Things To Do
in Burma
Burma (Myanmar) is a country of striking cultural heritage, from gilded Buddhist pagodas and riverine cities to ancient temple plains and ethnic hill regions. Its landscapes range from the Irrawaddy River delta and tropical beaches to highland trails and remote northern wilderness. Decades of complex politics have shaped local life and travel logistics, so practicalities and sensitivities matter when visiting.
The country offers warm hospitality, vibrant street food and markets, and world-class photographic subjects for those willing to explore beyond the main tourist routes.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive in Yangon and settle into your hotel. Take some time to refresh and gather your bearings in this vibrant city. Afterward, visit the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda, an impressive gold-plated stupa that shimmers in the early morning light.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local teahouse, savoring traditional Burmese cuisine and perhaps trying some tea leaf salad. Post-lunch, explore the colonial architecture downtown, including the famous Sule Pagoda and the historic post office. Don't miss a visit to Bogyoke Market for unique souvenirs and handicrafts.
As the sun sets, visit the Kandawgyi Lake for picturesque views and a peaceful stroll. Dinner can be enjoyed at a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the skyline. Wrap up your day with a cultural performance, immersing yourself in traditional Burmese music and dance.
Travel to Bagan, the ancient city famed for its thousands of temples and pagodas. Begin your exploration with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the temple-studded landscape, providing breathtaking views of the mystical dawn. After landing, enjoy a hearty breakfast to fuel your day of adventure.
Visit some of the most notable temples, including Ananda Temple and Shwezigon Pagoda, each boasting intricate carvings and a rich history. Hire a bicycle to explore the less-visited temples and soak in the serenity away from the crowds. Grab lunch at a quaint local eatery, serving delicious noodle dishes.
Watch the sunset from one of the iconic temples, where the golden light casts a magical glow over the Bagan plains. Dine at a local restaurant, trying some of the region's unique dishes, while recounting stories from your day. End your evening by stargazing among the ancient ruins, enveloped in the tranquility of the night.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍜Street food / local meal | $1-3 |
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $2-6 |
| ☕Coffee at a café | $1.50-4 |
| 🚕Local taxi / short ride | $1-5 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $25-80 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Rich cultural and historical heritage with stunning pagodas and temples
- Warm hospitality and unique local experiences (tea shops, markets, festivals)
- Diverse landscapes: rivers, beaches, highlands and historic plains
- Relatively affordable travel costs in many areas
- Political instability and security concerns in certain regions
- Limited infrastructure in remote areas and erratic domestic transport
- Language barriers outside major tourist towns
- Cash-dependent economy with limited card/ATM access in parts
- "Mingalaba (မင်္ဂလာပါ) / Ming-ga-la-ba" - Hello / Greetings
- "Kyeizu tin ba de (ကျေးဇူးတင်ပါတယ်) / Che-zu tin ba de" - Thank you
- "Taw ma ka la? (ဘယ်မှာကလဲ?) / Beh-mah-ka-lah?" - Where is...?
- "Eain-la-lei? (ဘယ်လောက်လဲ?) / Beh-lout leh?" - How much?
- "Thwa la? (သွားလား?) / Thwa la?" - Excuse me / Pardon me
Places to Visit in Burma
Visit one of these nice places.
An iconic gilded stupa complex best photographed at sunrise or sunset when gold tones glow; rich in devotional activity and intricate detail.
Thousands of ancient temples spread over a broad plain—hot-air balloons at dawn provide dramatic aerial shots; sunrises and sunsets are prime times for panoramic photos.
Stilt houses, floating gardens and leg-rowing fishermen create distinct compositions—early morning mist and colorful markets offer excellent candid and landscape opportunities.
Mandalay Hill offers city panoramas; U Bein Bridge at sunset is famous for silhouetted figures and reflections on the water.
A balancing, gold-leaf-covered boulder perched on a mountainside—pilgrims and dramatic cliff-top views make for powerful cultural images.
Food in Burma
Burma Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Considered Myanmar’s national dish: a savory fish-based rice noodle soup usually eaten for breakfast; widely available at markets and street stalls in Yangon and Mandalay.
Must-Try!
A uniquely Burmese salad made from pickled tea leaves mixed with crunchy nuts, fried beans, garlic and fresh vegetables—found in markets and tea shops across the country.
Originating from Shan State, these wheat or rice noodles with a tangy tomato or meat sauce are common in Mandalay and Shan State restaurants.
A rich coconut chicken noodle soup similar to khao soi; commonly served in tea shops and mid-range restaurants.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
A large colonial-era market with stalls selling snacks, local sweets and nearby street vendors; good place for sampling packaged snacks and casual meals.
Famous for evening barbecue stalls and lively street-food scene—great for grilled seafood, skewers and late-night snacks in a busy atmosphere.
A bustling market offering local produce, snacks and tea shops where you can try regional specialties like Mandalay-style noodles.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Dress modestly when visiting religious sites—cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and socks before entering pagoda platforms and indoor shrine areas, and avoid loud behavior.
Show deference to monks: women should not touch monks or hand things directly to them; avoid sitting higher than monks and be respectful in conversation and photography.
Do not touch people's heads (considered the most sacred part) and avoid pointing feet at people or religious images—sit with feet tucked away if inside a temple.
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially women and monks; avoid photographing military, police and checkpoints, and be mindful of signs restricting photos at some religious sites.
Exercise caution discussing politics and recent conflicts in public—many locals appreciate discretion; follow local laws and travel advisories and avoid demonstrations or political gatherings.
Safety
Tipping in Burma
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not always expected. In mid-range and upscale restaurants leave 5–10% if service is good; in tour services, guides and drivers commonly receive tips; small change or rounding up is fine for porters and housekeeping. Cash (kyat or USD for some suppliers) is preferred for tips.
Cash is king—carry Myanmar kyat (MMK) for most transactions. Credit cards are accepted in higher-end hotels, some restaurants and shops in major cities but acceptance is limited elsewhere. ATMs exist in Yangon, Mandalay and popular tourist towns but can run out of cash or charge high fees; many travelers carry a mix of USD and kyat for flexibility. Currency exchange is available at banks and licensed bureaux; follow current regulations and keep small denominations.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Most pleasant time to visit with lower humidity, cooler temperatures and clear skies—ideal for sightseeing, trekking and temple photography; book early as this is peak season.
Temperatures climb, especially inland (Bagan, Mandalay); mid-day heat can be intense—plan early starts and stay hydrated; occasional cultural festivals may take place (Thingyan in mid-April).
Heavy rains, muddy rural roads and occasional flooding can disrupt travel—however landscapes are lush, fewer tourists and lower prices; some remote areas may be inaccessible and domestic flights can be delayed.
Burma at Night
Hiking in Burma
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A popular 1–3 day trek through pine forests, farmland and ethnic villages—excellent for cultural encounters, homestays and moderate hiking conditions.
Short but steep climb to a monastery perched on a volcanic plug with panoramic views—reachable as a day trip from Bagan or nearby towns.
One of the most remote and challenging trekking areas, including Myanmar’s highest peak—requires permits, experienced guides and significant planning; accessible only to well-prepared expedition teams.
Gentle hill walks, cave visits and rural trail routes around Pindaya with cultural stops at local villages and tea plantations; good for short day hikes.
Airports
How to reach Burma by plane.
Main international gateway with most international flights and connections to domestic destinations; taxis and hotel transfers are common ways into the city (about 30–60 minutes depending on traffic).
Major domestic hub for the central and northern regions; convenient for access to Mandalay, Amarapura and northern attractions—domestic flights link to Yangon, Bagan and Heho.
Serves the capital region; fewer commercial flights but useful for government and administrative access—ground transfers are typically used to reach other cities.
Small domestic airport serving Inle Lake and southern Shan State; short transfer by road to Nyaung Shwe and Inle Lake accommodations.
Regional airport serving Ngapali Beach (Rakhine State) for travelers seeking coastal resorts—seasonal flights and road transfers to the beach area.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The largest ethnic group, concentrated in central plains around Yangon, Mandalay and the Irrawaddy delta, majority of population and culturally dominant.
Large ethnic group in Shan State with distinct language and cultural traditions; involved in agriculture and hill-region towns.
Multiple ethnic minorities with diverse languages, religions and cultural practices living across border and hill regions; some areas have active or historical conflicts affecting travel.
Smaller communities including Rohingya (in Rakhine State, with complex and sensitive status), as well as Chinese and Indian-descended populations in urban trade centers.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
A traditional Burmese sport combining footwork, dance and cooperation—players keep a woven rattan ball aloft without using hands; more cultural than competitive and often seen at festivals.
A traditional full-contact martial art similar to kickboxing but allowing headbutts—popular spectator sport with local matches and growing international interest.
Widely played and followed across Myanmar with local clubs and enthusiastic community participation.
Traffic
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options exist but can be limited outside major cities; many dishes rely on fish sauce or shrimp paste—ask explicitly for no fish/meat and look for vegetable curries, tofu, bean-based snacks and noodle dishes without fish. Tea shops often have simple vegetarian dishes.
More challenging due to common use of fish sauce, eggs and dairy in some dishes—communicate clearly, use translations or apps to explain restrictions, and rely on fresh fruit, salads and simple rice-and-vegetable combinations in larger towns.
Rice-based meals (steamed rice, many noodle dishes made from rice) are widely available, but soy sauce and batter-fried items may contain gluten—ask about ingredients if you have a serious allergy.
Healthcare
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Burma.