Myanmar
Myanmar's great sights, the temple plain of Bagan, the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, Inle Lake's stilt villages and the Golden Rock, rank among Southeast Asia's most memorable. Since the 2021 military coup the country has seen conflict and few tourists, and a powerful earthquake struck around Mandalay in 2025, so read the FCDO travel advice before planning any trip.
Overview
Myanmar's classic first trip is a loop of four places: Yangon for the Shwedagon and its colonial downtown; Bagan, where more than 2,000 temples and stupas rise from the plain beside the Ayeyarwady; Mandalay and the old royal capitals around it; and Inle Lake in the Shan hills, often reached on a two- or three-day trek from Kalaw. Kyaiktiyo's Golden Rock and the karst caves around Hpa-An make a southern extension. Distances are long and roads slow, so most visitors fly between the main hubs and save overland travel for shorter hops.
In the years when tourism flourished, Myanmar was among Asia's least commercialised destinations: monks collecting alms at dawn, tea shops pouring sweet milky tea, thanaka paste on cheeks and longyi sarongs on almost everyone. Food and transport are cheap, though hotels can be pricey for what you get. Since 2021, visitor numbers have collapsed, many businesses have closed and conditions change quickly, while the March 2025 earthquake damaged monuments around Mandalay and Sagaing. Anyone considering a trip should read the FCDO advice, check their insurance carefully and travel with reputable local operators.
Map of Myanmar
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Bagan
More than 2,000 brick temples and stupas, built mainly between the 11th and 13th centuries, scatter across the plain by the Ayeyarwady, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019. Explore by e-bike and watch sunrise from a designated viewing mound.
- 2Sacred site
Shwedagon Pagoda
Yangon's gold-plated stupa rises about 99 m above a hilltop terrace ringed by shrines and planetary posts. Myanmar's most sacred Buddhist site is best at dusk, when lamps are lit and pilgrims walk clockwise around it barefoot.
- 3Culture
Inle Lake
Intha fishermen row with one leg, tomatoes grow on floating gardens, and stilt villages, markets and monasteries line this shallow lake in the Shan hills. Boat trips leave from Nyaungshwe; the ruined stupas of Indein are a highlight.
- 4Sacred site
Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock)
A gold-leafed boulder balanced on a cliff edge, said to be held in place by a strand of the Buddha's hair, draws pilgrims who ride open trucks up from Kinpun. Stay overnight for sunset and the candlelit evening atmosphere.
- 5Architecture
U Bein Bridge
Built around 1850 from salvaged teak, this 1.2 km footbridge crosses Taungthaman Lake at Amarapura, just south of Mandalay. Walk it at sunset, or hire a small boat to watch monks and cyclists silhouetted against the sky.
Biggest cities
Yangon
The former capital's crumbling colonial downtown, Sule Pagoda, tea shops and slow Circle Line train fill two days, crowned by sunset at the Shwedagon.
Mandalay
The last royal capital is the base for Amarapura, Inwa, Sagaing and Mingun; the 2025 earthquake damaged the palace and many monuments, so check what has reopened.
Naypyidaw
The purpose-built capital, proclaimed in 2006, is known for near-empty multi-lane boulevards, vast ministries and the Uppatasanti Pagoda; few visitors stay longer than a curious stopover.
Rounded 2014 census figures. Naypyidaw's covers the built-up capital including Pyinmana; the much larger Naypyidaw Union Territory, which takes in farmland and villages, had about 1.16 million people.
When to go to Myanmar
Best time: Nov–Feb.
Average climate in Yangon
Festivals & events
- AprThingyan
The Burmese New Year water festival, usually 13–16 April, turns streets into a nationwide water fight from stages and trucks; many businesses close for the holiday.
- OctThadingyut
The festival of lights at the October full moon marks the end of Buddhist Lent, with candles and lanterns on homes and pagodas and families paying respects to elders.
- NovTazaungdaing balloon festival
At the November full moon, Taunggyi in Shan State launches giant paper hot-air balloons, some laden with fireworks and lanterns, into the night sky over several days of competition.
How much does Myanmar cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Mohinga
Rice noodles in a fish broth thickened with chickpea flour and scented with lemongrass and banana stem; Myanmar's favourite breakfast, sold from street stalls.
Lahpet thoke
Fermented tea leaves tossed with crunchy fried beans, peanuts, sesame, tomato and garlic, a salad served at the end of meals and to welcome guests.
Shan khauk swè
Shan noodles: flat rice noodles in a light tomato sauce with chicken or pork, topped with peanuts and pickles; best around Inle and Kalaw.
Getting around
Domestic flights connect Yangon, Mandalay, Nyaung-U (for Bagan) and Heho (for Inle), saving long days on the road. Overnight express buses are comfortable and cheap, while trains are slow, scenic and prone to suspensions. Boats have traditionally run down the Ayeyarwady from Mandalay to Bagan in the cooler months. Hire cars normally come with a driver. Routes and schedules can change at short notice, so confirm everything locally.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CDFG230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +95
- Time zone
- UTC+6:30 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not traditional, but small tips for guides, drivers, boatmen and hotel porters are appreciated; some upmarket restaurants add a service charge.
- Etiquette
- Remove shoes and socks at every pagoda and monastery, cover shoulders and knees, never point your feet at a Buddha image or a person, and women should not touch monks.
- Main airports
- Yangon International Airport (RGN), Yangon; Mandalay International Airport (MDL), Mandalay
Visas & entry for Myanmar
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to enter Myanmar. If you must apply for and receive your visa before travelling. You cannot obtain a visa on arrival.
If you have any queries about visas or entry requirements, check with your nearest Myanmar embassy.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BJapanese encephalitisMeaslesRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- Low risk of malaria
- For areas above 1,000 metres there is a low risk of malaria: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Myanmar
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 25 Oct 2026 | Thadingyut Holidays |
| Mon 26 Oct 2026 | Thadingyut Holidays |
| Tue 27 Oct 2026 | Thadingyut Holidays |
| Tue 10 Nov 2026 | Diwali |
| Tue 24 Nov 2026 | Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon |
| Fri 4 Dec 2026 | National Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 4 Jan 2027 | Independence Day |
| Fri 8 Jan 2027 | Karen New Year |
| Sat 6 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year |
| Fri 12 Feb 2027 | Union Day |
| Tue 2 Mar 2027 | Peasants' Day |
| Mon 22 Mar 2027 | Full Moon Day of Tabaung |
| Sat 27 Mar 2027 | Armed Forces Day |
| Tue 13 Apr 2027 | Myanmar New Year |
| Wed 14 Apr 2027 | Myanmar New Year |
| Thu 15 Apr 2027 | Myanmar New Year |
| Fri 16 Apr 2027 | Myanmar New Year |
| Sat 17 Apr 2027 | Myanmar New Year |
| Sun 18 Apr 2027 | Myanmar New Year |
| Mon 19 Apr 2027 | Myanmar New Year |
| Tue 20 Apr 2027 | Myanmar New Year |
| Wed 21 Apr 2027 | Myanmar New Year |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | May Day |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Thu 20 May 2027 | Full Moon Day of Kason |
| Sun 18 Jul 2027 | Full Moon Day of Waso |
| Mon 19 Jul 2027 | Martyrs' Day |
| Thu 14 Oct 2027 | Thadingyut Holidays |
| Fri 15 Oct 2027 | Thadingyut Holidays |
| Sat 16 Oct 2027 | Thadingyut Holidays |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Burmese
| English | Burmese | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | မင်္ဂလာပါ | min-ga-la-BAH |
| Thank you | ကျေးဇူးတင်ပါတယ် | jeh-zoo tin-BAH-deh |
| Please | ကျေးဇူးပြုပြီး | jeh-zoo PYU-pee |
| Excuse me | ခွင့်ပြုပါ | kwin-PYU-bah |
| How much is this? | ဒါ ဘယ်လောက်လဲ | dah beh-LOUK-leh |
Know before you go
- Read the FCDO travel advice and confirm your insurance covers you before booking: conditions, permits and transport can change at short notice.
- Carry crisp, unmarked US dollars as a back-up: torn, creased or old-series notes are routinely refused, and card payments and ATMs can be unreliable.
- Wear slip-on shoes, as you go barefoot at every pagoda, and visit major temples early or at dusk before the stone terraces get scorching hot.
Myanmar travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Myanmar?
The best time to visit Myanmar is generally Nov–Feb. Peak months are January, February, November and December. Average highs in Yangon range from 30°C to 38°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Myanmar cost per day?
Roughly £30 a day on a tight budget, £70 mid-range and £150+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Myanmar?
Burmese kyat (MMK).
What plug type does Myanmar use?
Type C, D, F and G sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Myanmar?
Traffic drives on the right in Myanmar, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Myanmar?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Myanmar?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to enter Myanmar. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Myanmar before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/myanmar/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Myanmar?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Measles and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
