Myanmar offers golden pagodas, atmospheric colonial streets, and tranquil riverside towns, where you can slow down and connect with a rich, layered history and warm local hospitality.
Discover Myanmar
Discover Myanmar
Why visit Myanmar?
What to expect
From Yangon’s historic downtown and glittering Shwedagon Pagoda to serene lakeside and riverfront regions, you can explore heritage architecture, traditional crafts, and everyday street life at an unhurried pace.
Plan your trip
Myanmar rewards travellers who enjoy culture-rich cities and journeys by road, rail, or river, and it also serves as a fascinating addition to a wider trip through Southeast Asia, easily combined with Singapore and neighbouring countries.
Top experiences in Myanmar
Explore Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon
Walk the terraces of Yangon’s most iconic landmark at sunrise or sunset, taking in sweeping city views and intricate golden details.
Wander Yangon’s colonial downtown
Stroll past grand old offices, leafy boulevards, and lively shopfronts around Pansodan Street and the waterfront for a glimpse of the city’s past and present.
Cruise along the Yangon River
Take a leisurely river cruise to see cargo boats, small villages, and city skylines from the water, especially atmospheric in the late afternoon light.
Relax around Kandawgyi Lake
Circle the wooden walkways and parks around Kandawgyi Lake for calm views of Yangon’s skyline and the ornate Karaweik Hall on the water.
Discover local neighbourhood markets
Browse colourful stalls piled with fruit, fabrics, and daily essentials in Yangon’s neighbourhood markets, where everyday life unfolds in the open air.
Visit the Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha
Admire the impressive reclining Buddha statue and its detailed features, set within a vast hall that highlights the scale of this much-loved monument.
Ride the Yangon Circular Railway
Hop aboard the city’s slow loop train to pass suburbs, markets, and small stations, offering an engaging window into local life beyond the centre.
Experience Myanmar’s way of life
Getting around
In Myanmar, you will mainly travel between areas by domestic flights, intercity buses, and private cars, while within Yangon, taxis, ride-hailing services, and the Circular Railway help you move between neighbourhoods with ease.
Local life & culture
Daily life in Myanmar often unfolds on the streets and at teashops, where friends and families gather, while traditions, language, and crafts can vary subtly between different regions and communities.
Where to unwind
You can slow down in Yangon’s lakeside parks, shady tree-lined streets, and quieter riverside corners, or retreat to simple countryside lodges and guesthouses for time close to nature.
A taste of Myanmar
National dishes & specialties
Look out for favourites such as mohinga rice noodle soup, tea leaf salads, and rich curries, often linked to particular regions and shaped by influences from neighbouring countries.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In Yangon, you will find busy teashops, casual eateries, and contemporary cafés, serving local flavours alongside regional Asian and some international options convenient for visitors.
Signature & scenic dining
Seek out rooftop venues and river-view restaurants that pair Myanmar dishes with cityscapes or water views, creating memorable settings to end your day.
Retail therapy in Myanmar
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Yangon offers modern shopping centres with fashion, electronics, and everyday services under one roof, alongside smaller lifestyle hubs that mix retail, dining, and entertainment.
Markets & local crafts
Visit central markets in Yangon and other major towns for textiles, lacquerware, jewellery, and everyday goods, where you can browse for locally made souvenirs and handicrafts.
Evening retail scene
After dark, selected streets, malls, and small markets stay open, with illuminated shopfronts and food stalls that make evening strolls a relaxed way to explore and pick up last-minute finds.
Best time to visit Myanmar
Peak season typically runs from November to February, when much of Myanmar is cooler and drier, with average temperatures around 22–28°C (72–82°F), ideal for outdoor sightseeing and city walks. Shoulder season covers March to May and October, when temperatures often rise to 28–35°C (82–95°F), bringing hot days in the cities and some early or late rains, but also fewer visitors. Low season usually falls from June to September, with the southwest monsoon bringing regular showers and higher humidity, and temperatures around 25–32°C (77–90°F), especially in coastal and delta regions.