{"id":1528646,"date":"2023-07-13T11:13:31","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T11:13:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hb4thbbsfl.onrocket.site\/?page_id=1528646"},"modified":"2025-02-25T09:26:29","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T09:26:29","slug":"myanmar","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/nl\/myanmar\/","title":{"rendered":"Discover Myanmar: Exploring the Pagodas of the Golden Land"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Attention:<\/strong> With travel largely restricted due to the current conflict in Myanmar, we will not be updating our Myanmar routes until travel is able to safely resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover Myanmar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a stunning and historic country that has remained relatively untouched by the rest of the world. The country only opened to tourism in the mid-1990s<\/strong>, but it\u2019s still not a place that many people would choose to visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Southeast Asian country has had a complex political history<\/strong> that is still continuing until today. We\u2019ll talk about that in the safety section of this guide. Its instability is a real shame because Myanmar is home to so much history, culture and hospitality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thousands of ancient temples<\/strong> dot its land which has remained relatively undisturbed from modern development. Nature is thriving, from the pristine beaches of Ngapali<\/strong> to the majestic Inle Lake with its floating gardens<\/strong> and stilt villages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re somebody who loves authentic experiences<\/strong> and off-the-beaten-track adventures <\/strong>then you will love Myanmar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve created this ultimate guide to Myanmar <\/strong>to share with you everything that this unique country has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Myanmar safe? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A lot of travellers want to know whether Myanmar is safe to visit right now. The answer is that some areas of Myanmar are safe to visit<\/strong>. These include Bagan, Yangon and Mandalay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, a lot of the country is still unsafe to visit, or you\u2019re not even allowed there as a tourist<\/strong>. You can find the areas that are off-limits on the Myanmar government website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is happening in Myanmar?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After gaining independence from the British in 1948, Myanmar has experienced periods of military rule and political unrest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, there has been an ongoing ethnic civil war<\/strong>, the persecution of Rohingya Muslims, landmines, bandits and a huge opium trade. In 2021, a military coup<\/strong> took place which overturned the democratically elected government, leading to protests and civil unrest<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do choose to travel to Myanmar right now check whether your government is advising against travel there and whether your travel insurance covers a visit there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Myanmar worth visiting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Kuthadaw
Kuthadaw Pagoda in Mandalay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If Myanmar wasn\u2019t experiencing such troublesome times, we think that Myanmar would be one of the hottest places to visit<\/strong> in Southeast Asia right now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myanmar is where you\u2019ll find the ancient city of Bagan, home to over 2,200 awe-inspiring temples<\/strong>, making it one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll also get to experience a culture and society that hasn\u2019t been diluted by outside influences as much as other countries. Treks through Myanmar’s countryside will introduce you to remote tribal villages <\/strong>whilst walking down the streets of Yangon will show you the incredible hospitality<\/strong> that Myanmar has to offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when you\u2019re not exploring, you can be enjoying Myanmar\u2019s culinary delights. Its cuisine is a delightful blend of flavours influenced by neighbouring countries such as India, China, and Thailand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myanmar might not be a country worth visiting right now for everyone, but once peace falls upon the country, it\u2019s going to be a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best destinations in Myanmar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Top 3 places to visit in Myanmar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A lot of the country is still off-limits to tourists, so picking our top 3 places to visit in Myanmar was relatively easy:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bagan \u2014 an ancient city with over 10,000 temples<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Bagan
Bagan at sunrise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bagan<\/a> is an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It\u2019s believed that over 10,000 temples, pagodas, and monasteries once stood in this ancient city<\/strong> built between the 9th and 13th centuries. Now, around 2,200 temples remain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best ways to explore Bagan is by hopping in a hot air balloon<\/strong> and taking to the skies during sunrise. Bagan is like nothing you will have seen before, especially as the warm golden glow lights up the temples nestled amongst the trees below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wake up early to catch the sunrise coming up over the ancient city or hop in a hot air balloon to take in the stunning sights from above. Bagan is like nothing you\u2019ve seen before and a must-see<\/strong> when visiting Myanmar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check how to get from Yangon to Bagan<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inle Lake \u2014 floating gardens, fishermen and local villages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Fishermen
Fishermen on Inle Lake\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Inle Lake<\/a> offers you a chance to delve into Myanmar\u2019s countryside and witness spectacular beauty, floating gardens and a unique way of life. The lake is home to several ethnic groups<\/strong> who have built their homes on and around the lake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting these villages, you can learn about the fisherman\u2019s distinctive technique<\/strong> that involves rowing balancing on one leg and using the other leg to fish with a conical net. That\u2019s not the only genius you\u2019ll get to see. The local farms have created floating gardens<\/strong> on the lake that look magnificent but also provide food for the local community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how to get from Bagan to Inle Lake<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yangon \u2014 the form capital city of Myanmar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Sule
Sule Pagoda in downtown Yangon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Yangon<\/a> is a bustling city that is a melting pot of cultures <\/strong>and ethnicities. It\u2019s home to many different communities including Bamar, Indian, Chinese and a mix of ethnic minorities. This diversity is reflected in the city\u2019s cuisine, religious practices and festivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll also see traces of British rule through Yangon\u2019s unique blend of architectural styles<\/strong> that sit right next to incredible Buddhist temples and pagodas. The Shwedagon Pagoda<\/strong> is one not to miss!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read how to get from Inle Lake to Yangon<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When is the best time to visit Myanmar?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Like much of South-East Asia, Myanmar’s dry season runs from October through to May<\/strong>, and the wet season from May\/June through to early October<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best time to visit Myanmar is between November and February<\/strong> when there is no rain and the temperatures are warm, but not too hot. In March, temperatures begin to soar, reaching 40\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get around Myanmar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Tourism hasn\u2019t boomed in Myanmar, so unlike other Southeast Asian countries it didn\u2019t have to rapidly improve its transport infrastructure to meet the needs of tourists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that moving around Myanmar isn\u2019t the best, but it is doable, and part of the adventure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the best ways to get around Myanmar:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By bus <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Buses are the best way to get around Myanmar<\/strong>. They\u2019re often both cheaper<\/strong> and faster than trains<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of bus companies to choose from, most of which are privately owned. If you want to travel in a more comfortable condition, we suggest paying a few extra dollars for a VIP bus<\/strong> which is more of a modern coach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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\n \"Kate <\/div>\n
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\n Kate’s insider tip <\/div>\n
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If you\u2019re travelling on an overnight bus, be sure to bring a few layers as they crank up the air conditioning and it can get pretty cold.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

By plane <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Travelling overland can take a while, so if you\u2019re short on time, taking a flight might be the best option. There are several airlines<\/strong> operating in Myanmar such as Myanma Airways, Air KBZ, Air Mandalay, Air Bagan, Asian Wings and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planes work a little differently than ones you\u2019ve probably experienced. They can make stops along the way<\/strong>, picking up passengers and letting others off as they go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By train <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Train in Yangon Central Railway Station<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trains are a more expensive, uncomfortable and slower way<\/strong> to get around Myanmar, but we recommend getting one at least once during your time in the country. You\u2019re probably wondering \u2018why?\u2019 after we just listed all of those negatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scenery is incredible<\/strong>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find train routes between Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake and Mandalay, and most have various classes available, from ordinary wooden seats to special sleeper compartments. Long-distance trains even have restaurant cars, or food vendors will hop on and off to make sure you don\u2019t get too hungry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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\n \"Kate <\/div>\n
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\n Kate’s insider tip <\/div>\n
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The route between Yangon and Mandalay is one of the more popular routes as it has better trains that are cleaner with better air conditioning.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Entry requirements and visa for Myanmar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The majority of travellers will need to apply for a visa<\/strong> to enter Myanmar, but luckily they\u2019ve made this a relatively easy task. A large number of countries can apply online for the e-visa<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include all EU countries, the UK, the US, Australia, Canada and many more. You can check whether your country can apply for an e-visa here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The e-visa gives you a single entry stay of up to 28 days<\/strong> and costs $50<\/strong>. You\u2019ll need to have a printed copy of your Myanmar e-visa approval letter when entering the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also recommend keeping this printed copy on you during your time in Myanmar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entry and exit of Myanmar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The e-visa can only be used at these ports of entry:<\/p>\n\n\n\n