Things to do in Myanmar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.