Myanmar 9 Places in That You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

Myanmar has opened its doors to travelers in a big way over this past decade. And that has allowed so many of us to explore its traditional and ancient wonders: see how the people of Inle Lake live, wander the markets of Yangon, and see the many views and pagodas of Bagan. But Myanmar is more than these popular tourist destinations. There’s a hidden world beyond these places: a world of secrets to uncover.

1. Hsipaw

ADDRESS – Hsipaw, Myanmar (Burma)

Shan State is a colder mountainous area in the far north of Myanmar, a region that already attracts visitors heading southwest for the majestic Inle Lake. However, Hsipaw, an ancient royal city, is a wonderful choice for hikers and anyone looking to experience a traditional Shan town. There are many well-marked trails you can take with natural hot springs and waterfalls to enjoy on the route. Hsipaw is situated seven hours along a scenic daily rail journey from Mandalay or a short flight from Yangon airport to nearby Lashio airport.

2. Hpa An

ADDRESS – Hpa-An, Myanmar (Burma)

Crossing the border from Thailand towards Yangon, you’ll hit the capital of Kayin State, Hpa An. The town is surrounded by karst mountains and caves to explore, with Sadan Cave being the main event. This extensive cave system opens up to a cavern containing carved Buddhas, pagodas, and carvings. For a spectacular sight, make sure to catch the “Bat Cave” before sunset to see thousands of bats leave for the night. There are plenty of activities for nature lovers to get stuck into, like taking a cruise down Thanlwin River or the two-hour hike up Mount Zwekabin. The best way to reach Hpa An is by taking a seven-hour bus directly from Yangon.

3. Putao

ADDRESS– Puta-O, Myanmar (Burma)

This small town in Kachin State at the foot of the Himalayan Hill is the starting point for most serious trekkers in Myanmar. It offers the nearest base camp for climbing Mt. Khakhaborazi, the highest mountain in the country, and all of Southeast Asia. Only accessible by air most of the year, Putao is only reachable by road during the summer. The ethnically diverse town is also home to several minorities, including the Rawang and Lisu people. You can get to Putao by air direct from Yangon, Mandalay, and Myitkyina.

4. Mrauk-U

ADDRESS– Mrauk-U, Myanmar (Burma)

A largely forgotten ancient Rakhine city by tourism standards (for now) lies in the north of Rakhine state. Like the newly UNESCO-bestowed Bagan, the main thing to do here is exploring the hundreds of temples within the archaeological zone. Unlike Bagan, the terrain is hilly, more dramatic, and with greener landscape making for luscious views. Most of the structures are within walking distance of each other, but a bike wouldn’t go amiss to see the full range of what’s on offer here. The best way to reach Mrauk-U is by flying to Sittwe and then taking a boat from the town up Kaladan River.

5. Loikaw

ADDRESS– Loikaw, Myanmar (Burma)

Bordering Thailand, this Kayah state boasts gorgeous hill scenery, pagodas set into limestone mountains, and a rustic village feels that charms anyone who visits. Many different tribal cultures live here, making for a culturally fascinating visit that’s best kicked off with a visit to the local culture museum. One of the most recognizable tribes here is the Kayan, which has been known in the past for “long-necked women” with brass rings around their neck, a custom that is much less practiced today. Make sure you try the local food as there are many unique dishes here that can be easily sampled at the daily night market. You can fly from Yangon to Loikaw, and then it’s a short drive to the town.

6. Mount Victoria

ADDRESS – Mount Victoria, Myanmar (Burma)

Set within Nat Ma Taung National Park in Chin State, Mount Victoria is the third-highest peak in Myanmar and home to rare flora and fauna, which has led to the park being awarded ASEAN Heritage Park status and of Outstanding Universal Value by UNESCO. Catching the sunrise atop of the mountain is highly recommended as well as a stay at the local villages of Kanpetlet or Mindat where visitors can meet the indigenous Dai, Upu, and Ya, tribes. If you’re planning a visit, beware that Mount Victoria is inaccessible during the rainy season from May through October. The nearest airport is Bagan and then it’s an eight-hour drive or bus ride from there towards Nat Ma Taung National Park.

7. Mogok

ADDRESS – Mogok, Myanmar (Burma)

An area associated with gemstones, most of the world’s rubies come from Mogok, also known as “the valley of rubies.” Visitors can explore local mines and see a community thoroughly involved with its trade or head out into the mountains and pagoda complexes (like Phaung Daw Oo, pictured here) surrounding the village. Mogok Lake can also be found just outside the city. Travel to Mogok has been restricted until very recently—you can only travel there as part of a tour—but tourism to the area has still started to take off. Most tour operators leave from Mandalay, the closest city.

8. The Mergui Archipelago

ADDRESS – Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar (Burma)

A remote destination just waiting for divers and sailing enthusiasts, the Mergui Archipelago in southern Myanmar consists of more than 800 islands, reefs, and fishing villages to discover. There’s plenty to see on land, too—the area is brimming with wildlife and some of the oldest mangrove forests on Earth. Some of the most popular islands include Lampi island: Myanmar’s first national marine park and 115 islands, an area rich in coral and white sand beaches. One of the easiest ways to reach the archipelago is from Phuket, Thailand, as you can reach the islands by air or road; flights to Ranong leave daily. Otherwise, you can fly from Yangon to Kawthaung airport.

9. Kyaing Tong

ADDRESS – Keng Tung, Myanmar (Burma)

This is an isolated spot set around Kyaingtong Lake, in the heart of the famous Golden Triangle. Kyaing Tong is perfect for photographers with places like Naung Tong lake, the standing Buddha, rice terraces, and dramatic mountain scenery. Although situated in Shan State, the people here are of their own ethnic group, with most of the residents being from the Tai Khün tribe. Travelers can arrive at Kyaing Tong airport from Yangon, Heho, and Mandalay.

Similar Article – MYANMAR – AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE

Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Myanmar

Q. What is Myanmar famous for?

A. Myanmar is famous for sand paintings, gems, pearls and much more.

Q. How many days do I need in Myanmar?

A. Nine days are needed to explore the best of Myanmar.

Q. What is the most popular food in Myanmar?

A. Shan-style noodles, tea leaf salad, mohinga are some of the popular food in Myanmar.

Q. What can I buy in Myanmar?

A. Gemstone paintings, sand paintings, arts and crafts, lotus silk shawls and scarves and more.

Q. What is the most beautiful place in Myanmar?

A. Famed for its stunning Pagodas and rich culture, Mynamar has a plethora of places that are a definition of beauty like Scenic Shan State, floating gardens of Inle Lake and the historical buildings. If you are wondering which is the most beautiful place in Myanmar, then Shwedagon Pagoda will top the list as it looks mesmerizingly beautiful at night.

Q. Is Myanmar safe to travel?

A. There are a lot of ethnic issues going on in Myanmar but this Southeast Asian country is absolutely safe for tourists. There are some areas like the northern parts of Shan State, Southern Chin and Rakhine state where tourists are not allowed but all the other popular places to visit in Myanmar and the impeccable hotels are completely safe.

Q. Can you drink the water in Myanmar?

A. No, you shouldn’t drink tap water in Myanmar but you can have bottled water. It is advised that you should not even brush your teeth with tap water but you can use bottled water instead of it.

Q. What is the best month to visit Myanmar?

A. The best time to visit Myanmar is between November and February as the weather is pleasant and you can easily roam around the country. You can enjoy your vacation to the fullest in these months as the weather is not hot but cool breezes blow throughout the country.

Q. What vaccinations do I need for Myanmar?

A. Some of the vaccinations that you must take before heading to Myanmar are cholera, rabies, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, yellow fever, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, and polio.

Q. How expensive is Myanmar?

A. If the total numbers of people traveling to Myanmar are two then the total cost for traveling and staying for a week will come out to be MMK 1,298,448 which is INR 70,500 appx. So, the destination is not that expensive. If you are on a budget crunch, then you can plan your vacation for a lesser number of days.