Myanmar is a wonder place of beautiful gemstones, ancient pagodas and other Myanmar tourist attractions. Each year the country witnesses influx of a huge number of tourist from all over the world. In the yesteryears, Myanmar has faced a lot of political and social upheaval due to which they country did not have much chances of development and modernizing. Therefore, the country has been facing a number of issues and low income and low standard of living are one of them.
But, luckily for the people having a love for tourism, things are changing now as people from all around the world are more interested in knowing the country and its culture. There are a number of places that you could visit in Myanmar and, believe us, you will not be disappointed.
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Myanmar:
Want to know what tourist attractions to visit in Myanmar? We are here to get you going. The entire country is known for its unique monuments and things of attraction but, let’s be honest, you simply cannot visit the entire country in a single visit. So, make sure that you do not miss the most and must visit places in Myanmar.
Below is the list of the top 10 places that are high on tourist radar.
1. Yangon
While planning which place to start from, your choice should be Yangon. It is an ancient and one of the most known places of Myanmar. And therefore, it is the focal point of tourist attraction. Yangon has a lot to offer in both the regards of people and places, the city is filled with well-known temples, pagodas and monasteries and you can enjoy the visit in their local dress of longyi and open sandals.
Besides interesting places, it is also a hub of delicious local food and tea, which you can enjoy on your visit. Myanmar people love their tea and being here, you will geta chance to taste different kinds of tea and condiments that go with it.
2. Inle Lake
Talking of enjoying and exploring the supreme beauty of Myanmar; Inle Lake should definitely have its place in your list. The lake is a canal of five kilometre that further unbolts into a wide lake. The lake is known for the beautiful view of floating gardens and villages present in a stilted position.
During the visit, you will also have an opportunity to have a good look of floating tomato fields and numerous lakebeds of flowers and fresh vegetables. Other than fresh flowers and vegetables, you can also buy local products and silk from the nearby markets and weaving centres.
3. U-Bein Bridge
Are you a fan of early morning and sunset scenes? Then U- Bein Bridge is the best place for you. The bridge is the longest teak bridge with the length of 1300 yards stretched on the Taungthaman Lake. The bridge is built in an elongated fashion and the scene is quite pictorial in nature, which means that you can make as many pictures as you want. U-Bein Bridge is a premium tourist site where you can watch monks crossing across the bridge as Kyunktawgyi Paya is built at the other end of it and you can visit it too. Besides a pagoda, the bridge also surrounds green fields and a perfectly pleasant sunset view, a great place to enjoy few moments of silence.
4. Bagan
Bagan is one of the foremost and famous places in Myanmar. The city is known for its lively culture, delicious cuisine and delightful sights it offers. Being one of the known places in Myanmar, it is also the main tourist attraction as hundreds of people come here from all over the world. The city has a large number of pagodas and this is also one of the reasons that the country is so famous.
Besides, there are interesting local markets offering fresh vegetables, fruits and unique objects of interest that make great gifts and souvenirs. Other than shopping, you can enjoy interesting activities in Bagan like; Hot balloon tours and horse cart tours. Since the people use horse carts and bicycles as their primary mode of transportation these are the best ways to explore the city around.
5. Scott Market
Known with the name of Bogyoke Aung San Market, the former Scott Market presents the view of colonial era ad the architecture of the place depicts it as it was in the old days. Slow modernising of the country has helped in preserving the ancient Bogyoke Aung San Market and it is still and inetresti8ng and a must visit place of Myanmar.
Since the place is present for years, you will find many of the shopkeepers that sell their things for a very long time. Some of the chief specialities of the market are genuine gemstones especially jade and ruby that are found in abundance, pearl jewellery, handmade tapestries, lacquer bowls, plates and things and fabric like cotton and silk.
6. Myanmar Gems Museum and Gems Mart
Myanmar Gems Museum and Gems Mart is located in the central Yangon and the centre of attraction for the gems lovers. The building is a multi-storey construction with the gems shops on the first and second floors of the building that sell authentic gemstones and jewelry. Gems Mart is a great if you have an eye for jewels and precious stones and want to buy only the most authentic ones.
Each year, gems dealers from all over the world come to Yangon to display their collection of precious stones in the gems fair and auction. The museum is on the third floor of the building and, interestingly, all three floors portray a dazzling and marvellous view of Burmese jewels and stones like jade, sapphire, ruby, topaz, diamonds and special Burmese antique jewellery collection, definitely a great place to visit.
7. Treasure Land Gems & Jewellery Souvenirs
If you are one of those people that are highly interested in taking back souvenirs for your personal collection or as gifts for your family and friends then you must visit Treasure Land Gems and Jewellery Souvenirs store. The store is a great place offering authentic and genuine rubies and jade, traditional and antique Burmese jewellery, tapestries, handicrafts and Marionettes that you will only find in Myanmar only. The store was established in the year 1996 therefore, rest assure that you will get the best and authentic things at reasonable rates.
8. Local Spas
Other than temples, Myanmar has a lot of spas and health centers that offer both natural and with beauty instruments. The treatments are based on natural Burmese beauty treatments that are proven and effective. Visiting any such spa is a good way to know about this aspect of Burmese culture. Although the women usually use homemade shampoo made by combining the bark of Tayaw and Kinpun tree fruit and for their skin, they use Thanaka paste.
Other than this, spas are great options if you are in a mood of pampering yourself. Some of the spas offer stone treatment, skin and hair treatments that are formulated according to ancient Burmese beauty techniques. Some of the spas include Sapel Traditional Burmese Foot Spa, Eros Healthy and Beauty Spa and The Spa Villa’ge.
9. Shwedagon Pagoda
If you are to visit only one pagoda of Myanmar then it should be the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda. The pagoda is an ancient dazzling construction made of precious jewels, gems and diamonds and is a supreme example of the Burmese architecture. Since the country is richly infused with Buddhist culture, temples and pagodas are in abundance and Shwedagon is the must visit pagoda.
The pagoda is a vast construction where you will have the chance to see people offering prayers, walking around the pagoda’s base and see the monks as they move around it. Shwedagon Pagoda is in Yangon and one of the main reasons of fame of the city. Once in the city, visiting the place is a must.
10. Augustine’s Antiques
If you are like us then you will definitely have an undying love for antique and vintage collection and when in Myanmar you should visit such a place. Augustine’s Antiques specialises in offering unique and vintage antique pieces that could be taken back as souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones. Some of the specialty objects you will find at Augustine’s Antiques include silverwares, lacquerwares, wooden figurines and figurines made in lacquer.
Augustine’s Antiques are situated on the Attiyar Street of Yangon and is a good place if you want to have antique and unique objects. Additionally, you can buy some interesting and unique gifts for your loved ones also.
Myanmar is filled with wonders and interesting places to visit, these places are so many in number that choosing some of them will be really difficult. Just like other countries, it also has its unique culture and you will have a lot of fun visiting it.
Have we left out any must visit place in Myanmar? Comment below and do let us know.
