Myanmar is an ancient country with many historical objects that have a huge feature of scale and architectural sophistication. There are so many famous attractions in this country such as the Shwedagon Golden Temple in Yangon, the magnificent Kyaikhtiyo Golden Mountain Temple in the ancient capital of Bago, or 1000 gorgeous temples in Bagan. Besides that, foreign visitors are also interested in the archaic and peaceful natural scenery of Inle Lake, Ngapali Beach or unique manners such as the ancient people of Pa-O or the practice of the locals to apply Thanaka cream. According to these advantages, even though they just newly opened, Myanmar tourism is developing at a high speed.
 

One of the best ways for you to travel to Myanmar or to move between different destinations in this country is the airline. If you book a round trip ticket of Vietnam Airlines, it will take you about VND 7,000,000 for Ho Chi Minh City - Yangon route or VND 7,500,000 for Hanoi - Yangon route.
 

Moving to Myanmar by plane is the best way

A flight with Air Asia is also an affordable choice for you to choose but you will have to stop in Bangkok, Thailand for the transfer. The schedule is as below:

If you want a fast flight, you should choose Vietnam Airlines even though the price is more expensive. And if you are worried about budget savings, then fly with Air Asia will be an affordable choice for you to travel to Myanmar.

Apart from air transport, which is the safest and most comfortable, you can also travel between Myanmar's cities by bus. You should bring thick clothes in order to keep yourself warm because there are buses running at night and the temperature in the bus will be very cold. Taxi is also a convenient choice for you to choose while traveling in cities. Meanwhile, the train system has low quality and the streets are not fully developed which make vehicles and motorbikes become unsuitable for the tourists. 
 

Taking the bus to go around the cities

Mandalay: This is the second largest city in Myanmar after Yangon and is one of the most famous destinations and transit points with Myanmar tourists. There are some popular attractions such as Shwenandaw monastery which is made of wood, Kuthodaw Paya temple with the largest book in the world, Mandalay Hill, Royal Palace, Mahamuni temple with real gold leaf Buddha statue, Uebin bridge - The longest wooden bridge in the world and monastery in Amarapura.
 

Mahamuni temple, where a gold leaf Buddha statue is placed. 

Mingun (Min Kun): This village is located in the north of Mandalay. Mingun is famous for many famous relics such as the Mingun bell - one of the heaviest and largest bells in the world, Mingun Pahtodawgyi stupa and white temple Hsinbyume / Myatheindan with Chinthe statues.
 

The impressive architecture of  Hsinbyume temple.

Pyin oo Lwin: Further to the east of Mandalay is Pyin oo Lwin town located on a hill which is 1000 meters above sea level, this is quite a different destination for Myanmar tourism. Here we have some noticeable attractions are Kandawgyi National Park, Purcell Clock Tower in the style of Big Ben tower in London, Anisakan waterfall, Pwe Kauk waterfall, and Pyeik Chin Miang cave. 

Mrauk-U: This is an important archaeological city in Myanmar which is located near the western border. Marauk-U is also the second city which has most temples in this country, just after Bagan. The temple here is built of stone bricks, unlike mud and clay brick temples in other cities. There are some famous temples here such as Shite-thaung, Htukkanthein, Koe-thaung, Andaw-thein, Lemyethna, Ratana and Ngu Nhan pagoda. Among them, Shite-thaung pagoda is the one which has the most spectacular appearance and most archeological meaning.
 

The corridor of Bhaha at Koe-thaung temple

Sagaing: This city is lying on the banks of the Ayeyarwady River which is about 20 km to the southwest of Mandalay. Sagaing has many monasteries and temples which make it becomes a perfect place for pilgrimage sites of Myanmar tourism. Among the works in Sagaing, Kaung Hmu Daw golden dome-shaped monastery is completely different from other tower-shaped architectures.

Inn Wa (Inhwa - Inwa):  Located in the south of Mandalay, this city used to be the former capital of Myanmar dynasties from the 14th to 19th centuries. There are some popular attractions such as the wooden Bagaya Kyaung monastery and the Nanmyin leaning tower.

Bagan: This city has the most famous temple in Myanmar, once the capital of the mighty Bagan kingdom. With over 2,000 temples left of a total of 10,000 ancient religious architectures, Bagan is a must-see destination for tourists. The most typical temples of Bagan are Shwezigon golden temple, Ananda temple with 4 golden Buddha statues in 4 directions, Thatbyinnyu temple - the highest temple in Bagan, Shwegugyi temple and Shwesandaw temple - the Buddha's hair relics.
 

The glorious Shwezigon golden temple

Inle Lake - Nyaung Shwe town: Inle Lake, also known as Lake Sea, is located in Nyaung Shwe town, which is one of the most famous places of Myanmar tourism. Moreover, you can also visit the grape farm and wineries of Red Mountain, Pa-O village and Daw Oo Phaung temple with 5 Buddha statues covered with fine gold leaves.

Nay Pyi Taw (Naypyidaw): This is the capital of Myanmar where you can see many buildings of Myanmar State, one of the typical buildings is the magnificent Parliament. There are also three giant statues of kings Anawrahta, Bayinnaung, and Alaungpaya U Aung Zeya, along with the Uppatasanti peace pagoda, which keeps the Buddha's relics.

Pyay: This beautiful town is lying on the banks of the Ayeyarwady River, with the main attractions is the Shwesandaw sunset temple and the ancient Bawbawgyi temple.

Yangon: The biggest city in Myanmar which is also a popular destination for the tourists. In Myanmar, there are also many attractions such as Sule Pagoda, Thaketa Crocodile Farm, Bogyoke Aung San Market, Mingalar Market, 19th Street West Street, Botataung Pagoda, the Saint Mary's Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Mailamu Temple, Musmeah Yeshua Jewish Monastery, Mahabadoola Garden, Inya Lake and Kandawgyi Lake. Meanwhile, Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most important places if you have a chance to visit: this place stores four Buddhist treasures including the sticks of Kakusandha, water purification of Konagamana, a shirt of Kassapa, and 8 hairs of Buddha.
 

Don't forget stopping by Bogyoke Aung San Market in Yangon

The Bay of Bengal beaches: Myanmar tourism is just growing in recent years but some archaic beaches in this country have begun to attract the attention of beach-loving tourists. Some of the most famous beaches are Ngapali, Ngwe Saung, Chaungtha, and Kanthaya.  Especially the Ngapali Beach is significant with its clear blue water and silky white sand.

Bago: This city used to be the capital of the Taungoo Dynasty, Bago also preserved quite a number of monuments, including: Buddha statue lying Shwethalyaung Buddha, Hoang Than temple Shwemawdaw - Myanmar's highest pagoda, Kyaik Pun pagoda with 4-seated Buddha statue, Kanbawzathadi Palace of Taungoo dynasty, along with a variety of other temples such as Maha Kalyani, Mahazedi, Shwegugale and Snake Pagoda. In particular, from Bago, you can also visit other famous places in Myanmar such as Kyaikhtiyo / Kyaiktiyo pagoda or Golden Mountain pagoda which is located on the top of Kyaiktiyo hill.
 

Coming to admire the spectacular Kyaiktiyo pagoda

Mawlamyine: Mawlamyine is the fourth largest city in Myanmar. The most popular attraction that this city contributes to Myanmar tourism is the Nwa Le Bo / Nwa La Bo pagoda which is located on three different slabs of stone. This temple is often compared to Kyaikhtiyo Golden Mountain Temple, although it attracts fewer visitors.

These are some dishes that you should try while traveling to Myanmar.

1. Tea leaf salad (lephet / laphet) 
This dish made from fermented tea leaves which can be eaten as desserts, or can also be prepared for tea leaf salad which is made with tasty and slightly bitter tea leaves mix with cabbage, tomatoes, roasted beans, chili, and garlic. This dish can be eaten separately or eaten with rice, both options are delicious to taste.
 

 Tasting a dish of tea leaf salad

2. Shan rice (nga htamin) 
Nga Hatamin means fish rice, this dish of Shan ethnic people includes rice cooked with turmeric, then compressed flat, sprinkled with freshwater fish and sprinkled with garlic oil. This special dish can be eaten with leek roots, raw garlic, and deep-fried pork skin, creating a significant spicy taste. 

3. Myanmar curry (Burmese curry) 
For this dish, you can choose curry made from beef, fish, shrimp, pork or lamb. Along with curry is various side dishes for you to choose such as rice, salad, sautéed vegetables, soup, raw vegetables, and boiled vegetables, served with a variety of different sauces. 

4. Food in Myanmar tea shop 
Tea shops in Myanmar are not only a place to enjoy tea but also a place for you to explore the cuisine of ethnic groups in this country. Tea shops in this country also serve the noodles or traditional rice, including the dish of htamin thoke which is a kind of rice salad. Meanwhile, an Indian / Muslim restaurant serves many dishes which is influenced from South Asia such as fried snacks samosas and poori (crispy fried bread served with potato curry) or nanbya toast (naan). The Chinese restaurant is the most prominent of the sweet grilled dishes or the kind of steamed vermicelli that often seen in the style of eating dim sum. 

5. Myanmar sweet snack 
Unlike other sweet dishes of the West, sweet dishes in Myanmar which is collectively called "moun" which are eaten as a snack rather than as a dessert. Moun is sweet not because of the sugar but because of other natural ingredients such as grated coconut, coconut milk, rice flour, glutinous rice, pearl, and fruit. There are some typical dishes are has nwin ma kin (semolina cake with coconut milk, buttermilk, and raisins), bein moun and moun pyit thalet (pancake style Myanmar). 
 

Moun are eaten as a snack rather than as a dessert.

6. Crispy dishes  
In Myanmar, you will find fried dishes everywhere. One of the significant dishes is the buthi kyaw (gourd fried dough roll) used with a sweet and sour sauce made from tamarind and bean flour.
 

Let's have some crispy fried dishes for brunch!

7. Shan tofu noodles 
One of the most unique dishes in Myanmar is hto-hpu nwe, meaning "warm tofu". The name is so, but it does not have tofu, but only porridge made from chickpeas.

8. Nangyi Thoke dry noodles 
Nangyi Thoke made with thick round noodles with chicken, sliced fish pie and some boiled eggs. The ingredients are marinated with grilled chicken pea flour, turmeric and chili oil, mix well and eat with vegetables and soup. 

9. Mohinga  
Myanmar's quintessential national dish is Mohinga - round rice noodles served with fish and onion broth, sometimes with crispy guts of banana trees. You can also add boiled eggs, fried vegetable akyaw, crispy lentils, lemon juice, and dried peppers. 
 

The most popular dish of Myanmar - the Mohinga  

10. Shan noodles 
Shan ethnic noodles are made from rice, flat and thin fibers, dipped in pepper soup, served with chicken or pork. This dish also has a dry version of noodles for you to choose.

After reading all of these above, are you excited for a Myanmar trip? Far East Tour offers you some of customer's favorite tour packages bringing you to this incredible country.
1. https://www.fareastour.asia/vietnam-destinations/bagan-yangon-myanmar/explore-insight-of-myanmar-in-10-days/
2. https://www.fareastour.asia/vietnam-destinations/bagan-yangon-myanmar/myanmar-5-days-tour-mandalay-inle-yangon/
3. https://www.fareastour.asia/vietnam-destinations/bagan-yangon-myanmar/myanmar-classic-tour-8-days-itinerary-yangon-bagan-inle/
4. https://www.fareastour.asia/vietnam-destinations/bagan-yangon-myanmar/bagan-balloon-myanmar/