Want to discover Burma’s magical landscapes? Take to the road with Generation Voyage, heading for the country’s most beautiful spots!
It’s a destination that’s got people talking. Burma, or Myanmar, is above all an invitation to discover another facet of Southeast Asia. Nestled between China, Thailand, India, Laos and Bangladesh, it boasts over 2,000 km of coastline. With its superb golden sandy beaches, its paradisiacal lands are the stuff of dreams the world over! Like the Bay of Bengal and other intoxicating landscapes, tourists come here 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 to the road to this fabulous country? For a taste of what’s to come, we invite you on a journey with our selection of the most beautiful places to visit in Burma. Let’s hit the road!
1. Inle Lake
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Set amidst the mountains, Inle Lake is one of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Southeast Asia! This shallow lake, with a surface area of over 120 km², is a veritable immersion in another world. It’s home to the Intha people, who live in 70 villages all along the lake. If they are often compared to the Uros of Lake Titicaca in Peru, it’s because they’re the only people with the secret of floating gardens. As well as growing vegetables, the Intha people are also known for their unique way of handling a boat: one foot on the boat, one foot wrapped around the oar!
2. Rangoon
Photo credit: Unsplash-Cheng Q
Although not the capital of Burma, Rangoon, also known as Yangon, is the country’s most important city! Pleasant and welcoming, it’s known for its warm welcome, much appreciated by tourists visiting Burma. Rangoon is also home to many 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.
The former capital is a rather confusing place, full of contrasts. Just stroll down the few parallel streets and you’ll be able to grasp its charm, without any illusions. Where decrepit facades replace gilding, Rangoon is cosmopolitan and popular: an incredibly rich culture that, despite its scars, invites you to enjoy the good life.
3. Le Rocher d’Or
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Located in southern 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, over 2,500 years ago. A place of worship for Burmese Buddhism, the Golden Rock is one of the must-sees on any guided tour of the region. You can also opt for a hike to the summit for a unique experience.
4. Mount Popa
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A dormant volcano since 442 BC, Mount Popa rises to an altitude of over 1,500 m in the Mandalay region. A popular destination for tourists wishing to visit Burma, it is home to lush vegetation and no fewer than 200 streams! Sacred to the local population, Mount Popa is also a place of pilgrimage to venerate the 37 Great 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 town of the same name, Mandalay Hill promises breathtaking views from its summit. Climb the stairs from the bottom of the hill to reach the Sutaungpyei Pagoda. The special feature? You’ll be walking barefoot for a while! Like many places in Burma, Mandalay Hill is above all sacred, so visitors are expected to respect it. As you stroll through the temples, you’re sure to meet some wonderful people. Take the time to chat with the monks, who are happy to teach foreigners the local language.
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. Yet it’s a real local treasure!
Its imposing exterior walls and arches set the tone as soon as you arrive. Once inside, frescoed murals depict historical scenes, while the many Buddha statues light up the place, all dressed in gold.
7. Ngapali Beach
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Little known to mass tourism, Ngapali beach is one of the most beautiful in Asia. A perfect blend of white sand and azure water, it stretches for almost seven kilometers.
A little paradise on earth, Ngapali’s charm lies above all in its near anonymity! Untouched by the general public, it invites you to enjoy an almost deserted beach where calm and serenity reign. A truly timeless interlude where idleness is the order of the day!
8. Mingun Pahtodawgyi pagoda
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Nguyen Quang Ngoc Tonkin
If its name rings a bell, it’s because it’s one of the most visited monuments in the world. Located in Mingun, Pahtodawgyi is a massive, but incomplete pagoda! Supposed to be 150 metres high and built using over 100 million bricks, this pagoda (or stupa) is the largest brick structure in the world.
Construction began at the end of the 18th century, but a prediction brought it to an abrupt halt. The reason? The Konbaung dynasty would closely follow the completion of the monument. Since then, the pagoda has been left untouched. Now open to the public, it is a landmark historical landmark, housing the world’s second-largest bell.
9. Pindaya cave
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Nestled on the outskirts of the town of the same name, close to Inle Lake, Pindaya Cave is a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site. It is also a major attraction for visitors to Burma.
Within its walls, 9,000 gilded Buddha statues invite you to step inside! The depths are home to stalactites and stalagmites dating back hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
Anecdote: every year, new statues are added to the grotto. In exchange for a donation, you can buy one and contribute to its upkeep. In return, your name will be engraved on it.
10. Kandawgyi Botanical Garden
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It’s a local wonder! Created in 1915, the Kandawgyi National Botanical Garden welcomes you to its 177 hectares. Designated a « Government Botanical Reserve » in 1924, it is now home to some superb local flora and fauna! Among its treasures are endangered species such as the Thamin, the Takin, the Burmese Star Tortoise and the Pigmy Deer. A major example of ecotourism, Kandawgyi is a place full of discoveries!
11. Kanbawzathadi Palace
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In Bago, the Kanbawzathadi Palace is a must-see when visiting Burma. A former palace built by King Bayinnaung in 1556, it underwent a veritable transformation in the 1990s, becoming one of the country’s major monuments. A veritable golden palace, built in a style unique to Southeast Asia!
Take time to discover its architecture, and stroll through its gardens. Then, step inside to admire the interior. Dressed in red and gold from floor to ceiling, the palace is home to engravings and other statues, symbols of the grandeur of the place!
12. The Kingdom of Pagan
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We bring these most beautiful places to a close with the Kingdom of Pagan. An archaeological site located in the Mandalay region, it extends over 50 km². But what makes it so special is its history! The Kingdom of Pagan was elected capital of the First Burmese Empire between the 6th and 13th centuries.
Numerous temples and pagodas dating back several centuries invite you to make a sacred discovery. For an immersive, cultural visit, take to the hiking trails! As you walk, you’ll discover ancient Burmese dwellings and immerse yourself in the surrounding vegetation, heading for the pearls of the Pagan Kingdom!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Burma