolved. For example, bureaucrats were imported from India, and other government positions tended to be manned by locals from the smaller ethnic groups. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate colony. During the Second World War, Burma was a major battleground as the Allies fought the Japanese for dominance over Asia. The Burma Road was built to get supplies to China. The Thailand-Burma railway (the so-called "Death Railway") from Kanchanaburi in Thailand over the River Kwai to Burma was built by the Japanese using forced labour — Allied prisoners-of-war, indentured Thai labourers, Burmese people and other Southeast Asians. They had to work in appalling conditions and a great number of them died (estimated at 80,000) during construction of the railway. Large parts of Western Burma, particularly the hilly areas bordering India and the city of Mandalay , were severely damaged during the war.

Burmese independence fighters led by General Aung San initially cooperated with the Japanese to oust the British, with the Japanese promising to grant independence to Burma in exchange. However, life under Japanese occupation was even more brutal than life under British colonialism, and many Burmese were killed, such as in the Kalagong massacre. Aung San subsequently switched allegiance and helped the allies win Burma back from the Japanese. Aung San subsequently led negotiations with the British for Burmese independence after the end of World War II, and the British agreed in 1947 to grant independence to Burma the following year, though Aung San himself was assassinated later in 1947 and never lived to see his dream come true. Independence from the British under the name Union of Burma was finally attained on 4 January 1948, and General Aung San is regarded by most Burmese people to be their father of independence.

The new union brought together various states defined by ethnic identity, many of whom had centuries-long histories of autonomy from and struggles against each other. In the interest of securing their collective independence from Britain, the tribes reached an agreement to submit to collective governance—with power sharing among the ethnicities and states—for ten years, after which each tribe would be afforded the right to secede from the union. The terms of this "Pinlon Agreement" were enshrined in the 1947/1948 constitution of the new Union of Burma. The new central government of the nation quickly worked to consolidate its power, marginalising and angering tribal leaders and setting off ethnic armed conflict that has continued unabated until the present day. In 1961, more than 200 ethnic leaders from the Shan people, Kachin people, Red Karen, Karen people, Chin peoples, Mon people and Rakhine people met with ethnic Bamar (Burmese) central government authorities to draft a new form of government which would ensure the tribes both autonomy and self-determination within a federal system.

The new government was never formed. Nevertheless, up until Ne Win's coup in 1962, Burma was regarded as one of the most developed and fastest growing economies in Asia, and widely touted as a contender to be the next Japan. Military leader General Ne Win led a coup d'état which ousted the democratically elected government in 1962, and installed himself as leader. General Ne Win dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. Under Ne Win's rule, widespread corruption and nepotism led the Burmese economy into a downward spiral from which it has never fully recovered. Pro-democracy demonstrations in 1988 were violently crushed, with general Saw Maung taking over in a coup and installing the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to rule the country, now renamed Myanmar .

Multiparty legislative elections were held in 1990, with the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory (392 of 489 seats). But SLORC refused to hand over power, instead placing NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi (daughter of national hero Aung San) under house arrest, which she has endured for 14 of the last 20 years.

Today Myanmar, a resource-rich country, suffers from pervasive government controls, inefficient economic policies, and rural poverty. What was once one of the richest and most developed countries in Asia has since slumped into poverty due to widespread corruption. The junta took steps in the early 1990s to liberalise price controls after decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to Socialism," but had to reinstate subsidised prices on staples in the face of food riots, upon which the democracy movement grafted its agenda. The government called out troops and the rioters were defiant until the monks intervened: standing between both sides, they told everyone to go home and they did. The riots caused overseas development assistance to cease and the government subsequently nullified the results of the 1990 legislative elections.

In response to the government's attack in May 2003 on Aung San Suu Kyi and her convoy, the USA imposed new economic sanctions against Myanmar, including bans on imports of products from Myanmar and on provision of financial services by US citizens.

The summer of 2007 was marked by demonstrations against the military government which were again brutally suppressed. The demonstrations started in August, apparently in an uncoordinated manner, as a protest against a stiff hike in the price of petrol, but morphed into a more serious challenge to the government after three monks were beaten at a protest march in the town of Pakokku. The monks demanded an apology but none was forthcoming and soon processions of monks with begging bowls held upside down filled many cities (including Sittwe , Mandalay and Yangon ). Yangon, particularly the area around Sule Pagoda in the downtown area, became the centre of these protests. While the monks marched, and many ordinary citizens came out in support of the monks, the world watched as pictures, videos, and blogs flooded the Internet. However, the government soon suppressed the protests by firing on crowds, arresting monks and closing monasteries, and temporarily shut down Internet communications with the rest of the world. This led the US, Australia , Canada and the European Union to impose additional sanctions, some targeting the families and finances of the military leaders.

Following elections in 2010, Burma began a process of liberalisation that has led to a reduction or removal of sanctions by many nations including the United States. In 2012, Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to the Burmese parliament and allowed to travel to Europe and North America. Censorship of foreign and local news was also suspended.

In November 2015, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won a landslide victory in the nationwide legislative elections and Htin Kyaw, a close ally of Aung San Suu Kyi, became president. In April 2016, Aung San Suu Kyi took office as State Counsellor, a post equivalent to prime minister, making her Myanmar's de facto head of government.

In February 2021, the military once again took power in a coup after a landslide victory by the NLD. Country-wide mass protests and a civil disobedience movement sprung up in the aftermath; protests were brutally crushed as the army killed hundreds of NLD supporters and democratic activists. Thousands of NLD and other pro-democracy politicians, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and community leaders were arrested. Peaceful protests still occur sporadically while other groups of protesters have taken up arms against the military regime, particularly in the border regions. Western countries have re-imposed economic sanctions on Myanmar as a result of the coup. As of mid-2024, the military regime controls less than half of the area of the country, and Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) have been successfully mounting co-ordinated attacks with increasing confidence. However, this brutal civil war still has no end in sight.

Myanmar's culture is largely a result of Indian influences intertwined with local traditions and Chinese influences. This can be seen in the various stupas and temples throughout the country, which bear a distinct resemblance to those in northern India. As in neighbouring Thailand , Theravada Buddhism is the single largest religion. 88% of the population follows these Buddhist practices, and even some of the most remote villages will have a temple for people to pray at. Other religions which exist in smaller numbers include Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Animism and ancestor worship can also be found around the country, especially in the more distant, hill tribe regions.

One pre-Buddhist tradition that survives in Myanmar is the worship of the Nats , or traditional Burmese spirits, and you will see many spirit houses throughout the country dedicated to their worship. Following the spread of Theravada Buddhism, the worship of the Nats was incorporated into Burmese Buddhism, and they are today regarded as subordinates of the Buddha.

The dominant ethnic group in Myanmar is known as the Bamar, from which the original English name of the country, Burma, was derived. Besides the Bamar, Myanmar is also home to many minority ethnic groups and nationalities which have their own distinct cultures and languages. In addition to the native ethnic minorities, Myanmar is also home to ethnic Chinese and Indians whose ancestors migrated to Myanmar during the colonial period, most visible in the cities of Yangon and Mandalay. Myanmar is divided into fourteen administrative divisions, seven regions and seven states; generally speaking, the regions are Bamar-dominated, while the states are dominated by the respective ethnic minorities.

The government has been condemned by other nations for violence against the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State, which borders Bangladesh. The government does not recognise them as citizens of Myanmar, but instead claims they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, a narrative embraced by the vast majority of Burmese despite the Rohingya's presence in Rakhine going back generations. Forced to flee to Bangladesh in large numbers, where they are also regarded as foreigners, many have lost their lives trying to seek refuge and work in Malaysia.

Generally speaking, most Myanmar people are incredibly friendly and polite, and will do their best to make you feel welcome in their country.

Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (ပြည်ထောင်​စု သမ္မတ မြန်မာ​နိုင်​ငံတော်), is a presidential republic, with the president, who is appointed by the legislature, serving as both head of state and de jure head of government. He and his cabinet form the executive branch. The legislature is composed of the bicameral Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union), consisting of an upper Amyotha Hluttaw (House of Nationalities), and a lower Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives). While a majority of the members of the legislature are popularly elected by the people, a quarter the seats are reserved for appointees from the military. Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won a majority of seats in the 2015 election. As she is constitutionally barred from the presidency (by virtue of having married a foreigner), she instead served as the de facto head of government in the role of State Counsellor. As of February 2021, Myanmar is ruled by a military dictatorship.

Myanmar is considered to have 3 seasons. The hot season is usually from Mar–Apr. Temperatures then cool off during the rainy season from May–Oct. The peak tourism season is the cool season from Nov–Feb. Temperatures can climb as high as 36°C in Yangon in the hot season while in the cool season, noontime temperatures are usually a more bearable 32°C, with night temperatures falling to around 19°C. Mandalay is slightly cooler in the cool season, with temperatures falling as low as 13°C, while temperatures in the hot season can go as high as 37°C. Generally, Lower Myanmar, the area around Yangon, receives more rainfall than the drier Upper Myanmar (around Mandalay).

In the highlands such as Inle Lake and Pyin U Lwin , winter temperatures can fall below 10°C at night, while daytime temperatures tend to be very pleasant. Even in the summer, temperatures rarely climb above 32°C. Near the Indian border in Kachin State , there are permanently snow-capped mountains.

• From the Land of the Green Ghosts by Pascal Khoo Thwe. A Cambridge-educated writer gives a touching account of his growing up as a Paduang-Hilltribe-Guyand in the difficult political environment before becoming a rebel. ( ISBN 0007116829 )
• The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh. A novel that spans a century, from British conquest to the modern day. A compelling account of how a family adapted to the changing times; provides much insight into Burmese culture.
• The River of Lost Footsteps by Thant Myint-U. Easily the most accessible history of Myanmar available. Read it before you go and you will marvel at how the once great and rich cities (like Martaban, Syriam, and Mrauk-U ) have become the dingy and smoky villages of today. ( ISBN 0374163421 )
• The Trouser People by Andrew Marshall. The author follows in the footsteps of Victorian explorer, Sir George Scott. This book looks at lost British heritage as well as the Burmese tragedies occurring in the present. ( ISBN 0140294457 )
• Finding George Orwell in Burma by Emma Larkin. The pseudonymous author, a journalist, posed as a tourist to travel around Myanmar in the early 2000s, before the government opened up the country to the world. She documents a country trapped in the past, attempts to distinguish sympathetic storytellers from police informants, and retraces Orwell's life in Myanmar, who went on to give the world the vocabulary to criticise the repressive police state which the country had since become. ( ISBN 1594200521 )
• Burma Chronicles by Guy Delisle. A whimsical and humorous graphic novel about a family who moves to Yangon on assignment with an NGO in the mid-2000s. The protagonist, a stay-at-home dad, adapts to life in Burma with his infant son while his wife works long hours. An enjoyable and light read, this work does not dwell on human rights under the dictatorship, but rather focusses on the day-to-day life of the protagonist and the characters he meets. ( ISBN 9781897299500 )
• Insight Myanmar was formerly a podcast about religion and spirituality, but it pivoted to providing news and interviews with experts following the military coup of February 2021.
• Myanmar Musings is the podcast of the Myanmar Research Centre at the Australian National University, Canberra. While much more academic than Insight Myanmar , it still features interviews with a variety of experts on a range of historical and present-day topics relating to research on Myanmar.
• 4 January: Independence Day
• January: Kayin New Year Day - 1st waxing of Pyatho
• 12 February: Union Day
• March: Full Moon Day of Tabaung
• 27 March: Armed Forces Day
• April: Thingyan (Burmese New Year) — the most important festival in Myanmar, in which people splash water at each other. Also known as the Water Festival, and similar to Songkran in neighbouring Thailand
• May: Full Moon Day of Kason
• July: Full Moon Day of Waso
• October: Full Moon Day of Thadingyut
• 19 July: Martyrs Day
• November: National Day - 10 st waning of the moon of Tazaungmon
• 25 December: Christmas Day

Units of measure

Since 2013, Myanmar has begun adopting the metric system (SI), which is now used for weather reports, petrol prices, and speed limits, and new road signs. However, much usage of imperial system and the traditional Burmese units of measurement persist. Old road signs may use miles and miles per hour, and government websites inconsistently convert Burmese units to metric or Imperial.

Tourist information

• Myanmar Ministry of Hotels and Tourism website

The official language of Myanmar is Burmese (မြန်မာစကား mien ma za ga ) (known by the government as Myanmar), a Sino-Tibetan language related to Chinese and hence tonal (word pitch matters) and analytic (most words are one syllable long). It is written using the Burmese script, based on the ancient Pali script. Bilingual signs (English and Burmese) are available in most tourist spots. Numbers often are also written in Burmese script. Much vocabulary is derived from another ancient languages of Pali (at the time of Buddha) and Sanskrit .

There are also many other ethnic groups in Myanmar such as the Mon, Shan, Pa-O, Rohingya and many others who continue to speak their own languages. While Burmese serves as the lingua franca in government-controlled areas, it may not be spoken at all in some separatist-controlled areas. There is also a sizeable ethnic Chinese community who speak Mandarin and/or various Chinese dialects. In Yangon, most of the Chinese are descendants from migrants from Fujian and Guangdong, and hence speak mainly Hokkien or Taishanese, while in Mandalay, the Chinese are mostly descendants of migrants from Yunnan, and mainly speak the Yunnan dialect of Mandarin. Some areas are also home to various ethnic Indian communities who continue to speak various Indian languages.

Myanmar is a former British colony and many Burmese understand at least some rudimentary English. Most well-educated upper class Burmese speak English fluently, while any educated Burmese will know at least the basics. Hotel and airline staff, as well as people working in the tourism industry generally speak a good level of English.

Entry requirements

The visa situation in Myanmar is changing quickly and this has caused confusion even among immigration staff, and many guides and official websites are out of date. Check Wikipedia for visa policy .

Citizens of the following countries may visit Myanmar without a visa for tourism provided they enter by air , and their stay does not exceed the following number of days:

• 14 days: Brunei , Cambodia , Laos , Philippines , Thailand
• 30 days: Russia , Vietnam

Citizens of Singapore may visit Myanmar without a visa for up to 30 days regardless of mode of entry.

These visa exemptions are strictly not extendable. All other travelers are required to apply for a visa in advance.

E-Visa are available for visitors from many countries, including most Western countries for US$50/tourist and US$70/business travelers (as of Jan 2020) through the Myanmar Immigration's web-site , which take 3 days to process. However, there is also an express tourist e-Visa service available on the governments website for US$56 (rather the standard US$50) taking 24 hr (though sometimes just a few hours).

Check the e-Visa website for details on which nationalities this is available for. The visa is valid for 28 day for stays beginning up to 90 days from the date of issue, and is single entry only. In order to apply, you will need to upload a passport-sized colour photo, and payment which is only accepted by credit card. Permitted entry points are: Yangon International Airport, Mandalay International Airport, Nay Pyi Taw International Airport, and the longtail boat crossing from Ranong, Thailand at Kawthaung

Tourist visas are valid for 3 months. The visa is valid for a stay of up to four weeks (from date of entry), although you can overstay if you are willing to pay a US$3 a day fee upon departure. Employment is not allowed on a tourist visa, and working runs you the risk of being arrested and deported. Successful applicants will also be issued an "Arrival Form", which will be stapled into your passport and must be presented on arrival in Myanmar, along with your passport containing the visa sticker.

Visa on arrival

As of October 2019, visas on arrival are available for tourist and business visitors of some nationalities at Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw airports. You must bring two passport-sized colour photos, and a letter of invitation from the company sponsoring your visa (for business visas).

There is still some confusion at airports about this because official resources are not being updated to match changes but most tourists are not experiencing difficult- if you experience any insist you are eligible for a visa and ask for a senior staff member.

Note: In August 2022 a directive from Myanmar to airline staff immediately (and inexplicably) suspended the Tourist Visa on Arrival for all nationalities. This has not been updated on government websites. Check well in advance at the check-in counter what the status is, and consider playing it safe with an e-visa.

Visa at an embassy or consulate

You can apply for all kinds of visas in a Myanmar embassy or consulate in many capitals and large cities around the world. See specific details like contacts, hours, etc. there — especially for Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand, Delhi in India, Hong Kong in China, and Washington D.C. in the US.

Generally the visa application requires a completed visa form (available from the Myanmar embassy), a completed arrival form (again, from the embassy), a photocopy of the photo page from your passport, two passport-sized photos, proof of your occupation, and the applicable fee.

Myanmar's main international airport is located at Yangon , the largest city and main economic centre. There are regular scheduled flights from Yangon to many major Asian cities. For travellers from outside the region, the easiest way to get into Myanmar will be to catch a flight from either Singapore or Bangkok , both of which have large overseas Burmese populations, and are served by several daily flights into Yangon.

Myanmar also has a second international airport at Mandalay , which is served by several flights to the neighbouring countries.

For a current list of airlines and destinations, see Airport of Yangon . The two main international airlines based out of Yangon are flag carrier Myanmar National Airines and privately owned Myanmar Airways International .

Myanmar borders five countries: China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Laos. Foreigners are free to travel overland from Thailand into the Burmese heartland provided their Burmese visa is in order. Entering Myanmar from the other land border crossings, though, is a different story. At the very least, you must apply for special permits in advance, and you may need to join a guided tour in order for the permit to be granted.

Four border crossings exist between Myanmar and Thailand at Tachileik / Mae Sai , Myawaddy / Mae Sot , Htee Kee / Ban Phunamron and the Three Pagoda Pass . The former three are open to foreigners, and there are no restrictions on foreigners travelling into the Burmese heartland from Myawaddy or Htee Kee. From Tachileik, travel beyond Keng Tung is not possible overland unless you are on a guided tour with a special permit. No visa-on-arrival is available though, so ensure that your Thai (if required) and Burmese visas are in order.

Foreigners can enter Myanmar at Muse via Ruili (in Yunnan ), although a permit (as well as a visa) and a guide are needed. You will most likely need to join an organized tour. Crossing in the opposite direction is more difficult to arrange and details are uncertain; however, it's possible to fly from Mandalay to Kunming , and there's even a Chinese consulate that issues visas in Mandalay.

A land border crossing exists between India and Myanmar at Moreh/ Tamu and is open to tourists who have vehicles and who are on foot or who have tours. As of 2023, Myanmar eVisas are not valid for entry at this border, so you'll need to get a visa in advance.

This border is in politically unstable territory and there have been protests and two bomb blasts in the Indian town of Moreh (Oct 2019) which briefly closed the border. Tourists are generally advised not to loiter in Moreh, especially late at night- and to stay in Tamu on the Myanmar side if possible.

It is no longer required to have a permit to visit the Indian state of Manipur which borders Myanmar.

The Myanmar-Laos Friendship Bridge is the sole official border crossing between Myanmar and Laos. The bridge connects Shan State in Myanmar with Luang Namtha Province in Laos , in a very remote region for both countries, and information on when (or whether) the crossing is operating is hard to find. As eVisas are not accepted for entry at this crossing, you'll need to get a visa in advance.

It is not feasible to cross the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh independently. No border crossings exist between the two nations, and the Myanmar army has planted landmines along the frontier to discourage smugglers.

Small wooden longtail boats shuttle between Ranong , Thailand and Kawthaung , Myanmar. There is no fixed schedule; you just negotiate directly with one of the boat operators, and they will leave once a price is agreed on. Be sure to bargain hard or you might get ripped off. Boat operators may try you hustle you onto their boat before you find the immigration building to get stamped out; be firm and insist on going through immigration, or you will be considered to have left the country illegally. You will need to pay a US$10 or 500 Thai baht "stamping fee" to Myanmar immigration when entering or leaving via this checkpoint. If choosing to pay by U.S. dollars, be sure your bills are in pristine condition; even slight creases will cause your bills to be rejected.

Myanmar's infrastructure is in poor shape. Travel to certain regions is prohibited; for others, special permits must be obtained, and a guide/interpreter/minder may be mandatory - although whether these "guides" accompany you to look after you, or to keep you from going to places the government doesn't want you to see, is a question best discussed elsewhere. However, travel between the main tourist sites, namely Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake and Yangon, is fairly straightforward.

Restricted areas

Much of Myanmar is closed to foreign travellers, and many land routes to far-flung areas are also closed (for example, to Mrauk U , Kalewa , Putao , Kengtung ). Due to longstanding ethnic conflicts, many ethnic minority areas are controlled by armed separatist groups and remain outside the control of the central government. Thus, while tourists can travel freely in the Bamar-majority Burmese heartland, travel tends to be restricted or circumscribed in ethnic minority areas. In theory, any tourist can apply for a permit to visit any restricted area or to travel on any restricted land route. In practice, it is unlikely that any such permit will be issued in a reasonable amount of time, or at all. Permit requests can be made locally in some cases (for example, requests for the land route to Kalewa can be made in Shwebo ) but, in most cases, the request has to be made in Yangon . Requests to visit restricted areas must be made at the MTT (Myanmar Travel and Tours) office in Yangon (Number 77–91, Sule Pagoda Rd, Yangon). Applications for local permits can often be made at a local MTT office or at a police station. Local permits are available only for the following places & routes:

• Mrauk U Chin/Zomi village tours. Easily available in Mrauk U, but must visit with a guide. Your hotel or a local tour company can arrange this for you.
• Myitkyina - Indawgyi Lake . Easily available in Myitkyina but must travel with a guide. Your hotel or a local tour company can arrange this for you.
• Shwebo - Kalewa . A permit is necessary if going by road. It is uncertain whether one is required if going by boat.
• Pa-O Self-Administered Zone in Shan State (including the Kakku Pagodas). Available in Taunggyi , but must be accompanied by a local Pa-O guide. Your hotel or a local tour company can arrange this.

All other permits must be obtained in Yangon.

Permits for some places, such as Putao, are obtainable but need to be applied for well in advance

Myanmar is not North Korea , and you are free to walk around, go to shops and interact with the locals. However, with many of the more far flung places, and places restricted to foreigners, it is better to arrange your internal visa in advance.

Companies that can help with internal visas:

• Mr Myanmar Travel
• Remote Asia Travel
• Travel Myanmar

The poor state of Myanmar's roads and railways make flying by far the least uncomfortable option when travelling long distances.

Flag carrier Myanmar National Airlines operates a network of domestic flights to many destinations across Myanmar from its hub in Yangon International Airport. Long known for its poor safety record, it has improved dramatically with the purchase of newer aircraft, and these days compares favourably with many of the private airlines in terms of both service and safety.

There are also several private airlines operating domestic flights from Yangon. The private airline companies are usually on time, and even depart early (10-20 min), so be on time and reconfirm your flight and flight time 1–2 days before departure. Sometimes the itinerary might be altered some days before departure (meaning that you will still fly to your final destination on the scheduled time, but with an added or removed in between stop, e.g., Yangon-Bagan becomes Yangon-Mandalay-Bagan). This usually only affects your arrival time. En route stops have only 10-20 min ground time, and if it is not your final destination, you can stay inside the plane during the stop.

All domestic flight from Yangon depart from Terminal 3, while international flights depart from Terminals 1 & 2. When taking a taxi from downtown to the airport, mention to the driver that you are on a domestic flight so you'll not end up in the wrong terminal.

Myanmar has an extensive rail network, a relic of British rule. Unfortunately, there has been little maintenance or growth since the British left. Trains are slow, noisy, uncomfortable, and prone to delays. Electrical blackouts are becoming rare but nonetheless never assume that air conditioners, fans or the electrical supply itself will be working throughout the whole journey. Most trains have upper class and ordinary class. Ordinary class has wide open windows, benches and can be packed with locals transporting their goods. Upper class has upholstered chairs, fans and is less crowded. Be careful putting your head out of the window as it is likely to be hit by a branch. Vegetation grows so close to the tracks that you can reach out and touch it. Tickets are cheap and tourists pay the same price as locals, but tourists cannot buy tickets on the train. At smaller stations, you may have to seek the stationmaster or use an interpreter to buy a ticket. Your passport is required when purchasing.

A journey on a train is a great way to see the country and meet people. The rail journey from Mandalay , up hairpin bends to Pyin U Lwin , and then across the mountains and the famous bridge at Gokteik, is one of the great railway journeys of the world. Trains in lower Mandalay, Yangon-Pathein and Yangon-Mawlymaing, are little communities of their own with hawkers selling everything imaginable. Sleepers are available on many overnight express trains, although in the high season you may want to reserve a few days in advance. Tickets go on sale three days in advance. At some stations there is a separate counter for advance bookings, or even a separate building (e.g., in Yangon). Food service is available on the express in both directions between Yangon and Mandalay.

Except for the new bridge and rail line that connects Mawlamyine to points on the west side of the Salween River, the rail network is exactly the way it was in British times. The most-used line is the 325km line from Yangon to Mandalay with several trains a day. It is the only double line in Myanmar, and also the only one that is competitive in time with buses. The fastest trains take 15 hr for the 385km run, an effective rate of 25km/hour. A second line connects Yangon with Pyay, 9 hr for the 175   km journey, with a branch heading off into the delta region town of Pathein. These tracks, the earliest constructed, are in poor shape. With the construction of the bridge across the Salween, it is now possible to go by train from Yangon to Mawlamyine, 8 hr for the 200km journey, and on to Ye and Dawei. From Mandalay, trains continue on to Myitkyina in Kachin State, 350km in 24 hr, and to Lashio. There are also rail connections between Yangon-Bagan and Mandalay-Bagan, but bus or ferry are better alternatives: the 175km from Mandalay to Bagan takes 10 hours.

There is railway service between Yangon-Bagan. 16 hr, first class US$30, upper class US$40, sleeper US$50. (check new prices)

Train tickets cannot be paid in dollars any more, and the government has abandoned the former dual-pricing structure that saw tourists pay inflated prices.

There is also a large river ferry network. Both are to a large extent run by the government, although there are now some private ferry services. The trip from Mandalay to Bagan takes the better part of a day, from Bagan to Yangon is several days.

Buses of all types ply the roads of Myanmar. Luxury (relatively speaking) buses do the Mandalay-Yangon run while lesser vehicles can get travellers to other places. Fares are reasonable and in kyat and buses are faster than the trains. Many long-distance buses assign seats, so it is best to book seats at least a day in advance. Because the roads are bad, avoid the rear of the bus and try to sit as far up front as you can. Long-distance buses also have an extra jump seat that blocks the aisle and, because it is not well secured to the chassis, can be uncomfortable (which also means that there is no such thing as a side seat where taller people can stretch their legs). A window near the front of the bus is always the best option.

Even budget travellers will find themselves buying more tickets via their hotel or an agency rather than going to the bus company to buy it directly. Their offices are often located far from any tourist place and the cost of going there and back will most likely exceed the commission your hotel will get for selling you the ticket. Shop around and compare prices before buying your ticket as some vendors include a free pick-up from your hotel.

A bus ticket scam seems to be popular in Yangon. While many make a stopover in Bago, they are told at their guesthouse or at the bus station it's not possible to buy tickets there in the direction to Mandalay. In a country where everything might be possible when it comes to transport, some people fall for this. Actually, this is not the case and tracking back to Yangon for a bus ticket up north is not necessary at all. Bago has a bus terminal with several bus offices. Buying your ticket at Bago might be slightly cheaper (depending upon your bargaining skills) and gives you more freedom for the rest of your journey.

The adjoining table summarises travel times and approximate fares between important tourist destinations in Myanmar. Most bus fares have gone up with the fuel price rises, so the fares listed are rough estimates.

Old pick-up trucks run everywhere in Myanmar, cheaply ferrying men, women, children, and monks from one place to another. The rear of the truck is converted into a canvas-covered sitting area with three benches, one on each side and one running along the centre of the truck (some smaller trucks have only two rows), and the running board is lowered and fixed into place providing room for six or more people to stand on (holding on to the truck frame). Pick-ups are ubiquitous in Myanmar and every town has a central point somewhere from where they depart to places both near and far. Tourists who go off the beaten track will find them indispensable because often the only alternative is an expensive taxi or private car.

The basics of pickups are fairly straightforward, wait till it is reasonably full before heading out. On well-travelled routes (Mandalay-Pyin U Lwin, for example), they fill up quickly and the journey is quick. On less well-travelled routes ( Bhamo - Katha , for example), passengers arrive (early, usually around 06:00), mark their place, and then hang around drinking tea and chatting until the truck fills up. When the pick-up does get moving, it may linger or go out of its way in the hope of picking up more passengers. The inside of a pick-up can be hot and uncomfortable. Passengers, packed in like sardines, face away from the windows (which are tiny) and into the truck. Standing on the running board can be tiring and tough on the arms. The window side seat next to the driver is very comfortable and well-worth the little extra that you have to pay, so it is best to go early and reserve that seat.

You can hire a private car and driver at reasonable rates to tour independently. The licensed guides at Shwedagon Paya in Yangon can arrange to have a driver with a car meet you at your hotel. Another way is to arrange for a car through a travel agency, though it can be quite expensive. You can "test" the driver and the car by driving around the city for 10 or 15 minutes. If you are satisfied, a departure date and time and per diem rates (inclusive of petrol) can be negotiated. Some guides are willing to travel with you to serve as interpreters.

Traffic drives on the right in Myanmar, but confusingly, Myanmar has a mixture of left- and right-hand-drive cars, with the majority of vehicles being right-hand-drive as a result of being second-hand imports from Japan or Thailand.

Road travel to tourist destinations is generally safe, although some roads may be rough. Highways are often 2-lane, and cars often pass one another recklessly. That being said, driving habits are not quite as aggressive as say, Vietnam . Allow two days to drive from Yangon to Bagan in fair weather. Pyay is a good stopover point. Allow a day to drive from Bagan to Inle Lake.

In cities, it is considered illegal to cross an amber light without stopping. Despite having crossed 3/4 of the way, you will be required to stop in the middle of the road and make your way back in reverse!

Accidents and fatalities are common. Night-time road travel is not recommended, and medical facilities are limited in rural areas. At government hospitals, bribes may be required for services. Make sure needles are new or carry your own. HIV is a major problem in Myanmar.

All taxis (and by extension all vehicles for transport of people and goods) have red/white licence plates, while private vehicles have a black/white licence plate. Tourist agency-owned cars have a blue/white licence plate.

By ride-hailing

The main ride hailing app is Grab , which took over Uber's former South-east Asian operations, including that of Myanmar. Uber's short-lived venture into Myanmar occurred just one year prior to its takeover by Grab. In common with Grab's operations elsewhere in Southeast Asia, cash is not required as you can use the Grab app to pay with your card, though cash remains readily accepted.

By motorbike

In Yangon, riding motorcycles is illegal. Mandalay's streets, on the other hand, are filled with them.

In many places you can easily rent a bicycle for about 1,500 kyat per day to move around in your own pace. Around Inle Lake, cycling is a relaxing way to get to the next village or lake viewpoint. Mandalay is laid out on a grid which makes it very easy to navigate while cycling. Tourists used to pedal bicycles around the sights of Bagan, across difficult sandy paths under the hot sun, however electric bicycles are now the norm. At around ten times the price of a conventional bicycle, they are well worth the money.

Cars and pedestrians may not follow the established rules, and crossing the road can be difficult. Drivers will almost never yield to pedestrians, even on striped pedestrian crossings.

Myanmar has not been a popular destination in Southeast Asia as visitors have been largely deterred by the country's volatile politics and restrictions placed on travel. But the political and travel situation has been improving notably since 2015. The country is a true, unspoiled treasure trove, and should capture the imagination of anyone interested in culture and history. Walking around Yangon brings you back to the time of 19th-century British colonial rule. Sparkling-clean parks and temples stand side by side decayed colonial-style buildings and deep potholes. Its cultural and religious attractions, like the Shwedagon Pagoda , add to the city's feel of exoticism, as do the smiles of the locals. Every street corner brings something new—and a short ferry over the river even gives you a glimpse of rural life in the country. Cities of cultural and historical interest close to Yangon are Bago with its Buddhist sights, the delta town of Twante known for its pottery, and the pilgrimage site of Kyaiktiyo with its gold-gilded rock balancing precariously over a cliff.

It's definitely worth it to further explore the Bamar heartland. Unfortunately some outer fringes of the country are off-limits to foreigners, but it's always worth checking the latest situation with people on the ground as things move so fast that the Internet rarely if ever has correct information.

The former city of Bagan is a gem, and gives a glimpse of what life in the 11th and 12th centuries here must have been like. Marco Polo described it as the "gilded city alive with tinkling bells and the swishing sounds of monks' robes". It is the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world. Mrauk U is a sleepy village today but its crumbling pagodas and temples remind of the early modern period, when it was the capital city of an empire involved in extensive maritime trade with Portuguese, Dutch, French and Arab traders. Within a daytrip from Mandalay is Inwa , another former capital where ruins remain to remind visitors of its former glory. Also don't miss Pyin U Lwin , a former British hill station with somewhat cooler temperatures.

The country has its fair share of natural attractions . Inle Lake is popular with backpackers, and it is one of the few places that is starting to feel like a tourist trap. Still, a trip to Myanmar is not complete without a boat trip on the lake. It has a unique vibe with tribes living in stilt houses and paddling their traditional wooden boats with one leg. The country's long southwestern coastline also has a few beaches , such as Chaung Tha and Ngapali . If you visit outside of the traditional holiday season, you might just have a beautiful white sand beach for yourself.

Myanmar is a country inhabited with dozens of ethnic groups, but sites from the major independent Burmese kingdoms dating from the 9th century can be seen in sections of the country.

Myanmar is an excellent country for trekking . Kalaw is a centre for trekking, and has miles and miles of trails through mountains and hill tribe villages. Kengtung is also known for its hiking paths to hill tribe villages, while Hsipaw has some great treks to waterfalls. Birdwatching can be done around Inle Lake .

Myanmar's national sport is chinlone , played with a small rattan ball. The objective of the game is to keep the ball in the air for as long as possible without using one's arms or hands, and to do it as beautifully as possible.

Spectacular scuba diving and unspoiled beaches abound in the Mergui Archipelago in southeastern Myanmar .

Myanmar's currency is the kyat , pronounced "chat". Prices may be shown locally using the abbreviation of K (singular or plural) or Ks (plural) either before or after the amount and depending very much on who is doing the sign writing. The ISO abbreviation is MMK . Wikivoyage articles will use kyat to denote the currency. Pya are coins, and are rarely seen since their value has become increasingly insignificant with even the largest 50 pya coin worth less than US$0.001. Banknotes of Myanmar are issued in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 kyats.

You may also come across 20, 10, 5, and 1 kyat and 50 pya banknotes. They are valid but rarely found and best held onto as souvenirs. Older banknotes in strange denominations are sold to tourists and, while typically genuine, are rarely if ever valuable.

The notes of 50 kyat, 100 kyat, 200 kyat, and 500 kyat are usually in a horrible condition, but are generally accepted when making small purchases. The 1,000 kyat notes are slightly better. 5,000 and 10,000 kyat notes always appear new after exchanging foreign currencies. When exchanging money, check that the banknotes you receive are in a generally good condition. If the exchange gives you kyat notes in horrible condition, you can ask them to exchange them for notes in better condition.

Dispose of remaining kyat before leaving. Outside of Myanmar, kyat is almost worthless but do make nice souvenirs. Kyat cannot be legally exchanged abroad, though some money changers in places with large overseas Burmese populations such as Singapore will exchange anyway, but at terrible rates. Kyat can be exchanged on departure from Yangon Airport at decent rates.

Foreigners are no longer required to pay in U.S. dollars for hotels, tourist attractions, rail and air tickets, ferry travel and for bus tickets. As of 2015, foreign currency instability and the weakening kyat means that many venues will state prices in U.S. dollars, even though it is illegal to do so. Expat restaurants still often quote in U.S. dollars despite actions from the Central Bank prohibiting excess dollar usage. It is illegal for a Myanmar citizen to accept (or hold) U.S. dollars without a licence, but this law is mostly ignored and U.S. dollars are generally accepted. Never insist, though, because it may be dangerous for the receiver.

Bring very clean, unfolded U.S. dollars (or they will not be accepted by hotels, restaurants and money changers). Even small imperfections can be cause to reject a U.S. banknote. Keep all U.S. dollars in impeccable condition, and do not fold them. If you do end up with a few, try using them for purchases rather than exchange, or try to exchange them in a few different places.

There are plenty of ATMs all across the country accepting international Visa and MasterCard. The bigger and more touristic the place the more ATMs it has. Smaller tourist destinations also have ATMs (Bagu, Hpa-An, etc.), but not so many. Make sure to carry a buffer outside of major tourist hotspots.

If an ATM does not work, try the next one. Usual withdrawal limit is 300,000 kyat with a processing fee of 5,000 kyat. In case you run out of money, ask your taxi driver to drive you to the CB Bank ATM.

Note : Your bank may refuse to process ATM transactions with some/all banks in Myanmar, even if the ATM accepts Visa or Mastercard. Check with your bank prior to entering the country.

Credit cards

Upmarket tourist places (hotels, agencies, restaurants) are accepting credit cards (and will surcharge accordingly). So you can even pay with mastercard in a store in the middle of Inle Lake for purchases value more than US$100. But nonetheless paper money is the only way to pay in most places.

Beside the ATMs, there are places (e.g. hotels in Yangon) where cash can be obtained with a credit card ( cash advance ), but the rates are extremely uncompetitive (with premiums certainly no lower than around 7%, and with quotes of 30% and more frequently reported). Also, they may need to see your passport to process the transaction. For US citizens, it is also possible to receive funds from friends or relatives in an emergencies through the US Embassy.

Money exchange

The foreign currency of choice in Myanmar is the US dollar, though you can readily also exchange euros and Singapore dollars in Yangon and Mandalay, but perhaps not beyond. Other options are the Chinese Yuan and Thai Baht. The best rates are in Yangon and Mandalay. Major foreign currencies need to be in good condition—other currencies like rupees and baht are often accepted even if worn out.

The military junta re-imposed currency controls in 2021, once again leading to a yawning gap between the official rate (fixed at 2100 kyat/dollar) and the black market (as high as 5000/dollar as of 2024). Banks and money changers only sell kyat at the official rate. Exchanging on the black market is highly illegal, with sellers risking jail time and the junta periodically cracking down.

Especially on holidays and Sundays, all your necessary money should be changed at the airport as banks in town are closed. Money changers offer significantly lower rates (5-10% lower) for changing US dollars and euros. The most hassle-free option is to change all your required money at the airport, depending on the rate to change it back. Look around different banks for the best exchange rate.

Be sure to bring a mix of foreign denominations when visiting Myanmar because money changers will sometimes not give change and smaller notes (in good condition) are useful for some entry fees and transport. Even though, larger bills give the best exchange rates at banks.

Ensure that foreign notes are:

• Unmarked – No stamps, anti-counterfeit pen, ink or any other mark on them at all. Pencil can be removed with a good eraser, but any permanent marks will greatly decrease a note's value and ability to be exchanged.
• Fresh, crisp and as close to brand new as possible – Moneychangers have been known to reject notes just for being creased and/or lightly worn.
• Undamaged – No tears, missing bits, holes, repairs or anything of that sort.
• Preferably of the new design, with the larger portrait, and the multiple-colour prints. Although, old-style US$1 are still commonly traded.
• For US$100 bills, have no serial numbers starting "CB". This is because they are associated with a counterfeit "superbill" which was in circulation some time ago.
• There are a number of tricks and scams running around Myanmar trapping tourists who are carrying US dollars. Sometimes, guesthouses or traders will try and pass you damaged or nonexchangeable bills in change. Always inspect all notes when making a purchase and request that the vendor swap any notes you think you will have trouble using down the track—this is perfectly acceptable behaviour for both vendors and customers, so don't be shy.
• Some money changers will also attempt sleight of hand tricks to either swap your good banknotes for damaged, or lower denomination notes. Other reports suggest that the kyats may be counted and then somehow, some disappear from the table during the transaction. For example, after going through an elaborate counting process for piles of ten 1,000 kyat notes, some money changers will pull some notes out as they count the piles of ten.
• When changing money, be sure that, after any money is counted, it is not touched by anyone until the deal is sealed. Also do not allow your dollars to be removed from your sight until all is agreed; in fact, it is not even necessary to pull out your US dollars until your are paying for the kyats you received. It sounds extreme, but ending up in a country where you cannot access whatever savings you have, and having a good portion of your budget rendered useless (until you get to more relaxed changers in Bangkok) can really put a dampener on your plans.

Travellers cheques

Travellers cheques are not accepted in Myanmar. The only exception might be some especially shady money changer, but be prepared to pay an astronomical commission (30% is not uncommon).

When visiting tourist attractions, you will likely be swarmed by local hawkers, many of them children, trying to sell you souvenirs. Be sure to bargain hard should you decide to buy from them. Owing to decades of repressive military rule, a great many service and travel-oriented companies have strong links to the military. These are vital ways for the military to earn money, particularly foreign currency. If you wish to avoid spending money at military-owned or military-associated businesses, download the Way Way Nay Boycott app .

Tipping is generally not practised by the Burmese themselves. However, given widespread poverty in the country, tips are certainly appreciated if you have been provided with exemplary service. Tips that are charged to a credit card almost never make it to the service staff, so if you wish to tip, make sure you hand it over in cash to the person who served you.

Despite being less developed, Myanmar is expensive compared to other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand or Vietnam. This is particularly true of hotel prices in the main tourists areas, as demand far outstrips supply. Similarly, the lack of competition from budget airlines has also made domestic flights rather expensive.

It's not possible to be comfortable on less than US$25/day (May 2013). Foreigners will likely be charged fees, including video camera, camera, entrance, parking and zone fees. Most managed tourist site charge for carrying cameras of any sort into the area. Double rooms with private bathroom are nearly always more than US$20, in Yangon a double room without bathroom costs US$20. Dorm beds are around US$10 (or US$8 if you accept to loose a lot of value) (Sep 2015). While you cannot save on accommodation, you can save on food. Street food can get as low as US$0.30 for 2 small curries with 2 Indian breads, US$1 for a normal (vegetarian) dish. Even in touristy places like Bagan dishes cost under US$1 (vegetarian) and US$2 (meat). A draught Myanmar beer (5%) is around 600 kyat, a bottle of Myanmar beer (650 ml) is around 1,700 kyat, a bottle of Mandalay beer (6.5%, 650 ml) around 1,200 kyat.

What to buy

• Antiques – Purchasing antiquities and antiques in Myanmar is at best a legal grey area with the 2015 passage of the new Antiquities Law, and often illegal for any item over 100 years old. Penalties include prison and fines. It is recommended to avoid purchasing antiques as a tourist, unless you're willing to get an export permit from the Ministry of Culture on your way out and you have enough knowledge to avoid the fakes. Replicas and fakes are rife in Bogyoke market and other anitque stores frequented by tourists. It is against the law to export religious antiques (manuscripts, Buddhas, etc.)
• Art – The Myanmar Art market has exploded, with local artists' works going for good values in Yangon and Mandalay. Visit the numerous galleries in Yangon to get a feel for available works. Art is often related to Buddhism and the difficult socio-political situation, as well as more traditional Victorian-influenced subjects like markets, old women smoking cigars, tribal members, and monks. There is a lot of cheap/mass-painted and derivative works at Bogyoke Market.
• Gemstones – Myanmar is best known as for its jade and rubies (the granting of a license to the French over the ruby mines in Mogok was one of the causes leading to the Third Burmese War), and also produces some really fine sapphires . These can be obtained at a fraction of what it would cost in the West. There are a lot of fakes for sale amid the genuine stuff and, unless you know your gems, buy from an official government store or risk being cheated. Bogoyoke Aung San Market and the Myanmar Gems Museum in Yangon has many licensed shops and is generally a safe place for the purchase of these stones. The jade market in Mandalay is also worth a visit, where most of the jade is brought from the mines to be sold to merchants, and you can observe merchants haggling over the prices of both raw jade and various jade items in all stages of the production process. You can also purchase some jade trinkets yourself, but be prepared to haggle, and make sure you do your homework before buying or you risk getting ripped off.
• Lacquerware – A popular purchase, which is made into bowls, cups, vases, tables and various items, and is available almost anywhere. The traditional centre of lacquerware production is Bagan in Central Myanmar , and most tours include a stop at one of the local lacquerware factories where you can purchase one of these. Beware of fraudulent lacquer ware, though, which is poorly made, but looks authentic. As a guide, the stiffer the lacquer, the poorer the quality; the more you can bend and twist it, the finer the quality.
• Tapestries – Known as kalaga , or shwe chi doe . There is a long tradition of weaving tapestries in Burma. These are decorated with gold and silver thread and sequins and usually depict tales from the Buddhist scriptures (the jatakas ) or other non-secular objects from Burmese Buddhism (mythical animals, the hintha , and the kalong are also popular subjects). The tapestry tradition is dying out but many are made for tourists and are available in Mandalay and Yangon. Burmese tapestries don't last long, so be warned if someone tries to sell you an antique shwe chi doe !
• Textiles – Textiles in Myanmar are stunning. Each region and each ethnic group has its own style. Chin fabrics are particularly stunning. They are handwoven in intricate geometric patterns, often in deep reds and mossy greens and white. They can be quite pricey, perhaps US$20 for the cloth to make a longyi (sarong).

Burmese food is influenced by that of India and China, yet unique. Apart from Burmese food, other ethnic traditional foods such as Shan food, Rakhine food, and Myeik food are also distinct. Rice is at the core of Burmese food, and good vegetarian food is widely available. Burmese food is often extremely pungent. Similar to neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, fish sauce (ငံပြာရည် ngan bya yay ) is a very popular condiment in Myanmar, and is used to flavour many dishes. Food is inexpensive at most restaurants (priced at 500–3,000 kyat per item at most local restaurants, but can go as high as 8,000 kyat at posh restaurants). There are many up-market restaurants in Yangon and Mandalay.

The majority of low-to-mid-priced restaurants use a cheap blend of palm oil for cooking. This oil may be unhealthy, and common roadside restaurants should be avoided if you are at the slightest risk for hypertension, heart disease, or other fat- or cholesterol-related conditions. Higher class restaurants may use peanut oil instead.

Specific dishes include:

• Curry – Burmese people have a very different definition of curry than other countries. It is very spicy compared to Indian and Thai options, and although you may find it served at room temperature in cheaper restaurants, in a typical Burmese home all curry dishes are served hot. Burmese curry does not contain coconut milk, unlike its other SE Asian counterparts, and has a large quantity of onion or tomato depending on region and cook's preference. Myanmar is the highest per-capita consumer of onions in the world. Quite often Burmese curries are cooked with lots of oil, much more than other regional curries.
• Samosa thoke (samosa salad) – A popular street dish of chickpeas, potatoes, tomato, cabbage, mint and a smashed samosa.
• Mohinga (pronounced mo-HIN-ga ) – A dish of rice vermicelli with fish chowder, usually accompanied by coriander and chili powder. Its taste can range from sweet to spicy, and is usually eaten at breakfast. It is considered by many to be the national dish, and is widely available throughout the country, albeit in different styles in different regions.
• Mote lin-mayar (Couples snacks) – Small tiny pancakes with chives, chickpeas or quail eggs.
• Sticky rice – Served plain or with turmeric or black rice
• Nan Gyi Thoke (pronounced nan gyi thou ) – A special dish of rice noodle salad with chicken sauce. It is mostly eaten in mid-Myanmar.
• Onnokauswe (pronounced oun-NO-kao-sui ) – A dish of thicker noodles in a thick soup of coconut milk with chicken. It is served with a variety of condiments accompanying it, ranging from fried fruit fritters to solidified duck blood. "Khao soi"("noodle" in Shan), often found on the streets of Chiang Mai, is derived from this Burmese counterpart. It is also comparable to the spicier laksa often found in peninsular SE countries like Malaysia and Singapore.
• Shan food – The Shan are an ethnic group who inhabit Shan State around Inle lake, near the Thai border. Their food is marvelous. It can be found in Yangon easily.
• Shan tofu – Made with mung beans instead of soya beans these yellow blocks are served fried or in a cold noodle salad.
• Laphet thote (pronounced la-peh THOU ) – A salad of fermented tea leaves and a variety of fried nuts. It is commonly mixed with sliced lettuce, and is eaten with rice.
• Chinese food – Available in most cities and usually authentic, if plain.
• Kachin food – Mainly available in Kachin State, though a number of Kachin restaurants can be found in Yangon and Mandalay. Kachin food is less oily and uses less MSG than Burmese food, and you may find it a good alternative if Burmese curries are not to your liking.

Tap water in Myanmar is not safe to drink, however factory-made ice in restaurants and other shops is OK. Bottled water is readily available. You can also safely drink from the many clay jars dotted around the country, or find safe drinking water in temples. Just look for the large steel tanks with cups tied to the spigots. Water in the clay jars is filtered and many Myanmar people use them. Owners of the jars fill them up with water as a way to make merit.

Similar to Chinese tea, Yenwejan is usually provided free at restaurant tables. While not flavourful, it is boiled water, and so safe to drink (do not drink plain water - even in restaurants - unless it is bottled water). Dried tea leaves similar to Laphet thote's tea leaves (except these are wet) are added to the boiled water to give Yenwejan . Be sure to order it with Laphet thote (customary/good combination). Milk tea (လက်ဖက်ရည် La-Phet-Yay ) is also popular in Myanmar and widely available in the local markets and teahouses but beware: the Burmese like their milk teas very, very sweet.

Alcohol is frowned upon by conservative Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims, but consumed widely, mostly among men. Myanmar Beer is most popular in the country. Other variants, including Mandalay Beer exist. However, many of such companies are government-owned and/or have links to the drug trade. Toddy juice ( ta-YEI ) is popular in central Myanmar, and is made from fermented palm sugar. An alcoholic drink popular in the Shan State is Shwe le maw , and is reportedly very strong. It is also possible to buy full strength Beer Chang imported from Thailand; exports to most countries are not nearly as strong.

Beware of alcoholic drinks served in the far northern states. The locals refer to it as alcohol which does not burn when lit, and it is widely suspected to be an opiate concoction rather than a fermented beverage.

There are a lot of nightclubs, including those attached to the five star hotels (e.g. Grand Plaza), and also local entertainment centres (e.g. JJs, Asia plaza).

Teahouses are important places of social gathering and popular throughout the country. They look like restaurants but if you watch closely you will notice that people are drinking a lot of Chinese tea (free), light brown tea and are mainly snacking. Some teahouses also offer simple dishes as fried rice or noodles.

Once seated they will expect you to order coffee but that's not what you should go for as it is almost always instant coffee. Order tea, a type of black tea with milk that differ in strength and sweetness:

• bone mahn : balanced
• cho seh : sweet
• kyaw p'daung : sweeter
• pan brown : bitter and sweet
• jah hseent : light, with milk, not strong
• pancho : strong
• bow hseent : less strong
• noe hseent dee : milk tea without sugar

You will completely mispronounce the tea names (second and sixth are relatively easy) and people might not get what you want at all since it's rare for foreigners to order these teas. So it's better to ask your hotel or any local speaking English to write down the names in Burmese.

Since you are a foreigner they will assume that you want your tea sheh - special - which means it will come with condensed milk. It's also possible to order a tankie and so the tea will come in a big pot. A simple cup of tea costs 200-400 kyat. Small snacks like samosas, cakes or sweet balls are readily available at the table. If not, ask. At the end you will only pay for the number of pieces eaten. Foodies should check out the type of snacks before deciding on a teahouse. It is not impolite at all to bring your own food, as long as you order at least something .

Myanmar has good hotel accommodation, particularly in major cities and the main tourist areas, though prices are substantially higher than in Thailand or Vietnam . Rooms with attached bath are available for under US$10 everywhere except in Yangon and with shared bath for anywhere from US$3–6 in most places. Almost every hotel licensed for foreigners has running hot water (though, in remote areas, availability may be restricted to certain hours of the day). Hotels, with a few exceptions, are usually clean. At the budget end, sheets and blankets may be threadbare and the rooms may be poorly ventilated. A few low-end hotels, particularly in Yangon and other large cities, specialize in cubicle rooms, small single rooms with no windows which, while cheap and clean, are not for the claustrophobic. Rates are quoted as single/double, but the rooms are usually the same whether one person or two stay in the room, making good hotels a real bargain if travelling as a couple. Except at the top-end, breakfast is always included in the price of the room.

The tourism boom in Myanmar has left its infrastructure struggling to cope with the increased numbers of visitors. Hotel rooms tend to sell out really fast, and those in popular tourist destinations often sell out months in advance. As a result of the lack of supply, prices have also increased substantially. You should make your hotel bookings well in advance of your planned trip to Myanmar in order not to be stranded when you arrive.

Myanmar has a problem providing enough electricity to its people and power supply is severely restricted everywhere. In many places, electricity may be available only for a few hours each evening or, in some cases, only every alternate evening. If you don't want to spend your nights without a fan or air conditioning, ask if the hotel has a generator (most mid-priced hotels do). On generator nights, the air conditioning in your room may not work (the price is usually lower as well). Even if a hotel has a generator, there is no guarantee that it will be used to provide you electricity at the times you require, so be ready for blackouts at any time of day or night. Major tourist hotels in Yangon and Mandalay have near-uninterrupted electricity supply, but can cost anywhere from US$80–300 per night.

At the top-end, Myanmar has some excellent hotels including one or two great ones (The Strand in Yangon and Kandawgyi Palace Hotel in Yangon). The Myanmar government runs many hotels, including some beautiful colonial era ones (though not the two listed in the previous sentence). A percentage of all accommodation payments goes to the government, no matter where you choose to stay, and it is not possible to run a successful business in Myanmar without some relationship or payment arrangement with the military.

Work in Myanmar for foreigners is hard to come by. NGOs and other aid groups operate in the capital and remote rural areas but may require specific skill sets to hire you. Another option is European and Asian companies, mostly operating on a small scale. Teaching English is feasible in private schools but many foreigners have reported unreasonable contracts, such as withholding pay and refusing to pay those who resign early. The education ministry only hires citizens with teaching certification. If you would like to work and assist Burmese refugees, certain NGOs work in neighbouring Thailand .

The government punishes crime, particularly against tourists, severely; as a result, as far as crime and personal safety go, Myanmar is extremely safe for tourists, and it is generally safe to walk on the streets alone at night. In fact, you are less likely to be a victim of crime in Myanmar than in Thailand or Malaysia . However, as with anywhere else, little crime does not mean no crime and it is still no excuse to ditch your common sense. As a foreigner, the most common crime you should be worried about is petty theft, so keep your belongings secured. Physical and verbal harassment towards foreigners is uncommon, even on urban walks near bars.

Since 2005, Yangon and Mandalay have seen a barely perceptible rise in the very low level of street robberies. There were isolated bombings in 2005 in Mandalay and Yangon, and in 2006 in Bago .

Illegal substances

Despite traditional taboos against it, begging has become a major problem in the main tourist areas such as Bago and Bagan . Children and "mothers" carrying babies are often the ones who beg as they are more effective at soliciting pity. Most beggars are part of larger begging syndicates or just after easy money, as tourists are usually seen to be rich. In addition, the poor can always obtain food for free from the nearest monastery if they can't afford to pay for it, so begging is not necessary for their survival. If you choose to give, note that most Burmese earn only US$40 a month doing manual labour and so giving US$1 to a beggar is very generous.

Theravada Buddhism is the main religion in Myanmar, and it is customary for monks to go on alms rounds in the morning. Unfortunately, there are also many bogus monks who hang out around the main tourist attractions preying on unsuspecting visitors. Alms rounds are solely for the purpose of collecting food: genuine monks are forbidden from accepting, or even touching money. Monks are forbidden from eating after noon, and are also not allowed to sell items or use high pressure tactics to solicit donations. Authentic monks are often found in single file lines with their alms bowls. If you see a single monk requesting money from foreigners he is a fraud.

Myanmar is one of the world's most corrupt countries. Officials and other civil servants may discreetly ask you for a bribe, or invent issues (missing forms, closed offices, etc.) in order to get you to suggest one. Pretending not to understand or asking to speak to a superior may work. However, white visitors are rarely targeted, while those of Asian descent (including South Asians and East Asians) may be forced to give bribes, but the brunt of the problem hits normal Burmese.

Westerners are very rarely asked for bribes, although most bribes are a US dollar or less, and requested by people earning as little as US$30/month.

Driving conditions

The poor road infrastructure, and a mixture of extremely ancient vehicles on the country's roads are all what best describe the road conditions. However, driving habits are not very aggressive compared to say, Vietnam , which does make the safety of the roads comfortable for almost everyone. Although rare, youths sometimes compete against each other on the roads, which has led to some casualties over the past few years. Bus drivers are among the worst dangers, although this is somewhat less of an issue since 2010 due to new, very harsh penalties imposed on bus drivers involved in accidents.

Surprisingly, Burma has a mixture of both right-hand and left-hand drive vehicles, with the majority being right-hand drive (used imports from Japan) but driving is generally done on the right side of the roads.

Unless you have experience driving in countries with poorly disciplined drivers and very shabby vehicles, try to avoid driving in Myanmar; alternatively, arrange for a local driver to take you around.

Civil conflict

Various insurgent groups continue to operate in the Mon, and Chin (Zomi), states of Myanmar, along the Thai and Chinese borders. Travel to these regions generally requires a government permit. The government also sometimes restricts travel to Kayah State, Rakhine State, and Kachin State due to insurgent activity. However travel is entirely unrestricted to the districts of Yangon, Bago, Ayeyarwady, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Mandalay, and Magwe. Some areas that have been reported as closed have become open without notice, and areas previously regarded as open can become closed with no warning. In addition, local immigration offices may have their own interpretations of regulations.

Myanmar is again under harsh military rule as it was from 1962 - 2012, with a reputation for repressing dissent, as in the case of the house arrest of democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi. There used to be more than 1,500 political prisoners (sentences of 65 years and hard labor in remote camps were given to leaders of the Saffron Revolution), although some have been released. When in Myanmar, abstain from political activities and don't insult the government.

Discuss politics, if you must, with people who have had time to get a feel for you. The danger, however, is primarily posed to those you speak with, so let them lead the conversation. Also, realize that many phone lines are tapped. And if you absolutely must wave a democracy banner on the street, you'll simply find yourself on the next outbound flight.

Between 2012–2020, liberty in general increased under the new government. A few politically critical articles have been published in government newspapers and a satirical film deriding the government's film censorship policy has been released, neither of which would have been possible even in 2010. Returning visitors to Myanmar may find that locals have become ever so slightly more open to discussions regarding politics.

However, under any circumstances avoid doing things that might make the military or police feel uncomfortable, such as taking pictures of police and police buildings or vehicles.

Stay healthy

Hygiene in Myanmar may seem terrible to the average Westerner but it is possible to stay healthy with some basic precautions such as prophylactic medication, care choosing food and water, and antibacterial ointment. Never drink tap water . Restaurants are legally required to use ice made and sold by bottled water companies, so ordering ice is usually safe in major places. Always drink bottled water and check that the cap is sealed on, not simply screwed on. Diseases such as dengue fever , Japanese encephalitis and malaria are endemic. Drug-resistant strains of malaria and tuberculosis are common in many areas. Hepatitis vaccinations are highly recommended and the cholera oral vaccine is worthwhile. At the dinner table, Burmese use a spoon and fork, or their fingers when this is more convenient. You might feel better rinsing all of them before meals. Antibacterial wipes or alcohol hand-rub is a good idea at regular intervals.

As in many developing countries: "if you can't fry, roast, peel or boil it - then forget it".

The rate of HIV infection in Myanmar is high by Western and Asian standards (0.7% of the population in 2019).

Myanmar's healthcare system is poorly funded. If you should fall sick in Myanmar, you can visit the doctor in major cities for minor ailments. However, for more serious medical care, hospital conditions tend to be unsanitary and there is often a shortage of medical supplies. The only hospital that comes close to modern developed standards is Pun Hlaing Hospital, a privately owned hospital which is in a remote township of Yangon called Hlaing Thar Yar, and one should expect very high expenses there. Most of the hospitals are government owned, which means poorly funded. Most of the government officials and rich locals go to Thailand or Singapore for more serious medical treatment and hospitalisation, and you will be better off doing so too. Make sure you get travel insurance as arranging to be airlifted in an emergency is rather costly.

The clinic formerly operated by the Australian Embassy in Yangon closed in 2018. There is a good international medical clinic at the Inya Lake Hotel in Yangon for consulting, testing, radiology and minor surgery.

Modest clothing is highly appreciated everywhere except nightclubs, and practically required in religious places such as pagodas, temples and monasteries (of which there are thousands). Miniskirts, shorts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed in consecrated areas, where you also have to remove your footwear, so loafers and flip-flops that you can slip on and off at the entrance are preferable. Myanmar has some of the most stunning temples in Asia and you will be tempted to visit more than you think. In Myanmar, you have to remove your footwear before entering the entire temple complex, including in outdoor areas. You might want to bring some wet wipes so you can clean your feet after visiting.

Burmese people generally do not engage in public display of affection, even among married couples, and it is generally considered distasteful and should be avoided.

Both men and women wear a longyi , a sort of sarong sold everywhere, and it is not unusual to see Caucasian foreigners walking around in them. They are wrapped in different ways for men and women, so find out how to tie yours. If you turn up at a temple in inappropriate dress, you can always rent a longyi for a pittance.

When giving and receiving business cards , always use your right hand, with your left hand supporting your right elbow. As the left hand is traditionally reserved for dirty things, handling business cards with it is considered to be very rude.

Tourists of Caucasian descent are commonly referred to as bo , which translates to "officer", a linguistic relic of colonization. Address elders with U (pronounced "oo", as in s oo n) or "Uncle" for men, and Daw or "Auntie" for women.

Generally speaking, despite the common negative perception of the government, most ordinary Burmese people are incredibly friendly and polite as long as you respect their local customs. Customer service is in general very good (some say better than in Thailand ) but customer service staff are invariably poorly paid, so you might wish to tip service staff generously to ensure your money goes into the right hands.

Avoid discussing relations with the Rohingya and the ongoing ethnic cleansing as this is a very sensitive and emotive issue that can potentially escalate into a confrontation. The vast majority of Burmese people regard the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh who have no right to be in Myanmar, and their Muslim religion is seen by many as a threat to Buddhism. Most Burmese people are offended when the Rohingya are referred to as such, and will insist that you use the term "Bengali" to refer to them instead.

Tread carefully when discussing relations with China . Even though both the military junta and Aung San Suu Kyi had developed close ties with China and invited Chinese investment in Myanmar's infrastructure, this is strongly opposed by many pro-democracy activists. While the pro-democracy view on China have largely improved due to alleged Chinese support towards anti-junta ethnic armed organisations, China's policy has equally dissatisfied or even angered pro-junta groups.

Buddhism is the largest religion in the country, followed by roughly 80-90% of the population. Many Burmese people are religious and fundamentalist Buddhism has seen growing support in the 21st century.

As in neighbouring Thailand, monks collect alms in the morning and adhere to strict rules such as abstaining from physical contact with women and not touching money. It is customary for Burmese men to spend time living as a monk at least once in their lifetime. Donations to monks should be spontaneous and given in the form of food only, not money; monetary donations should be placed in donation boxes in temples. If you see a monk with money in his alms bowl, he is fake. Monks are not allowed to eat after noon, so if you see a monk going on alms round after noon, he is fake.

Buddhist monks are highly respected, and it is essential to show them respect. Always ask for permission before taking a photograph or touching a monk. It is also important to behave appropriately in their presence. If you are on public transportation, it is customary to give up your seat for them as a sign of respect.

Showing any form of disrespect to Buddhism is taken very seriously in Myanmar and you can expect to be treated with no degree of leniency if you've been accused of disrespecting Buddhism. Disrespecting Buddhism encompasses things like wearing something with Buddha on it, having a tattoo of Buddha, depicting Buddha in an inappropriate way, and so on. Foreigners have been jailed for disrespecting Buddhism, so be careful about what you say and what you do.

Do not speak negatively about religion; it is illegal, under Burmese law, to "insult" religion. What counts as "insulting" religion is very broadly defined and open to interpretation. Refrain from engaging in religious discussions with the Burmese.

Swastikas are commonly seen in Buddhist temples and should not be conflated with anti-Semitism and Nazism.

Country Code: +95 International Call Prefix: 00

Phone numbers in Myanmar have the format +95 1 234-5678 where "95" is the country code for Myanmar, the next one, two, three or four digits are the area code and the remaining 6, 7 or 8 digits are the "local" part of the subscriber number.

You can buy GSM/4G sim cards at International airports or any convenience store. Standard sim card costs around 1500 Ks. Some operators may offer special sim for tourists. There are 4 mobile operators in Myanmar, MPT (Government+KDDI), Telenor, Ooredoo and MyTel (Military+VietTel). MPT in the largest in Myanmar in terms of network coverage and user. Operators offer similar price plans. Generally, standard plan offers voice calls for 20 Ks - 25Ks/min, SMS at 15 Ks - 20 Ks/message. Pay as you go data plan offers around 7 Ks/MB but specific data plan will offer around 1000 Ks/GB or cheaper. Prices for IDD and roaming service vary depending on the operators and destination countries.

If you are going to use in urban area only for local call and data, there is not much difference between operators. If you are going to visit remote area, please check which operator is available at there. If you are going to use IDD or roaming, you may wisely choose by checking offering price at their websites.

International mail out of Myanmar is reportedly quite efficient, despite what some hotels might tell you. As elsewhere, there is always a risk if you send valuables as ordinary parcels. Use EMS for fast, and relatively cheap international parcels.

Country's telecommunication sector was revolutionized in 2013 and speed is steadily increasing and price become cheaper. As of 2020, free Wi-fi is available at almost every Hotels. Unlike other countries, Myanmar hugely rely on 4G Internet than cable or Wi-fi. Surprisingly, Yangon has 4th-fastest 4G speeds in East Asia despite the fact that it had slowest speeds in Asia before 2013. Seamless 4G Internet is available in every city, town and along major highway roads. Even a small village is likely to be covered with at least 3G Internet unless it is in highly remote or armed conflict area. Data costs are around 1000 kyat ($0.8)/GB. There are also cheaper fancy data plans depending on operators. MPT is largest mobile operator and Telenor is second. 4G sim cards are available at International airports and any convenience store.

With the extended coverage of 4G and smart phones, once dominant Internet cafes are getting out of business and turn into gaming stations. In case of you need to access Internet urgently, you can use at those gaming stations but extensive file downloading is not welcome for it can effect their gaming experience. Facebook and Viber are the most used apps and services in Myanmar.

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Lonely Planet Myanmar (Burma) (Travel Guide) Paperback – Illustrated, July 18, 2017

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Lonely Planet Myanmar (Burma) is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Be dazzled by Buddhist architecture in Yangon, explore Bagan's amazing plain of ancient temples, or hike to the floating gardens and markets of Inle Lake -all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Myanmar and begin your journey now!

Inside Lonely Planet Myanmar (Burma) Travel Guide:

• Colour maps and images throughout
• Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
• Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
• Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
• Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
• Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, religion, politics, cuisine, environment, wildlife, architecture, responsible travel, festivals, sport, traditional crafts, dance, theatre, music, literature, cinema
• Over 60 maps
• Covers Yangon, Southern Myanmar, Bagan, Central Myanmar, Yangon-Mandalay Highway, Temples of Bagan, Eastern Myanmar, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Northern Myanmar, Lashio, Myitkyina, Western Myanmar and more

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Myanmar (Burma) , our most comprehensive guide to Myanmar, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled.

Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a Shoestring guide.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day. Lonely Planet enables the curious to experience the world fully and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves, near or far from home.

TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 winner in Favorite Travel Guide category

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• Print length 448 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Lonely Planet
• Publication date July 18, 2017
• Dimensions 5.1 x 0.63 x 7.75 inches
• ISBN-10 1786575469
• ISBN-13 978-1786575463
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Welcome to Myanmar

It’s the dawn of a more democratic era in this extraordinary land, where the landscape is scattered with gilded pagodas and the traditional ways of Asia endure.

Amazingly, more than a century later, Myanmar retains the power to surprise and delight even the most jaded of travelers. Be dazzled by the ‘winking wonder’ of Shwedagon Paya. Contemplate the 4000 sacred stupas scattered across the plains of Bagan.

• Myanmar’s Top 10
• Bagan & Central Myanmar
• Itineraries
• On the Road Regional Guides
• And so much more!

Editorial Reviews

Book description, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lonely Planet; 13th edition (July 18, 2017)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1786575469
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1786575463
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 0.63 x 7.75 inches
• #29 in Myanmar Travel Guides
• #728 in Southeast Asia Travel Guides
• #843 in General Asia Travel Books

About the authors

Lonely planet.

With over 150 million guidebooks in print, Lonely Planet is a trusted source for any traveler. Since our inception in 1973, we've inspired generations of travelers to discover amazing places and enabled curious travelers to get off the beaten paths to appreciate different cultures and become agents of positive change.

Adam Karlin

I am a freelance writer and travel guide contributor. Find more of my work at http://walkonfine.com/, or follow on Instagram @adamwalkonfine.

Simon Richmond

Simon Richmond is a UK-based author and photographer with over 25 years of experience of developing, researching and writing travel guidebooks and other non-fiction titles for major publishers including Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, DK Eyewitness, Insight Guides and Thames & Hudson. Specialist areas include Japan (his Rough Guide to Japan won the guidebook of the year in the Travelex awards of 2000), Southeast Asia, South Africa, Russia, Eastern Europe, Australia, the UK and USA. Other major topics covered during his career include consumer affairs, personal finance, food and the arts. He has also researched and presented radio and TV programmes and created online content for websites and social media.

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Known as the “Golden Land,” Myanmar is an alluring tourist destination. Cut off from the rest of the world during an extended period of self-imposed isolation, the country formerly known as Burma rarely fails to weave its spell on modern-day visitors. After being cocooned for much of the 20th century, things are changing rapidly now. Luxury tourism, in particular, has a secure foothold in such popular destinations as temple-rich Bagan and tranquil Inle Lake, as well as in some less well-known places. With a democratically elected government now steering the nation, further progress seems assured. Nevertheless, with its kaleidoscopic mix of ethnicities and enduring traditions, Myanmar so far remains endearingly unchanged when compared with neighbouring countries in the region. Even the biggest city, Yangon, with its condos and growing selection of bars, retains an old world allure. With Myanmar continuing to open up to visitors, now is the perfect time to sample its heady and distinctive offerings.

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When’s the best time to go to Myanmar?

Picking the optimum time to travel is vital in Myanmar, which tends to have more extreme weather than other countries in the region. The southwest monsoon brings rain from May to October and roads can become impassable during this period. The post-monsoon window between November and February is dry and cool-ish and is the best time to visit most of Myanmar. From March to May, the country becomes extremely hot and travel can be highly uncomfortable.

How to get around Myanmar

Although there are now several open land borders between Thailand and Myanmar, the vast majority of visitors enter the country by air at either Yangon or Mandalay. There is also an international airport in Nay Pyi Daw, but the capital is of limited interest to tourists. The cheapest way to reach Myanmar from outside the region is to fly to a regional hub such as Bangkok or Singapore and then hop on a connecting flight to Yangon or Mandalay.

With much of the country still off-limits to foreign visitors due to ongoing ethnic conflict, forward planning is necessary when visiting Myanmar.

For major destinations in the country, the best option is usually to fly domestically. If you are on a budget, buses are faster and cheaper than trains, but don’t expect much in the way of comfort. Taxis are cheap and plentiful in Yangon, but be warned: The city’s traffic is reliably appalling and short journeys can take a long time, especially during peak hours.

Food and drink to try in Myanmar

Drawing on techniques from neighboring countries such as India, Thailand, China, and Bangladesh, Myanmar’s cuisine is a mélange of influences that varies wildly from region to region. In the west, Rakhine State specializes in spicy curries while the food in Shan State is very similar to that of northern Thailand. Salads are a feature of Myanmar cuisine. Known as athouq , they include maji-yweq thouq , made with young tamarind leaves, and leq-p’eq , better known as tea-leaf salad. The best places to sample the delights of Myanmar cuisine are in tourist centers like Yangon and Inle Lake where upscale venues rub shoulders with more humble, but still desirable, options.

Culture in Myanmar

Myanmar’s cultural highlights are very much intertwined with the country’s rich spiritual fabric. Buddhism is practiced by an estimated 89% of the population and the country is scattered with ornate pagodas and stunning temple complexes. The apex of this spirituality can be found at Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda and also at leading attractions like Bagan and the archeologically rich site of Mrauk U in Rakhine State. The country is well-known for its arts and crafts, which are also heavily influenced by Buddhism. Artisanal traditions include woodcarving, stone carving, turnery, painting, and lacquerware. The best place to sample contemporary Myanmar culture is in Yangon, the country’s biggest city, which has a smattering of modern art galleries, museums, and venues for live music and DJs.

Myanmar’s colorful and lively festivals are based on the lunar calendar and can really enhance your trip if it happens to coincide with one. The most popular festival in the calendar is Thingyan, the annual water festival where locals take to the streets with water pistols and buckets of water as the temperatures soar. November is the date for the Fire Balloon Festival at Taunggyi, east of Inle Lake. At night, balloons are released with fireworks strapped underneath them—with predictably explosive consequences. Also worth catching are the New Year celebrations in Shan State, one of the country’s most ethnically diverse regions. Expect live bands, traditional dancing, and—on New Year’s Eve itself—fireworks and a party vibe.

Local travel tips for Myanmar

Don’t expect super-fast internet. Coverage in the country (especially outside Yangon and Mandalay) is still limited and speeds are notoriously spotty and slow, even in the big population centers. There are now plenty of ATMs in Yangon and other major population centers so access to cash is not as much of an issue as it was previously. If you are carrying U.S. dollars to exchange, try to make sure they are in mint condition as there’s a distinct possibility they won’t be accepted otherwise. Try to book a hotel well in advance of your trip. Hotels remain in short supply in the country and can be expensive for what they are. If you don’t book your preferred choice ahead of time you might be forced to pay over the odds for something substandard.

Guide Editor

Duncan Forgan After arriving on something of a whim, Duncan Forgan has been living and working in Bangkok since 2013. In a previous life he was a features writer for the national newspapers in his native Scotland, an editor of various travel guides in the Middle East, and a long-term freelancer in Vietnam. Now he prefers to discover new street food and to drive his motorbike around the sois. When he’s not comparing venues for Isaan food, he writes and broadcasts for a variety of outlets worldwide on Asian travel, culture, and cuisine.

Myanmar Travel Guide: Customize a Personalized Trip

The best duration for a first Myanmar tour is 7-9 days, allowing wide-ranging visits, from the remnants of four royal capitals in Mandalay and the tranquil glassy Inle Lake, to the wonders of the ancient ruins of Bagan and the cultural hub of the largest city Yangon. If you have a few more days to spare, consider a trekking trip from Kalaw, or a leisurely holiday at Ngapali beach; or move on to explore Thailand.

Popular Itineraries for Myanmar

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The Myanmar Travel Guide + F.A.Q’s

A Comprehensive Travel Guide for Myanmar and F.A.Q’s

Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 ethnic groups, bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand, and this Myanmar Travel Guide makes for a comprehensive travel resource that will help you plan your trip to Myanmar.

With the opening of the land border , a couple of years ago, and the ease of obtaining an E Visa , travelling to Myanmar from India has become quite easy and affordable.

I was lucky enough to have visited Myanmar for New Year’s with Debjani (The Vagabong), where we visited the Big 4 destinations, i.e. Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake and Yangon , which also forms the famous Golden Kite Itinerary of Myanmar.

Each of these destinations is unique in itself, and while, Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the country’s largest city, is home to bustling markets, numerous parks and lakes, and the towering, gilded Shwedagon Pagoda , which contains Buddhist relics and dates to the 6th century; Bagan on the other hand is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and is home to countless temples and Pagodas, including the Shwezigon Pagoda.

The Itinerary that we followed for our Trip to Myanmar was :

Imphal (1 Day) – Moreh Border – Tamu – Mandalay (2 Days) – Bagan (3 Days) – Inle Lake (2 Days) – Yangon (1 Day) – Kolkata 

It took us almost 24 hours to reach Mandalay from Imphal by road, which included an hour for all the India – Myanmar Border crossing formalities, around 2-3 hours for different meals throughout the journey.

The journey time between Mandalay and Bagan is 4-5 hours , whereas from Bagan to Inle Lake is 7-8 hours , and from Inle Lake to Yangon is 9-10 hours , which went by very comfortably in the VIP Semi Sleeper Bus that we took.

Our main mode of transport for the entire trip was the Bus.

Now that you’ve got a vague idea about Myanmar and our trip, its time to scroll down and know more about Myanmar, in this Myanmar Travel Guide as I’ve tried to answer most of the Frequently Asked Questions, a traveller has in their minds, before planning a Trip to Myanmar.

Q – Do I need a visa to travel to Myanmar?

Q – how to apply for the myanmar visa, q – when should i apply for my visa, q – do i need insurance for this trip to myanmar, q – what is the best way to stay connected, q – how easy is it to get money exchanged in myanmar, q – can i make payments via credit card / debit card in myanmar, q – is it safe to travel in myanmar as a solo traveller, q – what is the best time to travel to myanmar, q – how many days are required to explore myanmar, q – are there any hefty fees that i should be aware of , q – what to do in myanmar, q – what to do and where to stay in mandalay, q – what to eat in mandalay, q – what are some mandalay travel tips and recommendations , q – what to do in bagan and where to stay in bagan, q – what are some bagan travel tips and recommendations , q – what to do in inle lake and where to stay, q – what are some travel tips and recommendations for inle lake , q – what to do in yangon and where to stay in yangon, q – what are some travel tips and recommendations for yangon , q – what are the common phrases in myanmar that i should know, share this:.

Yes, you need a Visa to Travel to Myanmar. However, there are some nationalities that are exempt from Visa for 14 / 30 days, and some are applicable for Visa on Arrival or eVisa. Check here to see the eligibility of your passport for entry into Myanmar.

The Myanmar VISA process simplified, in 9 steps below.

The cost of the Myanmar eVisa is 50 USD , and the whole process is very simple and straightforward.

Step 1 – Head to the official website – https://evisa.moip.gov.mm

Step 2 – Go to Apply VISA > New Application > Tourist VISA

Step 3 – Fill out your Passport Number | Nationality | Email address | Port of Entry and Proceed to the next page.

Step 4 – Fill out your Personal Information

Step 5 – Make the payment of 50 USD via Credit Card / Debit Card

Step 6 – You will get acknowledgement receipt via mail which will mention your Application Number, Passport Number and Payment Reference Number

Step 7 – If you have provided all necessary details as required, you will get another mail in a matter of hours or maximum 2 days, with the VISA Application Result. Print this and keep it along with your Passport

Step 8 – Get the VISA Letter stamped during Immigration and keep it safely, until you exit the country.

Step 9 – Enjoy Your Trip to Myanmar

Ideally, you should apply for it, anytime between 20-30 days, before your planned arrival in Myanmar , as the approval letter you get after applying for the eVisa  is valid for 90 days , from the date of issue.

Yes, it’s highly recommended to get Travel Insurance , before travelling to Myanmar. And I personally recommend you to go ahead with SafetyWings – The Travel Medical Insurance for Travellers.

The most economical way of staying connected while Travelling in Myanmar, is to get a local Myanmar SIM Card ! 

As of now, you can choose between MPT, Ooredoo and Telenor . The average rate for the 5 GB data bundle pack with a validity of 30 days is around 5,000 Kyat. 

Getting a local SIM Card in Myanmar, turns out to be extremely helpful, especially when you are planning your walking tour in Mandalay , or while navigating through Bagan on your E Bike.

There are plenty of places where you can get money exchanged in all the major cities in Myanmar. However, if you are entering Myanmar, via road crossing the border from India, it’s highly recommended to exchange your Indian Currency into Kyat in Tamu, before starting the journey to Mandalay. 

You can still convert Indian Currency in Bagan, but it’s a tough nut to crack in Mandalay !

The best option is to either carry USD’s which can easily be exchanged anywhere , or withdraw from ATM’s which are found in plenty , everywhere.

Yes, at most of the resorts / hotels / hostels / restaurants, you can pay via Credit Card or Debit Card, however, it’s better to have Kyat on you, as it becomes easier, when you are shopping or eating out.

Also note that the businesses might charge a surcharge when paying by card, and the exchange rate might not be the best .

To be honest, Myanmar while still underdeveloped as compared to other South-East-Asian nations like Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia, is perfectly safe for Solo Travellers of both the sexes.

Myanmar is one of the safest countries in Asia. Crime goes against the Buddhist culture and theft and robberies are rare. 

The hostels, which already exist in major tourist hotspots like Mandalay, Bagan Inle Lake and Yangon, provide a safe haven for solo travellers, and provide ample opportunities to interact with other travellers as well.

The best time to travel to Myanmar is in the winters from mid October/November to February/March when the country is green, dry and relatively cool. 

April to May is the worst time to visit as the temperatures can go as high up as 40 deg C.

Anywhere between 7 – 14 days is ideal for travelling in Myanmar. If you are short on days, then check out this detailed 7 Day Myanmar Road Trip Itinerary , with recommendations to make the most out of your trip to Myanmar.

Yes, be advised that you have to pay 25, 000 Kyat , when you enter Bagan, as the Bagan Architectural Fee , which is valid for a duration of 7-8 days, and another 15, 000 Kyat as the Inle Lake Development Fee on your arrival in Inle Lake.

Follow this Ideal Best of Myanmar in One Week – A Road Trip Itinerary  which forms the backbone of this Myanmar Travel Guide.

Day 1  –   Explore Mandalay on Foot – Mandalay Hill | Kyauktawgyi Pagoda | Sandamuni Pagoda | Mahamuni Buddha Temple

Day 2  –   Discover the flavours of Mandalay – Go on a food tour | Mingun | U Bein Bridge

Day 3  –   Mandalay to Bagan | Mt Popa Sunset Tour

Day 4  –   Catch Sunrise Near Suleimani Temple | Bagan Day Tour – Ananda Phaya | Shwezigon Pagoda | Dhamayagi | Lacquer Workshop | Sunset boat ride on Ayeyarwaddy River – Overnight Bus to Inle Lake

Day 5  –   Full Day Inle Lake Tour – Click the famous fishermen of Inle Lake | Visit Lotus Stem Weaving Factory | Cigar Making Factory | Boat Making Factory | Interact with the long-necked women tribe (Kayan tribe)

Day 6  –   Visit the In Dein Market | Get a Spa Treatment | Visit the Red Mountain Winery – Overnight Bus to Yangon

Day 7  –   Shwedagon Pagoda | Sule Pagoda | Walk around the colonial area of Yangon | Cycle/Trishaw experience in Dala | Yangon Circular Train (if time permits) | Explore the Night Markets of Yangon.

Tracing back its origin in 1857, Mandalay is now the second largest city in Myanmar . It is found in the upper part of the nation, situated on the east bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Mandalay is the place, which was home to the Royal Palace of the Konbaung Dynasty , which was the last government and free realm of Burma. 

Be that as it may, Mandalay was bombed in WWII and the palace vanished, alongside much else. The royal residence was revamped during the 1990s, and from that point forward Mandalay has experienced a heedless development blast that was never about aesthetics.

The first place we explored was the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda which is located near the southern entry gate to reach Mandalay Hill.

The Kyauktawgyi Pagoda was built by King Mindon in 1853 on the model of the Ananda Temple at Pagan.  The pagoda was completed during 1878. The highlight of the Kyauktawgyi Paya is the huge seated Buddha figure sculpted from a single block of pale green marble from the Sagyin quarry twelve miles north of Mandalay.  It is believed that about Ten Thousand men took about 2 weeks to transport the stone block from the Ayeyarwaddy River to the site where it is today.

Next, we started climbing the stairs up to Mandalay Hill which took us around 30 odd minutes. We primarily went for the views. And it didn’t disappoint us at all  😜  

While we were up there the multiple white stupas caught our attention, and that is where we headed to after climbing down the stairs.

The multiple white stupas with slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings along with the large golden zedi is known as the Sandamuni Pagoda.

As the large golden zedi was under restoration, we weren’t able to see the largest iron Buddha statue in Burma. However, the multiple white stupas made for an amazing setting as the sun decided to give us a little peek a boo before going down.

On our 2 nd day in Mandalay, we explored the different foods and items in the by lanes of Mandalay with Beyond Boundaries Myanmar , and it gave the kick-start to our Myanmar Trip that we needed. 

Post our food adventure, we made our way to the jetty, where we crossed the Ayeyarwady river, to reach Mingun, where the highlight was the Hsinbyume Paya , apart from Mingun Pahtodawgyi which is a monumental uncompleted stupa and then finally headed to U Bein Bridge , our last attraction in Mandalay, to witness the sunset. But all we saw were human heads. U Bein Bridge during sunsets is a typical case of the attraction losing its charm owing to overtourism.

Accommodation Recommendations in Mandalay

Budget – Mansion Hostel Mandalay  | KAUNG Hostel

Mid – Range – The Hotel by the Red Canal | Ayarwaddy River View Hotel  | Hotel Hazel

Luxury – Rupar Mandalar Resort | Hilton Mandalay

So, in case you are wondering What to Eat in Mandalay , we got your back  😎 📸  1 Tempura and Sticky Rice (White and Brown)

📸  2 Mohingar – Essentially a rice noodle soup with fish/chicken/vegetables, usually consumed during breakfast. It is also dubbed to be the national dish of Myanmar.

📸  3 Fried Stuffed Sweet Potato and Fried Bananas

📸 4 Rice Cakes

📸 5 Khao Soi / Khao Suey – Served widely in Myanmar, but modified versions of Khao Soi can be found in Laos and Northern Thailand as well. Traditionally, the dough for the rice noodles is spread out on a cloth stretched over boiling water. After steaming the large sheet noodle is then rolled and cut with scissors, cooked in coconut milk and served with a variety of contrasting condiments.

📸 6 Fresh Fruit Juices / Smoothies

📸 7 Burmese Tea Leaf Salad / Lahpet thoke – Lahpet means “green tea,” and thoke, meaning “salad,” is an eclectic mix of flavours and textures that includes soft, pickled tea leaves, crisp, roasted peanuts and other crunchy beans, toasted sesame seeds, fried garlic. 

And last but not the least

If possible, visit U Bein Bridge during sunrise , and go directly under the bridge. And if that’s not an option, making the sunset the only time, plan to reach U Bein Bridge an hour earlier , and head straight under the bridge , and find your vantage point to capture the sun going down, behind the stilts.

However, if you have more time in Mandalay, I would highly recommend you check out these Top Things To Do in  Mandalay and add the following experiences in your trip to Mandalay!

Climb up Yankin Hill

Visit Mahamuni Paya

Go shopping at the Jade Market

Admire the 75 feet high Skinny Buddha

Visit a Gold Rose Workshop

Read the World’s Largest Book at Kuthodaw Pagoda

See a Puppet Show at Mandalay Marrionettes Theatre

Hike up to the Dat Taw Gyaint Waterfall

Day 1 – Arrive in Bagan from Mandalay 

Day 2 – Explore Bagan at own Pace | Mt Popa Sunset Tour

Day 3 – Bagan Full Day Tour with Beyond Boundaries Myanmar | Overnight Bus to Inle Lake 

After spending three days in Bagan , we rounded up these 5 destinations, that should figure on your Bagan To Do List No Matter what:

#1  Shwe Zigon Pagoda #2  Ananda Phaya #3  Dhammayangyi Temple #4  The small hillock near Sulamani Temple for Sunrise #5  Lacquer Workshop

As we had an amazing time with Beyond Boundaries Myanmar in Mandalay, we decided to explore Bagan on the last day of 2019 with these guys, and what a day it turned out to be!

We visited the 5 places, mentioned above, and then headed for lunch in a local house in a village , after which we took a Boat Ride over River Ayeyarwady and witnessed the last Sunset of 2019.

However, if you have more time in Bagan, I would highly recommend you check out these  Top Things To Do in Bagan and add the following experiences in your trip to Bagan !

Experience Bagan from the skies by Riding the Hot Air Balloons.

Visit the Archeological Museum.

Take out time and visit a Monk Monastery.

Visit the Mani Sithu Market.

See the sunset from the ‘ Nan Myint Tower ‘.

Visit the Dhammayazika Pagoda

Go on an early morning Cycling Tour.

Accommodation Recommendations in Bagan

Budget – BaobaBed Hostel Bagan | Lux Pillow Hostel

Mid – Range – Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort  | Heritage Bagan Hotel

Luxury – Ananta Bagan  | Amazing Bagan Resort  | Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Bagan  | The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate

• Everything is scattered in Bagan making E Bike the best option to travel.
• The best location for choosing accommodation is on Nyuang U – Bagan Road , closer to the river.
• Bagan is expensive – Be prepared 😔
• There isn’t much to do here. So, keep that book you wanted to read with you, but didn’t find time for it. 😉
• Everything closes at 9-10 PM.
• When you catch Sunrise and some local approach and tell you that they’ll take you to a good spot – Go for it.  😎
• ATM’s everywhere but if you want to exchange Indian currency, there’s one currency exchange near India Hut restaurant.
• No Grabs in Bagan. And Tuk Tuk are expensive, so HAGGLE!
• Go to Mt Popa but during the Afternoon, so, you can catch the Sunset from the top.
• Get pampered after a long day of exploring. It’s cheap – 5 USD for an hour-long foot massage / 8 USD for 1 hour full body traditional massage. 😎

After witnessing the first sunrise of 2020 in Bagan , we found ourselves in a Minivan, headed towards Inle Lake in the Shan State of Myanmar.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Arnav Mathur | Manali (@theetlrblog)

After a full day of travelling we found ourselves at  ViewPoint Eco Lodge  and were delighted to be spending the first few nights of 2020, in the lap of luxury, and being pampered by the hospitable staff here.

While our time at ViewPoint Eco Lodge was spent either trying out different food items from the Shan cuisine, getting pampered at the SPA or just appreciating the beauty of the moment, sitting by the water side and listening to the sounds of nature. We managed to explore the beauty of Lake Inle when we stepped out of ViewPoint Ecolodge , in our private speed boat. Yes we saw the famous fisherman of Inle Lake, strike a pose for the tourists with their traditional bamboo nets. We also visited the Lotus Stem weaving factory and the Cigar Making factory and interacting with the long necked women – Kayan Tribe was the highlight.

One of the experiences, during our stay at ViewPoint Eco Lodge which stood out was having our lunch on a boat in the middle of the lake , being prepared by the cooks on another boat, and being brought to us on yet another boat.

The whole experience of trying out the unique Shan Cuisine coupled with the fantastic wine, was too good to be true, and we managed to gulp down the entire bottle by the end of our meal.

We also visited the Red Mountain Winery , which provides an awesome panoramic view of Inle Lake and the surrounding mountains, making it the perfect spot to chase the sunset.

Accommodation Recommendations in Inle Lake – Nyaung Shwe

Budget – BaobaBed Hostel Nyaung Shwe Inle Lake | Song of Travel Hostel

Mid – Range – Inle Cottage Boutique Hotel  | Thanakha Inle Hotel

Luxury – Inle Resort  | Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Inle  | ViewPoint Eco Lodge

As we had limited time on hand, we had to skip out on the 2-day hike from Kalaw to Inle Lake , but this is a popular choice with many backpackers and travellers, and something that we’ll recommend in this Myanmar Travel Guide, for you to check out for yourself.

Yangon was our last destination in our Myanmar Itinerary, and as we were short on time, we could only spend a day in Yangon. 

But we managed to do quite a bit in one day, thanks to Beyond Boundaries Myanmar , such as visiting both the Sule Pagoda and the famous Shwedagon Pagoda , exploring the old colonial area on foot , and the village of Dala across the river in a Trishaw .

We were lucky that the hotel where we decided to stay in Yangon – Esperado Lake View Hotel , had a rooftop dining area and a bar, from where we enjoyed panoramic views of the Shwedagon Pagoda and the Yangon Skyline during our Breakfast and Dinner there. 

Accommodation Recommendations in Yangon

Budget – HOOD Hostel | The Lodge Yangon Hostel

Mid – Range – Prestige Residences at Golden Valley by Grand United Hospitality  | Esperado Lake View Hotel

Luxury – Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon  | Lotte Hotel Yangon

If your hotel doesn’t have a rooftop area, I would highly recommend you go to any of the Rooftop Bars and Restaurants for one of the meals.

However, if you have more time in Yangon, I would highly recommend you check out these  Top Things To Do in Yangon and add the following experiences in your trip to Yangon.

Experience the essence of Yangon by taking the Circular Train.

A food walk on the 19 th Street.

Explore the different Night Markets of Yangon

Visit the Taukkyan War Cemetery.

Take a stroll around Inya Lake and  Kandawgyi Lake.

Visit Kyauk Taw Gyi Temple.

Admire the 65-metre-long reclining Buddha at Chauk Htet Kyi Pagoda.

Visit Bahadur Shah Zafar’s grave.

Explore Yangon’s Chinatown.

Visit the Maha Wizaya Pagoda and  Kaba Aye Pagoda.

Here are some basic phrases, I recommend in this Myanmar Travel Guide , that every traveller travelling to Myanmar should know :

Hello – Min ga la ba

Thank you – Je zu tin ba deh 

Yes – Ho de

No – Ma ho bu

Goodbye – Ta ta!

How are you? – Neh kaun la?

I’m well –  Neh kaun ba deh

Where is the restroom? – Toilet beh ma lay?

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this Myanmar Travel Guide.  If you want to read more of my Myanmar travel articles published here on the Eat | Travel | Live | Repeat blog, check these out :

• The 3 Day Bagan Itinerary | The Bagan Travel Guide
• ViewPoint Eco Lodge – Nyaung Shwe, Myanmar | Where Luxury Meets Sustainability
• The 7 Day Myanmar Golden Kite Road Trip Adventure

Don’t forget to Pin this Myanmar Travel Guide and if you have any queries, or need any help in planning a trip to Myanmar, please feel free to drop in a mail to [email protected]

And if you like reading the content I create and curate, I will be really thankful if you could 

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Disclaimer:  No compensation was received for this article, however  ViewPoint Eco Lodge in Inle Lake , and Esperado Lake View Hotel in Yangon offered our stay complimentary, and  Beyond Boundaries Myanmar , offered us complimentary tours in Mandalay, Bagan and Yangon. As always, the opinions on  theETLRblog.com  are (and always will be) my own!

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Home » Southeast Asia » Myanmar » Backpacking Guide

Backpacking Myanmar Travel Guide (BUDGET TIPS • 2024)

A disclaimer on visiting myanmar.

Myanmar is an incredible country to explore, but also one that is sadly fraught with controversy. Myanmar’s modern history alone is marred by ethnic genocide (see The Rohingya Crisis ), and the recent events of an unjust military coup and false imprisonment of political leaders have all but decimated what little sense of democracy remained in the country.

Many of the people of Myanmar have taken to widespread civil disobedience, protest, and even armed insurrection to counter the latest military take over. While ethical questions around travelling to Myanmar were previously and continue to be valid (i.e your tourist dollars being implicated in the funding of state sanctioned violence against minorities), the question of traveller safety is a stickier one now.

The people of Myanmar are undoubtedly wonderful and will welcome you into their home with a smile . But inevitably, your tourist dollars will go towards funding the regime behind some of the most abhorrent atrocities currently occurring in Southeast Asia. Also be aware that while the Tatmandaw (Myanmar’s military regime) don’t necessarily want the PR stain of missing or maimed foreigners, they are far more fond of power than they are of your life.

This guide was originally written as Myanmar was opening up to backpackers and Western tourism at large. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, Myanmar will not be so ethically dicey or pose such a challenge to personal safety, and raw, offbeat travel will once again be possible. In this sense, the guide here remains as a testament to what was and promise of hope for what may one day be again: a free, welcoming, and wildly unique Myanmar.

I first travelled to Myanmar in 2011 and instantly fell in love with this truly special country. In a month-long backpacking trip, I met under a dozen other travellers. The country seemed almost completely empty of backpackers and I couldn’t understand why – Myanmar was the most incredible place I had ever been at the time.

With ancient temples, untouched tribal areas, some of the world’s friendliest people, dirt cheap beer and pristine mountains, Myanmar is backpacking gold…

Myanmar is hands down my favourite country in Southeast Asia and in January 2017, I returned for a month-long backpacking trip. I was shocked to see how much the country has changed…

Don’t get me wrong, backpacking in Myanmar is still an incredible experience but it’s now so much easier to travel to Myanmar (most nationalities can get an e-visa on arrival) and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of tourists in the country’s best-known spots.

Luckily, Myanmar is absolutely massive and it’s still relatively easy to get off the beaten track, away from the tourist hordes, and discover the Asia of thirty years ago. Backpacking Myanmar can still be low-key… Simply pull up a chair and watch life go by as you sip on tea and soak in the chilled vibes.

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Why Go Backpacking in Myanmar?

Myanmar is one of the most diverse countries in Southeast Asia, both culturally and geographically. Where else can you find pristine islands, soaring mountains, and teeming jungles all in one place? (Fun fact: Myanmar actually hosts a little piece of the Himalayas – at almost 20,000 feet, the highest peak is Hkakabo Razi!)

Choosing where to visit in Myanmar can be a bit challenging though. Some places are off-limits to tourists while others just have too much to see and do in the course of a single trip.

The few sections of the country that are very touristic (Yangon, Bagan, and Inle Lake jump to mind), show it. It’s not anything like the tourist bubbles of Thailand – touts and tourist mumbo-jumbo are still very low-key compared to other destinations in Southeast Asia. However, you can still tell when you’re in the bubble.

But, man, it’s so easy to burst that bubble in Myanmar. A small step outside of the tourist zone and you’ll feel the adventure tinglies coming on. The locals’ interest in you will be authentic and the connection to the culture will be genuine.

And there’s sooo much to see while exploring Myanmar off the tourist trail.

Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking Myanmar

Places to visit in myanmar, top things to do in myanmar, backpacker accommodation in myanmar, myanmar backpacking costs, best time to travel to myanmar, staying safe in myanmar, how to get into myanmar, how to get around myanmar, working in myanmar, myanmar culture, some unique experiences in myanmar, final advice before visiting.

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While it’s always a blast to explore forgotten frontiers at your own pace, Myanmar is tricky. You’re limited to 30 days travelling Myanmar – that’s it.

So keeping that in mind, it’s imperative to have something representing a travel itinerary for Myanmar. That way, you won’t miss out on any of the magnificence!

Myanmar 1-Month Travel Itinerary: The Highlights and the Adventure

Unless you’re hopping a border, then you’ll almost definitely start your adventure in Myanmar in Yangon . Stay in Yangon for a few days of exploration before heading north to explore more of the country.

There are a few ways you can do this, however, I’d recommend heading straight to Bagan first (unless you are hankering for a few beach days in Ngapali first). Bagan is a gem; touristic, yes, but such unbridled joy to roam and bike around. I’d really suggest giving yourself at least 3 days to stay in Bagan (although you could easily take more).

From Bagan, travel to Mandalay . Find a chill place to stay in Mandalay as it’s a good base of exploration for a number of northern Myanmar’s highlights.

The train ride from Mandalay to Hsipaw is considered the most beautiful in all of Myanmar (and, arguably, Southeast Asia). From Hsipaw, you can also plan out a few phenomenal treks in the region.

Mandalay is also a good point of connection to Pindaya and Inle Lake . Though quite possibly the most touristy area in Myanmar as a whole, Inle Lake is still gorgeous (with more great trekking in the region) and well worth a visit.

If you’re circuiting back to catch a flight from Yangon, I’d suggest visiting Hpa-An and Kyaiktiyo first. It’s a good opportunity to see some of Myanmar’s reverent cultural attractions.

Lastly, if you have the time (and I’d really suggest trying to make the time), you can travel to the far south of Myanmar to the Mergui Archipelago . Here, try and find the Moken people : the Sea Gypsies. Though their numbers and lifestyle has diminished in recent years, it’s still possible to meet tribes of these people moving across the oceans.

And truly, that shit be cray cray.

Want to save money on accommodation?

We got you. For reals.

Let’s break down my favourite places to go in Myanmar! From the cities to the temples to the wilds, it’s all pretty sublime.

Backpacking Yangon

Many travellers backpacking Myanmar will start their route in Yangon, arriving on a cheap flight from Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. A taxi from Yangon airport to downtown costs between 8000 MMK and 12000 MMK – you will need to haggle to get a good rate.

Also, from Yangon airport, there is a bus (with AC) to the city centre for 500 MMK . Just outside of the arrival gate, cross the street and walk to the left for about 200 m. I have heard it is possible to hitch a ride from the airport too, but I had no luck attempting this myself. You can also buy a Telenor Sim Card from the airport so you can stay connected around the country – 2GB and some credit will set you back around 10,000 MMK .

You should definitely spend at least a full day in the city: there’s a huge amount of awesome things to do in Yangon and it’s one of my favourite cities to wander around in the world. Although not the capital, Yangon is leading the way for cultural change in the country.

Make sure you loosen up at 50th Street Bar & Grill ; they’ve got half-price beer every day from 6-8 pm & have a pool table, dartboard, foosball, and a shuffleboard table. Also, you have to check out the truly stunning Shwedagon Pagoda! It currently costs 10,000 MMK to enter the Shwedagon Pagoda.

It really is advisable to book your room in advance. There are very few cheap accommodation options in Myanmar at the moment, and the best hostels in Yangon fill up quick.

Exploring the city is easy and it’s a fun place to walk around although you may want to catch a cab for longer distances – taxis don’t have a meter and you need to negotiate before getting in, it’s always possible to score a discount. From Yangon, you can head East to the famed Golden Rock at Kyaiktiyo, West towards Mrauk U, or you can head north to Bagan or Inle.

Backpacking Hpa-An

Stay for three nights in the Little Hpa An Hostel  or head out of the town and ask to crash in one of the monasteries nearby. There is a lot to do around Hpa-an and during my first trip, in 2011, it was the highlight of my time travelling in Myanmar.

I highly recommend visiting Mt Zwegabin and climbing to the top (4 hours round trip), keep an eye out for the colourful freshwater crabs! On top of the mountain is a monastery with amazing views, it is possible to stay here for free.

Nearby is a local lake where you can swim before heading to the incredible Saddar Cave (take a headtorch). Kawgun cave is also well worth a look.  To get around you will either need to hire a motorbike for 8000 MKK or hire a tuk-tuk for the day for 20,000 MKK – you can arrange this through your guesthouse. You can catch a night bus from Hpa-an to Mandalay or head to Inle instead.

From Hpa An, you can head further into Southern Myanmar. This part of Myanmar has only become accessible to backpackers very recently and offers some awesome adventure travel opportunities… Probably best taken on by motorbike! I have heard incredible things about Dawei and Maungmagan Beach which is supposed to be totally untouched.

Backpacking Mandalay

I first visited Mandalay in 2011 and thought it was a great place to spend ONE day. I have since revisited and whilst the city is a popular jumping-off spot for backpackers due to its good transport connections I have to be honest… I don’t particularly like Mandalay.

The temples are so much more impressive in Bagan that it’s kind of hard to get excited by Mandalay and the once-gorgeous U Bein Bridge has become the very definition of a tourist trap, the litter problem here is truly awful.

If you are going to stay in Mandalay for a bit, hire a motorbike and explore that way – it’s easy to sort and there are a few ex-pat run operations hiring out bikes. U Bein bridge should only be visited at sunrise, for sunset, you will have to share it with literally thousands of people…

Mandalay does have an admittedly interesting history (maybe I’ve just been there too many times – four in total!) and it’s well worth checking out the gold-pounding district and buying a small square of gold leaf to place upon the mighty sitting Buddha at Mahamuni Paya.

The Shwe In Bin Kyaung Monastery is also well worth visiting and the Nylon Ice Cream Bar serves up the best ice cream in all of Myanmar! From Mandalay, you can head up towards Hsipaw (six hours by bus) or travel to Bagan. If heading to Bagan, I recommend catching the scenic riverboat rather than travelling by bus.

Backpacking Hsipaw

One of my favourite places to visit in Myanmar, Hsipaw is a great place to sort out some treks. A lot of backpackers stay in Red Dragon Hotel Hsipaw itself is a quiet town and a good place to chill for an afternoon before catching a pickup truck (6 hours, 5000 MKK) up towards the remote village of Namhsan.

Again, just stay here the one night. There is one guesthouse and it doesn’t have a name, it costs 3,500 MMK per person to crash on the floor. It is also possible to camp on the town outskirts.

The next day begins a three day, two-night trek back to Hsipaw. You should take a guide to arrange accommodation in monasteries and home-stays as very few people in the hills speak English.

Ask at the guesthouse in Namhsan for Momo, he speaks excellent English and charges 10,000 MMK per person per day for guiding and breakfast, dinner and accommodation. Sleeping is cold and uncomfortable so take a fleece. You may meet rebel fighters from the Kachin Independence Army – don’t photograph them without permission.

Once you get back in Hsipaw, keep yourself busy by checking out Valentines for ice cream, Mr Food  for beer on tap and an unnamed pool hall almost directly opposite the bank (across bridge) which has a cinema in the back, here you can choose from their extensive pirated films collection and it costs just 300 MMK to watch something.

The next day, take the very scenic train to Pyin Oo Lin , spend one day here and check out the waterfalls. Really your main reason for visiting Pyin Oo Lin is to experience the train journey. From Pyin Oo Lin, you can connect to Inle or head to Bagan via Mandalay.

Backpacking Inle Lake

Try to stay in the very popular  Ostello Bello Nyaung Shwe where dorm beds are for ten dollars and include a fantastic breakfast. Inle Pancake Kingdom does awesome snacks and has free WiFi, nearby Kaung Kaung  has cheap draft beer. In the evening arrange a boat trip (16,000 MMK for 8 people) for the next day.

On your boat trip, you can hope to see the villages on stilts, aquaculture and traditional fishermen. The best part of the day is the journey itself and passing through small stilt hamlets and past locals, the main ‘sites’ are pretty good (although busy) but the atmosphere on the lake itself is wonderful.

On your second day in Inle hire a bicycle, 1000 MMK , and visit a market – the many markets in Inle constantly rotate but there will always be one somewhere. The tofu village and local vineyard are both worth visiting. The Smiling Moon Restaurant  is a good place to arrange boat tours and bus tickets, the woman who runs the restaurant is very friendly and can arrange almost anything you may need.

I recommend two full days in Inle; one for a boat trip and two for cycling and relaxing. It is well worth having a tent for Inle Lake. Bear in mind that Inle is, now, the very definition of ‘tourist trap’ and is probably the most expensive place in all of Myanmar. It can be a good place to party though…

Backpacking Pindaya

Just a two-hour drive from Inle is the rarely visited town of Pindaya, a tranquil place that is often buried in mists. It’s well worth popping up here for a night or visiting as a day trip in order to visit the truly mesmerising cave of eight thousand Buddhas…

From Pindaya, you can arrange a two night, three-day trek back to Inle. It’s possible to do this without a guide if you have a GPS.

Backpacking Bagan

The temple studded plains of Bagan is, hands down, the most incredible place in all of Southeast Asia. I’ve spent a total of about two weeks exploring Bagan by bicycle (in 2011) and electric bike (in 2017) and I still feel like I’ve seen less than half the temples…

The biggest, most impressive, temples in Bagan are now usually heaving with tourists and, in my opinion, are best avoided. It costs 25000 MKK to enter the Bagan site but out of the four times I have visited, I have only had to pay this twice.

It’s surprisingly easy to avoid paying simply by walking in via a backroad that diverts the checkpoint, particularly after dark. The ticketing checkpoints are actually marked on Maps.Me just to make it even easier for you. A local may tell you that it’s ‘not possible’ and you need to pay them to guide you and drive you around the checkpoint, but it really is blisteringly simple to do by yourself.

The real Bagan can only be reached with a bit of off-roading… There are plenty of stunning isolated temples where you will be the only person exploring. It’s possible to camp out (although it’s not exactly legal) on some of the temples and I spent a magical two nights beneath the stars, surrounded on all sides by illuminated temples stretching as far as the eye could see.

At 4 am, a gong whispered across the wind and shortly after Buddhist chanting from one of the monasteries began. The sun crept up behind one of the largest temples at around 7 am, and I can honestly say it was one of the most magical mornings I’ve ever experienced.

Accommodation is spread across the two main areas of Bagan: New Bagan and Nyaung U . Most of the backpacker’s accommodation is in New Bagan although Nyaung U has a better selection of restaurants. There are some truly great places to eat in Bagan, my favourite place was Star Beam – it’s a little hard to find, just outside New Bagan, but so worth it. Be sure to try the strawberry juice!

If you choose to camp out, I recommend scoping out your chosen temple during the day first. Take warm clothes, plenty of water, and a blanket – it gets damn cold at night. You probably won’t actually get any sleep but camping out is an amazing experience all the same.

Backpacking Chin State

Chin State has been on the backpacker radar for about five years now thanks to the many trekking opportunities and the famous women with tattoos upon their faces. Until recently you needed permits but the whole area is now open and can be discovered on foot or, if you have wheels, by motorbike.

The Chin people are friendly but reserved and you DO need a guide to help you sort out accommodation and food in the villages you pass through. I went on a challenging five-day trek from Mindat, where most backpackers arrive, along the valley towards Ma Hlaing .

It was damn hot during the day and damn cold at night, the trails were accessible but steep in places and our guide taught us a lot about local living and some of the challenges the area is facing – namely poaching of tigers and leopards to sell to China for herbal remedies.

Chin State is in the process of being slowly connected with new government-funded road projects and some of the trekking opportunities will be reduced here in the near future so if you’re keen to check out Chin, go soon! In Mindat, there is an excellent locally run museum that is well worth checking out.

Backpacking Ngapali Beach

Often described as the Naples of the East, Ngapali offers gorgeous beaches in a tranquil environment. Unfortunately, accommodation here is very expensive but if money is not an issue it’s a great place to unwind.

You can arrange fishing trips and boat tours from Ngapali or if you fancy venturing further afield, push on down the coast to find other beaches that offer cheaper accommodation – I’ve heard good things about Ngwe Saung . If you’re a traveller that likes going offbeat and wants miles of undeveloped coastline all to yourself, head to Gwa and Kanthaya…

Backpacking Mergui Archipelago

Perhaps one of the last true adventure frontiers in all of Asia, The Mergui Archipelago remains almost entirely untouched. If you travel here you are unlikely to meet any other backpackers…

It’s impossible to explore the Mergui Archipelago without a boat and although day-trips can be arranged from the port-town of Myeik with local fishermen, if you want to head deeper into the islands and meet with the Moken Sea-Gypsy people you will probably need to charter a boat.

A few companies have started offering eight-day tours of the area but they are decidedly pricey. Most of the longer operations run out of Kawthaung and this is where you should head if you’re hoping to snag a last-minute bargain cruise.

To get to this truly incredible part of the world you can travel from Yangon to Myeik and then onwards to Kawthaung or travel directly from Thailand (this is actually easier) via the Ranong border crossing.

Getting Off the Beaten Path in Myanmar

You could easily spend two months exploring Myanmar; there is a huge amount to do here. Realistically, the longest you can easily spend in the country is six weeks – the full month visa and the fourteen days overstay that are allowed.

With six weeks, I would definitely aim to explore some of the beaches of Bengal as well as the south of the country; there are some true backpacking gems down there that have yet to be properly discovered. Remember though, unless you have a motorbike, getting around in some of the more remote areas can be a bitch and getting from A to B is not as easy as it looks on a map.

I strongly recommend travelling at night, to save on accommodation and time, if you are travelling by bus.  There are a lot of different Myanmar backpacking routes but the most popular is the ‘backpacker triangle’ between Bagan, Inle, and Mandalay and shooting up to Hsipaw to get some trekking in… If you only have ten days or a couple of weeks, I recommend sticking to this route but if you’re feeling adventurous, lose the map and head south.

If you have good-quality backpacking tent , you will have significantly more options for getting off the beaten track. Restrictions on where you can stay in Myanmar (as imposed by the government) means you are much less limited if you are self-sufficient.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

With so much unexplored territory and lost secrets, there are heaps of things to do in Myanmar. More than you can jam into the length of a visa anyway!

Here are a few of my favourites.

1. Ride the Trains!

Slow, cheap, methodical, ear-bleedingly loud: these are just some of the words used to describe the trains in Myanmar. While the network isn’t totally comprehensive of the whole country, it does get you to a lot of the major destinations around Myanmar.

In particular, the train ride from Mandalay to Hsipaw (or vice-versa) is glorious and an absolute must-do when visiting Myanmar.

2. Munch the Street Food

Noodles, soup, roast chestnuts, and big ol’ hunks of meat (if that’s your thing) – the street food scene in Myanmar rocks! It’s also considerably cleaner than a lot of other places in Asia (though it’s still street food in a developing nation).

The night market in Mandalay is particularly ferocious. It’s just endless stalls of some of the cheapest and greatest street food in the world to lose your mind over. Go nuts!

3. Trekking in Chin State

There are heaps of hiking opportunities in Myanmar, however, I recommend you definitely head trekking in Chin State. The landscape is phenomenal and the people still hold a lot of hidden mysticism in their ways.

4. Smoke a Cheroot

It’s kind of like a cheap cigar. In typical Asia style, cigarettes are cheap and sold everywhere, even at many of the street food places. They sell these oversized cigarettes – more like a cigar – by the singles to puff on after your meal.

Do they taste good? Well, I think they taste gross (as did the four Sri Lankan chainsmokers I gave one to at a later date), but when in Myanmar… smoke a cheroot?

5. Visit Naypyitaw – the Capital City of Myanmar

There’s a reason not many travel guides for Myanmar mention the capital city Naypyitaw: it’s a really stupid city. Nobody knows why it’s so stupid; there’s a theory that it was intentionally built as a decoy city in case the USA (or whoever else) invaded.

At four-and-a-half times the size of London but with a meagre population of just under a million (compared to London’s 8.63 million), the city is a ghost town proper. Is there anything to do there? Na, not really. But to see empty 12-lane highways, desolate streets, and an eerie fat lot of nothing (or to find some near unheard of personal space in Asia), it’s actually a kinda funny stopover.

6. Explore Kyaikto and the Golden Rock

Climb the mountain (45 minutes) to see the Golden Rock on the same day that you arrive. You can find accommodation in Kinpun town nearby.

The next day, catch whatever transport you can arrange, probably by hitching on local pickup trucks, to Hpa-an (4 hours). If you end up having the morning free there are a couple of interesting short hikes around Kinpun.

7. Exploring the Temples of Bagan

You can get around Bagan by walking or cycling but the best way to get around is by e-bike. These are electric scooters with a maximum speed of about 40km an hour. You can rent these out for 8000 MMK a day (as a duo or 5000 MKK if you’re by yourself ).

If you ever want to learn to ride a scooter, this is probably the easiest thing in the world to drive and Bagan is probably one of the best places to learn… Even if you do come off, you’ll probably land on the sand. Remember to use your mirrors and go easy on the front brake.

Bagan is a truly stunning place and for a really unique view, you can take to the skies in a hot air balloon. There are a few companies that offer hot air ballooning services although they tend to book out quickly.

There are SO many amazing temples in Bagan that, honestly, it’s hard to give recommendations… My real recommendation is to simply get an e-bike and to head off into the bush to get away from the bus-tourist-hordes and discover some incredible temples for yourself!

Please don’t go for a horse-and-cart ride though. The animals are overworked, mistreated, and animal tourism shouldn’t be supported .

Bagan is a pretty good place to buy souvenirs and although you have to shop around there are some good paintings to be had. Bagan is fairly easy to reach from Mandalay, Inle, and Yangon. From Mandalay, you can catch the Government boat to Bagan.

This takes about twelve hours but it is pretty relaxing and very scenic. I did not book in advance. Currently, the Government boat leaves on Wednesday and Sunday mornings but this is subject to change. From Bagan, you can connect to Chin State for some off the beaten track treks…

8. Discover Mrauk U

If you want to explore some stunning temples and have them all to yourself, Mrauk U is the place to go. Picture hundreds of abandoned temples (almost all of them unlocked) spread across a rolling landscape of lush green hills and small villages…

The only reason that Mrauk U isn’t as popular as Bagan is that it’s a total bitch to get to (although this may change with time). Currently, you have to first travel to Sittwe from Yangon . The best option is to catch a flight although it is possible to do it on a (very long) bus journey.

Once you are in Sittwe, you need to catch a boat or another bus onwards to Mrauk U. There isn’t much of a backpacker scene here yet, but it’s a great place to do some Indiana Jones-esque exploring!

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Myanmar’s backpacking accommodation is still fairly poor compared to the rest of Southeast Asia. There are a few cool hostels popping up in places like Bagan, Inle, and Mandalay but you only have to take one step off the beaten path and your options rapidly dwindle.

This can actually be kind of cool as you will often end up staying in ‘Mom and Pop’ family run guesthouses where you will be welcomed into the family. I very rarely endorse booking accommodation in advance as my own travel plans change so frequently that I prefer to wing it, however, in Myanmar, if you don’t book accommodation in advance, you may well not be able to find a place to crash…

Furthermore, foreigners can only stay at accommodation in Myanmar licenced to accept them. For this reason, and simply to allow you more freedom of movement, I recommend packing some camping equipment for backpacking around Myanmar.

All of the half-decent, half-affordable, accommodation sells out weeks in advance and I strongly recommend that you book your rooms (especially for Bagan and Inle) before you travel.

The Best Places to Stay in Myanmnar

On my first Myanmar backpacking adventure in 2012, I spent a total of $700 in one month . In January 2017, I and a friend spent a total of $900 over a three week period .

It’s possible to go backpacking in Myanmar on a comfortable budget of about $25 per person per day assuming you stay in cheaper accommodation, eat local food, and avoid internal flights. You can quickly blow your daily budget if you eat in tourist-trap restaurants (of which there are MANY in Inle) or if you insist on travelling in VIP coaches.

If you’re travelling on a shoestring budget , it would be possible to backpack Myanmar on a budget of less than $10 a day if you hitchhike, camp out, and stick to local food, but I ain’t gonna lie to you – Myanmar IS more expensive than most of Southeast Asia and you need to plan your budget accordingly.

A Daily Budget in Myanmar

Money in myanmar.

Whilst it IS now relatively easy to find ATMs pretty much anywhere in the country, the ATM fees can be as high as nine dollars a pop. I recommend bringing cash and changing it instead. If you are bringing in cash, you need perfect US dollars or Euros.

The currency in Myanmar is the Myanmar Kyat (MMK). Find out how much your money is worth today by using the up-to-date converter below. The exact rate you get depends on the size of the note you are changing (100 dollar bills get the best rate) and where you are changing it (rates in rural parts of the country are not as good as the cities).

Credit and Debit cards are widely accepted in the more built-up areas such as Yangon or Inle Lake but many of these, charge pretty insane withdrawal fees so it’s advisable to avoid small ATM transactions and get out a bunch of cash at once – just make sure you hide it well. Plus, in the rural areas an ATM machine becomes a mythical creature.

For all matters of finance and accounting on the road, The Broke Backpacker strongly recommends Wise – The Artist Formerly Known as Transferwise! Our favourite online platform for holding funds, transferring money, and even paying for goods, Wise is a 100% FREE platform with considerably lower fees than Paypal or traditional banks. But the real question is… is it better than Western Union? Yes, it most certainly is.

Travel Tips – Myanmar on a Budget

Travelling with no money? Travelling with a paltry amount of money?

To keep your spending to an absolute minimum whilst backpacking Myanmar I recommend sticking to these expert tips:

• Hitchhike:  In Myanmar, it is relatively easy to thumb a ride. Travelling by hitchhiking is an ace way to keep your transport costs down.
• Camp:  With plenty of gorgeous natural places to camp, Myanmar is a great place to pitch up. You can often crash in Buddhist temples for free when trekking.
• Eat local food: You can get a bowl of tasty Shan noodles for under a dollar. If you’re on a real tight budget. It’s also worth taking a portable backpacking stove .

Why Should You Travel to Myanmar with a Water Bottle?

Whilst there’s a lot that we can do when it comes to travelling responsibly , reducing your plastic consumption is one of the easiest and most impactful things you can do. Don’t buy one-use water bottles, don’t take plastic shopping bags, and forget straws. All of this just ends up in landfill or in the ocean.

If you’d like some more tips on how to save the world , be sure to watch the video below.

There’s nothing worse than showing up to a picture-perfect beach, only to discover plastic bottles littering the sand. One way to get around this is by investing in a premium filtered travel bottle like the Grayl Georpress. You can filter any kind of water, save money on buying endless plastic bottles – and sleep easy knowing you’re not contributing to the plastic bottles lining our beautiful beaches.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

The dry season in Myanmar runs from October to May. It starts to get real hot between March and June so the high season (when accommodation often runs out) is between November and February.

I’ve travelled to Myanmar during June and would not recommend it; it was unbelievably hot. If you want to try and catch Myanmar without the crowds; consider rocking up early on in March.

What to Pack for Myanmar

Make sure you get your packing for Southeast Asia right! On every adventure, there are six things I never go travelling without:

Osprey Aether 70L Backpack

Ya can’t go backpacking anywhere without a blasted backpack! Words cannot describe what a friend the Osprey Aether has been to The Broke Backpacker on the road. It’s had a long and illustrious career; Ospreys don’t go down easily.

Feathered Friends Swift 20 YF

My philosophy is that with an EPIC sleeping bag, you can sleep anywhere. A tent is a nice bonus, but a real sleek sleeping bag means you can roll out anywhere in a and stay warm in a pinch. And the Feathered Friends Swift bag is about as premium as it gets.

Grayl Geopress Filtered Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator – so you can enjoy a cold red bull, or a hot coffee, no matter where you are.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

Every traveller should have a head torch! A decent head torch could save your life. When you’re camping, hiking, or even if the power just went out, a top-quality headlamp is a MUST. The Petzl Actik Core is an awesome piece of kit because it’s USB chargeable—batteries begone!

First Aid Kit

Never go off the beaten track (or even on it) without your first aid kit! Cuts, bruises, scrapes, third-degree sunburn: a first aid kit will be able to handle most of these minor situations.

Myanmar is an extremely safe country and shouldn’t cause alarm for any sort of traveller. There ARE still things to be aware of, however.

Primarily, the political situation in Myanmar is volatile. While large parts of the country are safe to visit for tourists, there are areas of Myanmar – particularly close to the borders – where it could be dangerous for a tourist to go. Regardless, many of these regions have restrictions on foreign entry which you can be expected to be enforced.

Regions of Myanmar where you can expect full to partial restrictions on tourist movement include:

• Rakhine – Due to the Rohingya crisis.
• Kachin and Shan – Given their proximity to border conflicts and the drug trade.*
• Sagaing – Again, due to border conflicts.

The last thing to touch on is the above-mentioned Rohingya crisis . The Rohingya crisis, in a quick summary, is an ongoing genocide and diaspora of a Muslim ethnic minority group in Myanmar perpetrated by the Myanmar government. What the government is doing to the Rohingya people is a crime against humanity, to put it lightly.

* Editor’s Note: Personal Experience in the Kachin State

I did travel to the Kachin state to visit the Indawgyi Lake – both the largest lake in Myanmar and one of significant significance to Buddhists. Like with most of Myanmar, the locals (including most security personnel) were overwhelmingly friendly. Tourists are not totally unheard of around specific sites like Indawgyi Lake, but they are certainly a novelty.

The restrictions around your movements look like registering your name with the guesthouse and carrying an extra photocopy of your passport to show security officials. I never handed over my physical passport and this didn’t seem to cause too many problems.

For me, travelling to the Kachin state highlighted the decades-long persecution of the Christian minority and was honestly very overwhelming. There is more poverty, more violence, and more uneasiness in the air here. Trucks carrying large amounts of drugs (usually methamphetamines) was not an uncommon sight, either.

While I travelled slowly, ate locally, and felt good that my money went directly to the local community, I still found it hard to reconcile that visiting this site could, in some way, be seen to support the regime in power. However, I will say that it was still gorgeous and that it felt like one of the rawest lessons of my travels.

Now, while this crisis may not affect your safety as a traveller, it does raise moral implications and concerns for visiting Myanmar as a tourist. Directly or indirectly, your contribution to the tourism economy will be supporting this persecution.

So, should you travel to Myanmar? There’s no simple answer, and it’s up to your moral compass and your personal values to make that call. Ultimately, no country is free from this moral quandary: we still travel to Israel, India, or even, say, Australia, despite past and ongoing actions of much the same calibre.

Still, what is happening to the Rohingya people is not something to be overlooked or treated lightly. Educate yourself on the matter and have all the knowledge before going backpacking in Myanmar. For both the sake of the Rohingya people and your own – a mid-travel existential meltdown is never fun.

* Editor’s Note: A post-military coup world

Your safety as a backpacker isn’t guaranteed under the military regime. As I said very early on in the piece, I don’t think the military regime would want the PR scandal of missing or maimed tourists, but they are prepared to hold onto power no matter what the cost.

Be very aware of protests. Be very aware of any tourist registrations you might be required to do. When travel is permitted again after COVID, you still need to have more caution than you would in almost any other country that’s possible to travel through.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll in Myanmar

Myanmar’s peoples love to drink, and good quality beer and rum is available very cheaply meaning there is always a party happening somewhere. Myanmar is part of the infamous Golden Triangle  and produces a huge amount of opium and methamphetamines but almost all of this is exported.

Despite being part of the Golden Triangle I was never once offered drugs of any kind whilst travelling in Myanmar – which goes in stark contrast to backpacking in India . The growing ex-pat scene in Yangon are fond of crushing up Ritalin (which can be purchased without a subscription in some parts of the country) and snorting it – the effects are very similar to speed.

It is possible, but extremely difficult, to find low-quality marijuana in Myanmar but without a reliable connection (make friends with ex-pats) your chances of scoring are practically zero. Rumour has it that one backpacker hid a small geocache amongst the temples of Bagan with a few tabs placed inside… Happy treasure hunting amigos!

And sex? Well, we are all for it. For LGBTQI + travellers in Myanmar , this can be a little bit more complicated as Myanmar is still largely a conservative country, but there are many places that are LGBTQI+ friendly and welcoming. We hope this continues to improve!

Travel Insurance for Myanmar

Travelling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.

I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. They’re easy to use, professional and relatively affordable. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once you’ve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.

If there’s one insurance company I trust, it’s World Nomads. To find out why I use World Nomads, check out my World Nomads Insurance review .

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

If World Nomads doesn’t seem right for you, then research some of the other best providers of travel insurance , but DO consider getting insured… wisely.

Backpacking Myanmar has exploded in popularity and with increased international flights and relaxed border crossings, it is now quite easy to get into Myanmar. Yangon is served by numerous airlines and you can easily pick up cheap flights from other backpacking destinations in Southeast Asia.

Most backpackers flying into the country start their adventure in Yangon but you can also fly into Mandalay (which puts you closer to Bagan) if you’re travelling from Thailand .

Pack that backpack and get ready for a trip of a life-travel. If you’re after advice on the best backpack to take with you – my go-to is the Osprey Ozone Duplex 60 .

There are four border crossings between Myanmar and Thailand…

• Mae Sot – Myawaddy (central).  This is the easiest way to get from Bangkok to Yangon and by far the most popular crossing due to its proximity to various places of interest in Myanmar. Ignore any advice that says this crossing is one-way only; this is not the case anymore since a new road was completed in 2016.
• Phunaron – Htee Kee (central).  Buses go from Kanchanaburi in Thailand to the small border town of Phunaron. It’s a small and remote crossing (you can’t find it on Google Maps) and on a slow mountain road, though it’s fully accessible.
• Mae Sai – Tachileik (north).  You can cross here into Myanmar from Thailand’s Chiang Rai province, but you’ll get stuck if you don’t have a permit to travel further overland which is rarely issued. This crossing is, broadly speaking, not usable for independent travellers intending to go into Myanmar overland without restriction.
• Ranong – Kawthaung (south).  This crossing lets you enter Myanmar from the far south. The roads here are reportedly rough, and in bad weather conditions, overland travel to Myeik may not always be possible. This is, however, THE place to enter if you want to check out the stunning Mergui Archipelago.

The border crossing between India and Myanmar has been open for about eighteen months at the time of writing and, finally, makes it possible to travel overland from Europe to Southeast Asia without having to go through China.

It is currently not possible to bring a vehicle from India unless you agree to have a Myanmar government tour guide with you for your entire time in Myanmar at a cost of $100 a day. It is, however, possible to drive a motorbike up to the border, sell it, cross the border and then buy a cheap Chinese bike on the other side for around $300.

Some reports indicate that you need a permit to be able to cross the India/Myanmar border but this information is outdated. Be aware however that on account of the escalating situation in nearby Rakhine State, the India/Myanmar border rules are subject to change without notice.

It’s also a far-out border to cross, relative to both Myanmar and India. Not many foreigners make it that far and you can expect to be crossing on foot (with accompanying madness).

It is not currently possible for backpackers to travel overland to Bangladesh (and I doubt it will be for many years) or Laos (this will probably change soon) from Myanmar. Onwards overland travel to China is only possible with relevant permits.

Entry Requirements for Myanmar

Over one hundred nationalities can now apply for an e-visa online through the official Myanmar government visa portal . E-visas can only be used if arriving by air or crossing overland from Thailand. I have heard some mixed reports that it is possible to cross from India with an e-visa if you have some additional paperwork.

Visas typically cost around fifty dollars and are valid for thirty days. They can be overstayed by 14 days at a charge of three dollars per day plus an additional admin fee. If you’re not on the e-visa list and are from say, Iran, it’s still possible for you to get a visa – you just need to go to a Myanmar consulate.

I secured my Myanmar visas from the Bangkok and Chiang Mai consulates and on both occasions, it took just a couple of days – be sure to take passport size photos with you! If you do need to acquire a visa, I suggest checking out iVisa  for assistance.

It’s also easy getting around Myanmar. There’s a wide selection of buses, trains, vans, and open-trailer trucks to utilise. You just gotta know what you’re doing!

Travel costs, in general, are more expensive in Myanmar than other countries in Southeast Asia but it’s easy to hitchhike in Myanmar if you’re low on funds. Trains and long-distance buses are plentiful with the buses normally working out faster than the trains. I took a few buses in Myanmar and always travelled at night (to save having to pay for accommodation).

Trains take it one step further. They’re crazy cheap and crazy local! Especially the most basic unreserved class which is literally just a freight container – open doors and all – with some benches inside. Oh, and expect plenty of snack peddlers!

Internal flights are relatively cheap, according to Skyscanner – I didn’t fly whilst backpacking Myanmar. In some parts of the country, you can travel by boat and this is a really unique way to get around – the slow boat between Mandalay and Bagan is well worth doing if you have the time.

Local buses are very cheap but can be very crowded and uncomfortable – if you’re familiar with local transport in India or Central America then this won’t be anything new to you but if you’ve only travelled on ‘tourist transport’ before then you might find it a bit of a shock!

For the really long distances, if you’re not going to be hitchhiking, I recommend spending a bit more and going with a half-decent bus company – JJ Express are relatively affordable and are clean, comfortable and reliable. Avoid travelling in the ‘private’ mini-vans.

Travelling by Motorbike in Myanmar

Motorcycling Myanmar is definitely the best way to get around and the recent relaxation of rules governing foreigners driving around has made things a lot easier. It’s possible to buy or rent a bike in Mandalay and other cities and from here you can embark on an epic loop of the country.

In my personal opinion, Myanmar is not the best choice in Southeast Asia for either working or volunteering. But first, here are the deetz.

There are ex-pats that base themselves in Myanmar – primarily, Yangon – to work. While teaching English abroad is something some foreigners do opt to do in Myanmar, most foreign workers are there on some form of international business.

You’re required to obtain a work permit/business visa which only allows a stay of 70 days before you’ll have to border hop and return. Only after having completed three prior business visas will you be able to apply for a multiple-entry permit allowing a stay of up to six months (and, potentially, longer stays in the future).

The internet situation in Myanmar isn’t abysmal either – particularly in the cities – however, it’s still a pain enough to challenge digital nomads. This, combined with a supply crunch (and subsequent price hike) on accommodation and rentals for ex-pats, makes Myanmar a hard recommendation for working travellers.

All in all, the review on working in Myanmar as an ex-pat or long-term traveller is a resounding ‘meh’ . Considering it borders Thailand and India and that Malaysia is only a stone’s throw away, it’s just not worth it.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Volunteering in Myanmar

Finally, like most places in Asia, volunteering in Myanmar is most definitely a thing! Given the rather cramped timeframe on a tourist visa, it’s a hard sell over simply travelling and exploring, but the option is there.

I’d recommend signing up for a cheap volunteering platform to find volunteering opportunities in Myanmar. It’ll just make the whole process of finding an authentic and honest project to volunteer with a whole lot more straightforward. Plus, again, you have that strict one-month visa so having somewhere to go straight outta the airport terminal is just being efficient!

As for who you should sign up with? At The Broke Backpacker, we’re huge fans of Worldpackers . They have a real special knack for connecting kind-hearted travellers with bonafide rockin’ humans and volunteering projects that give you that warm and cuddly feeling inside.

Broke Backpacker readers even get a mad discount just by using the code  BROKEBACKPACKER  at checkout! Stick that sucker in or click the link below and your membership is discounted from $49 a year to only $39. That’s a solid 20% OFF the annual fee! So why not go have some once in a lifetime experience?

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

Most Burmese people are very very nice and genuinely friendly. The majority of locals refer to the country as Myanmar and prefer this to Burma as the old name only referred to the dominant ethnic group. Hitching, especially short distances, is easy and often people won’t ask for money, however, I think it’s only fair to offer as gas is pretty expensive by local standards.

Be sure to be a decent human being and don’t ruin Myanmar… The people are probably the main reason that Myanmar is such a special place.

Useful Travel Phrases for Myanmar

Not many people know this but the Burmese speak a total of 111 different languages . The official language is Burmese and some of the most important secondary languages are Shan, Kayin, Rakhine, Mon, Chin, and Kachin.

Burmese is a Sino-Tibetan language and is one of the most widely spoken in the world. It was first spoken by the Bamar people and related ethnic groups. Today, Burmese is the primary language of instruction, and English is the second language taught in schools.

I’m not gonna lie, as far as learning a new language goes, Burmese is haaarrrddd . It’s a tonal language meaning a slight change in inflection can throw the whole sentence off. Furthermore, as English isn’t widely spoken and the Myanmar people aren’t used to tourists – particularly of the backpacker/traveller variety – getting concise lessons from a local can be absolutely excruciating (although, still a lot of fun).

All the same, here are a few useful phrases in Burmese for your backpacking Myanmar adventure:

• Hello –  kyaosopartaal
• How are you? – Shin ne-kaùn-yéh-là?
• Good Morning – Min-ga-la-ba
• I don’t understand – Nà-m?leh-ba-bù
• How Much – Blau leh?
• Stop here – Dima seh meh
• Sorry – Wùn-nèh-ba-deh
• Where Is The Toilet? –  Ein tha beh meh lay?
• No plastic bag –  a bhaalsuu myaha m palauthcatait aate
• No straw please –  kyaayyjuupyupyee koutroe a bhaalsuu myaha m
• No plastic cutlery please –  a bhaalsuu myaha m palauthcatait meehpo hkyaungg sone kyaayyjuupyupyee
• Help! – Keh-ba!
• Cheers! – Cha Kwa!
• Dickhead! – Lee Gon!

What to Eat in Myanmar

Well, the great thing about having so many ethnic groups inside your country plus being bordered by a whole bunch more is that your food becomes pretty banging! Burmese cuisine is predominatly influenced by both the exisiting cultures in Myanmar as well as other nearby Asian regions – primarily, India, China, and Thailand.

Salads, soups, noodles, and rice are the name of the game! Meat and fish is also coomon – like, Thailand level of common rather than India – but vegos will have an easy time eating themselves into a coma (provided they can explain to the overzealous cooks in Myanmar that they don’t want meat).

Flavour-wise, things tend to be focused more on the savoury and salty aspects. The food in Myanmar still gets spicy, of course, however, it’s in a different vein again to Thailand and India. Best of all, it’s mouth-watering!

Popular Myanmar Dishes

• Burmese Curry – You can’t go backpacking in Myanmar without trying a proper Burmese curry. The curry is usually serviced with pork, fish, shrimp, beef or mutton. It includes rice, a salad, a small dish of fried vegetables, a small bowl of soup and a side of fresh crunchy vegetables and herbs-  a pretty wholesome meal I would say!
• Local Tea Shop Snacks – Apart from serving tons of milk tea, local tea shops serve baked sweets as well as meaty steamed buns and dim sums. Enjoy a cheap snack with your tea, cause why not!
• Shan Style noodles – The dish is a combination of thin, flat rice noodles in a clear, peppery broth with marinated chicken or pork and pickled vegetables. Yummy, healthy and bloody cheap!! Backpacker gold…
• Shan Rice – Also known as fish rice, this Shan dish is one of the most typical Myanmar food and you can find it in most local places. The Burmese usually pair it with leeks, garlic and pork rind.
• Deep-Fried stuff – The Burmese love frying up stuff!! You get fried samosas, spring rolls, fritters, sweets, bread, noodles topped with deep-fried crispy garnishes. Sinful but delicious!!
• Nan Gyi Thohk – Popular with tourists, this dish has rice noodles with chicken, thin slices of fish cake, bean sprouts and slices of hard-boiled egg. Pretty light on the stomach if you’re not feeling so great…
• Mohinga – This is the favourite breakfast dish. It is made from rice noodles in a tasty herbal broth. And of course, it has to have some crunchy stuff, in this case, it is banana pith that adds the crunch.

A Brief History of Myanmar

Myanmar or I should say Burma, has a turbulent history… Run as a ‘province of India’ under the British Raj, Burma has seen numerous invasions and battles over the years. The Japanese occupied Burma during WWII and the country saw some of the fiercest jungle fightings ever recorded.

The Japanese rushed across the country, quickly overwhelming poorly equipped British forces and threatening India with an invasion. Hoping that the Japanese may bring change, Burmese nationalistic groups came together under the leadership of General Aung San to fight against the British. It didn’t take General Aung San long to realise that the Japanese were even worse than the British and towards the end of the war General Aung San switched sides and helped to advance British forces to kick out the Japanese.

General Aung San fast emerged as a national hero and is often referred to as ‘the father of the nation’. He penned an agreement with the British for Burmese Independence within a year but in July 1947 he was assassinated along with several other prominent figures by political rivals. Burma went into mourning and a few months later, on 4 January 1948, the country gained its independence.

From here, things spiralled rapidly out of control. For ten years, the government struggled to contain ethnic uprisings by groups who wanted to stand apart from Burma.

Communist and other insurgencies kept the army busy and many atrocities were committed as the country slid further into bankruptcy due to poor management and the ravages of WWII. In 1958, General Ne Win announced that he would govern the country in a ‘caretaker’ position. Two years later he solidified his dictatorship with an army coup.

Ne Win’s new revolutionary council suspended the constitution and began authoritarian military rule. Tens of thousands went ‘missing’ as the army waged numerous wars against insurgencies on every front from groups determined to live in a free Burma.

The countries economy withered further and international visitors were limited to a handful of major cities that could only be visited with some serious paperwork. In 1988, Ne Win announced he was retiring and hundreds of thousands took to the streets to demand fair elections. The army intervened and fired blindly into crowds of protestors, killing an estimated ten thousand civilians.

Thousands of student and democracy groups fled to the border regions which were largely under Ethnic militia group control and began to plan. At this time, as if a sign from the God’s themselves, Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of the father of the nation, General Aung San, returned to Burma after many years of absence and threw herself into the political fray.

Myanmar in Modern Times

In an attempt to quell international condemnation for violence against civilians, the military announced it would hold multi-party elections. After much convincing by student groups, Aung San Suu Kyi and like-minded colleagues founded the National League for Democracy.

The new party swept across Burma gathering more and more support. In the final hour, when victory seemed imminent, Ne Win orchestrated another army coup from behind the scenes and the country was thrown back once more.

Although committed to non-violence, Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest in July 1989 for “endangering the state” and kept there for the next six years.

Desperate to improve their image and generate foreign investment, the generals held the multi-party elections they had promised. Despite the army’s severe repression against members of opposition parties and the complete lack of freedom of expression throughout the country, Suu Kyi’s NLD party swept to victory with 82% of the vote.

Surprised and outraged, the army refused to acknowledge the election results and has retained its repressive grip on power ever since. In a bid to promote unity amongst the country, Burma was renamed to Myanmar in 1989 so that not only the Burmese people were reflected in the name of the country. In a further bid to protect their grip on power, the capital was moved from Yangon to Naypyidaw – a ghost-town in the middle of the jungle…

In 2002, Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest and the political situation began to thaw as her party was given some minor powers. The first tourists began to trickle into the country and slowly but surely word got out about Myanmar… An incredible, beautiful country with a dark history, filled with some of the world’s kindest people and an uncertain path ahead of it.

In 2007, violence erupted again as the army turned on peaceful protests by thousands of monks across the country campaigning for improved human rights and a proper democracy. The Monks protests became known as ‘The Saffron Revolution’ and Myanmar was, once more, a scary place to be a civilian.

Many army units refused to use force against the monks. Sadly, this was not the case across the whole army and an unknown number of civilians and monks were killed in clashes with riot police and army units.

Since 2007, Myanmar has emerged blinking into the light and more and more backpackers have rocked up to explore this truly incredible country. I wanted to cover the history of Myanmar here because if you really want to understand Myanmar it helps if you understand some of the challenges that the nation, and its people, have had to face over the recent years.

On February 1st 2021, Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested alongside other high ranking members of her government. The military had once again orchestrated a coup – although many believe they had been entering increasing influence behind the scenes for many years. There has been mass resistance to the takeover – but as of yet, the military has not been overthrown. Now that the people of Myanmar have had a taste of democracy, they do not want to give up.

I have hope for the future of Myanmar, but it remains to be seen whether the military will commit to protecting human rights instead of violating them. The UN has described Mynamar as being in a state of civil war due to the mass resistance to the regime by the people. All the power to them for standing up and fighting for a better world.

From the nomadic tribes of the ocean to the secrets hiding in the jungles of Myanmar, there is so much in Myanmar to sink your teeth into!

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

Trekking in Myanmar

Myanmar is a fantastic place to head out on a trek and the sky really is the limit. Provided you have the backpacking adventure gear for the job, you can head off on extremely ambitious two-week treks around Shan or Chin state and the Chinese Himalayas, which require special permits. These places are some of the last backpacker frontiers in Southeast Asia offering a whole bunch of unclimbed peaks…

Most people opt to do the very easy trek from Kalaw back to Inle Lake, although Pindaya to Inle is a better trek. Trekking in Myanmar is a fantastic experience and you can expect to crash out in local monasteries and homestays which will give you a great chance to interact with the very friendly local people.

Shan state is also a popular place to go trekking and there are some great hikes to be had around Kachin state as well… There are definitely plenty of off the beaten track adventures in Myanmar which have never been written about, go and find them! It is well worth taking a cheap travel tent , especially if you are on a budget.

Smile and smile a lot! Myanmar people are some of the friendliest and smiliest I’ve encountered backpacking Asia. But, of course, they’re reserved and shy too. I guarantee if you walk around with a big cheesy grin, you’ll find it reciprocated in droves!

And on that note…

Just Be Good to Myanmar

Writing your name in black marker on temples, chugging beer while shirtless, swearing loudly, and visiting unethical animal attractions? You, Sir, are a twat. Luckily, most backpackers don’t fall into this category but all the same, it can be easy to lose yourself when you travel.

It’s easy to get carried away in Southeast Asia: everything is so damn cheap and so much fun. I’m in no way the perfect traveller; I’ve been the drunken idiot on the street. I know first hand just how hard it is to be the one person in a group to say no when somebody comes up with a stupid idea that, for some reason, everybody is down for.

By no means am I telling you not to drink, smoke and party. Do it and love it. Just don’t get so drunk you turn into an imbecile your mum would be ashamed of.

If you want to see elephants, then go and see them, but do your research first. Look up ethical animal sanctuaries and understand the prevalence of abuse in the elephant tourism industry .

If you’re not into seeing the temples, no worries but don’t be disrespectful, inappropriate or deface them – certainly, do not try to wander in shirtless.

Wear a helmet when you hop on a motorbike in Asia. The local people are sick of scraping foreigners off the road and, trust me, you don’t look cool for not wearing a helmet.

Humans are humans; treat people you meet along the way with the same respect you would show your friends and family back home. You are not superior to anyone including the girls/guys walking the streets.

Regardless of your beliefs and thoughts on prostitution, remember this is another person with thoughts, feelings, and a life outside of the sex industry too. You are not superior to these people; you just happen to be from a more privileged background. One roll of the cosmic dice is all that ever separates you from anyone else.

Go to Asia and have the time of your life; do the things you’ve dreamed of but be respectful along the way. There are enough shitty tourists out there. Be someone that makes the world a better place simply by wandering it.

It’s a damn beautiful place; there are countless epic reasons to visit Myanmar. It really is like stepping into a time machine: Myanmar offers travellers one of the last chances to see an unspoilt Southeast Asia. And in that sense…

Edited by Indigo Atkinson in January 2022 .

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66 Comments

Hi there, really great post about myanmar. I just arrived yesterday and wanted to add a piece of information: From Yangon airport there is a bus (with AC) to the city center for 500 MMK. Just outside of the arrival gate, cross the street and walk to the left for about 200 m. You need the exact change though.

Excellent update, Ive added it in! Thanks Dominik.

hello Will,

I first want to thank you for guiding my plans into Myanmar. Your dedication to travel and helping others with the traveling spirit keeps the journey alive, it truly does! I have only begun my planning and I would like to visit the Mergui Archipelago. However, visiting the Monken Sea Gypsy people will be a life time experience. Will I be able to meet them without the expensive 8 day cruise? Can I get connected to them at the fish port in Mergui where the day trips to the archipelago leaves from? Thank you! I will visit for maybe 3 weeks in total then moving on to Malaysia.

Regards, Cynthia

Hey Cynthia and thanks so much for your kind words. I believe that if you do head down to the coast you will most likely be able to arrange a local fisherman to take you out to some of the sea gypsy settlements but the more remote ones are only really accessible via a multi-day boat trip. Good luck!

Epic read, love the content and photos!

Excellent blog post, and thank you for sharing some very helpful thoughts!!! Best of luck with your travels.

Why Will! I’ve been reading so many of your blogs! It’s going to be my first time in India, Nepal and heading to south east Asia as a solo trip! Cant wait although a bit scared, but I guess in a good way 🙂 your blogs make it all sound so easy! I just have one question, I was going to head to Thailand after Nepal, then go to Myanmar overland and the wanted to enter Thailand again and continue downwards to loas .. but I read that there are a few restrictions to enter Thailand twice? Do you know anything about that?

You’ll be fine entering Thailand twice, don’t worry 🙂

Hey, awesome article! Is the geocache still there 🙂

I don’t know – it was succesfully visited 6 months ago so hopefully yes 🙂

Great info, Thank for sharing this. i’m a backpacker currently exploring asia and from MY

Hey Will… Thanks for all the informations here. I think about to travel Myanmar next year for a couple weeks. What is your favourite place to relax a few days at the beach? 🙂 Manu

Great country and full rich traditions and culture. Pictures are amazing to watch.

Hi Will! Love your summary. I’ve been all over SE Asia, but never to Myanmar. I’m thinking of booking a last-minute flight on miles next week and spending all of September there. Thoughts on being there at the end of rainy season? I thought it would be less crowded and since I have some time, I could account for a few rainy days.

Such a helpful and relevant page! I’m planning to travel solo, 4 days maybe, on first week of December this year. From Bangkok to Yangon to Bagan. Is it advisable to travel those dates? Thanks

I don’t see why not to travel on those dates 🙂

This post is the best! I was really planning to go to Mandalay but when I read your POV on Mandalay, then I will stick instead to Bagan and Yangon. Thank you and happy travelling.

Thanks, this is a really useful guide. Two of us flying to Yangon this Friday from the UK and I am really looking forward to travelling around the country! Is anybody else travelling at this time? Nicolax

Off-roading in Myanmar is the best! We were able to find small and less popular temples and we had fun finding secret passages to go on top of the temples. Your photos are very beautiful particularly your photo of hot air balloons flying over temples and pagodas. Unfortunately, we were not able to witness that because we visited Bagan during the rainy season. I guess we just found a reason to come back here. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos and inspiring story.

It’s not possible to stay in monasteries in Hpa-An anymore as they required a special permit that they don’t have. ;(

That’s such a shame – thanks for the update though!

Hello Will, Thank for your great post! Do you know about bring an electric bicycle from Thailand to Myanmar, is it legal?

No idea amigo.

Do you think it is safe for a solo women to backpack Myanmar? I am quite used to backpack alone, I did some countries in Africa and all of eastern and western Europe by myself but never been to Asia.

Definitely 100% – it’s one of the safest, and most friendly, countries I’ve been to.

we are going to Myanmar in July for a month. We fly to Bangkok and will make the crossing by land. Do you have any experience with traveling there in the rain season? Also, is camping out an option or is it not worth bringing a tent during that time? I’m guessing there are fewer tourists during that time and it’s less stressful with accommodation, or am I wrong here?

Thank you for your answers and your awesome detailed guide

I travelled there in June five years ago and holy shit… it was hot. You can definitely camp out and if you like proper adventures, take a tent and rent a motorbike 🙂 You should ALWAYS book Bagan accomodation ahead of time, no matter what time of year it is.

I live in Germany, Dortmund and I love visiting the city and others around, each time I visit a new city I learn something new. God bless Germany and it’s people

Hi Will, how are your travels to PNG? You mentioned to “Avoid travelling in the ‘private’ mini-vans.” Why is this the case?

Hey buddy, I’m getting to PNG… slowly but surely! The private minivans are crazy fucking crowded, and driven by maniacs.

Wow what an amazing and complete guide..thank you for sharing. I want to visit Myanmar someday soon so this is very helpful! x

This is a great article! Thank you for giving us such detailed guide. This will surely help tons of wanderers. Looking forward to more travel stories from you!

Many thanks Will for your detailed and helpful post and itinerary! You are a fantastic source of information. I visited 7 places you mention here and stayed at your recommended accommodations in each town. Your guide was my constant companion and it worked wonderfully. Happy journeys to you! Thank you.

Yay! Awesome, Burma is a truly amazing place…

Thanks so much for posting this detailed description of your travels, it is most helpful in navigating the fast-changing landscape here! All the travel guides seem out of date!

My partner and I are planning to head to Pindaya tomorrow upon your advice, to trek from there to Inle instead of from Kalaw. We’re doing this fairly last-minute, so plan A is to look for a guide in Pindaya, but you mention this trek could be performed solo with a GPS, which we have. How would you handle lodgings if you did such a thing? I’m assuming there isn’t much in the way of towns or inns, so we’d have to be pretty bang on with our plans as to where to land…and google’s database is still fairly empty for that area. Thanks for the help, and looking forward to your next travels!

Hey Will! This was an awesome article and super helpful! My boyfriend and I are looking at getting from Mandalay to Chiang by land … I am not finding any good information on this. Have you heard anything about this?

Mandalay to Chiang Mai? Yeah that’s possible but you would have to connect through one of the land-borders and then probably via Yangon…

Yeah! I also have one backpacking trip in Myanmar and visit all places in the post. That’s one unforgettable memories! I love the life, scenery, air and everything here includes the river, mountain, locals…I’ve just write a trip quite clearly about this lands!

Hi Will, Your photos are very beautiful, it made me add Myanmar to my travel list! It helped me realize how this country was able to preserve its’ culture and with that it’s definitely worth exploring!

I found that your trip is very useful to me. May I know how you manage to book your hostel? Normally you walk in to ask the price or do some online booking? May I know how you book Hpa-an soe’s brother guesthouse?

Regards, pei pei

Hey Pei Pei,

I do a bit of both depending on where Im headed and what I think availability will be like. Its always good to see a place before booking it, but if very short on time or accommodation is limited in a certain place, I try and get at least the first night online.

For Soh Brothers Guesthouse, I would recommend calling ahead, by phone, when you arrive in Myanmar. It’s also possible that more places are taking bookings online now, so check out that possibility too. Have a great trip!

Just wanted to say thank you for you post, as it is helping me planning my trip next month to Myanmar. I can’t do as much as you have done as I will have only 2 weeks. But I will try my best to enjoy every moment possible 🙂 Regards

wonderful article! Full of useful details, thanks for sharing. Just found this after travelling Myanmar for a month. My favorite country so far. People have the most incredible smiles. I agree with your recommendations. Maruk U is a magical place,one of my favorites. it took us 30 h in a local bus from Yangon on super bumpy streets. Flying might be more comfortable. Or taking a few breaks in between 😉

So glad you found this useful, Johanna! An epic bus trip but so worth it. It’s a truly magical country.

Hey Will, We just finished a month in Myanmar. The visa process is 100% online now. Much easier than going to the embassy. Prices haven’t changed much although we did find accommodation was priced unusually high for SEA. We didn’t spend any USD. Most of the time prices worked out much cheaper in MKK. One guesthouse gave us the option of 30 USD vs 30000 MKK. That’s 20% cheaper in MKK. Go figure. We missed out on Mrauk Au as well. Just too difficult and expensive to get to. We plan on returning later this year. Pete

Im so looking forward to getting back to Myanmar on this trip. Great budgeting tip for paying in Kyat over USD too, thanks Pete!

this was a good page, bad sadly extremely outdated, there are now 4 landcrossings possible, the dollar is 1300 kyats ( not 850) , no need to take dollars with you, Still impossible to reach Namshan from Hsipaw.( 30 jan 2015)- no more jumping cats at inle, ….after more than 3 years you should update it or close it.

You are totally right – thanks for bringing this to my attention! I’ll get this page updated with newer information as soon as possible 🙂

Hey Will, thanks for your very much helpful guide to Burma! Im going there in January planning to visit Yangon, Bagan, Kalaw and Ngapali. I would like to go trekking in Kalaw for 1-2 days, to you have any tips on where to stay/where I can find a guide for the trekking? Would appreciate any tips from you! Thanks! Emelie

Hey Emelie! I didn’t trek in kalaw as even when there four years ago it was becoming a little commercialised. I trekked in hsipaw which was awesome, and I definitely recommend!

You have a great and very informative guide. It gave me a lot useful tips for my next planning trip to Myanmar. Thank you.

In your post you said “You can catch a night bus from Hpa-an to Mandalay”, have you happened to know if there is night bus from Mandalay to Hpa-an? I googled but have no info.

Thanks, Khuyen

I heard that there was once a week but I myself didn’t catch it or get to verify it… Good luck! 🙂

Great post! I just returned from Myanmar and loved it so much… Check out my blog for more inspiration and tips: http://bonatravels.com/2015/06/13/country-summary-myanmar/

Just stumbled upon your website when someone shared 10 reasons to go to Myanmar. LOVE this guide. I was in Asia last year, but at the last minute opted to go to Malaysia rather than Myanmar. I will almost certainly be back, probably next year!

Thanks for such a great guide – much appreciated!

No worries Beanie! Thanks for the feedback 🙂 I loved Myanmar, can’t wait to go again! 🙂

Hey Will, I wanted to tell you ot was very helpful all of this, also that it is very easy to come from thailand overland through mae sot, 9 hr bye bus from BKK. It is near Hpa An and extreamly cheap to get here. Important to know that traffic flows up every other day so if you come in the wrong day you will have to stay in myawaddy for the night. The traffic goes up in 2015 on the even days of February, March, May and July. On the odd days of April, June and August. It could change. They are making the road with two lanes but not done yet.

Wow, that’s great!! Thanks for sharing, Burma is obviously opening up quickly indeed! 🙂

Hi Will! Great blog. I’m going to Myanmar next month so your information is invaluable 🙂 Btw, do you know how I can book a room at Royal Guesthouse at Mandalay?

I’m afraid I don’t… perhaps get another hostel in Myanmar to give them a ring? Thats what we normally did, well worth doing as there’s very little backpacker accommodation around!

Thanks for your suggestion. I’ll try 🙂

Thanks so much for all this great info- I’m psyched to see Myanmar! How did you make your way down to the peninsula and to the beaches? I’ve been getting a lot of conflicting info on other blogs. I think I’m set in transportation around central and north Myanmar. Thanks so much again!

Hi Caroline! Great to hear from you! Myanmar is amazing, you will have such an awesome time! How long are you going to spend in Myanmar? I was able to hitch most of the way to beaches on pick-up trucks, it wasn’t too hard to get a life and I sometimes paid fuel money to help the driver out, when asked. I want to go back to Myanmar to spend a full month just trying to explore the islands, it’s hard though – you need to make friends with a fishermen and get him to take you out or go on an organised tour..

Hi Will! nice article. Couple of questions: 1) how did you do with the language? For example, for busses or hitchiking, how do you find out/ ask for your destination? 2) In some countries, people are very open and invite you to sleep at their plalce. Is it true that in Myanmar is forbidden for locals to host travellers? Cheers. Manuela

Hi Manuela! In Burma I found that although most local people did not speak English, everybody was very friendly and usually someone would understand a place name and help me get on the right bus. I found hitchhing very easy – local people pulled over and if they understood where you wanted to go would happily take you there. In Myanmar, it is true that is forbidden for locals to host travellers (for now) so I didn’t do any couchsurfing whilst I was out there which was a shame. However, when trekking in the highlands villagers would often invite me in and let me stay with them for free – I guess it depends on a case by case basis and how strong the Government’s presence is in a region. Hope that helps! 🙂

Really helpful article, Im hoping to head to Myanmar later this year. Possibly using one of the land boarders I’ve heard have been opened. Thanks in particular for the detailed explanation of how to find the embassy in BKK. Im really looking forward to Bagan!

Perhaps see you on the road some time.

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