Top Visitor Sights and Destinations in Myanmar

Top Visitor Sights and Destinations in Myanmar Since opening itself up to tourism in the last several years, Myanmar (also known as Burma) has become a popular tourist destination for travelers from all over the globe. As a result of its slow economic growth, Myanmar’s natural ecosystems and wildlife have remained largely intact. This is a big draw for tourists, who can expect to see a variety of wildlife while touring the country, including leopards, rhinos, wild buffalo, gibbons and flying foxes.

Myanmar has a rich Buddhist history, which has shaped the culture, lifestyles, and even the architecture of the country. Travelers to the region are mesmerized with giant Buddha statues and ornately designed gilded pagodas that dot the landscape. The Ayeyarwady River is an important waterway for the transportation of goods throughout the country and is a popular destination for river cruise vacations. The people of Myanmar are warm and friendly, and their history and traditions are infused into their everyday lives.

Following are highlights of some of the top sights and destinations in Myanmar.

Yangon Known as the “Garden City of the East,” Yangon is like several worlds in one. A former royal capital, the city features striking colonial architecture interspersed with gilded pagodas against a lush tropical background. The city’s most prominent feature is Shwedagon Pagoda, a towering monument where the relics of the Buddha are said to be enshrined. The city center in Yangon features the unusually shaped Sule Pagoda, a favorite among visitors. Kandawgyi Lake is popular among visitors with an eye for photography, and handicraft lovers will want to stop at Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott’s Market), a bustling marketplace with lots of goodies for sale.

Mandalay In the heart of Myanmar, Mandalay is an economic hub and a central part of Myanmar culture and a popular stop for river cruise lines. Famous sights in Mandalay include the bronze Mahamuni Buddha, covered in thick gold leaf, and Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is said to contain the world’s largest book of Buddhist scriptures inscribed on 729 marble slabs. Visits to Mandalay Hill and Shwenandaw monastery are also popular stops, and sightseeing adventures in this cultural hub abound.

Inle Lake Located in the Shan Hills of Central Myanmar, Inle Lake is a popular tourist destination, and for good reason. Visitors are charmed by “floating villages” of homes built on stilts in this beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by misty mountains. Visitors can also expect to see floating tomatoes fields and gardens of flowers anchored to the lake bed with bamboo poles and enjoy purchasing foods grown in the hills surrounding the lake at local markets.

Bagan Must-see sights in Bagan include the plain of Bagan (Pagan), an awe-inspiring archeological site where hundreds of stupas, temples and pagodas dot the landscape. Ananda Temple, known as the “Westminster Abbey of Burma,” is a well-preserved masterpiece, and Shwezigon Pagoda is known as the holiest site in Bagan.

In Pyay, don’t miss the Buddha statue said to have healing powers, the 50 monasteries built of teak wood in Salay, or the colonial-style houses and buildings of Thayetmyo.

Dos and Don’ts for Visitors to Myanmar When visiting other countries it is important to be respectful of the customs, traditions and cultural norms of the local people. Here are some of the dos and don’ts to keep in mind when visiting Myanmar: ● Don’t touch anyone on the head ● Do wear appropriate attire when visiting religious sites (long pants and skirts and tops with full coverage) ● Don’t disturb people praying or meditating ● Do tuck away your feet ● Don’t point with your foot ● Do be understanding of periodic electricity outages ● Don’t give money or candy to children

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