Whether you're visiting Myanmar for the first time or have been before, you'll want to experience some of the country's most beautiful places. The country borders Thailand, Laos, India, China and Bangladesh.
Shwedagon Pagoda
Located at the top of a 114-acre hill in the city of Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda is a sacred Buddhist site. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Myanmar. The main pagoda is surrounded by several temples.
The structure is covered in real gold. It seems to connect the earth to the sky. This is best seen when the sun sets, creating a golden glow.
It is a popular tourist destination. It is also home to the Shwedagon Paya, a large religious complex. The Paya is surrounded by many Buddhist temples.
The main pagoda changes dramatically in the evening as the sun sets. The pagoda is covered in golden rays, matching the yellowish hues of the setting sun. As the evening draws to a close, the pagoda is surrounded by the sound of low-pitched bells. This is a tradition begun by Queen Shin Sawbu in the 15th century.
When visiting the Shwedagon Pagoda, it is important to remember to remove your shoes before entering. You will not be allowed to wear shoes beyond the base of the hill. There are shoe racks where you can leave your shoes.
Ngapali Beach
Located on the western side of the Bay of Bengal, Ngapali Beach is one of the most beautiful places in Myanmar. With its palm-fringed sands, crystal-clear water and stunning landscape, it is a perfect destination for couples, honeymooners and families.
It is no wonder that Ngapali Beach is one of Southeast Asia's most popular beaches. It offers visitors plenty of activities. It is also a great place to learn about local life and culture. The beach is one of the best places in Myanmar to do snorkeling and swimming. You can also enjoy a boat trip to a nearby island.
Ngapali Beach is known for its white sands and clear blue water. It is also a great place to see migratory birds. You can also visit the local market and buy traditional street food snacks.
Another great thing to do at Ngapali Beach is to watch local fishermen in action. The beach is dotted with working fishing villages. If you arrive early, you might get a chance to watch the locals at work.
There are many beach restaurants serving delicious seafood. You can also enjoy a swim in the clear water.
Lake Inle
Located in the high Shan Hills of eastern Myanmar, Inle Lake is one of the country's most spectacular natural wonders. This stunningly beautiful lake offers visitors a number of fascinating attractions.
Lake Inle is home to a number of diverse ethnic groups. The Inthar people have lived here for thousands of years. They are the ones who developed the unique leg-rowing technique that they use to row their boats across the still waters of the lake.
Inle lake is also home to numerous floating vegetable gardens. These gardens grow a variety of vegetables and fruits. They are anchored by bamboo poles. The gardens are also planted with flowers.
Inle lake is also home to a thriving community of fishermen. These fishermen use wooden boats that are outfitted with outboard propellers. The boats are typically one-person wide and can be used to explore the lake.
Inle Lake is also home to numerous bird sanctuaries. The lake is known to attract migratory birds from China and Mongolia. It is also a great birdwatching destination during winter.
Chauk-htat-gyi Buddha Temple
Among the many places to visit in Myanmar, the Chauk-htat-gyi Buddha Temple is one of the best. This temple is located in Bahan Township in Yangon, Myanmar and is renowned for its reclining Buddha image. It is also one of the largest religious buildings in Myanmar.
This temple is built in 1966 and features a 65 meter reclining Buddha image. The Buddha is housed in a steel and corrugated iron structure. The Buddha image is supported on the back of the head and is decorated with 108 soles in red and gold colors. The temple also features a viewing platform which allows visitors to take a closer look at the elegant detailing on the Buddha's feet.
The interiors of the temple are also quite impressive. They have a spiral structure which takes your breath away. It is also surrounded by a number of monasteries and small shrines. In addition, musical performances are held in the park.
Aside from the reclining Buddha image, the temple is also home to about 600 monks. People come to this temple to pray for good things. The temple is also open daily.
Mrauk U
Located in the scenic landscape of Rakhine state, Mrauk U is an abandoned city tucked away in the Burmese jungle. Though it is no longer a functioning city, there are still impressive temples here to visit.
The Archaeology Museum is located within the city palace. It houses artifacts from the temples in the region. They offer private tours of their collection. There are also hands-on weaving lessons.
There are hundreds of ancient temples in Mrauk U. These temples are mostly places of worship for local villagers. Some of the best ones are located in the southern and eastern part of the city.
Peisi Daung Paya is a hilltop temple that features four large Buddha images. There is also a sanctuary with sixteen stupas. It is a popular location for a sunrise or sunset.
There are several ways to get around in Mrauk U. You can rent bicycles from a hotel or hire trishaws. You can also take a ferry ride to get around.
A horse and cart is another popular way to get around. You can hire them for the day, and they can take you to the temples.
Maha Bandoola Garden
Located in downtown Yangon, Maha Bandoola Garden is a beautiful place for an afternoon stroll or picnic. It is surrounded by historic buildings and the city hall. You can take in the city's beauty from afar and enjoy the fresh air and the pleasant atmosphere.
Maha Bandoola Garden was formerly known as Fytche Square. It was originally built by the British in 1868. It was named after the Chief Commissioner of British Burma, Albert Fytche. The statue of Queen Victoria used to stand where the Independence Monument is today.
A visit to Maha Bandoola Garden is an excellent way to relax after sightseeing. The garden offers a beautiful setting for photographs. The garden is small but well maintained. Located near the Independence Monument Obelisk, it is a good place for a relaxing stroll. The garden also has a good children's playground and an elegant view of the surrounding architecture.
The garden is a peaceful place to take a break from the bustle of the city. You can also enjoy the view of the heritage buildings in the area from the garden.
Shwenandaw Monastery
Originally part of the royal palace in Amarapura, Myanmar, Shwenandaw is the only building to survive from the wooden Royal Palace. During the Second World War, the palace was completely destroyed, except for Shwenandaw. The monastery is one of the most beautiful places in Myanmar, and it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.
The exterior of the monastery is covered with gold leaves, while the inside is decorated with teak. The monastery also has elaborate wood carvings that depict Buddhist religious scenes and scenes of Burmese life. The main Buddha image is located in the center of the monastery.
A few years after King Mindon's death, the monastery was rebuilt. He built it to be a private retreat. It was also believed that it was haunted by his ghost.
The building was originally covered in gold, but after the weather began to damage the gold, it was removed. Today, the monastery is covered with a four-tiered roof. Each section of the roof is smaller from the top to the bottom. In the past, the exterior was also covered with laminated glass mosaics.
Pindaya
Located in the Shan State of Burma, Pindaya is a small town that is well worth the visit. It is a quaint town with beautiful scenery. It is also the perfect base for trekking trips into the surrounding hills. You will also find traditional handicrafts.
The area is inhabited by the Danu people, a tribe that originated from India. It is home to many tribal villages. This area is also famous for producing traditional paper parasols.
Pindaya is also known for its extensive cave network. The Pindaya limestone cave is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. It is said that the cave contains 8,000 Buddha images.
Another tourist attraction in the area is the Shwe Oo Min Pagoda. It is also known for its legend that a prince killed a spider in a cave. Several large spider statues are located near the pagoda.
The Golden Caves are also worth visiting. This complex of caverns is located in the hills above the town. It is a five-hour drive from Yangon. They are a great way to see some of the Buddhist lore of the area. The images in these caves cover every available cavity in the rock. They are also covered in slimy limestone stalactites.
