18 Famous Landmarks In Myanmar You Just Have To Visit

Intent on the road of Myanmar is like entering the world where time has its own pace and every corner is a story being of history and spirituality. Beautiful and jam-packed with cultural treasures, this Southeast Asian country is a world-class destination with its breath-taking sceneries. Ranging from the gilded spires of ancient pagodas to the sublime beauty of nature, there are many landmarks in Myanmar that give tourists experiences that completely enthrall and captivate. The country has more than enough reasons any traveler searching for the extraordinary should pay a visit.

The Best Time To Visit Myanmar

For many people, Myanmar is best to visit in the dry season which lasts from November to April. This high tourism season allows you to enjoy the dry, cool weather. If you want to benefit from both weather and money value, it is advisable to travel to Myanmar in the shoulder season which is April- May, and October-November. There may be little rain but in general, the weather is comparatively fine and there is a flow of promotion for hotels and services.

What About The Visa?

The government of Myanmar introduced an online system for Evisa back in 2015. There is no need to visit a Myanmar Embassy to apply, you can simply submit your information and get a visa on arrival for the price of $50.

Book Services In Advance

Though the number of hotels and resorts are bigger than it was before, at a certain time of the year, it is still hard to find a room if you expect a comfortable stay. If you travel independently, go online for at least a hotel booking to ensure your arrangement. Online booking tools available now range from airport pick up to luggage storage and luxurious river journeys.

Are you looking for the cheapest flights to Myanmar? Use this Qatar Airways offer and save up to 25% off on your flight.

What About The Budget?

When it comes to the idea of how much money you should spend on a holiday in Myanmar, the first thing you should note is that Myanmar is not cheap, like other places in Southeast Asia. Compared to Thailand or Vietnam, Myanmar is actually more expensive. Another thing about money is service providers prefer cash rather than credit cards although there are a lot more ATMs across the country nowadays. However, remember that if you use ATM, the operation fee is as high as 5-6% of the transaction.

Which Landmarks In Myanmar To Visit And When?

First-time visitors tend to explore the most highlighted must-sees of the country. In this case, they are 5 famous landmarks in Myanmar including Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake, and Ngapali beach. These places are touristy but can still be covered without breaking the bank. However, if you like getting off the beaten track and avoiding touristy areas, you would like to make your itinerary more extraordinary.

How can you do that?

Firstly, spend some time to check out other travel blogs. This is one of many good ways to learn about the experiences you should not miss. Alternatively, you can post questions on travel forums like Trip Advisor or Lonely Planet. There are many travel experts who see the country from time to time and they can deliver precious advice on crafting a Myanmar itinerary.

You can also browse for itineraries online. Every year, Myanmar travel agencies design new tours to attract more visitors to the country. Accordingly, new experiences are more visible on their websites than a tourist guide channel. This is a perfect way to keep up with the travel trends in Myanmar.

Shwedagon Pagoda – Yangon

We start this list of landmarks in Myanmar with Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda. Picture this: a colossal, 99-meter-tall stupa, completely covered in gold with plates upon plates of genuine gold leaf that locals have been devoutly applying for centuries. The pagoda is a houses relics of the past, including strands of Buddha’s hair, making it a cornerstone of Buddhist faith in Myanmar. And here’s the kicker: it’s said to be over 2,500 years old, making it the oldest Buddhist stupa in the world.

Bagan Archaeological Area – Bagan

Next up on our whirlwind tour of Myanmar is the Bagan Archaeological Area, a vast open-air museum that’s home to over 2,000 temples, stupas, and pagodas. The town is a snapshot of the powerful Pagan Empire that flourished between the 9th and 13th centuries. Today, Bagan is home to the some of the most majestic temples in the region like Ananda Temple, known as the “Westminster Abbey of Burma,” for its elegant and symmetrical design and the Dhammayangyi Temple, the largest structure of the complex.

Inle Lake – Shan State

Inle Lake in Shan State is a living, breathing community where houses on stilts line the water’s edge and gardens float upon the surface. It’s the closest thing Myanmar has to its own version of Venice. The lake is famous for its leg-rowing fishermen and their technique of catching fish with one leg wrapped around a single oar. Inle Lake is also home to the local Intha people, known for waving lotus silk, one of the rarest and most luxurious fabrics in Asia.

Mandalay Hill – Mandalay

Being above Mandalay, the last imperial capital of Myanmar, Mandalay Hill has more than just novel views.To the temples and pagodas its steps unlock there is a pilgrimage while murmuring legends of the past.The summit of the hill is not simply a vantage point across the city but it is also one across time, where the setting sun highlights the countryside, putting the place under a spell of calm. It is a civilization where past and spirituality collide together in life moment more than what some see as just a journey.

U Bein Bridge – Amarapura

The U Bein Bridge extends over the waters of the Taungthaman Lake and is not only an impressive feat of engineering but also a symbol of the nation`s unchanging nature. Built from teakwood alone, this 1.2- km bridge, which is the longest of its being in the world, witnesses monks, locals and tourists moving around here every day. Crossing U Bein at an early morning hour or in the late afternoon, you are walking through a postcard with the bridge silhouette against amber sky creating a magical moment.

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock)

In disregard for gravity as well as the logic, the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is placed on a golden boulder which crowns the top of the cliff. It is a demonstration of the unshakeable trust of the Myanmar people that draws pilgrims here, to meditate and add their own gold leaf to the rock. Golden Rock is much more than a place of worship; it embodies equilibrium and continuity, calling those who come for its beauty and the splendor of the whole landscape.

Ananda Temple – Bagan

This list of the most famous landmarks in Myanmar couldn’t be complete without the Ananda Temple. Located in the heart of Bagan rises the Ananda Temple, a masterpiece of Mon architecture. The “Westminster Abbey of Burma” being its nickname, its spires stretch up to the sky and draw anyone’s eyes and thoughts upwards. Above, four Buddha statues, gigantic ones, face every direction, the placid expression of them containing timeless wisdom of the ages. The temple’s elaborate carvings and architectural finesse are what make a visit to Bagan special, the peak of Burmese craftsmanship.

Mount Popa

Popa rises majestically from the plains and is in fact Myanmar’s Mount Olympus; the abode of the country’s most powerful nats. The ascent to the top is an inward trail, going through a verdant plain until you get to the monastery which crowns its peak. The view from the top is a magnificent vista of the surrounding lands which is the prize for the ones that overcome their ascent. Mount Popa is neither just a natural landmark but a spiritual haven which is a combination of mythology and nature.

Mrauk U

Next on this list of landmarks in Myanmar, we have Mrauk U, a once mighty kingdom is now in ruins its temples and pagodas still standing as silent sentinels of the past. One stroll through Mrauk U is akin to going through a living museum where each structure recounts a story of yore. The hazy mornings here generate a mystical ambience; the temples’ spires appear like ghosts through the mist. Mrauk U is a peep into the gone by times for the adventurers to browse its hidden tales.

Sule Pagoda – Yangon

Between the busy streets of Yangon stands the Sule Pagoda, a haven of peacefulness in the midst of this roaring city. Built in the 8th century BC this octagonal stupa is not only a religious site but also a landmark of historical and political importance. This is a place where people from all walks of life come, thus showing the colorful tapestry of Myanmar’s society. The golden glow of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda which is a particularly eveident at night is a symbol of the Myanmar people’s undying spirit.

Mahamuni Buddha Temple – Mandalay

Mahamuni Buddha Temple is a place of deep religious veneration, housing a statue of Buddha that is believed to be sentient, witnessing the lives of its devotees. With gold leaf applied by men pilgrims in thick layers , the statue breathes peace and sacredness. The temple complex is an activity hub, starting from early morning rituals to the busy market selling religious items. It’s a place where faith can be felt, attracting visitors to be moved by the devotional soul of Myanmar.

Pindaya Caves

The Pindaya Caves present a wonder – a labyrinthine complex carved into a limestone ridge, which hold thousands of Buddha images placed there over centuries. The caves are a living proof that Buddhist devotion in Myanmar has been long lasting; each statue tells a tale about faith and tradition. Delving into the caves is an adventure, discovering concealed chambers and sleeping Buddhas bathed in the dim light seeping through the doorway. It’s a pilgrimage to a core of Myanmar.

Ngapali Beach

I know maybe you didn’t expect to see a beach on this list of famous landmarks in Myanmar, but Ngapali is truly worth it. The tranquility in search for, Ngapali beach has a long stretch of pristine white sand with swaying palm trees and the clear waters of the Bay of Bengal. Ngapali is quite the opposite of the busy cities and here, seaside lounging and exploring the tiny fishing hamlets along the coast is how we spend our days. The charm of the beach as it is, evokes Myanmar’s take on nature, with a halt in life to enjoy the tranquility of sun, sea and sand.

Hpa-An and Mount Zwekabin

The limestone cave and hills can be seen to surround Hpa-An that being the capital of Kayin State whereas Mt. Zwekabin rises dramatically on the plains. The area abounds in sites of natural and spiritual interest, from the labyrinthine Saddan cave to the hallowed Kawgun cave, decorated by thousands of ancient Buddha images. A spiritual awakening can be experienced by climbing Mount Zwekabin at dawn; when the sun breaches the horizon, gorges and forests distant appear in glimmer ever so radiantly.

Naypyidaw – The Capital City Of Myanmar

Almost 300km south of Yangon, Naypyidaw, Myamar’s capital, stands in sharp contrast to the country’s ancient sites. Swept with its wide boulevards, and having its grand government buildings, the city seems to be a glimpse into Myanmar’s future. The Uppatasanti Pagoda, a replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda, represents the city’s ambitions, doubled up by the nation’s deeply rooted spirituality in a contemporary setting. Naypyidaw is a proof of Myanmar’s travel into the 21st century, amalgamating the tradition and the development.

Taung Kalat Monastery

This list of the most popular landmarks in Myanmar couldn’t be complete without the Taung Kalat Monastery is a monastery which sits atop a volcanic plug, a stunning place of religious significance. The trek to the monastery is a between the planes of . fame and legends. At the summit you are offered an impressive view of the surrounding flats and of Popa Mountain.

Sagaing Hill – Sagaing

Sagaing hill crowned with pagodas gilded in gold, white and silver provides a serene retreat into a realm of spiritual reflection and bird’s eye view. This is not just a natural sight; it is considered the spiritual heart of Myanmar with have more than 600 Buddhist monasteries which monks and nuns seek solitude and meditation. The panorama from the top is a heart chilling wonder of the Ayeyarwady River meandering amid verdant surroundings with scores of stupas forming the horizon. Sagaing Hill is a manifestation of the perfect harmony of nature and spirituality, and thus, the place that anyone can be at peace with and perhaps find a connection with the non – physical.

Inwa (Ava) – Near Mandalay

Last but not least, we conclude this list of landmarks in Myanmar with Inwa, or Ava, once the capital of the old Burmese empires, appears to be a time travel. Th only means of transport to this rural island that’s a blend of ruins, ancient monasteries, and timeless scenery is ferry. A tour on a horse-drawn carriage through Inwa brings the tourist face to face with the last standing structure of the royal palace though tilted and the immaculate Bagaya monastery of teak that has amazing carvings which retell old tales. Inwa is the place where history murmurs from every nook to present a serene journey into Myanmar’s storied past.

Helpful Resources For Your Holiday In Myanmar

For the cheapest flights to Myanmar, this Qatar Airways offer can get you up to 25% off on your flight. 

For the best travel insurance deals, you can never go wrong with SafetyWing.

To save on all train, bus, and ferry rides in Myanmar, use this 12GoAsia special offer.

To save on accommodation in Myanmar, use this Booking.com offer and get discounts on all properties in the country.

How did you like this list of famous landmarks in Myanmar? Did you ever visit any of them? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.

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