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SE AsiaTemplesCultureHistory

Myanmar

Thousands of ancient Buddhist temples, extraordinary hospitality and Southeast Asia's most authentic culture.

Southeast Asia
⛩️ Bagan Temples🛶 Inle Lake🏔️ Shan Hills🙏 Buddhist Culture

Backpacking Myanmar

Myanmar is undergoing a complex political situation that requires careful consideration before visiting. For those who do go, it offers something that no other Southeast Asian country can: the Bagan plain with 2,000+ ancient Buddhist temples, the floating village life of Inle Lake and a Buddhist culture so pervasive and genuine that it transforms the experience of travel. Check current FCDO/State Department advice carefully before booking.

£20–£40/day avg daily budget
Key Info
Kyat (MMK) / USDBurmese (English in tourist areas)Type C/D/F/G/IDrive Right
Tips appreciated — wages are very low
Weather
Best: Nov–Feb
Cool Dry Season (Nov–Feb) — comfortable temperatures, clear skies
March–May is very hot. June–October is monsoon. November–February is the ideal window.
Health
⚠️Bottled water only throughout Myanmar
Hepatitis Arecommended
Typhoidrecommended
Malaria prophylaxisrequired for rural areas
Transport
Domestic flightNight busBoat
✈️ RGN Yangon International (main hub) / NPT Naypyidaw
Domestic flights save significant time. Night buses between Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay are comfortable.
Emergency
👮 Police199
🚑 Ambulance192
🔥 Fire191
The Highlights

8 Things to Do in Myanmar

01
Bagan plain at sunrise — 2,000+ ancient Buddhist temples in the mist from an e-bike or hot air balloon
02
Inle Lake — the floating villages, stilt-house monasteries and leg-rowing fishermen
03
Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon — the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, covered in 60 tonnes of gold
04
Mandalay Hill at sunset — the wooden U Bein Bridge and the Irrawaddy River
05
Hike the Shan Hills from Kalaw to Inle Lake — 3-day trek through minority hill tribe villages
06
Mrauk-U — the remote ancient city more extraordinary than Bagan, accessible only by river boat
07
Ngapali Beach — the most beautiful beach in Myanmar on the Bay of Bengal
08
Hsipaw — the Shan State market town with excellent trekking to local villages
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Insider Knowledge

What Most Guides Don't Tell You About Myanmar