If you are after an adventure in Southeast Asia a little different to most, Myanmar could be the idyll you are looking for. As unique as it is mysterious, it’s a hidden gem you would be crazy not to explore!
Here is why you should book your flights and travel to magical Myanmar.
1. The awe-inspiring temples
We dare you not to feel overwhelmed with emotion as you take a night-time walk around the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar’s capital Yangon or get goosebumps whilst watching the sunrise above the hundreds of temples in Bagan. There is a constant feeling of otherworldliness in Myanmar – the country is shimmering with a kind of magic that cannot be captured with a camera. Immerse yourself in it and get your spiritual senses tingling!
Embark on a sunrise balloon ride above the majestic pagodas of Bagan between mid-October through to mid-March when the winds are calmer. This experience might be more costly than others but definitely worth the splurge! You can go with either Oriental Ballooning or Balloons over Bagan.
Tip: Shop one of the beautiful Burmese sarong like dresses – longyi – before visiting a temple and bring a bag for your shoes like the locals for a barefoot experience.
2. The best-kept secret in Asia
Having only opened it’s borders to foreign travellers a few years ago, Myanmar is still fairly mysterious and it is unlikely that you will ever see hordes of tourists flocking to get the best shot in many of the most popular attractions. You better make a trip before your Instagram feed lives to regret it.
3. The welcoming locals
We promise you, the people of Myanmar are some of the most pleasant you will ever meet. Their smiles are genuine, their faces warm and full of friendliness. Unlike some places in southeast Asia that are hardened by a constant rush of tourism and sales, the citizens of Myanmar are grateful for your custom and curious to know why you have come to their breathtaking country.
4. The stunning natural landscapes
Whether it is riding a scooter around awe-inspiring temples in Bagan or horse-riding through the dirt-track roads at Lake lnle, you are bound to be impressed by Myanmar’s natural beauty. Due to a lack of vast tourism, it’s beautiful mountains, picturesque rural landscapes and stunning scenic routes are practically untouched by humans. Most of these scenes will be there for you to enjoy in all your glory; soak it all up!
*TAC TIP: Book yourself into Yoma Cherry Lodge at the enchanting Ngapali Beach – the small boutique beach accommodation with its architectural charm, a well-tended garden and a beach terrace is the only hotel along the beach and also includes an English school.
5. The authentic style of living
Having only the most recent of western influence within it’s most populated regions, Myanmar is still very much a place that is humble in its lifestyle. Ditch your Macbook and dig out your journal – go back to basics in a place that will inspire you to emphasise your joy in life’s most simplest pleasures.
Only those who come from countries in Southeast Asia are able to visit Myanmar without a visa, so make sure that you do your research based on where you come from! Travellers from the USA, Australia, Singapore, the UK and countries within the EU (excluding Liechtenstein) are able to enter the country with an e-visa, but double check so you don’t have trouble when you arrive. For more details, click here.
Do you have any recommendations of what to do in Myanmar that didn’t make the list? We’d love to hear from you!
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This article has been written by @laurenkatehannah for @theasia.collective.
