Amidst Southeast Asia, we can find one of the most enigmatic countries and rich in traditions of the whole continent, Myanmar, the ideal destination for those who seek authenticity and adventure in a charming and exotic place.
Myanmar is in an optimal conditions for travelers as it is a quiet and quite recently opened tourism to the world, where you can still feel the magic of a long backpack trip in what may look like a mixture of Southeast Asia and India with its doors open all year.
Since the opening of its doors and air routes to the world, the tourism industry has been updated to meet the tourist demand of activities such as hiking, cycling, gastronomic tours, balloon rides and luxury river cruises.
Myanmar offers a traditional and unique tourism thanks to the magic that the place and its people convey, in addition, many visitors assure that traveling to Myanmar feels like making a trip in time, to another era. Some of the country’s most visited and exotic sites that transmit this sensation are:
Bagan
Located south of Mandalay, this could be the most popular destination for tourists because of its more than 4000 Buddhist temples scattered across the plain. The territory is divided into three parts: Nyaung U, Old Bagan and New Bagan, with temples scattered across the territory. The ideal way to wander in the area is to rent a bicycle, as well as to enjoy the mystic sunsets at the top of some of its temples.
Among the most famous temples that can be entered we can find: Shwezigon Paya, Ananda Patho, Thatbyinnyu Pahto, Gawdawpalin Pahto and Dhammayangyi Pahto.
Kyaiktiyo
Kyaiktiyo is a small town only available by bus, where people goes to visit the golden rock; this is a giant rock at the edge of a cliff, which inexplicably remains there, about to fall but not do so.
Legends tell that inside the rock is one of the Buddha’s hairs. To get to the rock you must make an excursion of 11 kilometers, although there is also the option of traveling most of the road by truck.
Inle Lake
The place that many consider as Myanmar’s heart, in these waters, there are floating villages, Buddhist stupas and agricultural systems, an unreal landscape where we can find the famous Intaas who maintain balance in their canoes while they paddle with one leg.
This aquatic universe is 22 kilometers long and 11 kilometers wide. There are different ethnic groups such as Shan, Taungyo, Pa-O, Danu, Danaw Bamar and Kayah, where the famous giraffe-necked women. Most of these tribal peoples have been living on the lake for hundreds of years and have developed floating villages. Most people stay in the village of NyaungShwe, where you can rent boats and travel across the lake or rent bicycles to explore the area.
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second largest city in the country and the former capital before the British invasion. This corner of Myanmar is at the end of the Lashio road, an old trade route with the southeast of China. Despite having ceased to be the capital of the country, this city remains the main point of commerce, where the market is a must on this trip.
Shwedagon Pagoda
It is believed to be the oldest pagoda in the world, although this has not yet been proven, many still regard it as the “Burma’s crown” and is the main attraction of Yangon since it can be seen from almost every corner of the city because of its 99 meters height.
The temple’s dome has 7,000 precious stones including diamonds, rubies, topaz and sapphires, as well as a giant emerald that can reflect sunrays at the sunset.
Sandamuni Pagoda
This pagoda is located southeast of Mandalay, and is a memorial for the younger brother of King Mindon Min, Kanaung Mintha and his sons. Sandamuni, is also known as Sandamani, due to an iron Buddha statuette called Sandamani that was held in here. This place is full of white stupas surrounding the central pagoda.
Mingun
Located in the vicinity of Mandalay, in this region, is the world’s largest pagoda, Mingun Pahtodawgyi, which was not completed due to the shaking of the west banks of the Irrawaddy River.
In here, you can also find the Pondaw pagoda, a complete model of the previous structure, just like the Mingun bell which is considered to be the largest bell in the world and the Hsinbyume pagoda or white pagoda, a memorial for a princess who died at birth. In addition, this site celebrates a festival every February on behalf of a couple of brothers who died drowned in the river and became nats (protective spirits).
Finally, we will talk about the beaches since Myanmar is home to the most exotic and magnificent beaches in the world, starting with Ngapali, located in Bengal Bay, a relatively unknown and unspoiled destination. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful coasts in the whole country, due to its blue waters and the whiteness of its sand surrounded by nature, luxurious hotels and elegant restaurants that offer the freshest seafood.
Followed by Ngwe Saung, one of the longest and most tranquil beaches, with luxury accommodation on the beach front, this place is characterized by two giant rocks with stupas at the top, it is located about 4 hours from Yangon, and south from Chaung Tha, the nearest beach to the ancient capital where you can have beautiful sunsets and take a look at the small pagoda that protects the fishermen.
Myanmar is a relatively new and unusual destination full of spirituality, perfect for a unique and magical getaway where cultures blend and the architectural and natural spectacle of the country give anyone who visits a new vision of the world.