Destination
Type of Activity
Editors Pick
Read MoreBagan
It’s futile to give a rundown of the temples, pagodas and stupas of Old Bagan, as every traveler has their own encounter with this magnificent trove of Burmese history (many date as far back as the 11th century). The main...
Read MoreBalloons over Bagan
Owned by an Australian-Burmese couple, this venerable company offers the stunning 45-minute balloon rides across the temples of Old Bagan. Their safety record is impeccable, due to the fact that they only fly when the weather conditions are perfect. If...
Read MoreInle Lake
This 45-square-mile lake is rich in history, culture, flora, fauna and more. Traveling with a guide, begin your exploration by watching local fishermen hard at work, balancing on one leg on the bow of their teak canoe, with the other...
Read MoreLocal Tea Shop
A Burmese pastime, locals can spend hours socializing at their favorite tea shop, where tables and stools are typically plastic and low to the ground. If you’d like, try the local tea specialty: black tea with condensed milk, which is...
Read MoreMount Popa
A volcano located southeast of Bagan and about 5,000 feet above sea level, Mount Popa is best known as the site of Taung Kalat, or pedestal hill, a volcanic plug where a Buddhist monastery is located. The 900 stairs to...
Read MoreYangon: Chaukhtatgyi (Reclining) Buddha
Close to the Shwedagon Pagoda, this beautifully serene reclining Buddha is massive (some 230 feet long) and housed in a soaring hall, which was nearly empty except for some worshippers when I visited.
Read MoreYangon: Circle Train
This is not on anyone’s sightseeing list and you need a local guide to help figure out timing, as the train runs on a somewhat erratic schedule. Making the loop from downtown Yangon, into the outlying suburbs and ending back...
Read MoreYangon: Inya Day Spa
This Yangon day spa, which opened in 2011, is a good spot for a Thai massage, a facial or manicure. It’s not fancy but has a perfectly nice ambience and is one of the city’s trendiest spots for pampering.
Read MoreYangon: Palm Reading/Numerology
Numerology and palmistry is huge in Myanmar, where locals consult their local palm reader or numerologist before every major decision (it is even rumored that the government moved the capital from Yagon to Nay Pyi Taw due to the recommendation...
Read MoreYangon: Shwedagon Pagoda
Presiding over Yangon, like a gleaming golden talisman, the Shwedagon Pagoda is the country’s holiest Buddhist site (eight strands of hair of the historical Buddha are said to be enshrined here). Made of solid gold, the cupola is breathtaking as...
