Myanmar offers atmospheric cities, misty temple plains, and tranquil riverside towns, where centuries of history sit alongside a gentle, unhurried pace of life.
Discover Myanmar
Discover Myanmar
Why visit Myanmar?
What to expect
You can explore Yangon’s colonial streets and lakes, sunrise over ancient pagodas in Bagan, cool highlands around Inle Lake, and the great Ayeyarwady River that links many of the country’s highlights.
Plan your trip
Myanmar suits curious travellers looking for slower journeys, river cruises, and time in characterful towns, and it also pairs well with wider exploration of Southeast Asia via Singapore.
Top experiences in Myanmar
Stroll through downtown Yangon
Walk past grand colonial-era buildings, lively side streets, and shaded parks, then pause at tea shops to watch city life unfold.
Explore Shwedagon Pagoda at dusk
Visit Yangon’s famed hilltop pagoda as the sun sets and the stupa glows under warm lights, with city views in every direction.
Cruise the Ayeyarwady River
Take a river journey between historic towns, passing sandbanks, small villages, and golden stupas on distant hills.
Discover the temples of Bagan
Spend a day exploring Bagan’s temple plains by bicycle, e-bike, or car, climbing viewpoints for wide panoramas at sunrise or sunset.
Unwind at Inle Lake
Drift across the calm lake by longboat, passing stilted villages, floating gardens, and fishermen practising unique one-legged rowing.
Ride a scenic highland train
Journey through Myanmar’s uplands on a local train, crossing old viaducts and winding slowly through forested hills.
Browse Yangon’s lakes and parks
Escape the bustle around Kandawgyi and Inya lakes, where you can follow leafy paths and enjoy city views from the water’s edge.
Join a guided heritage walk
Learn the stories behind Yangon’s architecture and neighbourhoods on a guided walk that connects landmarks with everyday local life.
Experience Myanmar’s way of life
Getting around
Domestic flights link Yangon with key destinations such as Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake, while long-distance buses and trains offer slower overland journeys between major towns and regions.
Local life & culture
Daily life in Myanmar moves at a gentle pace, with teahouses, neighbourhood markets, and monastery quarters forming the heart of many communities, and each region showing its own languages, crafts, and traditions.
Where to unwind
You can relax at lakeside parks in Yangon, in quiet riverside towns along the Ayeyarwady, or amid cool highland landscapes and gardens in the country’s upland regions.
A taste of Myanmar
National dishes & specialties
Look out for hearty noodle soups, tangy salads, and curries served with an array of side dishes, with coastal regions, river valleys, and highlands each lending distinct flavours.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Yangon offers relaxed teahouses, noodle shops, and small modern eateries, while other main towns feature simple local restaurants and hotels that blend regional and international menus.
Signature & scenic dining
You can enjoy riverside dining at sunset, lakefront meals in the highlands, or characterful venues set in restored heritage buildings and gardens in Yangon and other major towns.
Retail therapy in Myanmar
Malls & lifestyle hubs
In Yangon you will find modern malls and shopping centres that combine international brands with local retailers, cinemas, and casual dining.
Markets & local crafts
Browse city markets in Yangon for textiles, handicrafts, and everyday goods, and seek out workshops in regions such as Bagan or Inle Lake for lacquerware, weaving, and other crafts.
Evening retail scene
After dark, central streets and some markets in Yangon stay lively with small shops, street stalls, and casual food stands creating a gentle urban buzz.
Best time to visit Myanmar
Cool and dry season (peak season): From November to February, most of Myanmar enjoys comfortable, drier weather, with typical daytime temperatures around 20–28°C (68–82°F). This is the most popular time for exploring cities, temples, and highland regions. Hot season (shoulder season): From March to May, lowland areas, including Yangon and central Myanmar, become hot, with daytime temperatures often around 30–38°C (86–100°F). Sightseeing is best planned for early morning and late afternoon. Wet season (low season): From June to October, monsoon rains bring higher humidity, especially to coastal and delta regions, with temperatures around 24–32°C (75–90°F). Showers are usually heavier in the afternoons, and some remote roads and beach areas may be harder to access.