a memorable trip in myanmar essay

A Tourist Attraction In Myanmar Essay

This essay sample essay on A Tourist Attraction In Myanmar Essay offers an extensive list of facts and arguments related to it. The essay’s introduction, body paragraphs and the conclusion are provided below.

Shwedagon Pagoda Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, was the capital of Myanmar, is known for its colonial architecture, which although decaying, remains an almost unique example of a 19th-century British colonial capital. Friendly street vendors, traditionally dressed local people, attracting old Chevrolet buses and trishaws, all make a feel like a museum of Yangon downtown life.

Shwedagon, the heart of Yangon, is the most profoundly honoured pagoda in the country and interesting history behind.

According to the legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda was constructed during the time of the Buddha which is more than 2,500 years ago and where the holy hair relics of the Buddha were enshrined. Towering to a height of 326 feet (100 meters) above the city, Shwedagon Pagoda is the famous landmark noticeable from miles around. It is one of the wonders of the world and the most revered pagoda in Southeast Asia.

BAGAN Bagan, in the past which was known as Pagan, is the place where the heart of the country ancient architecture lies. It is located in the upper part of Myanmar and is the capital of Myanmar’s first dynasty.

Top Destinations In Myanmar

More than 2,000 temples and stupas are located in the area and can be found along the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady river spreading in 42 square kilometers of a dessert like plain geographical location.

Proficient in: Culture

“ Amazing as always, gave her a week to finish a big assignment and came through way ahead of time. ”

Pagodas can be found mostly covered in reddish color and religious monuments which were built more than 1,500 years ago and it can be said that Bagan, is the most memorable place for visitors coming to Myanmar. There are different methods of transportations are available such as: by car, horse cart or by cycling for those who would like to do sightseeing around Bagan.

What is more, visitors can also enjoy an idyllic sunset boat trip along the Ayeyarwaddy river to enjoy the beautiful sunset while enjoying a cold drink. MANDALAY Mandalay is located between one of the most historical Ayeyarwaddy river and the Shan state. In other words, the location itself is the central of Myanmar geographically which leads the city to become the economic hub of Upper Burma and considered the center of Myanmar culture. The unique culture of Mandalay city is the transportation method of how people travel.

In other words, among the local people, Mandalay is known is the cycling city where majority of the Mandalay citizens prefer to travel on bikes rather than relying on other transports. As it can be said that, Mandalay is nearer to Bagan and also the central of the country itself, as a result, various traditions and cultures can be found in the city itself which is why, every visitors should always go to Mandalay when they are in Myanmar not just only for sightseeing purpose but visitors can also see and observe different cultures and traditions of Myanmar in one place. INLE LAKE

Inle, located in the Shan Hills in Myanmar is a freshwater lake with numerous villages against the foggy mountain ranges. The weather of Inle Lake differs from other places in the country as the air is a bit cooler and drier. The unique culture which visitors can find in Inle Lake is, fishermen have tendency to row boats using their legs and it is also a part of the Inle tradition itself. Other significant scenery that one can expect to see in the Inle Lake such as: floating tomatoes fields around the lake, gardens of flowers properly anchored to the lake bed with bamboo poles.

The friendliness of the local people and their unique daily life activities spice things up a little bit better for visitors that they can enjoy a pleasant trip alongside the lake yet enjoy the sincere of the local community. GOLDEN ROCK (Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda) Golden Rock, in Myanmar language known as KyiteHteeYoe Pagoda is one of the breath-taking and also a sacred place for Myanmar people. It is located in Mon State and perched on the highest mountain of Paunglaung mountain range.

To travel to KyiteHteeYoe pagoda, it will take a 4-hour drive from Yangon, where it will proceed in an open truck uphill to hermit hill. The rock and the pagoda are at the top of Mt. Kyaiktiyo. It is the third most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Burma after the Shwedagon Pagoda and the Mahamuni Pagoda. A glimpse of the “gravity defying” Golden Rock is believed to be enough of an inspiration for any person to turn to Buddhism.

It is the best place for those who would like to have a legendary pilgrimage because the Golden Rock itself is placed on top of the mountain and visitors can choose whether to take a bus to go to the top of the mountain or trekking up to the mountain which will take around 5 hours while being able to enjoy various legendary milestones along the way making to the top of the mountain. MONYWA Monywa, is located in Sagaing Division, in Myanmar, and geographically 136km northwest of Mandalay along the eastern bank of River Chindwin. It will take 3 hours drive from Mandalay via Sagaing in order to get to Monywa.

There are many places to visit around in the area and one of many attractions is the Poewindaung mountain caves where visitors can observe the incredible stone curving and mural paintings all over the cave. Thanboday pagoda is also another major attraction of Monywa, according to the myth the solid section of the monument is engraved 7350 relics and other holy items. Boddhi-tataung (1000 Buddhas), a group of banyan trees with a Buddha image at each of the tree feet is another place where most visitors would obviously should not miss on their trip to Monywa.

Being able to enjoy a one-thousand banyan trees with Buddha images together in one place within one’s eyesight is a moment will never forget those who has been to Monywa. PUTAO Putao is located in Kachin State, Myanmar which is also the northernmost town of Kachin State. It was once the site of World War II British Fort Hertz. Transportation to get to Putao has a bit of constraint as getting to Putao by road is only available during summer, however; it is accessible year round by air if there are enough visitors/tourists group to justify a plane.

Putao is popular for having rare orchids which grow naturally in the area. Obviously, it is the place for those who love orchid to visit and a rare orchid specie name called “Black Orchid” grow in the mountains western and eastern of Putao. The weather in Putao can be said cooler than the rest of the entire Myanmar and iceberg and mountain covered in snow can be seen almost throughout the year in certain part of Putao. MRAUK U

Mrauk U, is an ancient city and situated in Rakhine State, Myanmar and it is also one of the most important site for archaeologists to observe different artifacts in the area. Mrauk U lies Eastern Kaladan River and is surrounded by hills in both northern and southern part. King Narameikhla (1404 – 1434 A. D) founded Maruk Oo and remained the same as the capital for the next 400 years. To reach to Mrauk Oo, visitors need to take boat about 5 hours from Sittwe following along the bend of the Kalatan river.

It can be said that Mrauk U is another ancient city with lots of pagodas spreading over the land just as it is in Bagan but with entirely different architecture which were built in different times back in ancient Myanmar history. NGWE SAUNG Beach Ngwe Saung beach is situated near Yangon city and it can be reached within a 5-hour drive from Yangon. The beach itself is approximately 9 miles long and one of the longest beach in South East Asia and newly opened beach in Ayeyarwaddy delta region interconnected with the Andaman Sea.

Moreover, Ngwe Saung is located a bit south of Ngapali which is also another popular beach resorts in Myanmar. Though, the beach itself was recently opened, due to the incredible quality of the beach, water and sand, it is getting more and more attention from tourists and becoming more popular. It is not just that the beach is good in quality but it also has incredible vistas and breathtaking view of the Bay of Bengal especially during the evening when the sun goes set. NGAPALI Beach

Ngapali is located in Rakhine State and stretches along the Bay of Bengal and it lies in Rakhine State of Myanmar. Ngapali is said to be one of the best beaches in Myanmar where most natural are untouched where visitors can enjoy the true nature of the beach itself. It is famous for its natural and unspotted beauty up to this day. The beach stretches about 3 km with soft white sand fringed by coconut palms. It is the best place for those leading a modern life in urban areas and looking for a place to enjoy the nature beauty of the beach itself.

The beach is unlike like other beaches around the world where it is very crowded along the beach and hawkers persuading visitors to buy their products. There are other organized recreational activities where visitors can participate such as: beach strolling, cycling and many more. It has also the perfect sunbathing ground. The sea cobalt blue, without any dangerous marine animals and clean as well. There are a few fishermen villages nearby and it can be arranged to visit to those villages on bicycle tour. Most local people believe that the best time to visit the beach is in during October and May of every year.

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Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — Developing Country — The Perfect Country: Myanmar

The Perfect Country: Myanmar

• Categories: Developing Country Transportation

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Words: 613 |

Published: Feb 12, 2019

Words: 613 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Works Cited

• Aung-Thwin, M. A. (2017). The mists of Rāmañña: The legend that was lower Burma. University of Hawai'i Press.
• Bird, G., Soe, H. K., & Willcox, M. (2016). Checklist of the Birds of Myanmar. Lynx Edicions.
• Cho, W. K. T. (2017). Ethnicity, conflict and inequality in Myanmar. Routledge.
• D'Cunha, J. M., & Ong, D. K. (2019). Tourism in Southeast Asia: Challenges and new directions. Routledge.
• Hill, J. (2014). Through the Jade Gate to Rome: A Study of the Silk Routes during the Later Han Dynasty, 1st to 2nd Centuries CE. BookBaby.
• Kyaw, T. M., & Aung, T. T. (2021). Tourism development and sustainability in Myanmar. Routledge.
• Myanmar. (2022, March 11). In CIA World Factbook. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/myanmar/
• Myanmar. (2022, March 11). In World Tourism Organization. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://www.unwto.org/myanmar
• Tin, H. H. (2021). Golden Myanmar. White Lotus Press.
• Win, N. N. (2017). Buddhism and Buddhist Art in Myanmar. Asia Society.

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Photo Essay: Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan is the highlight of Myanmar and for many travelers the only reason to visit this fascinating country. With roughly 4400 temples Bagan earned the name of “Temple Capital of the World”. The temples date from around the same period as those of Angkor. Maybe Angkor’s individual temples may be more spectacular, but Bagan’s brilliance is in the amazing views of temple upon temple dotting the plain. Dusk and dawns are simply magnificent.

I spent 2 days, in late 2013, walking and cycling around the enormous site. Here’s my photo essay of that day.

Photo Essay

I got to Bagan at 4 in the morning with the overnight bus from the capital, Yangon . For accommodation you have 3 options: Old Bagan (big wallet), New Bagan (midrange wallet) or Nyaung U (small wallet). As a die-hard backpacker I chose to stay at the May Kha Lar Guest House in Nyaung U which is a short stroll from the bus station.

The majestic Thatbyinnyu Temple in Bagan.

Bagan is a fascinating place!

The best way to see the ancient site of Bagan is by bicycle. You can choose between an old fashioned bicycle or a super fancy pink electric bike. I thought I’m Dutch, I’m used to ride a bicycle, so I chose the old fashioned one. Well I wish I didn’t. The roads are bad, bumpy and some fully covered with sand which makes it really hard and exhausting to ride a bicycle. The second day I had put away my pride I chose the pink electric bike instead.

So many striking temples to choose from!

Above: The architecture of the Bagan temples is impressive – Below: Golden Buddhas can be found inside many temples

With 4400 temples waiting for me I was overwhelmed: where do I start? I did a bit of research beforehand and targeted a few big-name temples which formed the basis of my circuit. But the real fun in Bagan is in discovering temples as you cycle around.

Sometimes it feels like you have all the temples of Bagan for yourself.

Many temples can be climbed; look for a doorway, which most of times means that there’s a narrow stairway which leads to a viewing platform. The views from the top of these temples are just unbelievable. It gives you a great perspective of the size of this ancient site; hundreds of temples in every direction. I needed some time to take this all in; just Wow!

I can’t get enough of these fascinating temples.

All temples to be entered barefoot.

The temples have to be entered and climbed barefoot, so wear comfortable shoes as you have to take them off and put them back on quite some times during the day. And off course, needless to say, bring plenty of water.

Climb temples to get amazing views of Bagan’s mind blowing site.

One day is not enough for Bagan’s enormous archaeological site.

A few temples worth exploring are: Thatbyinnyu Pahto (Bagan’s highest temple), Ananda Pahto, Buledi (good for sunrise), Shwesandaw Paya, Dhammayangyi Phato, Sulamani Phato, Pyathada Paya (good for sunset) and Mingalazedi.

Temples can be seen in every direction!

Perfect place for a lunch stop!

The temples of Bagan are extremely peaceful and it will happen quite some times that you will have the temple and its amazing view all for yourself. You start to wonder how this place would have been back in its glory days over 800 years ago.

Above: Incredible view of Bagan, Myanmar – Below: Renting a horse cart is a great way to see the area

If you want to take it slow (and avoid the burning sun) you can also arrange a horse cart for the day. These horse carts are already waiting for you as soon as you get off the overnight bus from Yangon. You can jump right in the cart and head off to one of the temples for a sublime Bagan sunrise. I chose for a few more hours of sleep in my hotel 😉

The mist makes it a bit mythical and medieval.

Stunning architecture.

Another way to see the site in its full glory is by a hot air balloon. During sunrise you will see heaps of hot air balloons scattering around the sky. A bit too pricey for me with rates around $300. A bicycle is just fine for me 🙂

Bagan is pure magic.

I recommend 2 to 3 days for the archaeological site of Bagan.

I’m not a big morning person so I skipped the sunrises over Bagan, but instead in the late afternoon I chose one of my favorite temples and waited until the sunset kicked in. A surreal and breathtaking view! The mist helps to create a mythical and medieval atmosphere.

Every temple is unique in its own way.

Sunset is kicking in.

With no doubt: Ancient Bagan is one of the most spectacular sights in Southeast Asia. The views from any of the temples are just mind blowing. Bagan is not as busy as Angkor, but I’m not sure for how long this will last as the visa regulations for Myanmar are starting to loosen up which makes it a lot easier for travelers to enter this incredible country. Check it out before it becomes the second Angkor!

Wanna see more travel pics? Check out my Photo Gallery

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Home » Travel Guides » Myanmar » 15 Best Places to Visit in Myanmar

15 Best Places to Visit in Myanmar

Erstwhile Burma – now Myanmar – has slowly but surely been coming into the tourist fold in the last couple of decades. As the iron-fist of its military junta slackens and fair elections sweep across the nation, there’s a newfound love for the backpacker and adventure traveler. The country -sandwiched between India and the mainstays of Southeast Asia – certainly has its fair share of awesome things to see though. You can experience the frenetic pulse of modern Burmese life in the pagoda-topped metropolis of Yangon. Or, you can hike wild hills in the old lands of the Shan Kings, meeting lake farmers at Inle and the rusting relics of British rule in Kalaw.

There are oodles of ancient temples here too, with places like Bagan coming up trumps with its carved stupas and old Hindu motifs, not to mention fascinating Buddhist relics and some seriously sun-kissed beaches lining the Bay of Bengal.

Lets explore the best places to visit in Myanmar :

Breathtaking Bagan bags a well-deserved top spot on this list of the best places to visit in Myanmar.

The reason? Most all travelers who head this way leave with a distinct sense of awe and amazement.

And it’s easy to see why! A sea of countless temple tops pierce the clouds and the forests; plumes of dust coalesce at the spires of ancient stupas; the faded outlines of forgotten Hindu demigods beckon from the great platforms, and all the while the serrated tips of the Arakan Mountains loom in the background.

Seeing Bagan by balloon is becoming increasingly popular, and offers a truly unique view over this 26-square-mile land of temples.

Yangon found glory in the days of British rule, rising with the rise of the Raj and becoming a patchwork of elegant Victorian townhouses and Georgian builds.

Much of that side of the city remains intact too, and today you can navigate the tuk-tuk-packed roadways to see the likes of St Mary’s Cathedral and its Anglo spires.

However, the real piece de resistance (and what typically magnetizes travelers to this erstwhile Burmese capital) has to be the Shwedagon Pagoda.

This marks the sacred spot where the holy lotus buds once appeared to signal the coming of Gautama Buddha and guide the learned to Nirvana.

Be sure to visit the site and wonder and the glimmering gold construction, the prayer rooms, and the exquisitely carved pavilions for pilgrims.

Kalaw has risen and risen on the Myanmar tourist scene to become one of the favored destinations for trekkers and adventurers hitting the country’s eastern mountains.

Perched high up on the ridges of the Shan hills, the spot began life as a mountain town under British rule, intended to offer a respite from the Asian heat of the plains below.

Today, visitors can still enjoy the cooling breezes of the highlands, along with a clutch of laid-back guesthouses, excellent food markets, and – most importantly – hiking without the need for a permit!

4. Mandalay

You can only imagine just how resplendent the city of Mandalay would have looked when that mighty Shwenandaw Monastery glimmered with its coverings of gold leaf, and it’s easy to see why even the very name of this mysterious temple-topped town in the depths of central Myanmar has inspired poems and lines by perhaps Asia’s most prolific English eulogizer: Kipling.

However, modern Mandalay does well to balance all those elegant Bamar pagodas and carved stupas with a real bout of Burmese pandemonium.

This is, after all, the second-largest town in Myanmar, a pilgrimage site (thanks to the Maha Myat Muni Paya), and a famous tourist destination (known for its walled Royal Palace) all rolled into one!

5. Kyaiktiyo

It’s just a short jaunt east from Yangon to the soaring heights of Mount Kyaiktiyo, which are famed as the home of one of the most revered Buddhist relics in the nation: the precariously-placed Golden Rock.

This awesome, gravity-defying mass of granite can be found perched on its own ledge atop the rolling forests and green hills of south-central Burma.

Legend has it that it’s suspended by a single thread of Buddha’s own hair, and (male) pilgrims come to scale the winding steps to the wonder to leave gold leaf and gain inspiration.

The site is surrounded by its own temple and pagoda, complete with immersive little shrines to lesser-known Buddhist spirits.

6. Inle Lake

The moment you spot the curious leg rowers of Inle Lake, and hear the creaking splash of those carved canoes drifting across the water, you’ll know you’re in the heartlands of rustic Myanmar.

A place where time has stood still, this huge body of water is peppered with stilted villages made of wood.

The locals are known for their on-surface agricultural methods, and you’ll be able to see dashes of green gardens growing straight from the lake.

Major religious sites like the Hpaung Daw U Pagoda (which has an amazing festival in late-summer) also dot the banks, but the real draw has to be the food, which oozes fresh herbs, Chinese spices and lake-caught fish.

There’s no sand stretch in all of Myanmar as popular as Ngapali.

A large curve of yellow-white that arches its way around the Bay of Bengal, it’s got a lapping ocean of turquoise waves and a fringing of huge palm trees.

The occasional clutch of salt-washed fishing boats drift in and out of the bay during the day, feeding the kitchens with an endless supply of fresh seafood.

There are oodles of loungers dotting the sands too, and plenty of tour organizers offering SCUBA expeditions, water skiing, jet skiing, sea kayaking and more.

Ngapali also has its very own airport, making it one of the easier coastal spots to reach from the capital.

Pindaya is one of Myanmar’s more off-the-beaten-track religious sites.

It makes its home in the rising Shan Hills of the eastern Myelat region, and offers a unique glimpse at the deep Buddhist histories of the nation.

Formed from a series of deep caves, Pindaya is home to some 8,000 individual images of the Buddha, which can just be made out glimmering in gold and brass hues in the shadowy caverns.

You can also wallow on the lakeside in the town of Pindaya, which enjoys a prime location between the peaks, and at the start of the popular cross-mountain trekking routes to Kalaw to boot.

Prep the walking boots and thigh muscles for that trip to highland Hsipaw, because this onetime royal capital of the Shan peoples is slowly rising to compete with even aforementioned Kalaw on the trekking front.

Don’t be surprised if you get caught up in these deep northern mountains longer than you thought – not only are the sweeping views of sun-scorched forests to die for, but there’s a rich cultural tradition to uncover too.

You can experience this between the craft stalls of the town’s Central Market, or seek it out at the Shan Palace that still stands nostalgically atop the streets here.

Nestled between craggy, jungle-topped peaks and ringed by the reflective waters of the Thanlwin River, little Hpa-an is a rustic, rough-around-the-edges traveler town with some great hostels, guesthouses, and beer bars.

Head down the bustling strip of Zaydan Road to flit between the coffee joints and spice-scented roadside kitchens, or make a beeline for the pretty lakeside of Kan Thar Yar, which shimmers like a mirror within walking distance of the center.

And when it’s time to explore the karst peaks on the horizon, mysterious Mount Zwegabin and its hilltop monastery beckon.

11. Mawlamyine

A big city with a laid-back feel, Mawlamyine is a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of other Burmese metropolises like Yangon and Naypyidaw.

It can be found deep in the territory of the Mon, just a stone’s throw from the border with Thailand, where it exudes a different sort of cultural character than many other places on this list.

You’ll be able to climb to soaring pagodas like the Mahamuni Paya, which oozes Mon architectural twists, or you can see the high-perched Uzina Paya stupa, dressed in gold thanks to the offerings of countless pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the town’s Central Market bustles with fruit and veg sellers, and there’s the opportunity to take a boat across to curiously-named Shampoo Island (home to some interesting Buddhist shrines, not hair products!).

The many names of the Mergui Archipelago (this smattering of countless land masses in the Andaman Sea is also called Myeik Archipelago and the Pashu Islands) reflects the eclectic character of the various destinations it contains.

Largely untrodden, the wealth of more than 800 islets here offers up everything from secluded sands that glow pearl-white under the Asian sun to wild mangroves stalked by macaques (look to the reserves of large Lampi Island for some of the best of those). Sailing is becoming big here too, and yachters flock to enjoy flitting between the uninhabited rocks and coves, salt-washed fishing villages and the settlements of sea nomads.

13. Ngwe Saung

Ngwe Saung might not have the tropical perfection of Ngapali, but thanks to a prime location on the edge of the Bay of Bengal, along with a clutch of pretty coconut groves and five-star resort hotels (check out how those sparkling infinity pools merge with the blues of the Indian Ocean!), it’s slowly rising to become another of Myanmar’s top beach destinations.

Made for relaxation and rest, the long golden sands here are the prime attraction, of course.

However, it’s also possible to sample fantastic Southeast Asian seafood – just look to the folksy restaurants that line up along the shore.

14. Naypyidaw

Naypyidaw is not like anything else in the country.

Purpose-built and proclaimed the capital in a shock move by the then Burmese military leader Than Shwe back in 2005, it’s laid out in a rigid grid of imposing palaces and governmental buildings, nationalist monuments and grand constructions.

Some see it as something of a hangover from the days when Burma was an iron-fist junta (even if that age is not completely vanished), others consider it a failed vanity project.

But whatever the impetus of Naypyidaw, its ambitious parliament complexes and colossal golden Uppatasanti Pagoda are certainly worth seeing!

15. Mrauk U

Something of a more off-the-beaten-track alternative to much-trodden Bagan, Mrauk U can be found between the dust-caked hills of Rakhine State, located in the far western reaches of the country.

It’s topped with countless stupas and temple spires, and offers an interesting glimpse of the age-old school of Arakanese religious building.

It’s also thought that Mrauk U grew into a powerful merchant center in the late Middle Ages, with boats drifting across the Bay of Bengal from trading partners like India and Persia, and even Portugal and Europe!

15 Best Places to Visit in Myanmar:

I Remember Myanmar

Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 ethnic groups, bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos, and Thailand. As of 2017, the population was about 54 million. Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the country’s largest city, is home to bustling markets, numerous parks, and lakes, and the towering, gilded Shwedagon Pagoda. The world-famous breathtaking Valley of Bagan is a true gem and also a World Heritage Site.

Dear Reader, enjoy this rare photo essay by our contributor Colin Johnson.

This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about. – Rudyard Kipling

Myanmar – The People are True Treasure

The people of Myanmar are the friendliest in the world. That is the answer to a question I’m often asked, “Who are your favorite people you’ve met during your travels?”

We all travel for many reasons; nature, wildlife, food, drink, shopping, nightlife, history, culture, etc. And when I am asked which nation is my favorite, I find it hard to give an answer. Each country excels in one of the categories listed above. But when I am asked about the people…the people of Myanmar are in a category of their own.

My trip to Myanmar, also known as Burma, was in 2015. Exiting the airplane in the city of Yangon I encountered smiling faces on everyone I saw. My guide for the first part of the trip met me at the airport and happily talked about his nation on the drive to our hotel. He was excited to show us his homeland and was especially proud of the fact that Myanmar had zero McDonald’s restaurants. The country hadn’t been commercialized by western corporations yet and felt culturally authentic wherever we traveled.

Buddhism in Myanmar

Buddhism is practiced by nearly 90% of the population of Myanmar and is predominantly of the Theravada tradition. It is the most religious Buddhist country in terms of the proportion of monks in the population.

The Buddhist monastic schools helped to give Burma a rate of literacy considerably above those of other East Asian countries in the early 1900s.

Myanmar – Golden Rock of Kyaiktiyo

The next morning we headed out of Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, to visit the golden rock of Kyaiktiyo in the east. Legend has it that the giant boulder precariously perched on the side of a cliff is held in place by a single strand of the hair of Buddha.

It has become a pilgrimage site for the nation’s Buddhist population, who flock to the site to pray, commune, and cover the rock in gold leaf as a sign of devotion. Getting to the site is not easy. Sitting in the back of an open bed truck up a switch-back road cut into the mountain is the only way to the top.

Pilgrimage to Golden Rock

The challenging journey to the top was well worth it. I had seen photographs of the golden rock, but seeing it in person was inspiring. The boulder barely touches the ledge below it. A strong breeze should send the rock toppling over the cliff, but it has withstood severe storms for millennia.

Each morning pilgrims buy food from the market stalls to leave as an offering near the rock. There is constant prayer and meditation during the day. At night pilgrims continue the praying and offering, including lighting candles and incense, before rolling out blankets on the tiled ground to sleep under the stars. The entire experience was amazing.

Most of the people visiting Kyaiktiyo are from the rural parts of Myanmar who never see Westerners beyond a Hollywood movie or a TV show. They were very curious about me and wanted to take photos. Pretty soon I was doing posed handshakes with people, and standing surrounded by school children. They were all so friendly and happy to have that interaction with me. They spoke no English, I spoke no Burmese…but we communicated with smiles and head nods. 

Often at religious places around the world, I would feel like an intruder or outsider. At Kyaiktiyo I was welcomed with the happy faces of people who were glad to have me experience something so important to them.

The Ritual at Kyaiktiyo

One of the rituals at Kyaiktiyo is applying gold leaf patches to the ‘Golden Rock’ for good luck. I asked our guide if it were possible for foreigners to touch the rock. He said only men could touch the rock which meant my wife Amanda had to stay behind. I made my way to the boulder. Suddenly I was standing before the miracle.

The pilgrims at the rock turned to me and smiled before parting enough for me to touch the gold-covered boulder. There was something intense about the experience I cannot put into words. I didn’t get a jolt of power or a feeling of nirvana, but I recognized something special about the moment. I think it was because this site means so much to the Burmese people…and I was welcomed to join them and share in that unique and special experience.

Of all the religious sites I have visited around the world, this one had the most profound impact on me. I couldn’t explain the natural phenomenon, maybe it is a miracle after all.

Myanmar Exploration Continues – Inle Lake

After Kyaiktiyo we traveled to Inle Lake. The community is called the ‘Venice of Asia’ because of the canals linking the elevated structures erected on the lake. The people of Inle Lake have learned to gather everything they need from the water itself. They fish the lake for the proteins they need, while harvesting vegetables in floating gardens or man-made patches of earth.

In Inle you travel everywhere by boat. The lake is a bustling city. There are restaurants, hotels, and markets. The hotel where we stayed doubled as a training site for young Burmese looking to get into the hospitality trade. They were eager to make our stay as perfect as possible. Over the course of the stay at the hotel on stilts, I never saw an employee without a genuine smile on their face. They loved what they were doing, were proud of their community, and happy to meet us.

In the morning I went out on a boat to capture the morning light. At the widest point in the lake, I encountered fishermen making their morning runs. As we floated by, the fishermen were smiling while I was taking photographs in the stunning morning light.

Local Markets

After the morning boat ride, we visited some local markets. This is where we encountered women from the Kayan tribe from the northeast border with Laos. The Kayan are famous for adding rings around the necks of women to elongate them. They are known as ‘giraffe women’ and often do masterful weaving.

The handicrafts in Myanmar were incredible. Outside of Inle Lake, we toured a silk factory and paper factory. At the paper factory, I watched artisans making umbrellas by hand, stunned at the level of craftsmanship. Immersed in their work, they always worked with a smile on their face.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart. –  Confucius

Myanmar Wonder – Valley of Bagan

After Inle Lake, we traveled to the Valley of Bagan, famous for being home to thousands of magnificent Buddhist temples.

Bagan is an ancient city and a UNESCO  World Heritage Site  in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar. From the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, the first kingdom that unified the regions that would later constitute Myanmar.

Our guide was a university professor who was excited to show us one of the most magical places on the planet. During the kingdom’s height between the 11th and 13th centuries, more than 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas, and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone. Today, only the remains of over 2,000 temples and pagodas survive.

We visited as many temples as we could during our stay, learning not only the history of each temple but insights into the land of Myanmar as well. Our guide was very open about his feelings of the past and future of Myanmar, but also the current political scene. This was refreshing to hear from a guide. He told me it was liberating to speak his mind on any and all topics because only a few years earlier he wouldn’t have allowed to speak to me beyond basic small talk and pleasantries.

Colin’s Parting Thoughts About Myanmar

Prior to visiting Myanmar, I knew little about the country. I knew it was located between India and Bangladesh to the west, Thailand and Laos to the east, with China to the north. I was aware it was a former British colony and major battleground during the Second World War.

But I was less aware of Myanmar’s history in the second half of the 20th century and after. That is because Myanmar fell under a strict military regime almost as soon as the British left. Media was controlled and outside visitors were limited, resulting in Myanmar being completely cut-off from the outside world. Free speech was non-existent, hence the joy of my guide to speak with us freely, beyond small talk and pleasantries.

Brief Recent History

In 2010, a democratic election was held and the military junta was defeated by a party led by activist, Aung San Suu Kyi. The new civilian leadership gradually ushered in an era of openness with the outside world. Aung San Suu Kyi, known affectionately as ‘The Lady’, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work turning the grim past of Myanmar toward a better future. Sadly, her image got tarnished when she didn’t denounce the treatment of the Rohingya people in regard to ethnic strife.

The military continued to hold a strong position in Myanmar and on February 1, 2021, they regained power in a coup d’etat.

Myanmar had a brief 10-year window of relative freedom. The people I met were ecstatic to be able to speak freely and have access to media and information from around the world. They were always joyful, friendly, and welcoming to see us wherever we went. Most of all, they were proud of their country and culture.

As anywhere in the world, most people just want to live their lives in peace and harmony. I wish the best for the people of Myanmar in their current circumstances. They are the friendliest people I have ever encountered in my journeys around the world and deserve a much better life.

I am glad I was able to visit Myanmar when I could, and I hope I can visit it again at some point in a better future. – Colin Johnson

All photographs are by Colin Johnson and are protected by copyright. For more information about using and linking photos please  Contact us.

Where Is It?

Asia travel

• By zestandcuriosity
• February 22, 2021 October 5, 2021

The incredible ancient city of Myanmar

The ancient city of Bagan was once one of the greatest cities in Myanmar – and Southeast Asia. Today it is in ruins but still an incredible place to visit.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

Updated: August 28, 2023

Bagan, Myanmar

It’s not clear exactly what happened to Bagan and how one of the greatest cities in Southeast Asia was left abandoned. Perhaps it was an invasion by the Mongols… perhaps it was the fear of an invasion by the Chinese.

Regardless, historians agree that sometime towards the end of the thirteenth century the population fled and left the enormous complex of incredible temples and palaces to the will of fate.

As it so happens, much of ancient Bagan has survived until today and it’s now one of the most important sites in Myanmar – if not the whole region.

The grand palaces, monasteries and official buildings would all have been made of wood and have been destroyed but the temples and pagodas were all made of stone and are still standing in surprisingly good condition.

From the top of the taller temples you can look out across the lands and see the religious structures for as far as they eye can stretch.

It’s said there are more than 4,000 temples over an area of more than 20 square kilometres… but when you’re talking about numbers that large, it’s hard to be exact.

All through the bushland of the region, the buildings poke out, different shapes and sizes, like grand old monoliths breaking out through the ground.

For about four centuries after the builders of the great city left, the area was left relatively untouched. It was considered to be haunted and the local people avoided it as much as possible.

It means that newer developments and communities didn’t overtake the land, so between each temple is just empty open space.

You could spend as long or as little time as you choose to explore the area.

In one day, you can get around on a bicycle and see a large number of temples. Or you could spend several days and really explore the variety on offer.

Inside many of them, small and large, are the faded remnants of murals on the walls and ceilings, or the religious relics the buildings were originally made to hold.

It truly must have been a grand city once. The main period of construction here was begun in the 11 th century by a king called Anawrahta who had been converted to Theravada Buddhism and wanted to prove his devotion to his newfound faith.

The building programme was continued by his successors during a period that would rival any great imperial expansion of the modern era.

The scale can seem daunting at first and it’s difficult to truly get a sense of how large the whole area really is. But slowly you begin to feel comfortable in the surrounds of the ruins.

They have a calming effect – especially the smaller ones where quite often you will be the only person there.

Walk inside and cool air will give you some respite from the beating sun outside. The noise of the world will disappear and the Buddha statues will almost speak to you with their ancient tongues.

The local Myanmar people were on to something when they felt that Bagan was haunted – but it’s not by evil spirits, as feared. It’s by the spirituality of a land where the total is more than the sum of its parts.

These days people still come and worship at the temples. It doesn’t matter they were built almost a thousand years ago – this is still a special and sacred place and to see it as a collection of ruins is to underestimate the connection between the earth and the divine.

37 thoughts on “The incredible ancient city of Myanmar”

More than 4,000 temples. Thats awesome. Really-really want to go there.

It’s a pretty breathtaking place. You should try to get there before it becomes even busier!

Enjoying your observations from Burma, Michael.

Thanks. It’s a fascinating country and one that many people haven’t had a chance to come to yet. I’ve got a bit more to share and hopefully it gives people a good sense of the place.

That’s absolutely incredible. I really wonder what happened to make the people abandon such a city.

Well, it has something to do with invasion… the historians just aren’t exactly sure whether he place was invaded or whether everyone fled before it came to actual conflict. It’s a bit sad that it was built up with such dedication and then they just had to leave it.

Lovely images. Have always been intrigued by ruins and ghost towns. Who knows what secrets such places hold. Bagan has to be my top reason to visit Myanmar. I could explore these temples for days together.

A lot of people do explore the temples of Bagan for days. Once you get away from the dozen really popular ones, there are hundreds you can go into and see without any other people there!

This is really wonderful, mesmerizing and so beautiful. What a beautiful landscape, a wide spread area dotted with tiny and big beautiful temples. I think Began should stand out as one of the top most world heritage sites. I am scratching my head, why I did not hear about it before.

Best part is that it has survived and exists completely untouched and in such a fine shape. Thanks Michael for this wonderful blog!

Hopefully Bagan will end up on UNESCO’s World Heritage List at some point. It was considered and rejected quite a few years ago because of the way it was being conserved… but there have been a lot of changes since then and another attempt would probably be successful this time, is the general feeling.

Beautiful! That’s one place that’s high on our SE Asia travel list.

Personally I think Angkor in Cambodia is more impressive – but there is something really exotic about this one. And it doesn’t have nearly as many tourists, which really adds to the experience!

How impressive is that! And quite enigmatic… Would love to spend a couple of days there, wandering around (and probably silently dying in the heat)!

You need to take lots of water. That’s my tip for you! You can buy drinks near the big temples but not always once you venture outside to explore the cool smaller ones. I repeat, take water. Urine is not tasty, I’ve been told, so don’t let it come to that!

Fantastic, it’s my dream to go to Myanmar, I hope I’ll make it this year.

Let me know if you decide to go. I’ve got so many things to tell you (although I’ll probably end up writing them all on the blog eventually, I suppose…)

I know a lot of people who wouldn’t bat an eyelash on Myanmar because it’s ‘too quaint’. Perhaps, they couldn’t stand being away from the modern lifestyle. I was really too engrossed on their opinions that I start to believe. But thanks to your pictures, I thought that perhaps, Myanmar is a good place to visit. 🙂

It would be tricky to be away from the modern lifestyle if you’re not comfortable in uncomfortable situations. Doing Myanmar independently takes some effort – but doing it as a package tour doesn’t let you get to the heart of the culture. It’s a great place to visit if you want a unique experience, though.

Niceee! Looking forward to going there next month! 🙂

You’re going to love it! Hopefully I’ve been able to provide a little bit of inspiration for some things to do off the beaten track.

GOD !! Bagan !! Stunning, Mystic & Poisonous hahaha

Stunning and mystic, yes. Poisonous… well, maybe…

Wow, seems like you’ve had much more luck with the weather, the view of the temples etc. than Miss JustTravelous and me in November! I still feel a little ambiguus about Bagan and the whole of Myanmar. Your posts make me want to go back and give it a second try – it was a special, kind of magical place after all.

I definitely had luck with the weather. Not a drop of rain the entire four weeks and pretty much bright blue sunny skies every day. February is traditionally the best time of year to visit, though, so no surprises there. I remember reading some.. let’s call them ‘ambivalent’ thoughts from you guys when you were in Myanmar. But honestly, having been there for a month, I don’t understand them. I fell in love with the place and it’s been one of my favourite countries to visit for quite a while. Of course there were some negatives, but that goes with the territory. Maybe you’ll get back there under different circumstances sometime.

I’mvery interested to know about the history of this place… such vast land with so many pagodas… who wouldn’t be interested to know?

Going here next year and it will be a dream come true!!

You will love it there next year! There is so much to learn and see!

Are bikes available for renting to go around?? Will be in Myanmar on March2014.

Thanks a lot!

This is awesome i wish we could get a more detailed view into the everyday life of these places

It’s incredible to think about how it would once have been, isn’t it? I bet it was a pretty impressive place when it was full of people. And, yeah, everyday life would have been very interesting!

what deities apart from buddha were worshiped at this particular time in myanmar

Hi Tega. Buddhism was definitely by far the most important religion in Bagan – althought there were a few different strands that people followed. There were also some influences from Hindu religions and from indigenous pagan religions… although these were all fairly minor in comparison to Buddhism.

We never experienced that breathtaking panoramic view. This article gives you a sneak peek into the beauty of these places. If you have never been to this beautiful place and planning to have a tour to Burma, then you can find various attractions among which top three attractions are described below.

What’s up to every one, it’s really a pleasant for me to pay a visit this web page, it contains useful Information.

love your articles, heading there for 17days. thanks for sharing such a great experience you had have. Thanks Michael

Thanks Maro. I really appreciate the comment. 17 days is a great length to be there. I always advise people to go for more than just a few days. Hope you have a great trip!

Now Burma is nothing for u right? It being the poorest country now bc of military coup. I’m proud to be a Burmese but now I hate Myanmar military. Our education, our family, our money, our home, Myanmar are destroyed . Huh

Hello Michael,

A captivating article on the ancient temples of Bagan in Myanmar! Your descriptions truly pique interest in these remarkable ruins. The rich history and architectural grandeur of this place is simply astonishing. I especially liked how you captured the spiritual aura that still lingers around these centuries-old temples. Your piece is a great source of inspiration for those wanting to delve into the mysteries and beauty of Southeast Asian heritage.

Keep up the wonderful work!

Best regards.

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Letters from Bagan, Myanmar

Hi guys from the faraway Bagan!

Bagan is one of Myanmar’s most famous tourist attractions and after visiting this ANCIENT CITY I can certainly understand why. We landed at Mandalay’s airport late at night after our flight was delayed and took a 3.5 hour drive through challenging roads (if you can call them roads at all) in the darkness, all the time too scared to even fall asleep. It wasn’t a pleasant ride but luckily we arrived to our hotel safely and even had a bite to eat since our agent made sure the hotel’s restaurant would stay open for us (at the extremely late hour of 10 pm). 

The next morning we met our guide. As always in the first half an hour we couldn’t understand at least 50% of what he was saying (for us the Myanmar accent was really hard to understand) but despite our worries he turned out to be a wonderful guide, and by the end of the day we managed to understand at least 70% of his stories, or grasp the essence of his stories about BUDDHISM and the BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY.

B agan is an ancient city with OVER 2,000 BUDDHIST MONUMENTS . It is quite impressive walking or driving from one pagoda to another while imagining the history and stories behind these monuments, not to mention the time, effort and precision that it took to build this compound. The highlight of the visit for the majority of the visitors must be climbing on one of the ancient pagodas and watching the sun disappearing behind the horizon, coloring the scene in orange-reddish-pinkish light. After checking it off our list I can indeed say it was spectacular.

Nevertheless, we recommend WATCHING THE SUNRISE from one of the pagodas, even though it is less popular, we felt it was one of the most amazing experiences of our lives. We woke up at 4:15 and climbed rows of very high and steep steps with a flashlight. We were sure we would be the first ones but there were already some crazier-than-us tourists/photographers there. Imagine watching the sun rising over the ancient temples while listening to the birds which were starting to wake up, feeling the sun warming your face and welcoming you to the new day . And then when you think things can’t get any better, dozens of HOT-AIR BALLOONS can be seen from the distance, and all you have to do is hold your camera and click away to try and capture the breath-taking sight of the balloons among the temples….

Another highlight for us was eating LUNCH at a LOCAL FAMILY’s house. Before arriving to Myanmar we were warned not to eat food in the streets and to be careful when eating in local simple restaurants. Around lunch time our guide said it was time for lunch and soon after, to our surprise, we found ourselves far from town but in a local village with the most perfect view. The car stopped and I asked him if this was the restaurant; he must have seen the look of terror in my eyes and he smiled and said “relax and follow me”. 

As we were approaching a table with two benches weaved from bamboo, Sari and I were talking to each other, having a hard time deciding whether to hurt our hostess’ feelings by refusing to taste her home-cooked meal or to take a chance and perhaps spend the rest of our stay in the bathroom or worse. Our guide kept smiling and I could see the amusement in his eyes.

Me : You know, we don’t eat everything.

The Smiling guide : Yes I know. Don’t worry.

Me : You don’t understand. We don’t eat meat.

Giggling guide : Yes, I know. You are vegetarians.

Me : How did you know?

Laughing guide : All Westerns are vegetarians here!

Well we had the best vegetarian meal ever with the most gracious hostess while behind us the rest of the family was busy peeling and roasting peanuts. We had some sprout soup with a touch of sweetness. Then various sautéed vegetables (grown in the backyard) with ginger and lemongrass , eggplant and tomato stew, vermicelli noodles with veggies and the most delicious lettuce salad with crashed peanuts and peanut oil. For dessert – green tea and roasted peanuts. It was such a special experience and I was glad I could share it with my sister.

Unfortunately for our guide who has been trying to teach us some of the Buddhist ways throughout the day, for example: letting go of our desires or working on satisfying the mind rather than the body, he has just unknowingly destroyed all of our progress…

Just as I was thinking of selling my earthly possessions and go live in the nunnery we had visited in Yangon , I was reminded of how much of a foodie I really was (not to mention Sari) and as we were saying our goodbyes to our kind hostess, we were already planning our dinner (a great veggie restaurant with the most yummy Massaman  curry) and thinking about the breakfast we would have the next morning in our hotel which was the only one to serve a proper salad so far. Well I am sure it is no surprise to anyone who knows us, food is always on our minds!

Bon Appetit, Maya

I bet this last paragraph made your hungry, so check out this great vegetarian restaurant  where we ate that curry in Bagan and don’t forget to check out our perfect Bagan itinerary with all of our favorite things to do in Bagan!

If you want to read how our Myanmar adventures ends, make sure to read our post on Mandalay and find out why we were surprised and why we enjoyed Mandalay so much. And if I have sparked some wanderlust in your heart and you are already planning your trip to Myanmar, make sure to read our tips for your Myanmar trip.

In the mean time, spread the love and Pin it for later!

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2 thoughts on “Letters from Bagan, Myanmar”

I am just dying to go to Bagan and your blog post has just made that urge so much stronger! Such beautiful photos!!

Thank you Shannon, you should definitely visit Bagan one day. It is a truly unique place.

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The Best of Myanmar: The Full Itinerary

03/03/2020 by Kristin Addis 28 Comments

This post was originally written by Ryan Brun for BMTM in 2014. While much of what he wrote is still true and remains in this post, I visited again in 2020 and have updated the post as well as added in new resources and spots to see. Enjoy! -Kristin

Myanmar isn’t a Southeast Asian country that is often on travelers “must see” lists, or planned for their great backpacking adventure. Which is a shame, because Myanmar is one of the most culturally preserved and exciting destinations in Asia.

Why isn’t Myanmar on everyone’s “must do” lists?

It honestly wasn’t on my list until I was invited by a friend. Before traveling to Myanmar, I didn’t know anything about the country except about how it was closed off from the world up until about a couple decades ago.

After backpacking through a large portion of Myanmar during their annual Thingyan Festival, I can without a doubt declare Myanmar as my favorite country in Southeast Asia.

Myanmar is a captivating and exciting country for many reasons. From floating villages, to valleys of ancient temples that beat out Angkor Wat, to multi-day jungle treks into mountain tea picking villages.

Ready to go yet? Awesome. Here’s my itinerary on the best of Myanmar, from where to go to what to do from my own personal experiences, and a few key tips and tricks to know before you go:

Yangon ( former capital city of Rangoon ) is the highest populated city in Myanmar, and most likely where you will arrive. It’s the country’s bustling economic capital filled with colonial-era buildings mashed up against modern high-rises and Buddhist temples.

On arrival, Yangon can feel just as overwhelming as a city like Bangkok or Jakarta, but take a deep breath, settle into a hotel, and go for a wander. Here in Yangon you’ll get to experience the everyday lives of Burmese (people of Myanmar) who are usually too busy to try and surround you with goods to sell, but are happy to flash a smile. Explore the old and new of a fast growing city, and enjoy Yangon’s endless opportunity for street photographers.

Stay:  Hotel Shwe Yee is perfectly situated walking distance from Shwedagon Pagoda and has great breakfast!

Most of the accommodation will be centered around the market streets and Chinatown area, and this is a great place to eat for your first night as you take everything in. 19th and 20th Street are the hotspots, and though it can be crowded and a bit funky smelling, there are plenty of restaurants to have a big meal with ample people watching.

Shwedagon Pagoda (Golden Pagoda)

Shwedagon Pagoda  is the most sacred temple in all of Myanmar, and a popular pilgrimage for Buddhists. Legend has it that this golden pagoda and complex was built more than 2,500 years ago, which theoretically would make it the oldest Buddhist temple in the world.

Colonial Markets

I love walking through markets – you can get a real sense of life in a country there. Especially when nobody bothers you! These sprawling, ornate ironwork markets date back to British rule almost 100 years ago and will be a good escape from the heat as well as the best place to buy clothes, bags, and other trinkets if you need anything. Bonus, the vendors don’t chase you down like many other markets.

Quick Tips: Eat eat eat! Yangon will have the most diverse selection of food in Myanmar. Book accommodation ahead of arrival , hostels and hotels fill up fast, especially during holidays. Yangon will be the best place to get toiletries and supplies so stock up. Get a SIM card here if you want one (they are easy to find, and the airport has reasonable prices.)

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda and Golden Rock

East of Yangon is one of the top three most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Myanmar. Kyaiktiyo Pagoda  is a massive golden rock barely balancing on the edge of an 1,100 meter tall mountain with breathtaking panoramic views of the jungle valley ( and a heart-pounding ride to the top ). To get to the pagoda, you’ll need to head out early in the morning and take a bus to Kinpun village. From there you will be packed into the back of a truck with monks and Burmese locals.

If you feel up for the challenge, you can hike the entire way to the top from the village which will be a 5+ hour trek through jungle and mountainous terrain, but it’ll be the ultimate way to experience the pilgrimage. Once at the top, buy a golden leaf and stick it onto the boulder (only men are allowed to do that)…just don’t be the one who finally pushes it over the edge!

Note from Kristin: Women are not permitted to touch the rock but are permitted in the outer courtyard. I don’t even have to tell you how I feel about that!

Stay:  This hotel is 30 minutes away from the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda. There are also a few hotels located at the foot of the pagoda that are a lot more expensive.

Inle was one of the most beautiful towns I visited in Myanmar, which is hard to choose because many are. But, let’s just say, it was the most lush. About 9-10 hours north of Yangon by bus sits Inle Lake, a sprawling and beautiful natural contrast to Yangon tucked into a valley surrounded by green hills. It is a network of canals, irrigation waterways, farms, and a giant freshwater lake. It’s a perfect escape after experiencing the bustling city life of Yangon.

Boat Ride through the Floating Villages

Once in Inle Lake, the most known attraction is the floating villages. It is essentially a neighborhood on stilts, where locals live in huts built above a network of marsh and grass waterways. Take a boat and see what life is like living on the water and relying off of food farmed in the grassland or fished. The scenery itself is beautiful, and it’s relaxing sitting in the canoe cruising through the maze of houses watching children climb from one house to the next to wave you along.

Table of Contents

About an hour and 45 minutes from Inle, you’ll find the pagoda forest of Kakku. Though it’s a long drive, I found that it was totally worth it to get away from the tourist center of Inle and enjoy this gorgeous temple complex almost all to myself. More on how to get there and avoid the crowds here .

Trekking to Inle Lake

If you’re trekking and outdoor inclined like myself, hit Kalaw first and do the 3-day trek to Inle Lake that takes you through valleys and small villages where you’ll stay each night, experiencing rural Myanmar life. The cost is low, the views are spectacular, and the trek is life-changing. No hot showers, no electricity, no internet, just pure experiences with the nicest people on earth? Sign me up!

Quick Tips: Inle Lake is one of the more popular destinations so it’s good to book accommodation ahead. Just outside of the town limits, there is a vineyard and winery that’s worth a visit after a bicycle ride around the country roads.

Stay:  Inle Cottage Boutique Hotel  is an amazing value for the money, and the staff is so nice!

Bagan was one of my favorite experiences during my time exploring the country. Whether you hit Bagan before or after Inle Lake, it is still a must see when visiting Myanmar. Considered the Angkor Wat of Myanmar ( but I think it’s better ), Bagan is a UNESCO World Heritage site and valley of more than 2,000+ ancient temples built between the 9th and 13th centuries, which included the golden era of Burma in the 11-12th century time period. During the summer months while I was there, the valley is arid and covered in rust-colored red sand, but in the monsoon season becomes a vibrant green jungle climate.

Temple Raiding

At times, we were surrounded by hundreds at the largest temples, and at other times, completely alone to crouch and crawl through narrow passages of empty temples. Rent a scooter or bicycle and cruise around to some of the 2000+ temples around Bagan – but there’s no way you’ll see them all! Get adventurous and go down some of the dirt roads to the smaller temples where you’ll find yourself alone to explore, living out your Indiana Jones or Lara Croft fantasies. Scooters can be rented for $5-$10 a day and will make it much easier than bicycles to explore.

Quick Tip: From late 2019 it’s no longer possible to climb any of the temples or pagodas for a sunrise or sunset overview. For the best places to catch sunrise and sunset these days, check out this post by Kristin.

Hot Air Balloons over Bagan

Now that the temples are closed, what’s the best way to get that awesome overview? Jump in the hot air balloons ! Just before sunrise you can take a ride up in a hot air balloon and see the entire valley change from purple to gold with ancient temples as far as the eye can see silhouetted against the horizon. The cheapest and best-reviewed ride we’ve found can be booked here .

Stay : You can get amazing balloon sunrise and sunset views at the  Aureum Palace Hotel , though it’s a pretty penny. To stay right in the heart of Old Bagan, I loved the  Hotel @ Tharabar Gate .

In central Myanmar, Mandalay is the second largest city in the country, and a good place to launch from for almost all activities and destinations. From Mandalay, you’ll be able to reach Inle Lake, Bagan, and Hsipaw in the far north. Since it’s another large metropolis, Mandalay will have plenty of delicious places to eat and a decent nightlife scene, with a couple swanky bars overlooking the river.

U Bein Bridge

I’m sure you’ve seen the photos of silhouetted monks walking across a long bridge with a fiery orange sunrise. That, my friends, is U Bein Bridge. By far one of the best sunrises I’ve ever experienced ( and I think it will be for you as well ), U Bein Bridge is the world’s oldest and longest teak wood bridge. I would have stayed there all day, but by 9am, it was swarmed with people, so make sure to arrive early! Just before sunrise, the monks follow the call to prayer and all walk across in their crimson robes to the temple across the river.

Mandalay Hill and Mandalay Fort

Get ready to break a sweat. I was panting by the time we reached the top, but it’s worth the long walk up to Mandalay Hill to the temple perched at the top for an incredible view at sunset ( and one helluva stair climb ).  In the city center and surrounded by a large moat, Mandalay Fort is worth checking out.

All the Temples!

Mandalay has an abundance of stunning temples, pagodas, and stupas to check out in and around the city. Check out the ancient capital, the amazing Hsinbyume Pagoda, and more. The best way to see it all is by car. You can find out more here .

Stay:  Hotel Yadanarbon was in a great location, has a rooftop pool, and an amazing breakfast!

Oh Hsipaw, how I miss those days. Mountains all around, trees that grow out of temples, lush farmland, waterfalls, and the best tea you’ll ever have — sound good? Hsipaw is the main township of the Shan State, and is located 200km northeast of Mandalay, perfect for anyone needing an escape into the outdoors. This will be the main destination for anyone wanting to do some serious multi-day trekking and to explore more untouched Myanmar in remote mountain villages.

We rented bicycles while in Hsipaw and explored for a couple of days. Though it can become quite hilly and rugged outside of town, every road you go down will have something fascinating to see. Don’t miss the ancient temple complex and check out the stupa that has a tree growing out of it. Watch young monks play games, wander the vibrant fruit and vegetable markets, and relax by the river.

Goteik Viaduct and Train to Hsipaw

For someone who is obsessed with train travel, I had to do what is said to be one of the greatest train journeys in the world. This, above most else, should be on your list of must-do’s in Myanmar. Along the 12 hour journey, you’ll also cross the Goteik Viaduct, considered a world masterpiece in engineering and at one time the world’s longest viaduct bridge at 2,260 ft long (and currently the highest in Myanmar at 335 feet!).

The old train to Hsipaw is a clunking and captivating journey that leaves Mandalay before dawn and takes you up mountains by zig-zagging its way forward and backwards, then down into lush valleys of rice and soy fields. Over 100 years old, it’s a technological marvel of its time period, and the coolest mode of transport to get to Hsipaw.

Quick Tips: Purchase tickets at the train station days before, and try to get first class seats for 2,000 kyat ($2.00). We could only get second class seats, and 12 hours on wooden benches is doable but brutal.

Hiking to Mountain Tea Villages

Hiking in the countryside was one of the best excursions we did in Myanmar. On the 2-3 day trek you’ll meet rural farmers, tea pickers, and even rebel soldiers who are happy that you are experiencing their small world and sharing their everyday life. Don’t worry, even the soldiers were the nicest people I’ve ever met. Plus, the tea leaves there are said to help with longevity in life, so drink away!

We stayed in a small traditional hut and ate home cooked meals with a local family, and I drank some rice wine with soldiers ( shhhh ). Our guide, Ax Sai, was extremely knowledgeable, spoke English very well, and even took us to some secret waterfalls after a scorching day of trekking.

Quick Tips: Wear a hat, sunscreen , and bring extra bottles of water and snacks. And proper shoes! Pack things like peanuts or apples that won’t go bad in the heat. Look for Ax Sai, he’s awesome.

Myanmar has a beautiful coastline with white sand beaches and beautiful sunsets. As an added bonus, there are no buckets, all-night parties, nor fire dancers, which kill the peaceful ocean vibe for me! Ngapali is one of the loveliest beaches, though there are many down south worth checking out. You can read more about Ngapali here .

BONUS: Thingyan Festival

Thingyan Festival, or the New Year celebration for Myanmar, will most likely be one of the craziest experiences of your life. Thingyan is Myanmar’s biggest holiday and a Buddhist celebration for the purpose of washing the previous year’s sins away and beginning the new year with a clean spirit. With millions of gallons of water.

From  my experience at Thingyan , it lasted the full week and there was no escaping the chaos. It’s fun, but it’s also exhausting, and after a few days you’ll probably lock yourself inside. Luckily I had goggles after taking on the Rickshaw Run in India to protect me from the blasts to my face.

Quick Tips: Book accommodation and transport WAY in advance – everything sells out. Get a waterproof bag for money and phones. Don’t carry your DSLR, it’ll get destroyed. Remember, it’s their holiday and there is no escaping it, so have fun and don’t get mad. Bring goggles, they are a life saver (especially from eye infections). And buy the biggest damn water blaster you can find!

Arrival & Getting Around

Before Myanmar relaxed its tourism policies, getting visas for the country, let alone most everything else, could be a huge hassle. SIM cards used to be thousands of dollars, banks were scarce, and much more of the country was closed off to travel. Luckily it’s become much easier now to travel to. I found it actually easier than a lot of other countries I’ve visited.

eVisa: For your Myanmar visa you’ll want to apply for the eVisa, which takes a couple of days to process, and after approval, you will receive a government issued letter to print and show on arrival. There are only a few countries that don’t need to do this, but if you’re from the USA, be sure to apply for one and double check that all of the information is correct. I found out the hard way that being even one day off on your passport expiry date can mean being denied boarding for your international flight.

Buses:  This was how Ryan mainly traveled through Myanmar. There are fancy VIP buses that are cheap and much comfier than much of Southeast Asia, with reclining seats, blankets, and snacks offered. Now that there is a main highway that runs from Yangon all the way to Mandalay, the road north isn’t too dicey.

Train:  I only got to ride the train in Myanmar once, but it was my favorite way to travel. Train travel is another good option and can be taken from Yangon all the way north to Hsipaw with transfers. My recommendation from experience is to book a 1st class ticket on the train which won’t be much more expensive, and it’ll save your back and bum from a lot of pain. I know from experience.

Private Taxi:  During our time in Myanmar, we mainly took buses when we could find them, but occasionally had to hire a private taxi to drive us to the next destination because nothing else was available. These drivers have nice cars with air-conditioning, but can be quite the speed demons even on roads with sheer cliffs dropping off the side. Our driver had to stop to hose off the breaks because they were smoking. A private taxi will run around $40-$65 for a full day drive to another city.

Flights: Much of Myanmar is accessible via air travel these days, particularly for Mandalay, Yangon, Bagan, Inle, and Ngapali. I flew  Air KBZ  and thought it was great.

Myanmar isn’t quite the wild east of Asia anymore because the country’s relaxed tourism policies are spurring growth, but it was one of the most authentic cultural experiences I’ve had. Getting around Myanmar is much easier than it was even 3 years ago, and if you prepare before arriving by having visas and accommodation sorted, you won’t run into many hiccups. With infrastructure improvements, WiFi and 3G/4G available almost everywhere, and banks in every town, there’s not much difficulty in getting around.

But I can’t forget the best part. The most memorable aspects of Myanmar are the people . Always smiling, displaying unending generosity, and not once did I feel I was trying to be scammed from every direction. This, combined with the culture and fascinating places to visit, made it my favorite destination in Southeast Asia. And it’s bound to become your favorite as well.

About the Author

Ryan Brown is a corporate escape artist with a severe disdain for the mundane, an adrenaline junky, and a hammock addict. On his adventure travel blog,  Lost Boy Memoirs , he shares his misadventures getting lost around the world through personal memoirs, photos, and videos. His mission is to experience cultures first-hand to break down barriers and to inspire YOU to escape your comfort zone. Not all who are lost need to be found.

*Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means that any booking you make through them supports us at no extra cost to you. We only recommend places we have stayed in and experiences that are priced right and well-loved.

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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05/27/2017 at 12:57 am

How long did you stay!?! I like to take my time, so wondering if a month is enough or if I should plan for longer! 🙂

10/26/2017 at 8:36 am

I stayed for 10 days, much of it was soaked by Thingyan water festival. A month would allow you to immerse yourself in the culture, and pick a spot you’d love to spend most of your time in!

05/27/2017 at 6:24 am

Thanks for the post Ryan!! I’m currently travelling around SEA and I wasn’t sure about going to Myanmar but after speaking with others I have definitely been swayed into visiting. I love catching trains too so I’ll be sure to check the train to Hsipaw out. Thank you for all the info.

10/26/2017 at 8:37 am

Hello Steph! Glad I could sway you into traveling through Myanmar. Did you ever make it through the country? And did you take trains for most of it?

Ijana Loss says

05/28/2017 at 1:15 am

Great information! Myanmar hasn’t really been on my radar, I guess that cause exactly like it says in the article, it’s a bit more off the path than Thailand, Laos, etc. But typically those turn out to be the best places 🙂

10/26/2017 at 8:41 am

Happy to give you the information you need Ijana, hopefully you get out to Myanmar and tell us all about it! Definitely off the beaten path but that’s exactly what I love about it too!

Nitin Khanna says

05/29/2017 at 4:22 am

Love the information provided by you. As I didn’t know about Myanmar. But after your article I am going to add into my bucket list. Great Writing Skills.

Cheers! Thanks!

11/07/2017 at 7:00 am

Thank you Nitin for the compliment, and I hope you have added it to your bucket list for sure. Make sure to tell us when you go!

12/05/2020 at 5:10 pm

Jeric Danao says

06/02/2017 at 3:52 am

I’m a Filipino and have always admired south east asian countries, from their mountains to their highlands, from cities – urban and rural – to provinces, Myanmar is definitely a place to go to. I couldn’t describe it any better than you do. Really appreciate it. Thank you so much for sharing this! Makes me wanna go back to them good old days.

11/07/2017 at 7:01 am

I’ve heard there is PLENTY to see in the Philippines though, and I’m aching to go and trek the jungles. Happy you liked the article and shared your thoughts! Maybe you should revisit your travels there sometime?

06/12/2017 at 9:24 am

Hi, i would like to know how much did you spend approximately per day?

Thank you in advance,

Ikam Acosta says

06/15/2017 at 7:19 am

I have a few friends who have been to Myanmar and loved it. It’s definitely on my to do list. I love the pictures you took. Really captures its beauty

Ikam Acosta

11/07/2017 at 7:03 am

Where did your friends visit in Myanmar Ikam? You have to at some point, it’s already on my list to revisit! Thank you for the compliment about the photos I really appreciate that.

TwoTravelTheWorld says

06/15/2017 at 11:39 am

Myanmar is on our RTW trip in November and we can’t wait to discover its temples and landscapes. We don’t know yet if we are going to see it from north to south or the other way but thanks for all those advices. It will definitely help us crafting our road map. Take care. David & Kro.

11/07/2017 at 7:05 am

Hey David and Kro, looks like November is here! Have you planned out your trip to Myanmar yet? i personally loved the north but all of it was incredible. Excited to see where it takes you!

The Open Route says

09/07/2017 at 6:46 am

Bagan is amazing! I agree it’s best to explore the pagodas and temples on two wheels. It’s faster that way plus you can discover other temples that are at par with popular ones. We were there around May, and it was raining most of the time. We also missed the hot air balloons, but we’re lucky enough to catch the sunrise and sunset.

11/07/2017 at 7:06 am

Ahh well if it was rainy season then you had the chance to see it in full bloom? I’ve been dreaming of visiting while the valley is lush and green!

10/26/2017 at 8:35 am

Hello Jade, apologies for the delayed reply! You absolutely must get over there now, my favorite Southeast Asia country. I’d say 7-10 days would be ideal to see most of these sights and destinations while being able to properly take it in.

Veronica says

10/30/2017 at 12:16 pm

Oh..I’m happy to see you wrote about Myanmar, which is my native land!!! There are many other amazing and interesting places to visit like Chin State hiking and Virgin Islands of Mergue!!! Please visit again to my native land for further visits. I’ll definitely take you there!! Warmly welcome from Myanmar Xoxo <3

11/07/2017 at 7:07 am

Hello Veronica, I may just have to take you up on that offer because I want to return to Myanmar next year. The Chin State hiking sounds wonderful, and I want to do much more hiking next year!

Byron Hartzler says

04/21/2018 at 6:30 am

Sometimes people view Myanmar as an off the beaten path country. Sure its emerging, but still in comparison to SE Asian neighbors, much of it is still to be explored, keeping off the beaten path because of decades of civil war. I live in a fringe area, trying to create opportunity further out, because even though Bagan & Inle are great, some of the most beautiful and untouched areas still are largely undiscovered. Like Lashio, the city beyond Hsipaw, which is great for trekking, but Lashio has some of, if not the best waterfall experiences in SE Asia, but nobody knows about it. Thanks for sharing your experience.

I have a social enterprise adventure guide company called Myanmar Adventure Outfitters, and with recent moronic moves by Myanmar’s government, many locals who are gaining new opportunities through tourism could see those opportunities fade, so please read Ryan’s article, keep coming, because the people you may want to hurt by boycotting this country are not the ones who will hurt, its the average locals.

Image Earth Travel says

11/11/2018 at 10:42 am

Spent a month in Myanmar back in 2014 and absolutely loved it – so much to see there… Sadly, areas near Hsipaw were closed due to Shan Rebels and government troops fierce fighting.

Ashlea says

04/30/2019 at 6:01 am

I’m glad this amazing country is getting the recognition it deserves! I spent nearly 1 month in Myanmar back in 2013 and have been itching to get back since.

Bagan is absolutely incredible and so much fun (Angkor Wat in Cambodia paled in comparison to Bagan for me). It was so much fun jumping on a electric bike every day and exploring. But my absolute favourite thing was that at the smaller temples you had to find the ‘key holder’ who would unlock the temple and maybe show you a secret staircase to climb to the top for amazing views. Indiana Jones eat your heart out!

Great list of the must-see highlights for your first trip to Myanmar.

Nway Kaz says

07/08/2019 at 11:12 pm

I loved Myanmar when the first time I came here. A nature place without many building or useless stuffs.

I’m planning to visit Myanmar again in 2020, can’t wait for it. If anyone want to join me, please let me know as well!

Harry Tumeric says

07/17/2019 at 9:12 am

Great that you put Bagan in your itinerary. Some important thing to note is “Temple climbing is now banned at Bagan”.

Tourrkub says

12/20/2019 at 3:31 am

Thanks for a great article.

Parjatakguru says

05/15/2024 at 11:21 pm

Your blog is so useful for us. The information about the place is amazing.

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Bagan, Myanmar

One of the most fairytale-like places in the world is Bagan in Myanmar (Burma). If you like Angkor Wat in Cambodia or Cappadocia in Turkey, then you are definitely going to love Bagan. This area contains 2200+ small and big temples (pagodas) and looks just like an African country when you bike around. Bagan earned the UNESCO World Heritage status in July 2019, and it’s easy to see why. Use this complete travel guide to plan your trip to Bagan, Myanmar.

6 Things to do in Bagan, Myanmar

We highly recommend you book at least 3 nights in Bagan. Getting to Bagan can be done by bus, train, taxi, or airplane, but they all take energy and time. With 3 nights, you can experience at least 2 sunrises and sunsets. Bagan is the most popular stop on a  route through Myanmar . Discover all the best things to do in Bagan, Myanmar.

Entrance Bagan: Entrance fees for the Bagan area are 25000 Kyat (18.50 USD) per person. You buy one and can use this throughout your whole trip in Bagan.

1. Balloon Flight at Sunrise

What’s more magical than waking up, floating between the temples while you slowly feel the comfortable heat of the rising sun on your face? A balloon ride in the morning is something you don’t want to miss in Bagan, Myanmar.

A 40-60 minute flight costs around 340 USD, depending on the season. Don’t forget to take your sweater with you as mornings can be cold.

Book your balloon flight online

2. Visit the Temples in Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan has many beautiful temples, too many to see on just one trip. We’ve highlighted the best and most impressive temples in our Best Bagan Temples Guide. Explore the temple in an Africa-like landscape on your e-bike.

 Read all about: best temples in Bagan, Myanmar

3. Enjoy an Incredible Sunset or Sunrise on Top of a Temple

Bagan is famous for its stunning sunrises and sunsets. Although it’s not allowed anymore to climb most of the temples, getting up early for sunrise, being surrounded by nothing but temples and a sky full of hot air balloons, is an unforgettable experience.

Here are all your hotel options in Bagan.

4. Visit Minnanthu Village

A bit dislocated from the main villages like Old and New Bagan is the local village Minnanthu. Get a small tour around their village and see how they make their products, like cotton clothing, cigars, peanuts, etc. It’s a great place to stop on a little round trip on your e-bike.

5. Relax Till Sunset!

Afternoons in Bagan can get quite hot. Because of this, spend your time in the mornings exploring the temples until 1 AM and relax in the afternoon. Take a dip or nap at your pool or go chill at one of the restaurants nearby. After 4 PM you can go out and explore the area again.

These are our top 3 restaurants to chill and have a delicious meal in the afternoon:

• The Moon (nr 2)
• Sharky’s
• Khaing Shwe Wha

6. Rent an E-Bike in Bagan

The government introduced something very clever a few years ago: E-Bikes. Electric motorbikes that’ll get you around the area in a very relaxed and, most importantly, very silent way.

You can rent an e-bike almost everywhere in town. A good price for an e-bike in Bagan is somewhere between 5000 – 7000 Kyat (5 USD) per day. The price goes up a little when you share one bike with two people. Make sure you check everything, like tires, lights, mirrors, and battery, before renting it.

Where to stay in Bagan?

There are 3 main villages in Bagan: Nyaung-U, Old Bagan, and New Bagan. They all surround the temple area and make a great place to stay for a few nights.

Hotels in Bagan 😴

The best location to stay closest to most of the temples is Old Bagan, though it’s also the most expensive area to stay in. New Bagan and Nyaung-U are just a 30-minute drive with your e-bike and have more mid-range and cheap stay options.

Nyaung-U is the village where most of the backpackers stay, but New Bagan is a rising area with good-looking hostels.

How to Get to Bagan?

Bagan can be easily combined with your Myanmar route. You can reach Bagan via bus or taxi from Yangon (9h), Mandalay (4h) or Inle Lake (8h). There is also an airport with daily flights to Yangon.

The flights take about 1.2 hours from Yangon and cost anywhere between $70 – $150, depending on the season.

Best Time to Visit Bagan, Myanmar

The best time to visit Bagan is between November and February. Bagan is hot most of the year, but in these months, it is the most pleasant at 30 degrees. Try to avoid the summer, which runs from March to May.

By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support. ♥️

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Bagan via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

Discover 7 of the Best Bagan Temples

Things to do at inle lake, myanmar (3-day guide), hpa-an, little hidden treasure of myanmar.

Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

Hi, do you mind sharing whcuch tour you took to visit the Minnanthu Village? Thanks

We simply drove our electric scooter and walked around. There will be people guiding you around.

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Quirky Wanderer

Travel stories (Told differently)

Reasons to love Myanmar

Posted on December 9, 2016 December 6, 2017 by Divsi by Divsi

The clouds cleared as I peered outside the plane window, revealing patches of green. Golden stupas stand tall, scattered intermittently in the green mesh. I have travelled to Myanmar in a lush green morning of the year 1104.

“ Welcome to the land of Golden pagoda” ,  the foreigner beside me whispers. She is visibly excited. So am I. I am flying over a country I never thought I would visit.

A country I knew very little about and a country that isn’t on many bucket lists.

The air hostess winks as she bids good bye. Mingalaba Myanmar. ( Hello Myanmar!) Intense reading about the country tells me that messy, crumpled US dollars are worthless in the country and smiles are priceless.

And as I fervently try to exchange a folded note at the exchange counter and when I meet Mr. Minn, our guide at Mandalay, and see his tiny eyes disappearing in a wide toothed grin, I know exactly why it was said so.

Myanmar grows onto you. It doesn’t wow you or spellbind you at the first instant, but weaves its magic slowly but surely.

Here’s how:

• Omnipresent pagodas:

“Throw a stone and find a pagoda” I thought it was a hyperbole by Mr.Minn till I actually lost count of the pagodas that whizzed by as we drove past them.

From glistening golden to earthy brown to withered white, the pagodas came in all sizes. When you actually give up counting, you will start noticing the architectural brilliance of these structures, built meticulously with faith and more.

• Tea and conversations:

Small, cozy tea houses and locals huddled together over cups of piping hot Laiphet yeh ( black tea with condensed milk) is a common sight in Myanmar.

Walk through the by lanes of a Burmese suburb and find yourself amidst a bustling tea- house. Marvel at the swiftness of the lady making tea in tiny cups with condensed milk, dishing out cup after cup.

Tea houses are where conversations are struck, politics is discussed and hours are spent mulling over little somethings with endless cups of Burmese tea.

Hop in for a conversation, a tiny white cup filled till the brim , served with pancakes and love of course.

• People and warmth:

I stand at the jetty at Inle lake, unaware of a mosquito that is happily chewing my leg. A local Shan woman, slaps my leg and as I jump in shock, she signals it’s all okay and washes my leg with the lake water, as I shake my head saying “No!”

Complete strangers will get out of their way and help you.

Local ladies at Bagan insisted they deck me up in their local attire ( lyongyi). Their excitement in dolling me up was infectious!

Mingalaba and a smile is all it takes to instantly make a Burmese smile.

The kids love to be photographed. Point a camera and they will startle you with their poses and poise.

Retire to your hotel room after a long day and find cute messages and bunches of flowers left behind by the local staff.

The people of Myanmar will melt your hearts with their simplicity and hospitality.

•  Vibrant markets :

From local markets outside pagodas or the maze called Scott’s in Yangon, the markets in Myanmar are a shopper’s delight.

The Burmese arts and crafts are authentic and truly innovative.

A girl selling jade at Amarapura

Colourful Burmese umbrellas, hand woven shawls, vibrant puppets and dolls, intricate lacquerware, precious and semi precious jewellery, souvenirs, lyongyis :the list is endless.

While I flunked the bargaining tests big time, I don’t regret any shopping experience of Myanmar. Small factories and workshops nestled on water in Inle Lake have their own quintessential old world charm.

Don’t like shopping? Fret not. The markets will provide ample frames for your camera.

• Picturesque landscapes:

While the first impressions of Myanmar are that it is unpretentious, raw and undeveloped, certain rural landscapes are too dainty to be missed.

Drive from Heho to Pindaya and you won’t rest your camera or your eyes even for a tad bit.

Carpets of yellow mingling with swaying wheat and lush greenery, kissing the clouds in a bright blue sky.

For a moment it looked Tuscany without the vineyards. Of all the things I had read about Myanmar, this was a surprise package.

Houses dotted this rural landscape making it picture postcard worthy.

The landscapes of Bagan are ethereal too. With thousands of pagodas and absolutely no concrete disturbances, Bagan takes you back in time.

•  The mystical Lake Inle : 

Floating vegetation, one legged rowers, quaint wooden houses and all of this engulfed within mountains of the Shan state.

Narrow speed boats will ferry you around as you witness how an entire city dwells in the lake. If I had to go back to Myanmar and visit just one place again, I’d choose Inle any day.

It is massive, it is untouched and it gives you a glimpse of their local life like no other place. High on local arts and crafts and with an array of cultural dances, Inle is quaint, serene and and truly mystical.

• In search of the perfect vegetarian food in Myanmar :

Armed with my list of survival words: Tathaloo ( lifeless) , Atha ma sa bu ( I don’t eat meat), ta tha loo shi la ( do you have vegetarian food?), I try to survive in a predominantly fish loving country. I come back enlightened.

1. The food is fresh. Salads will never disappoint.

2. It’s either rice or noodles. Say goodbye to anything remotely similar to chapatis.

3. If everything fails, fresh fruits will always come to your rescue.

4. Local street food has plenty of options. Being experimental helps.

Confused about traveling to Myanmar? Here is a list of Myanmar travel tips for your reference.

• An infectious old world charm:

The right time to visit Myanmar is now. Modernisation hasn’t crept in and most places have a quintessential old world charm.

Yangon and Mandalay are slowly developing and you will find concrete labyrinths here( barring the colonial parts of Yangon and Amarapura in Mandalay ) but Bagan and Inle make you time travel.

Devoid of fast food culture and MNCs, local life is rich and unadulterated and markets still have a distinct flavour. If you want to experience the country in its truest form, this is the best time to go.

Yangon reminds me of Mumbai but it has its own charm. Here is a list of tips I read before visiting Yangon.

I see blinkering lights below as the flight kicks off from Yangon. Dotted lines glimmer in the dark as I rest my head and recollect how the land of the golden pagoda had a calming effect. Is it because of seeing innumerable smiling Buddhas over the past few days or maybe I am just sleepy.

Myanmar humbles you. Not because of its modest background. But because of its humility despite its opulence.

There is gold everywhere. In glimmering pagodas, gleaming Buddhas and gold flakes. But the gold in people’s hearts glitters too and that is what is abundantly magnetic.

Through taxi rides, river cruises, pagoda visits, photo sessions, city explorations and local interactions.

For all this and more, I look back at the last visible bit of Myanmar and mutter “Jesubeh” as I plunge into sleep and travel back to 2016.

Here’s a travel video shot at Myanmar, giving you a glimpse into the country and its culture.

Stay tuned for more.

74 thoughts on “ Reasons to love Myanmar ”

Wonderful images! Quite tempting!!

I just fell in love with Myanmar because of your post, Divyakshi. Also, I tried long and hard to try and think what to type and gave up.

*Slow claps*

Out of this world! Just fell in love with Myanmar, thanks to this post.

Yay! Thanks so much shubham:)

Wonderful piece of writing. I am contemplating Myanmar in 2017. Your blog just had a catalytic effect on my penchant for the land so near yet so far hidden from the mass tourism. When(month) did you visit?

Thank you Amitava 🙂 visited it in November this year. More on Myanmar to follow.hope the series helps you plan your trip.

Absolutely wonderful writing and images. Would you mind if I reblog this? Thank you for sharing!

Thank you 🙂 glad you liked it! Feel free to!

Have to go!

Yes yes yes 🙂

You have captured the essence of the place beautifully! I want to visit now:)

Thanks so much Rashmi 🙂

It would appear that despite not being in your Top Five list, Myanmar still manage to captivate you in parts. Photographs are lovely as usual – but your write up seems to have become more shorter 🙂 Welcome back, btw!

Yes in parts definitely:) Bagan , Inle , interactions with locals top the list:) thanks for reading and being the perfect critic!

Such lively portraits and colorful scenic captures Divsi 🙂 The sky, smiles around, and captures. Definitely reason to include it in bucket list. Cheers.

Thanks so much 🙂 the sky was a personal favourite:)

Awesome!!! surely would want to visit Myanmar….adding it to my bucket list 🙂

Thank you Anita 🙂 glad you liked it!

Wow. After a long time, I have seen a blog which I will read again and again. The pictures are so lively that it makes me want to pack my bags now and head to Myanmar. I long to see this place. Your blog also points out some gems I did not know about such as Pindaya caves. It’s my dream to see Bagan temples. Kudos for this wonderful blog!

That’s a hugeee compliment Abhinav! 🙂 Thanks so much! You’ll love Bagan. The place simply sweeps you off your feet 🙂

Welcome! My target in next 2 years!

What a happy and vibrant country. Loved your clicks Divyakshi.

Thanks Ami 🙂

I’d flunk the bargaining exam too 😛 Love how well your photographs tell the stories, Divyakshi!

Hehe 🙂 thanks Elita. A separate shopping post coming up too ( sans bargaining tips) :p

Welcome back . Have been waiting for your blogpost for a long time . This has been a perfect referral point for planning a trip to Myanmar. Halfway through the post I was wondering whether you have captured the doors and windows or not ? Then I see you have done. Great post

Thanks so much Anin! Missed blogging and reading blogs in this past month:) feels so good to be back. Oh yes, lots of rustic windows in Inle and ornate doors in pagodas 🙂

your photos leave me speechless… from the imposing pagodas, to the colorful markets, to the genuie amazing miles you have captured… wow ♥

Thank you heaps Alexandra! 🙂 So happy you liked them!

WOW, Divyakshi, WOW. I was with you and could never capture and describe Myanmar as you have!

Thank you so much Roshan 🙂 Your encouragement is as valuable as your company <3 so happy you liked the pics!

You did take me to year 1104! Wonderful read of your experiences in Myanmar.

Thanks for reading Niranjan 🙂

I am totally sold on the smiles, Divsi! Such a beautifully written travelogue, Myanmar looks every bit charming through your lens – the calming pagodas to the colorful markets to the picturesque ladscapes – it looks like a country stuck in time and one that I would surely love to see and savour myself someday. The glimmer of the golden hearts shining through your pictures made my day that much more brighter today! 🙂

Okay, I knew I wanted to go there. Now your post and of course the beautiful pictures have ignited the urge even more. I thought for long as what would be that one thing I would like to see there first. I still can’t figure out. Everything about Myanmar is so enticing! Please tag me whenever you write future posts, I don’t want to miss anything.

Enjoyed reading your lovely experience of Myanmar

Oh em gee.. Loved all the pictures. The colors, the smiles, the natural beauty all around. You created such a beautiful world with your work there, Divyakshi.

A lovely post with some wonderful pics!

If anyone thought Myanmar was not worth a visit – ever; trust me they just need to read this post and it will change their mind. Lovely clicks 😀

gorgeous collection 🙂

Stunning captures and your commentary explains what a wonderful trip you had. The women look so pretty! Reminds me of the northeast of India. 🙂 You’ve captures the landscapes and twinkle in little kids’ eyes so beautifully. Love it! Wanted to visit Myanmar. Thanks for taking me there! 🙂 Have a happy New Year, Divyakshi! Here’s to many more travels. Your new blog looks amazing. 🙂

Divsi, I am absolutely speechless! This post was simply brilliant! You actually have brought out the soul of Myanmar through your wonderful images and beautiful words. I haven’t seen anything more picturesque! Tea with condensed milk? Hmm have to try that! Thhat tea house, the shopping trails, the pagodas, the cheerful smiles, the vivid skies, the culture, the food…and yes the rainbow over the fields….love, love them all!

Myanmar looks beautiful in every corner! we’d love to visit it one day 🙂

Great article! It really makes me wanna go back to Myanmar! Such a great destination

Thx for that great article. Myanmar is already on my list. Andcu really live your pictures!

Myanmar looks stunning. Your photographs really bring the place to life, they’re so colourful. How did you find travelling in the country? Were they welcoming to travellers?

I love those portrait shots. It reveals the simplicity, the kindness and the hospital life of the people in Myanmar. It truly is a great place made of simple beauty and the simple life. I bet you are glad you made a decision to visit Myanmar even its not on your bucketlist.,

The people seem so lovely and open-minded. Must be super interesting to talk to them and listen to their stories. Especially those about nature and their heritage.

I was considering visiting Myanmar last year but gave up in the end as it didn’t fit into our schedule. Now you make me want to visit there this year. That Shwedagon Pagoda looks gorgeous! It is nice that you got to meet the people from the tribe. Love the smiles on their face!

Oh wow! 🙂 Myanmar has been high up on my bucketlist, at first I wasn’t quite sure what attracted me to want to visit, perhaps it was all the other travellers I met in South East Asia who insisted I don’t miss it. And your post has cemented that longing, it looks and sounds so authentic and beautiful! You write beautifully and now to plan that trip to Myanmar! 😉

You captured some amazing pictures here, the kid smiling is adorable. You are right Myanmar is not on many bucketlists but it is on mine for sure. I would love to visit and even more since I saw your experiences there

I love it already. Such a colorful country and so friendly people!

These markets look fantastic! As does the food and the countryside. It’s funny I read some bad things from other travel bloggers about this city but this post makes it look fantastic 🙂

Err I wish to know what bad things you heard. AND yes, FYI Myanmar is a country not a city:)

Myanmar has been on my bucket list for a while as well. Seeing these images makes me want to visit even more than before!

What beautiful photography – and what lovely people in Myanmar. I would love to visit – and I’d even put up with the endless pagodas!

Thank you for sharing

My experience in Myanmar a few years ago was quite different as I was there at the height of their Thingyan Festival. I also experienced being bitten by bed bugs for the first time and had stomach flu. So you can say it was a ‘memorable’ one. hahaha. Your post is beautiful, as well as your pictures. I think this has convinced me to go back to Myanmar and have a better story – and photos too! lol

Lovely coverage. I have a ticket next year, let me see how much I can explore

Myanmar looks absolutely amazing! I’m luckily heading there in a couple of months so I found this post at the perfect time! I’m so excited to try that awesome-sounding tea – I’m a tea-lover for sure. The Pindaya Caves are mesmerizing as well. I love your video as well! So great!

Everything about Mynamar screams ethereal, old world charm, from the pagodas and temples, to the tea houses, fields, and tribes. I love your people photography – what an amazing experience to have been able to visit these tribes in person. And as for the buildings – you’re right – so much gold!

I’m in two minds about Myanmar – obviously it’s got so much in the way of authentic cultural experiences, and it does sound like an incredible country for a traveler to witness – it saddens me to hear on the news though about the Rohingya Refugee Crisis. I would love to travel and volunteer as aid, and then perhaps take in some of the sights of the country as you have.

Myanmar is one of my favorite countries! And I actually wrote about it, too! You’re right, you’ll lose count on the pagodas in Bagan. I did not even try. Hahaha. Did you go to the falls in Pyin Oo Lwin? They are amazing and you can reach those falls by just bicycle. Burmese people are so nice that even if they can not communicate in English, their non-verbals are just the best way to feel their warmth and sweetness. I remember, I was roaming around Pyin Oo Lwin with Thanaka on my face. Hahaha. Everyone should try that Burmese moisturizer!

“Throw a stone and find a pagoda” love it! That architecture is very different. This is the type of place I need to start planning for. I’ve seen so much of Europe that this type of history and culture is what I think I need to start including in my travels. The magic is in the smiles of all the people. Just from your pictures of people smiling make me want to visit. Speaking of your pictures they are so vibrant and beautiful. Love this post.

Thank you for your sharing! I have to say that Burma through your eyes and lens is really vibrant and eye – catching. An image of the woman in Long necked tribe inspires me to research into some tribes in Southeast Asia.

Myanmar is slowly opening up for tourists. Such a beautiful country with lots of culture and history. Many reasons to visit Myanmar.

amazing post attractive pictures really nice…. one day i really go to visit there thanks for sharing a beautiful post….!

Hi Divsi, The pictures are out of the world and the narrative is interesting. I was always under the impression that getting vegetarian food would be difficult in Myanmar. This post changed my perception.

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These pictures cannot be any better! Just woooow!! Loved them!

Beautiful photos! Myanmar looks lovely 🙂

You make the proverb “a picture speaks a thousand words” so true. My knowledge of Myanmar is relegated to Aung-san-syu-kyi and the disastrous Saif-Kangana starrer Burma. Thanks to your post, I have got a glimpse of the country and it hinterland. Just a question (out of curiosity) – I noticed in the pictures that the women had turmeric or sandalwood paste applied to their face. What is the reason behind this?

Thank you so much Aanch! 🙂 Myanmar is a treasure trove of stories! The women have Thanaka on their faces. It is a traditional paste used as a sun screen 🙂

Myanmar with its rich history and culture is a unique country. Myanmar also has forests, hills, and beaches. Want to visit some day surely.

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Plan a trip to Bagan - 2 to 3 days itineraries

Start planning, best known temples and pagodas list, tips for traveling in bagan.

Bagan, a historical ancient city of Myanmar(Burma), a Buddhist cultural relic, and a famous tourist resort, is located on the west bank of the Irrawaddy River in central Myanmar.

The ideal time-frame for a first trip to Bagan is 2–3 days, for seeing pagodas and the spectacular sunrise or sunset. Investigate the historic pagoda jungle by horse-driven cart, enjoying the sunset from the top of a pagoda. Do not miss the hot-air-balloon ride over the Bagan plains at sunrise – definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

For many foreigners, Bagan is the gateway for them to start learning about Myanmar, and some of them even learn more about Bagan than they do of the country as a whole.

As for the locals, Bagan is where their pride comes from, and they always say that Bagan is the landmark of their country.

Between the 11th and 13th centuries, about 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were built in the Bagan plains. But at present, only 2,200 temples and pagodas still remain to tell you about its history.

No one can guarantee that the remaining temples or pagodas are free from any geologic hazard, so the city deserves a visit before they become history too.

Imagine ascending in a hot-air balloon over 2,000 pagodas and temples that are scattered across the 25-square-kilometer plains, just like gemstones dropped on a jade plate.That may be one of the most memorable moments in your life.

It was reported that the Myanmar government will submit its draft application to UNESCO's World Heritage Center in September 2017. If the application and the inspection go well, the Bagan Archaeological Zone may become the first World Heritage Site in Myanmar in 2019.

Don't miss the chance to get close to the next World Heritage Site.

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If you travel by regular means,such as private car or bike, you may soon get temple fatigue.

However, if you take other forms of transport, such as a hot-air balloon, horse-drawn cart, or cruise, when visiting them it will make your tour more interesting and allow you to enjoy the beauty of Bagan from different perspectives.

What can't be missed

Enjoy sunrises or sunsets on the pagodas

In September 2017, Myanmar will formally submit the application to the UNESCO's World Heritage Center and, in order to protect the temples and pagodas while the application goes through, the activity of climbing up the pagodas may be slowly banned.

In December 2016, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyialso appealed to the tourists to stop climbing on the pagodas.

That is to say, being able to climb up a temple or pagoda to watch the sunrise or sunset will also become part of Bagan's history.

Enjoy a sunrise from a hot-air balloon

A hot-air balloon ride is not a budget-friendly experience but most people consider it to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.It is also the only way to experience the breathtaking scale of Bagan's historical district.

When the hot-air balloon gently takes off into the morning sky, everything is covered by the dark. But when the balloon unceasingly ascends and is flying, the sun's rays slowly break through the clouds, and the outlines of the temples and pagodas gradually appear. The sun rises slowly, and the view becomes wider and wider.

The mist embraces the temples and pagodas, just like a fairyland. The sunshine son the red-brick temples and pagodas, and they look as though they are twin kling with golden lights.

It's not only spectacular but also magical.When you are flying over the historical district, it's like you are engaging in dialogues with history.

The flight will definitely be safe and smooth with Western pilots and modern equipment.The pilots are all exceptionally qualified. They will also be considerate and rotate the balloon so that everybody can see the red-brick temples whilst the other balloons are dotted in the sky around you.

Travel by different means

If you are afraid of seeing too many temples and pagodas,which might give you aesthetic fatigue, traveling by different means,such as private car, cycling, hot-air balloon, horse-drawn cart, or even trekking, may pull you slightly out of this type of fatigue.

These are the different ways to show you the beauty of Bagan from different angles, and each of them has its own merits.

Day 1 pagodas and sunset

Bagan arrival

Proposal 1: Visit pagodas in the afternoon and before the sunset, by boarding a boat and cruising across the Irrawaddy River. The boatman will prepare some refreshments and the boat will reach the center of the river to stop before sunset.

You will be away from the noise and dust, quietly sitting in the boat, watching the glittering river, enjoying delicious snacks, listening to the wind blowing over the trees and the lake as well as the birdsong. When the sun slowly sinks, the clouds become colorful due to the reflection of the sunlight.

Proposal 2: Visit pagodas in the afternoon by horse-drawn cart. The surrounding pagodas are all more than 800 years old and there is no sign of modernization.

As the horse-drawn cart gallops through the forest of temples, the dust is blowing and the hooves are clattering.Imagine you have stepped into a time tunnel and are witnessing history.

One hour before the sunset, you can climb up a high pagoda,such as the Shwezigon Pagoda, and wait for one of the most breathtaking sunsets of your life.

Day 2 Sunrise and pagodas

There are two ways to enjoy the sunrise in Bagan: climb up a pagoda or fly in a hot-air balloon.

If you prefer to watch the sunrise on a pagoda, the best time to leave your hotel is at about 6 am. If you prefer to enjoy the sunrise from a different angle, then a hot-air balloon adventure is highly recommended.

You will be collected from your hotel at about 5:20 am and, at the launch site, there will be fruit and cakes as well as coffee. When the balloon ascends with the sun, the breathtaking site of stupa after stupa will appear through the delicate mist, which will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

After the balloon has landed, champagne and pastries will be served to celebrate the safe landing and a certificate will also be awarded to you to celebrate your courage. This will be one of the highlights of your trip to Bagan, as well as to Myanmar.

Explore similar itineraries: 9-Day Myanmar Highlights Tour: Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake 14-Day Myanmar and Thailand Essence Tour

The Asia Highlights team has handpicked some of the 2,200 pagodas, which are either the most famous of the temples or the most distinctive. In short, they are absolutely not to be missed for your Bagan trip.

1. Shwezigon Pagoda

This standswith Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon as one of the sacred pagodas in Myanmar. It's the most efficacious pagoda in Bagan, and the prayers are the most frequently answered. It is the oldest pagoda in Bagan and the best pagoda from which to enjoy the sunset.

2. Thatbyinnyu Phaya

This is the highest pagoda, standing at 67 meters. It used to be the best place to watch a sunrise and sunset; however, in order to protect the pagoda, the stairs to the top have been blocked.

3. Ananda Temple

This features a standing statue of Buddha with perfect proportions. However, since September 2016, a large-scale repair has ruined its natural beauty.

4. Dhammayangyi Temple

This is the biggest temple in Bagan. The temple was built by King Narathu to make up for his sins of killing his father, King Alaungsitha, but it was not finished until Narathu was assassinated.

5. Gubyaukgyi/Gubyauknge Temple

Famous for its exquisite murals,this temple has 547 well-preserved paintings depicting stories of Buddha's previous lives.

6. Sulamani Temple

This temple is one of the most frequently visited in Bagan. It is famous for its interior decoration.

7. Htilominlo Temple

This is the last Burma-style temple in Bagan.

It's usually very hot at noon in Bagan. It's a good choice to choose a restaurant to enjoy lunch or to go back to your hotel for a swim in the pool.

You need to stand barefoot or sit on the cold ground while waiting for the sunrise, so it's necessary to take warm clothing.

Do not hide your excitement from the camera when taking a trip in a hot-air balloon. If you ask politely, other passengers will take a photo of you, which will be a good memory for you.

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21 Tips For Taking a Trip to Bagan

Updated on April 26th, 2024

Bagan is a must-see destination during a trip to Myanmar. We'll answer which temples can you still climb in Bagan, where to go for the best sunset and sunrise spots in Bagan (after the climbing ban) and the best ways for how to get around.

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Posted in Myanmar (Burma)

Table of contents

• Is Bagan worth visiting?
• Should I skip Bagan in my Myanmar itinerary?
• Is Bagan popular for tourists?
• Why should you go to Bagan?
• How do you get to Bagan from Yangon?
• Is there a right way to visit Bagan?
• What should I wear in Bagan?
• How do you get around Bagan?
• How many days do you need in Bagan?
• Is three days enough for visiting Bagan?
• What to do during the day in Bagan (because it’s so hot)
• Can you go out during the hottest hours in Bagan?
• Where to stay in Bagan
• What’s the difference between the Bagan towns?
• Best sunset and sunrise spots in Bagan (after climbing ban)
• Can you climb the temples and pagodas in Bagan?
• Which temples have a good view in Bagan?
• Best Instagrammable temples to visit in Bagan
• Which temples can you still climb in Bagan?
• Which pagodas can you climb in Bagan? (Climbing ban update)
• Can you travel solo in Bagan?

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 .

Bagan lives up to its captivating expectation and that’s why it’s part of any Myanmar trip! We did our research beforehand, somewhat, but it couldn’t have even prepared us for the variety of temples and pagodas to see, views for sunset and sunrise and the adventure of getting around the Bagan area.

Things we’re glad we had with us during our Southeast Asia trip

• Get a Lonely Planet guide (on Amazon or Bookshop.org ), which for us is always an indispensable part of a trip.
• Make sure you have sandals like Birkstenstocks that slide on and off easily for visiting temples where shoes are not allowed.
• Do you have a travel camera that you trust?
• Use our checklist of travel camera accessories in case you want to be using a tripod, or get a new memory card.
• Bookmark our list for how to prepare for traveling abroad, whether it’s your first or 99th time!

Is Bagan worth visiting?

Bagan is worth visiting if you want to go to the #1 most popular attraction in Myanmar. Bagan is a collection of 2000 Buddhist pagodas, stupas and temples scattered across a flat area near the Irrawaddy River (alternatively spelled as the Ayeyarwady River).

Should I skip Bagan in my Myanmar itinerary?

Bagan is not worth visiting if you do not do well in the heat, if this type of attraction does not interest you or if you’d rather be engaging in adventure sports like hiking, or beaches. From what we saw, the Bagan region does not have much well-known outdoor activity aside from exploring the acres and acres of temples scattered on the plain.

If you choose to go, we do recommend that you visit Bagan first (after your city of entry) in a Myanmar itinerary. It’s smart to visit Bagan first and cool off afterward at Inle Lake, for example, as we mention in our Inle Lake travel guide .

Is Bagan popular for tourists?

No longer somewhere where you can actually avoid tourists , Bagan is indeed popular. For visitors to Bagan these days, the first thing you will probably note is that Bagan has experienced a very quick increase in popularity, and for that reason, there is a lot of less-than-charming development.

There’s an incredible amount of hotels to choose from, lots of restaurants to eat in, lots of tour options, lots of English and lots of visitors.

Why should you go to Bagan?

Having seen photos of Bagan on Instagram and online for the past seven or eight years, I knew this is somewhere I wanted to go. Bagan is a very unique place you can visit in Myanmar, and because there’s no specific temple to visit or specific way to take your trip, this is a really flexible experience to have.

We did meet travelers who skipped Bagan, for the reason above; they wanted to focus more on hiking, beaches and cities. For this reason, it’s up to you.

How do you get to Bagan from Yangon?

In our experience, taking a night bus was ideal! We left Yangon at 8 pm and arrived at 5 am in Bagan. See more about night bus travel at our Myanmar travel guide .

Traveling to Yangon? Lean about the best travel tips in Yangon !

Is there a right way to visit Bagan?

Bagan can be slightly overwhelming due to the sheer number of pagodas, stupas and temples and that their locations are rarely walking distance from one another. From looking at a map, there’s no way to logically visit them all, and there’s even few ways to logically visit the ones you want without some pre-planning or going with a tour guide.

Remember: use minimalism techniques in your travel appetite and keep in mind you don’t have to see it all. I found that the best way to avoid being overwhelmed was to figure that there was no way I was going to be able to visit all the pagodas — I wasn’t even going to be able to see all the most famous ones.

If you consider Bagan an adventure with no ‘right way’ of seeing the places, then you’ll be fine and enjoy the experience of seeing this unique historical place.

What should I wear in Bagan?

What to wear in bagan.

Bagan is very hot, all year round. By ‘very hot,’ I mean temperatures of 92-96 degrees F during the day and a real feel of 106 F (this was what my Google Pixel told me). During the day, it’s not humid, so you feel kind of fried. At night, there’s a slight humidity that comes out, and that lasts until the end of sunrise.

Because Bagan is so hot, you’ll want to wear light, airy and breathable clothes. You’ll also want to keep in mind that entering the largest temples will require covering shoulders and usually covering legs (both men and women). The temples are places where Buddhist visitors will pray, and where locals go to pray as well. For this reason, it’s best to be prepared to respect the Buddhist custom of conservative dress.

What should women wear in Bagan?

So, what should you wear? Every day, I wore a maxi dress that was strapless or spaghetti-strap on top, and hit between my knees and ankles at the bottom. For visiting temples that had a dress code, I simply put on my sarong or shawl that I was carrying around for the day. This is perfectly acceptable.

What should men wear in Bagan?

Dan wore shorts and a T-shirt every day, and at temples, he would put on the longyi that we bought at a local shop in Yangon’s Chinatown . He kept this in his backpack for when it was required.

As soon as we left the temple grounds, we were able to wear whatever we wanted again, as we rode around the Bagan region either on E-bike, bicycle rentals or with a tuk-tuk driver.

How do you get around Bagan?

Bagan itself is a big region and making walking less of an option than the others we’ll list. Among the following options, we tried out three. We found various travelers mentioning the use of Maps.me, which you can learn about in our tools for travelers .

If you choose to go around on your own, note that having downloaded offline maps or a Google Fi plan will help with mobile data.

Rental bicycle

You can rent a bicycle from your accommodation or from a shop and bicycle around Bagan. We tried this, and saw lots of visitors doing it as well.

• Pros: it’s a great way to be sustainable and to exercise your legs! Also, bicycles are free to take out for a day at most hostels and guesthouses that own 5 to 10 of them.
• Cons: Once you’re off the main roads that connect the towns, the dirt roads are not so fun when you’re on a bicycle, and, if you experience a rental bike that is not maintained and needs a tune-up, it’ll make it even less fun. Another con is that you won’t be getting around so fast.

E-Bike, moto or scooter

Anywhere else, I’d refer to an E-bike as a scooter, but in Myanmar, they are called E-bikes. You will see signs for E-bike rentals, and this is the preferred word to use for the type of scooter that’s similar to a motorbike, but probably goes a little slower and is more usable for someone who’s less experienced in riding motorized bikes.

I pictured an E-bike to be an actual electronic bike, which I’ve seen in NYC, but no — it’s what you’d picture to be a scooter.

If you’ve never ridden a scooter or E-bike before, you’ll want to practice before you start driving among the locals on the main roads and dirt roads. For anyone who has done this before, it’s simple, but if it is your first time, definitely be cautious and be sensitive to your safety!

• Pros: You can go faster than a bicycle. Also, the fees are usually very affordable, like 3000 Kyat ($1.43 USD) for a few hours. Lastly, you’ll be able to explore freely and independently.
• Cons: You’ll need to trust yourself riding one, and, E-bikes don’t do so well going through sand or uneven dirt roads.

Planning to ride motos often around Myanmar? Consider getting travel insurance with World Nomads or SafetyWing to save you in case of an accident.

Tuk-Tuk Driver

The morning before we experimented with E-bike rentals, we ordered a tuk-tuk ride to a sunrise spot. The Baobabed Hostel desk staff helped us organize and had a driver in mind.

• Pros: We didn’t have to worry about navigating and finding our way in the dark, before sunrise, to any spot. Come to think of it, this was really convenient! Also, our driver waited for us while we hung out at the pagoda taking as many photos as we wanted to. Lastly, this was totally safe!
• Cons: The fee we had agreed upon was for ‘sunrise only, and in visiting a pagoda afterward, the driver charged us additional money. We were able to negotiate.

Guided Tour of Bagan or Tour Package

We did not take any guided tours, so we can’t speak to any recommendations or the quality of the tours in Bagan; we did, however, see lots of guides during our time there, and they were speaking German, Spanish, English and French! Wow!

• Pros: You will learn way more than you would on your own, and the guides will take you to the best spots, all without you having to do any work to find them or stress over where they are.
• Cons: If you’re into adventuring on your own, this is not the option for you.

Hot air balloon ride in Bagan

Before we left home, friends said, “OH! You’ll HAVE to do the hot air balloon over Bagan! It’s unforgettable!” We said sure, yes, sounds great, and then we learned about the price tag.

Completely unaligned with what other things cost in Myanmar (beers for $1, hostel privates for $30, meals for $2 and overnight buses for $22), hot air balloon rides over Bagan, which have a duration of 45-60 minutes, cost between $320 and $400. Yes, you read correctly - this is probably the most expensive thing you can do in the whole country!

Nevertheless, we saw lots of tourists dish out money for this unique experience. If you have it in your trip budget , then take a hot air balloon ride! Lucky for us, we were able to take a hot air balloon ride recently over Teotihuacan outside Mexico City, so we didn’t feel like we were missing too much.

• Pros: This is a beautiful, unique and exciting way to see the Bagan pagodas from above.
• Cons: It might cost you more money than you spend on everything else during your trip. We preferred saving money while traveling and supporting locals.

How many days do you need in Bagan?

We received various tips for how many days we ‘needed’ to spend in Bagan during our planning, before we left home. Friends who had done speed trips to Myanmar saw Bagan in one day. Some friends recommended two full days. Some recommended three or four.

The ‘tourist ticket’ that will be charged when you enter the Bagan region at a checkpoint upon arrival by your bus, shared taxi or flight is equivalent to approximately $15 and is good for five days, so we considered that the real limit.

Is three days enough for visiting Bagan?

We found that three days was the perfect amount of time in Bagan, giving us opportunities for three potential sunrises and three potential sunsets. During our time of travel, in October, the sun would set around 5:30 pm and would rise around 6 am.

Lucky for our planning and with our flexible three days, we actually were so tired from having arrived on night bus that we napped and slept through our first opportunity to see a Bagan sunset. Fortunately, we were able to see the sunset from the pagodas on both following days.

What to do during the day in Bagan (because it’s so hot)

We were perplexed about what to do during the day in Bagan because it was so hot. What was everyone doing?

Avoid bicycling during the hottest hours

Our first day, in a rookie move, we rented bicycles and figured we should take a ride to the nearby town of Nyaung-U, where I knew there were a bunch of hostels, guesthouses and restaurants. Our free bicycle rentals were not too great, with no gears, flat-ish tires and janky pedals, and biking in the heat was tiring and frustrating.

We were sweaty, riding through clouds of street dust and our sunscreen was dripping off our faces. We found out that this is what you should NOT be doing during the day in Bagan!

Take a nap or enjoy your hostel’s AC

The next two days we did one of two things from the hours of 9 am to 3 pm: napped, or hung out in our hostel lobby with WiFi, AC, coffee and the option to order some smoothies. For lunch on one of the days, we walked a short distance to a ‘fancy’ Thai restaurant, where we had lunch, despite not being so hungry.

It was something to do during these hours of extreme heat. On our last day, we played pool in the hostel lobby with two Burmese guys who were really nice and played a good game of pool as well.

Can you go out during the hottest hours in Bagan?

It seemed like other travelers were either braving the heat and seeing temples despite the high temperatures (maybe they were pressed for time?) or napping in their rooms. Engaging in any type of physical activity in what felt like a desert was too exhausting.

Where to stay in Bagan

Hotel or hostel? Choosing accommodation type is entirely up to you, but then, which town of Bagan do you choose?

Any website will tell you that Bagan has three main regions for accommodations: New Bagan, Old Bagan and Nyaung-U. Without having researched this at all, we went by hostel ratings and went with Baobabed Hostel Bagan .

Upon arriving, we found out that it was located along the side of the road that connects Nyaung-U with Old Bagan, and wasn’t really in either town. The hostel property was in a slight dead zone, town-wise, but faced an E-bike rental shop, was next to another hotel and had a restaurant-laundry service-souvenir shop to the other side.

If you got on a bicycle and rode even five minutes, you’d probably see a pagoda in a field, which was pretty cool. Where else in the world can you do that? For this reason, we didn’t mind not staying in the center of any of the three towns.

What’s the difference between the Bagan towns?

Which is the best Bagan town for travelers? As for the three towns, Old Bagan is the oldest (hence the name), New Bagan was built in order to support more tourism and is built in a grid pattern of small streets and Nyaung-U is a cluster of streets with guesthouses and some shops. All are dusty. All are hot. All have proximity to temples, so you can’t go wrong, no matter what you choose.

Best sunset and sunrise spots in Bagan (after climbing ban)

Once upon a time before 2019, you could climb all the pagodas, temples and stupas if you could figure out a way how to. During our visit, we found out that this was no longer the case, and most blogs we read for our research listed heaps of climbable temples and pagodas for wonderful views that were no longer options for us due to new (somewhat enforced) regulations.

We found sunrise and sunset spots by asking hostel staff, who were most aware of the current situation and climbing ban. They were able to recommend a few options, but for times when they ran out of ideas, we ventured off on our own and sometimes lucked out.

The first morning, we went to Sulamuni Manmade Sunset Hill , which was built as a man-made hill to be a tourist viewpoint once the climbing ban was in place. We didn’t think the view was so impressive, so we wouldn’t recommend it.

The second morning, we went to Mimalaung Kyaung Temple , which was recommended by the hostel staff at Baobabed . This pagoda indeed had a viewing deck, and it wasn’t overcrowded or anything. We were the first ones there, at 5:30 am, and got to see the starry sky. Use our guide for how to take photos at night .

By 6:00 am there were about 15-20 visitors, but not much more. All things considered, this wasn’t bad at all.

For sunset on day two, we were recommended to get in touch with the father of one of the girls in the hostel in her village, which we did! After giving us a village tour, he took us to a collection of renovated pagodas outside the village, and took us to one we could climb via an internal stone staircase. To our surprise, we were joined by three other travelers who found the same place.

For sunrise on day three, this is when we kinda-sorta got scammed, as we detailed more in our Myanmar travel guide . We had taken a rented E-bike down the dirt road near the hostel and were feeling a dab lost, until a man on a motorbike asked if we wanted a recommendation of a sunrise spot, and we naturally said yes.

He led the way to a cluster of secret pagodas and stupas we never otherwise would have found, and after the sun rose, he brought us into a pagoda and showed us paintings that he was selling, saying, of course, he really wanted us to buy one. We actually did buy one, because they were nice, and we negotiated a price. It’s currently hanging in our living room and reminds us of this day.

For sunset on day three, we chose to stay close to the hostel and aimed to find a spot within a 10-minute radius. We had seen a few clusters of pagodas, some more populated with tourists than others, and pulled into the driveway of a collection of pagodas and a larger temple (which turned out to be Khaymingha Pagoda).

Dan and I split up and went to find good photos, and I found a lone pagoda , with a location pin, facing a field with a view toward the West and some stupas that were outlined against the sky. It’s here that we saw a fiery sunset with another couple who was on the hunt for this type of view. In conclusion, sometimes you have to find your own views and luck out in your own way.

Can you climb the temples and pagodas in Bagan?

Since 2018, you can only climb a select few. Below, we’ll share the locations of the pagodas we were able to climb. We saved the locations of them

Which temples have a good view in Bagan?

While we didn’t get to climb so many pagodas because of the ban, we did find a small pagoda with no name that was a few feet on a tiny hill above a field, and it was here that we watched an epic sunset with three stupas outlined against the sky. The location in Google Maps is here.

Mimalaung Kyaung was a great place to see sunrise, and because there were only 20 other visitors there by the time the sun was up, it wasn’t overwhelming or crowded at all.

Best Instagrammable temples to visit in Bagan

In a combination of avoiding massive tourist groups and seeing a variety of Buddhist temple architecture, we visited three temples that were very much alive with worshipers, and made great photo locations. We’ll detail them here.

Ananda Temple

Well worth a visit because it’s been renovated in the past few decades and is made of white stone, this temple is pretty big, and built symmetrically, so we had some fun finding our way out. There were some tour groups here, but not so many, and there’s parking for your E-bike right outside the entrance. There are no epic views to be had because there’s nowhere to climb and no lookout points, but we liked walking around the exterior.

Bu Paya (Bupaya Pagoda)

Bu Paya has a big gold stupa and faces the river. You could alternatively go here for sunset. At the time when we went, it was busy with locals and other Buddhist visitors who were praying.

Manuha Temple

Manuha Temple was recommended to us by locals, so you know it’s legit! It was really busy with Buddhist worshippers and seemed more authentic than the others, which were rebuilt and renovated to look beautiful for tourism (it seemed).

Shwesandaw Pagoda

Shwesandaw Pagoda was formerly one of the popular pagodas to climb, but alas, no more — all its stairways have been closed off and maybe it’s even lost its popularity for that reason. We went here after sunrise and liked being some of the only visitors. This made it a really serene visit. We also liked the pagodas that framed the dirt road, even more as a scene for taking photos.

Which temples can you still climb in Bagan?

If you are defining temples as the largest and most famous temples, we did not hear that any are still able to be climbed. We did not climb any. We climbed smaller, shorter pagodas (and got some solid views), which we’re mentioning below.

Which pagodas can you climb in Bagan? (Climbing ban update)

Since 2018 (so we heard while were in Bagan), many pagodas are now closed for climbing. We visited Shwesandaw Pagoda, listed as a pagoda to climb from reports before 2018, and it was gated off for climbing. We were the only foreign travelers there.

As mentioned, we did not find so many pagodas to climb because of the ban, but a local brought us to this pagoda that has an inside staircase and you can sit on the top platform (hope you’re not afraid of heights!). This pagoda is in a cluster of pagodas outside the village of Myin Ka Bar Village, Sein Gone Quarter, Bagan.

Can you travel solo in Bagan?

You can absolutely travel on your own in Bagan. It’s very safe and there is a lot of solo exploring that you’re able to do.

Are you leaving soon for a Myanmar trip? Make sure you check out our guide of the best things to know before you visit Myanmar .

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Bagan as it is… Unforgettable

By Norbert Figueroa • December 1, 2023

GloboTreks is reader-supported through affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! – Norbert

I don’t know why, but I had a really hard time focusing on what to write about Bagan. 

I mean, I loved… no, wait, let me be more specific; I LOVED Bagan, and I have millions of things to share about it, but somehow, all the ideas that came to my mind didn’t seem to do justice to how impressive Bagan really is.

Sure, I could (and I actually wanted to) write about the temples not to miss in Bagan – it’ll make your life easier when it comes to selecting a handful of temples and pagodas from over 2,200 remaining structures.

But no, an important part of experiencing Bagan is getting to discover the temples by yourself – through your own journey and desires, not because someone told you “this is the best and this one sucks”.

Formerly known as the Kingdom of Pagan, Bagan was founded in 849 AD in the plains by the Ayeyarwaddy River, and in a matter of a few hundred years, it became the heart of a huge Buddhist kingdom that unified most of what we know today as Myanmar.

This is no typical archeological site. Bagan has the history, architectural complexity, and natural beauty that rival sites like Machu Picchu and Angkor Wat , but –for the time being– without the huge number of visitors.

As cliché as it sounds (and I strongly avoid using the following word), Bagan was Magical – with a capital M . 

There’s an inherent beauty in being in a place that holds so many mysteries, yet it speaks loudly through its crumbling architecture, its reliefs, colorful frescoes, and gilded Buddha images.

Bagan is a legacy of the Buddhist belief that to build a temple was to earn merit.

You might think that 2,200 temples in a 26 square miles plain is impressive, but this is merely a small portion of the over 10,000 temples Bagan had originally.

These are the surviving structures that were not sacked during the Mongol Invasion in the 13 th century or that survived fire, earthquakes, and looting as the temples slowly decayed into abandonment.

For me, it was perfect to bike aimlessly for 4 days (yes, Bagan is huge ) and literally stumble upon temples, hidden between layers and layers of trees in the middle of the dry plains that host this ancient city.

I had so many memorable moments in Bagan, but the funny thing is, they are probably the most mundane moments in most other places in this world.

But again, Bagan is all about getting to know the Myanmar that once was and that somehow still is – a Myanmar that is currently peeking out of the veil of seclusion it hid itself with for so many decades.

One moment I’ll never forget was when I was in Dhammayangyi Temple, fascinated by its monumental size and all the monks around, and this lady came up to my friend Leo and me to sell us postcards.

Usually, I ignore them or say no politely, but she had some interesting postcards. She had us. She was really friendly and patient with us as we messed up her pack of postcards picking the perfect ones.

Among one of the postcards we selected, there was one with a lying Buddha. We were impressed by it and asked her how to get there. 

She couldn’t pinpoint it exactly for us, not because she didn’t know, but because explaining directions in Bagan is quite hard.

Bagan is mostly based out of two parallel streets where most of the important temples and pagodas are located. This is where most tourists stay since it’s easily accessible.

But, outside of those two parallel paved roads, there are hundreds of dirt paths weaving between trees and small plantations, reaching villages, small pagodas, and other colossal temples.

She tried to tell us we had to go through one of the many dirt paths, but we couldn’t understand her directions, so we discarded the idea of seeing the lying Buddha and continued our way through some other dirt paths.

The following day, as we roamed aimlessly again through more dirt paths –and frankly a bit lost– we stumbled upon a very small temple. 

It is not impressive compared to the iconic temples like Ananda and Thatbyinnyu, but for some reason, we decided to stop at this one.

It looked different. Unlike most temples in Bagan with a mostly symmetrical square plan, this one is elongated and quite low for its size.

We entered it, and as our eyes adjusted to the single dark chamber, we realized where we were. We were at the temple with the lying Buddha! We found it! 

We weren’t looking for it, but reaching it and seeing the lying Buddha was really exciting and memorable.

I say the Buddha is lying, but in reality, this is a statue of Buddha after death, as the gatekeeper of the temple told us – unlike the reclining Buddha in the more famous Manuha Temple (also in Bagan) where he is entering Nirvana.

This is the beauty of going with the flow and your intuition, exploring on your own, and having a thirst for discovery and knowledge.

From far, most temples look pretty much alike, and if you’ve been to Southeast Asia for a while, you could say you’ll get “templed-out” easily. But for me, there was something about Bagan that made me crave for more.

When you get up close to each temple and pagoda, you see how it is characteristically distinct from all the other temples; whether through its architectural style, its stupa, the intrinsic reliefs, the glorious frescoes, its Buddha statues, the sound made by its tiny bells dancing in the wind, or simply, the view and environment around. They are all different.

My daily routine in Bagan began waking up very early, sometimes as early as 5:30 am, to see the sunrise atop one of the temples and continue exploring the maze of temples by bicycle.

With a map in hand and almost no tourists in sight, I biked all morning through the plains – visiting new temples every day. 

Then around 11:30 am, I would return to my hotel in Nyaung-U to relax and stay away from the intense midday heat, and then at about 2:30 pm, I would go out again to visit more temples until sunset.

Now, sunsets… wow… sunset is the most magical time in Bagan.  The sunset here is an event where nature and the temples perform and dance together until twilight.

I’ve seen many beautiful sunsets, but not many rival Bagan’s raw beauty and intensity. I was fascinated by it on the first day. I was fascinated by it every single subsequent day I witnessed the sunset from the top of different temples.

Ok, here’s the one direct tip I will give you. There is the Shwesandaw Temple, also known as Sunset Temple. 

Yes, you’ll think that watching the sunset from here must be magnificent, but so does everyone else in Bagan (especially the tourist that are taken there on tours).

The temple gets sooooooo full that not a single extra body fits on all five platforms and the stairs connecting them. I decided to look for a lesser-known temple close to the Sunset Temple and watch it from there.  Best decision!

By the way, that’s part of the beauty of Bagan. You can lose the (still small) crowds by biking through the dirt paths on your own.  Sooner or later, you will come across a temple with no one, or almost no one, in it.

Earlier in the day, as Leo and I were biking through the plains, we came across this small temple close to the Sunset Temple. There was no one there except for the gatekeeper.

In Bagan, most temples have a gatekeeper – a local who either lives near the temple or who sells his painting and other art crafts in the temple. 

This one offered to let us climb to the top if we offered a small donation – aka. Bribe ($1). We were fine with that, so we returned close to sunset.

The temple was ours. It was truly peaceful. We saw how the sky changed its hues from blue to intense yellow and orange as the sun began to set. 

Trees morphed from green to black and the top of the pagodas, which poked high through the top of the natural canopy, turned from old brick brown to dark other-worldly silhouettes.

You hear nothing but the birds and the breeze as the night sets in and the warm air dissipates, letting the cool breeze take over the plain.

We repeated this ritual every sunset, picking a different temple each day in different parts of the plain. Each one was as beautiful as the last one, each with a different interaction with the gatekeeper. 

Some were more interested in selling their art while others were really interested in chatting with us (and even refused our donations).

I could continue telling stories about Bagan because every moment there felt like a new experience to me, but I’ll end it with this one.

On one of the many bike rides, I passed by Lemyethna and Payathonzu temples, and next to them were two ladies (goatherds) walking their goats. 

As we crossed paths, I noticed one of the goats straying from the herd. I stopped to look at the goat to see what it would do.

I was sure the goat would find its way back to the herd, but for some reason, I felt like it was truly lost. 

I kept looking for a few minutes, hoping for one of the ladies (or their dog) to come back for it or for the goat to move forward, but nothing.

Then my “rookie goatherd” self took action by guiding the goat forward with my bike’s semi-annoying bell.

I was far from excelling at this new skill, but I managed to reunite the goat and goatherds. They looked at me quite perplexed when they realized I was bringing back one of their goats.

Foreign words meant nothing to each other. Smiles and gestures did all the talking. It was all gratitude.

I stood there looking at the scenery I had before me – soaking it all up because I knew moments like these don’t come that often. 

It was a moment straight from one of those tourism commercials idolizing the picturesque past by showing how beautiful and pleasant it all was once.

This moment, though, was all real. Bagan does not idolize its glorious past. Bagan lives it through every genuine daily task, every ancient building, and every gesture. This is still an extremely unsullied destination.

I wish Bagan gets to conserve its genuine spirit and aura, because there are not many places in this world with similar stature and beauty where you feel like you are truly living, breathing, and understanding the destination as it really is.

Essential Info: Logistical Tips and Tricks to Book your Trip to Bagan, Myanmar

Tourists need to pay a $15 government fee to enter Bagan.  The pass is valid for five days.  Have exact change with the value of $15 in new and crisp bills. No stains, no creases, etc. They will refuse them otherwise. You can pay in euros too, but they charge 15 euros instead.

I stayed at  Bagan Umbra Hotel  ($45 a night for a double room) and  Winner Guest House  ($18 a night for a double room).  Bagan Umbra was very nice and had a pool (great for the hot afternoons), while Winner was more basic but just as good if you’re not looking for anything fancy.

For the best deals on the best-rated hotels, I recommend checking this list on Booking.com .

It is essential to rent a bike or e-bike while in Bagan. Bikes go at 1000-2000 kyats (about $1-2) a day, and e-bikes for 7000-8000 kyats a day ($7-8).

Try not to miss the following temples:

• Ananda Temple  – The most famous temple in Bagan, with the 4 standing Buddha statues. One of the best examples of Burmese art; from architecture, stone sculpture, stucco, glazed plaques, terra-cotta, wood carving, artwork of blacksmith, etc.
• Dhammayangyi Temple  – The largest temple in Bagan.
• Htilominlo Temple  – The temple is three stories tall, with a height of 46 meters (150 feet).  Impressive structure and design.
• Sulamani Temple   – Nice frescoes inside.
• Thatbyinnyu Temple   – Tallest temple in Bagan at 61 meters (201 feet)
• Gawdawpalin Temple  – Second tallest temple in Bagan. According to locals, this is one of the most beautiful temples.
• Shwesandaw Pagoda   – Also known as Sunset Temple.  Great to climb its 5 terraces during the day for the view, but try to watch the sunset from less crowded nearby temples.

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT Find a cheap flight by using  Skyscanner  or  Kayak . These are two of the sites I use the most due to their exhaustive search on several websites and airlines around the world. They usually bring the cheapest fares.

BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION If you’re looking to save money by staying at a hostel, HostelWorld has the largest inventory of hostels. On the other hand, Vrbo offers a wide variety of rooms and apartments at affordable prices.

For hotels, guesthouses, and other types of accommodation, I also recommend Booking.com . They usually have the cheapest fares for guesthouses and hotels. I always book my hotels with Booking.com .

DON’T FORGET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel insurance with comprehensive coverage will protect you against unexpected events like theft, cancellations, injury, and illness. I use  HeyMondo  for most of my trips.

If you’re a nomad and travel often or long-term, then SafetyWing  could help you save a lot of money on travel insurance.

FIND THE BEST TOURS AT THE BEST PRICES If you’re looking for the best day tours and cheapest ticket entrances to local attractions, I recommend checking Viator , as they have the largest selection of attractions, passes, and activities all around the world.

BOOK YOUR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AHEAD OF TIME Bookaway offers the easiest and most accessible way to book overland transportation with local operators, be it by bus, train, ferry, plane, mini-van, or even private transfers.

OTHER TRAVEL AND MONEY-SAVING TIPS? Lastly, check out my  resources page  for some of the best products and companies to use for your trip. If you like saving money (like I do!), then this page will help.

LET ME HELP YOU TRAVEL MORE BY GETTING ADDITIONAL  TIPS AND INSPIRATION  VIA THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER.

Plus, receive a short e-book with 15 Beginner Tips and Tricks to Save Money on Flights!​

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13 Comments

Great story! Thank’s Norbert, as always interesting and full of feelings!

Thanks, Kalin! Great to see you around!

How long can you hold the “levitation pose?”

Not for too long, unfortunately. 🙂

Temples, and so many natural parks and attractions can be witness at Bagan. It is so wonderful to have some time spending there. Anyway thanks dude.

Thanks, Carl! It is wonderful, indeed!

You say that you stayed there for 4 days. If you had stayed longer, was there a way to renew the pass or just buy a new one. Also, did you notice if there was any camping places or just the guest houses you mentioned?

Dave, Yes, you can just buy an additional pass if you want. To be honest, they don’t enforce it much (except at your entry to Bagan) and don’t ask for it except for the really popular temples (like the sunset temple and probably Ananda Temple). So, you just buy it for the first five days, visit those temples, and if you want to stay a bit longer, you shouldn’t have too much problem… If you happen to come across someone asking for it again, just buy it again.

On camping, to be honest, I don’t know. Myanmar doesn’t have a good tourism infrastructure as of yet, so it only has a few guesthouses and I don’t think there’s a dedicated area for camping. Maybe you could somewhere along the plains, but I would suggest to ask around (the locals) for recommendations. They are very friendly and open, so they might easily tell you to set your tent anywhere along their fields. Sorry I couldn’t help more with the camping.

I have never been to Bagan but looking and reading at your experiences, I feel like visiting it as early as possible. I love exploring places and this is on my list.

Joann, you should really go! It is one of those places that still feels like it hasn’t been touched or changed in a really long time.

Indeed unforgettable Bagan! Your descriptions of temples, sunset, goatherds and, of course the people, bring forth the vivid and fond memories I have of the place. During sunrise and sunset, in silence without a single soul in sight you felt almost like in conversation with its past glory. I traveled to Myanmar in 2011 and totally enjoyed myself in the country newly opened up to outsiders. I have photos to share: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/113277189824742468256/albums/5661070892403939985

Thanks for your wonderful write-up.

Great write-up but I simply have to comment on something that I find very disturbing. I noticed that the majority of English speaking tourists totally ignored the signs at the entrances of the temples, indicating what not to wear, and sadly you belong to this group, too. I understand that Myanmar is a hot but I do not understand how people can be so rude and do not care about the culture of the host country. If they ask you not to wear shorts or sleeveless shirts, you should do it, no matter how you feel about it. This is called respect and this is also something we all expect from people visiting our countries – they should follow OUR rules.

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Essay Samples on Trip

Sun, sand, and memories: a trip to the beach trip with family.

There's something magical about the beach — the rhythmic waves, the soft sand beneath your feet, and the endless expanse of the sea stretching out before you. A beach trip holds the promise of relaxation, adventure, and quality time with loved ones. Whether it's a...

Exploring the Enchanting Beauty of Sri Lanka: A Journey Through Its Picturesque Places

Sri Lanka, known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," is a country blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and cultural richness. From pristine beaches to lush tea plantations and ancient temples, this essay takes you on a virtual tour of some of the...

A Visit to a Sea Beach: My Memorable Journey

There's something inherently soothing and captivating about the vast expanse of the sea, the gentle waves, and the soft sands of a sea beach. A visit to a sea beach is an experience that rejuvenates the soul and leaves an indelible mark on one's heart....

A Trip I Will Never Forget: Swiss Apls

Traveling has a magical way of creating cherished memories that last a lifetime. Almost everyone has a trip you will never forget. Among the many journeys I've embarked upon, there's one particular trip that stands out as an unforgettable adventure, which I will share about...

A Memorable Trip to Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar

Traveling is a wonderful way to explore new places, immerse oneself in different cultures, and create lasting memories. One of the most unforgettable trips I've had was to Pyin Oo Lwin, a charming town nestled in the Shan Highlands of Myanmar. From its cool climate...

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A Memorable Holiday Trip to Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, the vibrant capital of Malaysia, offers a captivating blend of modernity and tradition, where soaring skyscrapers coexist with historical landmarks. My holiday trip to Kuala Lumpur was an adventure filled with awe-inspiring architecture, rich cultural experiences, and tantalizing culinary delights. This essay recounts...

• Kuala Lumpur

A Journey Through Time and Tranquility: About a Place I Visited

Amidst the bustling world of modernity lies a hidden gem — a place that transcends time and immerses its visitors in a realm of serenity and history. This place, known as Montfort Castle, stands as a testament to the beauty of nature's architecture and the...

• Personal Experience

Personal Vacation Experience of Unveiling the Wonders of Asia

The lure of the exotic, the tantalizing aromas, and the vibrant tapestry of cultures - Asia beckoned me with its enigmatic charm, promising a vacation experience full of discovery and awe. This essay recounts my extraordinary vacation experience in Asia, a voyage that transported me...

My Best Vacation: a Memorable Experience That I Won't Forget

It was about 5 months before the summer holidays began and I decided I wanted to go for a vacation to the sea. I told my uncles, and he agreed. Now I am going to describe my best vacation in this short essay. Here I...

How to Plan a Vacation Trip: Correct Navigation of the Process

Embarking on a vacation trip holds the promise of adventure, relaxation, and a much-needed break from the routine of everyday life. However, it is crucial to proper understand how to plan a vacation trip. This essay serves as a practical guide to help individuals navigate...

Traveling Through Life: Learning, Evolving, and Reflecting

Life Lessons Learned on a Journey What is a journey. A journey is an act of traveling from one place to another and the time in between that act. We took a look at many texts relating to people going on a journey such as...

• Life Lesson

My Recollections About The Family Trip To Costa Rica

Costa Rica was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had with my family. The environment was so beautiful and exotic. As soon as we arrived, I felt stress free and excited. Our tour guide was absolutely amazing and helped me step by step, by...

• Latin American Tourism

Reflections of My Kamogawa Sea World Trip

Killer whales live in the sea, and their body is black and white. They eat beast, for example, fish, penguins, seals, other whales and sharks. When I have free time, I watch YouTube. This is how I first learn to about to killer whales. I...

The Fictional Recreation of Vasco Da Gama's Trip

1482 The day I came back from my first-great expedition to the Gold Coast, Bob is suffering with some mental health issues. I tried visiting him, but the doctor’s would not let anyone go through his hospital room. I went to the Gold Coast with...

• Life Changing Experience
• Vasco Da Gama

Essay In Defense of Mission Trips

I love to travel, but I also know the toll that travel can have on popular destinations. The Sistine Chapel and the Great Pyramids of Giza are being slowly destroyed by over-tourism — and those are human-built monuments. Much more fragile treasures like the Great...

• Niagara Falls

My Experience Visiting the U.S. Botanic Garden

During my Thanksgiving break, I went to the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington D.C. I went with a couple of my friends from class and we all had a great time, despite being in the cold. When we entered the building, we were greeted by...

The Trip and the Time Spent in the Woods of Lake Needwood

I remember the time my father decided to take my family and I to Lake Needwood. It was in the summer of 2010 when he rented a cabin in the middle of the woods and took us there. I remember the cabin, the dilapidated shack...

Secluding Yourself: Getting Lost in the Woods

As my eyes slowly begin to open towards the sun gleaming through my windows, I hear a muffled yell from my mom, “Time to get up, breakfast is ready!” I hesitate only for a moment, the smell of Maine blueberry pancakes seeps through my door,...

Recollection of My Childhood Memories: A Nostalgic Camping Trip

Childhood memories never quickly disappear, and as many others do I hope for the life I've had as a child with a non-stress and loving family. Nostalgia will always be part of me because my childhood was just unforgettable and breathtaking overall. First of all,...

• Childhood Memories

Finding Your Spiritual Self During Spring Service Trip

Over the spring last year, I served as a student leader on a mission trip to Appalachia in Southeastern Kentucky. The trip was one of four mission trips sponsored by Family Christian Center to Appalachia in Kentucky. I have wanted to go on a service...

• Spring Break

Adventure Tourism: Risk Taking in Adventure of Life 

What is adventure tourism? From the word itself, we can figure out what does it mean. But, what does it contain? How important it is, or was it even important? Adventure tourism is basically travelling with eagerness for seeking adventure. Seeking something new, something that...

Vanet - Optimal Route In Finding Petrol Station In Oman

Research Proposal The system can be used as mobile-based application that allow driver search for nearest petrol station online. Drivers are the only beneficiaries of this application to determine the nearest oil station to their current location when the oil ratio is low. This application...

Reflection On My Visit To Taiwan

It is a daunting task to pick my next travel destination, each time. I am a travel nomad and love to explore a new place whenever possible. This time I knew I wanted to visit an Asian country. After conducting some online research and talking...

• About Myself

The Impact Of Television On One’s Travel Preference

Introduction Nowadays, the entertainment industry around the world is very flourishing, especially in the drama aspect. Take Korea as an example, many people are mainly acknowledged on Korea from Television (Kim, Kim, Agrusa & Lee, 2012). It changes one’s view of the country shown in...

A Personal Narrative of the Trials of Scaling St. Charles Peak

The Ascent During high school, two friends and I decided to try and backpack all over the country. Andrew, Jeff, and I took trips to places like the Grand Canyon, Santa Fe, and the Buffalo River. After each trip the three of us would say,...

• Grand Canyon

How Technology Has Transformed The Travel Industry

"Digitalisation has given us a great selection," said Tamara Lohan, co-founder and chief technology officer at the boutique hotel Mr&Mrs Smith. "More people are traveling than ever, and companies like Airbnb encourage younger people to explore earlier, and in a more cost-effective way. Technology has...

How To Take Great Travel Portraits

Travel portraits can be evocative of the places you’ve been and the local people you have met, but it can seem daunting to a beginner. Armed with the hints and tips in this article and a bit of practice, hopefully you’ll soon be taking travel...

Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, Lisse, The Netherlands

An image of the Netherlands imprinted in a lot of people’s minds is that of a field of tulips in various colors bathed in sunshine. The tulips have long been an icon that stands for what being Dutch is. If you are visiting the Netherlands...

Mera Amphu Laptsa Trek Vs Jomsom-Muktinath Trek

Mera Amphu Laptsa Trek Mera (6476m/21,246ft) and Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft) are two of the most well known trekking crests in the Nepal Himalaya and this undertaking joins jumps on the two mountains with a trek through the remote Honku Valley and an intersection of the...

Myanmar – An Incredible Place For Tourists

Everyone knows the popular Southeast Asia destinations — the beaches in Thailand, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the temples in Bali. But one country that’s becoming more popular is Myanmar, or Burma. Until recently, tourists had virtually boycotted visiting the country, not wanting to support the...

Oświęcim: Visiting My Ancestors Hell

Two years ago in the early-spring of 2016, I and my dad decided to go to Oświęcim, Poland to visit a place that acted like hell for some of my ancestors. This place is infamously known as the Auschwitz-Birkenau or the Auschwitz Concentration camp. This...

• World History

Our Spring Break Vacations In Florida

Every year, toward the beginning, my family always start to plan what we will be doing for spring break and where we will be spending it. Somehow we always choose Florida. I’m not sure if it’s because they live close enough to drive there or...

Reasons For Travel And Its Documentation

Peter Hulme while implying the significance of travel in writing says travel and movement are so fundamental to literary writing in general, “That there is almost no statuesque literature”. Travel and writing are closely connected because every traveler to an unfamiliar land wants to leave...

The Benefis Of Traveling For Every Aspect Of A Person's Life

Traveling and exploring the world is desirable because it improves physical health, broadens one's perspective of the world, but most importantly, it promotes one's mental health. Traveling improves one's physical health by boosting immunity, lowering stress levels, and decreasing risks of heart disease. When it...

The Role Of Travelling In Society

The etymological origin of Travel as a word has come from the Middle English word, travailen meaning to toil or to make a toilsome journey. Travel as a process can be defined by Helen Gilbert, “as a broadly defined practice featuring human movement through culturally...

What To Do In The Atacama Desert

Have you heard of one of the most unique natural places on Earth? If you have never heard of the Atacama desert, it’s time to do some research and see what you are missing out on! Located in northern Chile near the border with Bolivia,...

Notes From An Imperfect Journey Around The World By Daniel Baylis

Introduction A good book may have a potential in influencing how we see the world and for me purposely travel books, like others which offer amazing life-changing benefits. The Traveller: Notes from an Imperfect Journey Around the World by Daniel Baylis: experiencing 12 countries would...

• Book Review

Best topics on Trip

1. Sun, Sand, and Memories: A Trip to the Beach Trip with Family

2. Exploring the Enchanting Beauty of Sri Lanka: A Journey Through Its Picturesque Places

3. A Visit to a Sea Beach: My Memorable Journey

4. A Trip I Will Never Forget: Swiss Apls

5. A Memorable Trip to Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar

6. A Memorable Holiday Trip to Kuala Lumpur

7. A Journey Through Time and Tranquility: About a Place I Visited

8. Personal Vacation Experience of Unveiling the Wonders of Asia

9. My Best Vacation: a Memorable Experience That I Won’t Forget

10. How to Plan a Vacation Trip: Correct Navigation of the Process

11. Traveling Through Life: Learning, Evolving, and Reflecting

12. My Recollections About The Family Trip To Costa Rica

13. Reflections of My Kamogawa Sea World Trip

14. The Fictional Recreation of Vasco Da Gama’s Trip

15. Essay In Defense of Mission Trips

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Although not as evocative as its surrounding ancient riches, Mandalay is a thoroughly modern city with an interesting history dating back to the 19th Century when it was Burma’s capital.

Experiences

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Mandalay is the second-largest city in Burma (Myanmar) and is located in the northern region of the country on the eastern banks of the Irrawaddy River, it is the economic hub of the country and has managed to thrive through its exportation of rubies and jade amongst other goods.

The main sites within the vicinity of Mandalay include the magnificent wooden U-Bein footbridge that stretches for over a kilometre across a lake near the old city of Amarapura.

Buddha of Mahamuni Paya

The golden Buddha of Mahamuni Paya is well worth a visit. The nearby ancient city of Ava with its walls and wooden temple, the huge cast-iron bell at Minguin and a brick temple reached by boat along the river, are all not to be missed. The craft of making gold leaf and puppets are also kept very much alive here. The monastery area of Sagaing is home to 100’s of monks and nuns and a number of silversmiths practice their craft here.

Although nowadays it is a thoroughly modern city, in certain parts of the old city its old charm is still alive and it is well worth visiting for a day or two on a Burma holiday.

What do you really love doing? We’ll tailor your itinerary to suit you.

Mandalay Market

Stroll through the towns bustling market, a place few visitors reach, for an insight into real daily life.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Sunrise over Mandalay

Get up at dawn to watch the sunrise over the cityscape.

Kuthodaw Pagoda

Spend a peaceful hour exploring the ornate shrines of the graceful Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay.

Sagaing Pagodas

Explore the hundreds of golden pagodas and mingle amongst the pink and saffron clad monks of Sagaing.

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Hilton Mandalay £ £ £ £ £

Centrally located opposite the Royal Palace, the Hilton Mandalay offers comfortable rooms with some spectacular views. Choose from vistas of the hotel gardens, the palace or the eastern moat and Mandalay Hill beyond. Pathways lead through tropical gardens, dotted with ponds and temple gateways to a lovely swimming pool.

View Property

Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort £ £ £ £ £

Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort is located amidst verdant jungle foliage at the foot of Mandalay Hill. Set within 12 acres of gardens the hotel and each of its 206 rooms overlook Mandalay Hill or the Royal Palace with its beautiful moat and dozens of different pagodas. Facilities include five restaurants, a spa, swimming pool and tennis courts.

Rupar Mandalar Resort £ £ £ £ £

In a peaceful location just 10 minutes from the centre of Mandalay, Rupar Mandalar Resort offers a welcome retreat from city life. The 40 bedrooms are set throughout lush gardens and finished with local teak furnishings. At the centre of the hotel is a swimming pool and additional facilities including a small spa and a restaurant.

More luxury accommodation

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Paul Craven

Paul is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Central Asia and the Silk Route.

Being from a family with Army connections I can from an early age remember travelling. From camping in Europe and then later being sent to boarding school when we lived in Germany at the age of eight, complete with shorts, long socks, a cap and my suitcase. In appearance not too dissimilar to the children evacuated to the countryside during the blitz.

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Explore other regions.

• Places to explore

Bagan has many temples that rival those of Angkor in Cambodia and its surroundings.

Mergui Archipelago

Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago is one of Asia’s last island worlds which remain virtually untouched.

Hsipaw and the Shan State

Hsipaw, in Myanmar’s northern Shan state, is a fascinating and idyllic region to explore.

Inle Lake is a magnificent example of the range of beautiful landscapes on offer in Myanmar.

No longer the capital but still Burma's largest city, Yangon endures as one of the country's most important commercial hubs.

Irrawaddy River

The mighty Irrawaddy forms the backbone of Myanmar, several options exist for river journeys along its length.

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Featured in the press

Essay on My Most Memorable Trip

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Most Memorable Trip in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

100 Words Essay on My Most Memorable Trip

Exciting departure.

My most memorable trip was to a wildlife sanctuary. The excitement started with the journey itself. We took a train, and the rhythmic chugging felt like music.

Wildlife Encounter

Memorable return.

The return journey was equally thrilling. The sanctuary’s beauty stayed with me, making the trip unforgettable. This trip taught me to appreciate nature’s wonders.

250 Words Essay on My Most Memorable Trip

Introduction.

My most memorable trip was an enthralling journey to the heart of the Himalayas, Leh-Ladakh. This trip was not only about the breathtaking beauty of the mountains, but it was a journey that led to self-discovery and understanding the nuances of life.

The Journey

The journey began from Manali, a picturesque town nestled in the lap of the Himalayas. The road to Leh, known as the world’s second highest motorable road, was a mix of treacherous terrains, high altitude passes, and serene landscapes. The journey was challenging, but it was the challenge that made the journey more exciting.

The Destination

Upon reaching Leh, the stark beauty of the barren mountains, the azure blue sky, and the tranquility of the monasteries left me spellbound. The Pangong Lake, a shimmering blue expanse surrounded by snow-capped mountains, was a sight to behold. The simplicity and hospitality of the local Ladakhi people added a unique charm to the trip.

Life Lessons

This trip was not just about sightseeing; it was a journey of self-discovery. The challenges faced during the journey taught me resilience and the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone. The serenity of the place helped me introspect and understand the importance of inner peace in the chaos of life.

In conclusion, my trip to Leh-Ladakh was not just a journey to a destination, but a journey into myself. It was a trip that left an indelible imprint on my mind, making it the most memorable one.

500 Words Essay on My Most Memorable Trip

The grandeur of the grand canyon.

My trip to the Grand Canyon was a mesmerizing experience that transcended the boundaries of ordinary travel. The Grand Canyon, located in Arizona, USA, is a natural wonder that is unparalleled in its grandeur and majesty. It is a geological marvel that has been carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. The sheer size of the canyon, with its depth reaching over a mile and its width extending up to 18 miles, is awe-inspiring.

Preparation and Anticipation

First impressions.

My first glimpse of the Grand Canyon was a moment that is etched in my memory. As I stood on the edge of the South Rim, I was struck by the sheer enormity of the canyon. The vast expanse of rugged terrain, with its layers of red and brown rock, stretched as far as the eye could see. The play of light and shadow on the canyon walls created a dynamic landscape that seemed to change with every passing minute.

The Hiking Experience

Hiking down the Bright Angel Trail was a highlight of the trip. The trail, which descends into the canyon, offered breathtaking views at every turn. The challenging hike was a test of endurance, but the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the Colorado River was worth every drop of sweat.

In conclusion, the trip to the Grand Canyon was a memorable journey that left me with a deeper appreciation of nature’s beauty and the joy of exploration. It was a trip that I will always cherish, and it has inspired me to continue my quest for new experiences and adventures.

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Janis Paige, Star of Broadway’s ‘The Pajama Game,’ Is Dead at 101

She first made her mark in the all-star 1944 movie “Hollywood Canteen” before finding acclaim on the musical stage. Movie and TV roles followed.

By Anita Gates

Janis Paige, an entrancing singer, dancer and actress who starred in the original 1954 Broadway production of the hit musical “The Pajama Game,” died on Sunday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 101.

Her death was confirmed by a longtime friend, Stuart Lampert.

Ms. Paige made her mark at 22 in the all-star 1944 film “Hollywood Canteen,” but exposure in a string of 17 movies over the next seven years left her with little more than a collection of minor beauty titles, like Miss Wingspread and Miss Naval Air Reserve. When she ran away to try the New York stage, however, it took her only three years to become the toast of Broadway.

She was cast as the feisty, romance-resistant union leader Babe Williams in “The Pajama Game,” opposite John Raitt . The production — involving theater luminaries like George Abbott (book), Richard Adler (music) and Hal Prince (one of the producers) — won three Tony Awards in 1955: for best musical, best featured actress in a musical (Carol Haney) and best choreography (Bob Fosse).

When the show was adapted for a movie, the producers at Warner Bros. decided that at least one big Hollywood name was needed. So while most of the New York cast, including Mr. Raitt, made the transition to film, Ms. Paige was replaced by Doris Day .

Broadway continued to be kind to Ms. Paige, with four other starring roles. Notably, she replaced the seemingly irreplaceable Angela Lansbury in “Mame” in 1968. Clive Barnes, reviewing her performance in The New York Times, wrote that Ms. Paige had made “an excellent job of it.”

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