Myanmar offers golden pagodas, tranquil rivers, and timeless towns, where historic cities like Yangon blend colonial charm with a deeply rooted local culture.
Discover Myanmar
Discover Myanmar
Why visit Myanmar?
What to expect
You can explore Yangon’s heritage streets and shimmering Shwedagon Pagoda, wander ancient temple plains in Bagan, and experience laid-back lakeside life in the country’s cool central highlands.
Plan your trip
Myanmar rewards slow travel, with Yangon often your first stop and a gateway to river cruises, temple regions, and hill towns across the country and wider mainland Southeast Asia.
Top experiences in Myanmar
Explore Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon
Visit Yangon’s iconic hilltop pagoda at sunset, when its golden stupa glows over the city skyline and the surrounding terraces fill with a calm, reflective atmosphere.
Stroll Yangon’s colonial downtown
Walk streets lined with historic buildings, leafy avenues, and lively side lanes around Pansodan and Strand Road, where local life unfolds against a backdrop of riverside architecture.
Cruise along the Ayeyarwady River
Take a river journey between historic towns to see rural life, riverside villages, and temple-dotted banks at a relaxed, unhurried pace.
Discover the temple plains of Bagan
Wander among centuries-old temples and stupas scattered across a wide plain, with sunrise and sunset offering particularly atmospheric views from selected viewpoints.
Unwind by Inle Lake
Stay in lakeside retreats, watch fishermen glide across the water, and visit stilt villages and craft workshops reached by traditional longtail boats.
Ride a scenic hill train
Travel by local train across misty hills and over dramatic viaducts, giving you time to take in sweeping countryside views.
Sample street-side snacks and tea shops
Pause at neighbourhood tea shops and street stalls to enjoy a steady flow of snacks and hot drinks amid a friendly, social atmosphere.
Experience Myanmar’s way of life
Getting around
From Yangon, you can continue your journey by domestic flight to key regions, or use a mix of trains, coaches, river boats, and private cars to reach cities, lakes, and hill towns across Myanmar.
Local life & culture
Daily life follows an unhurried rhythm, with busy markets, roadside tea shops, and neighbourhood gatherings reflecting strong community ties and rich artistic traditions from region to region.
Where to unwind
Relax in Yangon’s city parks, retreat to lakeside stays and riverside lodges, or enjoy gentle countryside walks in hill areas surrounded by cool air and green landscapes.
A taste of Myanmar
National dishes & specialties
You can try fragrant noodle soups, rich curries, and tea leaf salads, with Yangon and central Myanmar offering diverse takes on the country’s signature flavours.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Yangon’s streets, food courts, and casual restaurants serve everything from quick local bites to regional Chinese and Indian-influenced dishes, alongside emerging modern cafés and bistros.
Signature & scenic dining
Consider dining in heritage buildings in Yangon, riverside venues with sunset views, or lakeside restaurants in central Myanmar for a memorable setting to end the day.
Retail therapy in Myanmar
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Yangon offers modern malls and lifestyle centres where you can find international brands, local fashion, electronics, and convenient supermarkets under one roof.
Markets & local crafts
Browse Yangon’s central markets and regional bazaars for textiles, lacquerware, jewellery, and everyday goods that reflect Myanmar’s varied craft traditions.
Evening retail scene
After dark, central districts in Yangon stay lively with illuminated shopfronts, late-opening malls, and street stalls selling clothing, accessories, and everyday items.
Best time to visit Myanmar
Cool dry season (peak season): From November to February, temperatures in many lowland areas, including Yangon, sit around 20–30°C (68–86°F) with lower humidity and clearer skies, making it popular for sightseeing. Hot season (shoulder season): March to May brings hotter days, often 30–38°C (86–100°F), especially inland, with long sunny hours and rising humidity before the rains arrive. Rainy season (low season): From June to October, temperatures are usually 24–32°C (75–90°F) with frequent showers and occasional heavy downpours, particularly along the coast, but countryside landscapes become lush and green.