Myanmar may still be an up-and-coming travel destination, but certain areas already receive a lot more attention than others. If you're looking for places that are a bit more off-the-beaten-path, here's a great list of experiences that will provide a better understanding of the local culture, nature, and customs unique to certain regions.
In August, the wet season is in full effect, and though that makes some places more lush and beautiful, it also means you're likely to experience some heavy downpours. That said—it's not monsoon weather everywhere in the country. Although the coast and southern cities get hit hard, there are plenty of regions in the north and around the mountains that are spared some of the heavy flooding and torrential downpours. The weather is still warm and, best of all, the crowds completely disappear.
Most people are familiar with Myanmar's 'Big Four' destinations — Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake — but there are a number of other unique and beautiful places to visit during your trip to Myanmar. Here's a list of the other 'top' places to visit and experience during your trip to Myanmar.
October is a fantastic time of year to visit Myanmar. After a long wet season, the rain finally begins tapering off and the storms on the coast let up. People start arriving again and, though you won't enjoy the same lack of crowds that you do in the middle of August, it's nevertheless much less busy than during peak season. For this reason, you can often find good deals on hotels, too.
One of the most iconic photos of Myanmar is the image of dozens of hot air balloons drifting across the plains of Bagan with a layer of fog shrouding hundreds of ancient temples. This is a 'must do' on many travelers list and for good reason — getting a bird's eye view of thousands of historic monuments is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Myanmar has three main seasons: the cool, the hot, and the rainy. Planning your visit around these seasons can help you get the most out of your visit. Each season offers its own unique experience, along with numerous annual festivals where you can enjoy this historic, fascinating, and energetic country.
December is one of the best months of the year to visit Myanmar. The weather is warm but not suffocatingly hot, and there's virtually no rain anywhere in sight. The flip-side to the amazing weather, of course, is that it attracts a lot of people—the second half of December through mid-January is the busiest time of year. That means you won't have those idyllic Mandalay sunrises all to yourself as you might in June, but most people find it worth braving the crowds.
Jo and Jens are no strangers to the Himalaya. With plenty of trekking experience in Bhutan and Tibet, this ambitious couple set their sights on the Three Passes Circuit in Nepal. But that only piqued their appetite for adventure - after sixteen days of trekking, they headed to Myanmar for a totally different kind of fun, complete with a hot air balloon ride over the floating gardens of Inle Lake. Read on to hear more of Jo's travel reflections.
Myanmar is quite unlike anywhere else in Southeast Asia or the world. The term ‘Southeast Asia’ is regularly used as a catch-all for the countries south of China and north of Australia. While these countries certainly have their similarities, they each retain their own unique features. Below, we've outlined 5 things that make Myanmar special and unique.
Myanmar is an amazing place to witness some of the most unique festivals in the world. There is always something taking place somewhere in the country. Most festivals are cultural and religious, offering intriguing and colorful experiences for visitors. Dates change each year, so check which will be on while you're traveling through the country. It's a particularly good idea to look out for the lively pagoda festivals, which happen regularly and throughout Myanmar.