I still get goosebumps thinking about my first sunrise in Bagan. I’m standing on a temple viewpoint, barely awake, when suddenly thousands of ancient spires start glowing gold in the morning light. That moment alone was worth the trip to Myanmar.
You know those places that just feel different? Myanmar is exactly that. The beautiful places in Myanmar knocked me sideways…from watching monks stroll across U Bein Bridge (the world’s longest teak bridge) to looking up at the massive golden Shwedagon Pagoda glowing against the night sky in Yangon. This country serves up some serious wow factor, and I can’t wait to show you my 12 favorite spots that made my jaw drop. Trust me, you’re in for a treat.
Safety Disclaimer for Visiting Myanmar
Please read carefully before planning any travel to Myanmar:
Myanmar is currently experiencing significant civil unrest and armed conflict following the military coup in February 2021. Multiple government travel advisories strongly recommend against travel to Myanmar, including:
- US State Department: Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory
- UK Foreign Office: Advises against all travel to most regions
- Australian Government: “Do Not Travel” due to dangerous security situation
- Canadian Government: Avoid all travel
Current risks include:
- Armed conflict and civil unrest throughout the country
- Arbitrary detentions and wrongful imprisonment
- Explosions and attacks in public spaces, including tourist areas
- Limited embassy assistance capabilities
- Poor medical infrastructure
- Military checkpoints and travel restrictions
Elections scheduled for December 2025 may increase security risks further.
The destinations described below represent Myanmar’s incredible beauty and cultural significance. This content is intended for future travel inspiration when conditions improve, educational purposes, or for travelers who choose to visit despite official advisories after careful consideration and research.
We strongly encourage checking current government travel advisories and consulting with security professionals before making any travel decisions regarding Myanmar.
Best Places to Visit in Myanmar
Looking for the coolest things to do in Myanmar? Explore the ancient temples of Bagan, cruise through the serene waters of Inle Lake, discover the cultural heritage of Mandalay, and relax on the pristine shores of Ngapali Beach. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or coastal retreats, here are the top attractions to visit in Myanmar.
1. Bagan
Bagan honestly gives me chills every single time I think about it. Standing among 2,000+ ancient temples scattered across the plains while hot air balloons drift overhead at sunrise – it’s the kind of moment that makes you forget about your entire Instagram feed and just live in the present.
I’ve done the hot air balloon ride before (yeah, I’m obsessed), and it’s worth every penny of the $300-400 price tag. Balloons Over Bagan and Oriental Ballooning both offer incredible experiences – the Premium option with fewer people gives you more space to move around and better photo opportunities. Season runs October to April, with pickup around 5:30am for that magical sunrise flight.
What’s crazy is exploring by e-bike afterward. You’ll have these massive temples like Ananda and Shwesandaw almost entirely to yourself between the tour groups. The murals inside depict Buddha’s life story in incredible detail, and I always discover new corridors I missed before.
Pro tip: Skip the crowded sunset spots everyone talks about. I found an unnamed temple (GPS coordinates on request) where locals gather to watch the sun set over the Irrawaddy River. No tourists, just pure magic and the occasional monk walking by. November to February offers the best weather and ballooning conditions.
2. Inle Lake
Inle Lake is like stepping into a floating village that shouldn’t actually work but somehow does perfectly. The famous one-legged rowing fishermen aren’t just performing for tourists – that’s genuinely how they’ve fished for generations, and I still can’t figure out how they balance.
I spent three days on the lake and honestly could’ve stayed longer. The floating gardens producing tomatoes and flowers are mind-blowing – imagine entire farms literally floating on water. Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery has these jumping cats (though they don’t jump as much anymore), and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda gets absolutely packed during the October festival.
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The workshops built on stilts showcase incredible craftsmanship. I watched artisans create lotus fiber textiles – they actually spin thread from lotus stems. The silversmithing in Inpawkhon Village is next level, though definitely tourist-priced.
Best part? The five-day rotating markets where different hill tribes gather. I hit the Ywama Market and ended up sharing lunch with a Shan family who taught me to make their famous noodles. October to February is perfect weather, but avoid March-May when it gets seriously hot and the boat rides become uncomfortable.Lake
3. Mandalay
Mandalay gets overlooked because it’s not as immediately stunning as other destinations, but honestly, this city grows on you. The cultural depth here is incredible – it’s Myanmar’s spiritual heartland and the last royal capital, so there’s history everywhere you turn.
Mandalay Palace is worth the visit despite being reconstructed, but the real highlight is Kuthodaw Pagoda with the “world’s largest book” – 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist texts. I spent hours reading translations and still barely scratched the surface.
Shwenandaw Monastery with its intricate teak carvings is absolutely stunning. The sunset climb up Mandalay Hill is a must – locals make it a daily ritual and the city views are spectacular. U Bein Bridge at nearby Amarapura is ridiculously photogenic at sunset, though you’ll share it with lots of other photographers.
What surprised me most was the street food scene. The markets around 26th Street have incredible mohinga (fish noodle soup) and the night markets serve the best shan noodles I’ve had anywhere. November to February offers the most comfortable temperatures for all the walking you’ll do here.
4. Ngapali Beach
Ngapali Beach is that screensaver beach you stare at during conference calls, except it’s real and even better in person. This 7km stretch of pristine coastline feels like a secret the tourism industry hasn’t fully discovered yet.
I stayed at Sandoway Resort and spent my days doing absolutely nothing except swimming in crystal-clear water and eating fresh seafood caught that morning. The fishing villages along the beach offer the most authentic cultural experiences – watching fishermen haul in nets at dawn never gets old.
What makes Ngapali special is what’s missing. No high-rises, no beach clubs, no jetskis – just gentle waves, swaying palms, and fishing boats bobbing in the distance. The seafood is incredible – I had the best crab curry of my life at a beachside restaurant that literally doesn’t have a name.
Rent bicycles to explore neighboring villages and Buddhist shrines, or arrange boat trips to deserted islands. The sunsets here are legendary – I watched one with a Myanmar Beer in hand while listening to waves crash, and honestly felt like I’d found paradise. November to April is the dry season and perfect beach weather.
5. Shwedagon Pagoda
Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon completely blew my mind – and I’ve seen a lot of temples. This 99-meter golden stupa topped with a 76-carat diamond creates this electric atmosphere that you can literally feel when you walk onto the marble platform.
Entry costs 10,000 kyat (about $8), and it’s open 4am to 10pm daily. I visited at three different times and sunset is absolutely magical – that’s when thousands of oil lamps get lit and the locals come for evening prayers. The whole complex transforms into this glowing beacon visible across the city.
The ritual of walking clockwise around the stupa is fascinating. Locals stop at planetary posts corresponding to their birth day (Myanmar has eight days because Wednesday is split). I joined in pouring water over Buddha statues and it felt genuinely spiritual, not touristy.
What surprised me was how clean and well-maintained everything is. The marble stays spotless, the gold genuinely gleams, and the atmosphere feels incredibly peaceful despite being in the heart of busy Yangon. Go barefoot as required, dress modestly, and plan to spend at least 2 hours. The experience honestly changed how I think about religious sites.
6. Hpa-An
Hpa-An in Kayin State is adventure travel at its most rewarding. This riverside town surrounded by dramatic limestone karsts offers the perfect combination of cave exploration, temple visits, and stunning scenery that’ll fill your camera memory card.
Saddar Cave is absolutely mind-blowing – thousands of Buddha images lead through massive chambers before you take a boat through a flooded passage to a hidden lagoon. It’s like something from an adventure movie, except real and way cooler than any Hollywood set.
The 722-step climb up Mount Zwegabin nearly killed me, but the sunrise views were worth every sweaty step. You can see the Thanlwin River winding through rice paddies with limestone peaks jutting up like ancient monuments. I still rank it among my top travel moments.
Evening boat trips on the Thanlwin River to watch thousands of bats emerge from caves create these incredible patterns across the dusk sky. The whole experience feels primal and magical. November to February offers the best weather for cave exploration and hiking, though the caves stay cool year-round.
7. Mrauk U
Mrauk U isn’t just another temple complex – it’s a mystical archaeological wonderland that rivals Bagan but with way fewer crowds. This former powerful kingdom in Rakhine State offers a more intimate and mysterious temple experience.
The temples here are uniquely built with dark stone rather than brick, creating an atmosphere that feels more fortress-like than religious. Shitthaung Temple with its labyrinth of corridors lined with thousands of Buddha images is like exploring an ancient maze.
Haridaung Pagoda at sunrise is absolutely spectacular – morning fog creates this surreal landscape where temple spires emerge from the mist like something from a fantasy novel. I’ve had entire temple complexes completely to myself here.
The boat journey to reach Mrauk U from Sittwe along the Kaladan River is an adventure in itself, passing traditional villages and rice paddies. Local guides reveal hidden chambers and share stories that bring the ruins to life. November to February offers the best weather and clearest views from the hilltop temples.
8. Golden Rock (Kyaiktiyo Pagoda)
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, better known as Golden Rock, is pure physics-defying magic. This gold-leafed boulder perched impossibly on a cliff edge creates one of those “how is this even possible?” moments that stick with you forever.
The journey starts with thrilling rides in open trucks packed with pilgrims up winding mountain roads – it’s like the world’s most spiritual roller coaster. The atmosphere becomes electric as you approach, with prayers and burning incense filling the air.
I visited at sunset when the rock transforms into this glowing beacon, with pilgrims placing gold leaf (men only) and lighting candles around the base. The faith and devotion here is incredibly moving, regardless of your religious beliefs.
The overnight stay at Mountain Top Hotel lets you experience sunrise at the rock, which is equally magical with morning mist swirling around the boulder. The whole pilgrimage takes about 5 hours from Yangon, but the spiritual experience and views make it worth every minute of travel time.
9. Pindaya Caves
Pindaya Caves in Shan State house over 8,000 golden Buddha statues in a glittering underground temple that’s like stepping into Ali Baba’s cave, except filled with enlightened beings instead of treasure.
This natural limestone cavern has been transformed over centuries into a labyrinth of faith. Every chamber shimmers with gilded figures dating back hundreds of years – some carved from rare teak, others cast in bronze, all covered in gold leaf by devoted pilgrims.
What’s fascinating is watching locals pray among the statues, each Buddha representing different aspects of enlightenment. The oldest statues have this incredible patina and character that modern replicas can’t match.
After exploring the caves, visit nearby workshops where artisans craft traditional Shan paper umbrellas using methods passed down through generations. The hiking trails around Pindaya Lake offer stunning viewpoints and a chance to walk off all the temple snacks. October to February provides the best weather for cave exploration and hiking.
10. Pyin Oo Lwin
Pyin Oo Lwin is Myanmar’s charming hill station that feels like stepping into colonial-era England, except with tropical flowers and way better weather. This refreshing escape from Myanmar’s heat sits in pine forests and strawberry fields about 1.5 hours from Mandalay.
National Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens is a 435-acre wonderland that I explored for an entire day and still didn’t see everything. The orchid collection is incredible, and the lake surrounded by flowers creates these perfect picnic spots.
The horse-drawn carriages painted in bright colors are touristy but genuinely fun – clip-clopping through streets lined with colonial mansions feels like time travel. I sampled fresh strawberries at local farms and toured coffee plantations that produce surprisingly good beans.
Anisakan Falls offers a refreshing dip after hiking through forest trails, though the trek requires decent fitness. December to February is perfect weather for the flower festival, while March to May can be hot but less crowded.
11. Kakku Pagodas
Kakku Pagodas in southern Shan State create a mind-boggling forest of over 2,500 stupas densely packed in perfect alignment. This hidden archaeological treasure remained largely unknown to outsiders until the 1990s, and it still feels incredibly special.
Walking through narrow pathways between these ancient spires creates a maze-like experience that’s both overwhelming and meditative. Most stupas date to the 16th century, though some are over 1,000 years old, each topped with a hti (umbrella) and bell.
The sound when breezes pass through is absolutely magical – thousands of bells creating this natural symphony. Golden afternoon light illuminating the spires is one of those moments that makes you forget about everything else and just stand there in awe.
The journey requires a Pa-O guide (mandatory), which provides incredible cultural insights about the ethnic group recognizable by their indigo clothes. November to February offers the best weather and lighting for photography, though the experience is powerful any time of year.
12. Mount Popa
Mount Popa is Myanmar’s spiritual Mount Olympus – a volcanic plug crowned with a golden monastery that appears to float among clouds. This sacred home of Myanmar’s most powerful nats (spirits) requires climbing 777 steps barefoot, but the views are absolutely worth it.
The resident macaque monkeys are notorious snack thieves, so hold onto your food! Each step up features nat shrines where locals make offerings to the 37 spirits believed to dwell here. The climb becomes a cultural education as much as physical challenge.
Reaching the summit’s Taung Kalat monastery with 360-degree views stretching to distant Bagan literally took my breath away. The monastery seems impossibly perched on this needle of rock, creating one of those “how did they build this?” moments.
Visit early morning to avoid midday heat and crowds. The spiritual atmosphere combined with dramatic views makes this one of Myanmar’s most unique destinations. November to February offers the clearest views and most comfortable climbing conditions.
