Things to do in Myanmar

25 things to do in Myanmar

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Watch sunrise over the temple-studded plain of Bagan

  Climb an elevated terrace before dawn to see the first rays illuminate thousands of ancient pagodas and the misty Irrawaddy valley.

  Bagan, Mandalay Region

• Gild the golden stupa of Shwedagon Pagoda

  Join devotees in rubbing gold leaf onto the towering 99-metre stupa, surrounded by a sea of glowing shrines and eternal flame basins.

  Yangon

• Cruise the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay to Bagan

  Drift past riverside villages, golden stupas, and endless sandbanks on a multi-day boat journey along Myanmar's life-giving waterway.

  Irrawaddy River, central Myanmar

• Climb the 777 steps to the top of Mount Popa

  Ascend a volcanic plug crowned by a gilded monastery, dodging playful macaques and enjoying panoramic views over the dry central plains.

  Popa Taungkalat, near Bagan

• Explore the forgotten temple city of Mrauk U

  Wander through a maze of moss-covered stone pagodas and fortress-like temples in the remote Rakhine hills, far from tourist crowds.

  Mrauk U, Rakhine State

• Walk across U Bein Bridge at sunset

  Stroll the world's longest teak footbridge as monks and fishermen silhouette against a blazing orange sky over Taungthaman Lake.

  Amarapura, near Mandalay

• Savour a steaming bowl of mohinga at a Yangon teashop

  Start your day like locals do with the national dish—rice noodles in a savoury fish broth, topped with crisp fritters and a squeeze of lime.

  Yangon

• Trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake through Shan villages

  Hike for two or three days across rolling hills, bamboo forests and ethnic Pa-O farmlands, ending with a boat ride onto the legendary lake.

  Kalaw, Shan State

• Float above Bagan's temples in a hot air balloon

  Drift silently over thousands of pagodas at first light, watching the plain transform from a shadowy maze into a golden sea of spires.

  Bagan

• Glide across Inle Lake in a long-tail boat

  Navigate floating gardens and wooden stilt villages while fishermen demonstrate their iconic one-legged rowing technique.

  Inle Lake, Shan State

• Dive into Danyingone Market's tropical fruit chaos

  Weave through crates of bright mangosteens, pungent durians and unfamiliar seasonal gems at Yangon's sprawling wholesale market.

  Yangon

• Step inside the Mandalay Royal Palace compound

  Enter the reconstructed teak citadel of the last Burmese kingdom, climbing its watchtower for a bird's-eye view of Mandalay's grid.

  Mandalay

• Witness the daily face-washing ritual at Mahamuni Buddha Temple

  Arrive before 4 am to watch attendants ceremonially cleanse the revered golden Buddha's face, a practice that draws devout worshippers.

  Mandalay

• Squeeze through the glittering Kawgun Cave

  Walk inside a cliffside grotto completely encrusted with tiny clay and lacquer Buddha images in the karst landscapes of Hpa An.

  Kawgun Cave, near Hpa An, Kayin State

• Hike to the gravity-defying Golden Rock

  Climb to Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, where a massive boulder painted in gold leaf balances impossibly on the cliff edge, shimmering at dusk.

  Kyaiktiyo, Mon State

• Celebrate the Taunggyi Fire Balloon Festival

  Brave the crowds in Shan State's capital during Tazaungdaing as giant paper balloons carrying flaming lanterns rise into the night sky.

  Taunggyi, Shan State

• Master a Burmese pork-and-potato curry in a Bagan cooking class

  Grind fresh spices and simmer a fragrant curry in a local family's kitchen, then feast on your creation overlooking the pagodas.

  Bagan

• Uncover the earliest Mon kingdom at Thaton

  Explore the quiet ruins and ancient city walls of Thaton, a cradle of Theravada Buddhism predating Bagan by centuries.

  Thaton, Mon State

• Cycle among Bagan's stupas at dawn

  Pedal down sandy lanes with a bicycle, chasing mist-lit pagodas and discovering hidden temples where locals still worship.

  Bagan

• Take high tea in the colonial Strand Hotel

  Sip Earl Grey under whirring ceiling fans in this Yangon grande dame, reliving the elegance of British-era Rangoon with dainty pastries.

  Yangon

• Watch a traditional marionette show in Mandalay

  Sit front row at Mandalay Marionettes Theater to see intricate wooden puppets dance out Myanmar epics to the beat of a saing orchestra.

  Mandalay

• Trek from Hsipaw to remote Palaung hill-tribe villages

  Hike over jungle ridges and tea plantations in northern Shan State, sleeping in village homes and learning about Palaung silver-grinding traditions.

  Hsipaw, Shan State

• Stand beside the unfinished Mingun Pahtodawgyi

  Gaze up at the immense brick cracks of a stupa meant to be the world's largest, then ring the 90-ton Mingun Bell nearby.

  Mingun, Sagaing Region

• Snorkel the untouched reefs of the Mergui Archipelago

  Take a liveaboard to the 800 islands of Myanmar's far south, where turquoise waters hide vibrant corals, manta rays and nomadic Moken sea gypsies.

  Mergui Archipelago, Tanintharyi Region

• Visit the jumping cat monastery on Inle Lake

  Enter Nga Phe Kyaung, an old wooden monastery where monks once trained cats to leap through hoops, now a serene repository of ancient Shan buddhas.

  Inle Lake, Shan State