It is a destination that is talking about it. Above all, Burma or Myanmar invites you to discover another facet of Southeast Asia. Nestled between China, Thailand, India, Laos and Bangladesh, it hosts more than 2000 km of coastline. With its superb golden sand beaches, its heavenly lands make the whole world dream! Like the Bay of Bengal and other intoxicating landscapes, tourists come to discover a heritage in its own right. But Burma has much more to offer… Rich in historical culture, it is home to precious treasures nestled in museums, pagodas and other historical monuments typical of Southeast Asia.
So, why not take the road to this fabulous country? For a little taste, we invite you to travel with our selection of the most beautiful places to visit in Burma. On the way !
1. Inle Lake
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Located in the middle of the mountains, Inle Lake is one of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Southeast Asia! This shallow lake of more than 120 km² in area is a real immersion in another world. This is where the Intha people live, settled in 70 villages all along the lake. If he is often compared to the Uros of Lake Titicaca in Peru, it is because he is the only one to have the secret of floating gardens. In addition to the cultivation of vegetables, the Intha people are also known for their particularity in handling the boat: one foot on the boat, one foot rolled up in the oar!
2. To Rango
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Although it is not the capital of Burma, Rangoon, also called Yangon, is the most important city in the country! Pleasant and warm, it is known for its welcome, much appreciated by tourists coming to visit Burma. Yangon is also home to local symbols. Like the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the National Museum, People’s Park and local markets invite you to discover a heritage rich in history.
Rather disconcerting, the former capital notably paints a picture full of contrasts. Just take the few parallel streets to grasp all its charm, without illusions. Where decrepit facades replace gilding, Rangoon wants to be cosmopolitan and popular: an incredibly rich culture which, despite its scars, invites you to enjoy the sweetness of life.
3. The Golden Rock
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Located in the south of Burma, in the Mon state, the Golden Rock is a unique place in the world. Legend has it that it was balanced by two spirits, the nats, more than 2,500 years ago. A place of worship for Burmese Buddhism, the Rocher d’Or includes the essentials of the guided tours organized in the region. You can also opt for a summit hike for a unique experience.
4. Mount Popa
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A dormant volcano since 442 BC, Mount Popa culminates at more than 1500 m in the Mandalay region. A popular destination for tourists wishing to visit Burma, it is home to lush vegetation and no less than 200 streams! Sacred to the local population, Mount Popa is also a place of pilgrimage where people come to venerate the 37 Grand Nats sheltered in the mountain.
5. Mandalay Hill
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During your trip to Burma, make a stop at Mandalay Hill! A hill overlooking the city of the same name, Mandalay Hill promises breathtaking views from its summit. Take the height from the stairs starting from the bottom of the hill to reach the Sutaungpyei Pagoda. The particularity ? You will be walking barefoot for a while! Like many places in Burma, Mandalay Hill is above all sacred, visitors must therefore respect it. During your walk and over the temples, you will meet wonderful people. Take the time to chat with the monks who like to teach the local language to foreigners.
6. Dhammayangyi Temple
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Located in Bagan, Dhammayangyi is the largest of all Buddhist temples in the region. Built by King Narathu between 1167 and 1170, it remains little known to tourists. However, this is a real local treasure!
Its imposing exterior walls and arches set the tone upon arrival on the premises. Once inside, the wall frescoes tell you historical scenes while the many statues of Buddha illuminate the place, all dressed in gold.
7. Ngapali Beach
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Unknown to mass tourism, Ngapali beach is one of the most beautiful in all of Asia. A perfect blend of white sand and azure water, it stretches for almost seven kilometres.
A small paradise on earth, Ngapali holds its charm above all in its almost anonymity! Because it is protected from the general public, it invites you to enjoy an almost deserted beach where calm and serenity reign. A real parenthesis out of time in which idleness is in order!
8. La pagode Mingun Pahtodawgyi
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If its name speaks to you, it is because it is one of the most visited monuments in the world. Located in Mingun Pahtodawgyi is a massive, but incomplete pagoda! Said to be 150 meters high and built using more than 100 million bricks, this pagoda (or stupa) is the biggest brick structure in the whole world.
Its construction began at the end of the 18th century, but a prediction abruptly interrupted it. The reason ? The Konbaung dynasty would closely follow the completion of this monument. Since then, the pagoda has been left as it is. A landmark historical witness now accessible to the public, which notably houses the second largest bell in the world.
9. Pindaya Cave
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Nestled in the vicinity of the eponymous city, near Inle Lake, Pindaya Cave is a famous place of Buddhist pilgrimage. It is also one of the major attractions for people wishing to visit Burma.
Within its walls, 9000 golden statues of Buddha invite you to enter the lair! The depths are home to stalactites and stalagmites dating back hundreds or even thousands of years.
Anecdote: each year, statues are added to the cave. In exchange for a donation, you can buy one and participate in its maintenance. In return and as a sign of recognition, your name will be engraved on it.
10. Kandawgyi Botanical Garden
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It’s a local marvel! Created in 1915, the Kandawgyi National Botanical Garden welcomes you to nearly 177 hectares. Elected “Government Botanical Reserve” in 1924, it is now home to superb local flora and fauna! Among its treasures, endangered species such as the Thamin, the Takin, the Burmese star tortoise or the Deer Pig. A major witness of ecotourism, Kandawgyi offers a parenthesis full of discoveries!
11. Kanbawzathadi Palace
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In Bago, the Kanbawzathadi Palace is a must for visiting Burma. A former palace erected by King Bayinnaung in 1556, it underwent a real transformation in the 1990s, becoming a major monument in the country. A real golden palace, built in a style unique to Southeast Asia!
Take the time to discover its architecture, and stroll through its gardens. Then, go through its doors to admire its interior. Dressed in red and gold from floor to ceiling, the palace notably houses engravings and other statues, symbols of the grandeur of the place!
12. The Kingdom of Pagan
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We close these most beautiful places with the Kingdom of Pagan. Archaeological site located in the region of Mandalay, it covers more than 50 km². But its particularity is hidden above all in its history! And for good reason, the Kingdom of Pagan was elected capital of the First Burmese Empire between the 6th century and the 13th century.
In its places, many temples and pagodas dating back several centuries invite you to discover the sacred. For an immersive and cultural visit, take the hiking trails! Throughout your walk, you will discover the old Burmese dwellings and dive into the surrounding vegetation, towards the Kingdom of Pagan pearls!
