Myanmar

Myanmar contains one of the densest concentrations of pre-modern Buddhist architecture in Asia, and one of the world's most complicated travel situations. Bagan, the temple plain on the central Irrawaddy, contains over 2,200 surviving pagodas built between the 9th and 13th centuries, when the Pagan Empire was one of the most powerful states in mainland Southeast Asia. Hot-air balloon flights over Bagan at dawn, when operating, are among the most spectacular experiences in Asia.

Inle Lake, in the Shan Hills, is home to the Intha people, who practice a one-legged rowing technique unique to this body of water and build their gardens on floating mats of vegetation anchored to the lake bed. The lake is ringed by teak monasteries, workshops producing lotus-fibre silk and silver jewellery, and villages accessible only by boat. The Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, 98 metres of solid-gold-plated stupa rising above a terrace that tradition holds has been a pilgrimage site for 2,500 years, is the most important Buddhist site in Myanmar and one of the most extraordinary religious structures in the world.

We follow the political situation in Myanmar closely and design itineraries with local partners whose work directly supports communities. Travel to Myanmar requires careful navigation; it also remains possible and, in certain contexts, meaningful.

Before planning any trip, check your government's current travel advice. Since the military took power in 2021, conflict has affected many regions, and many governments advise against all or non-essential travel to the country. Some travel insurance policies do not cover trips made against that advice. A major earthquake in March 2025 also caused serious damage around Mandalay and Sagaing. Conditions can change quickly, so check again shortly before you travel.

When travel is possible, the country's highlights form a natural circuit. Yangon, the largest city, has the Shwedagon, colonial architecture and tea shops. Bagan's temple plain lies in the dry heart of the country, and Mandalay, the last royal capital, has its moated palace, monasteries of carved teak and the nearby ancient capitals of Amarapura, with the long U Bein teak bridge, Inwa and Sagaing. Inle Lake, in the Shan highlands, offers stilt villages, floating gardens and rotating markets, and Kalaw, a former hill station, is the starting point for treks to the lake.

Further afield, the Golden Rock at Kyaiktiyo, a gilded boulder balanced on the edge of a cliff, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country. Mrauk U, in the far west, has temples and fortifications from a kingdom that once traded with the Portuguese and the Dutch, though access has often been restricted. Ngapali Beach, on the Bay of Bengal, has long been the country's quietest beach retreat.

Burmese food is less known than that of its neighbours, but it rewards exploration. Mohinga, a fish noodle soup, is the national breakfast. Tea leaf salad, laphet thoke, mixes fermented tea leaves with crunchy beans, peanuts and tomatoes. Shan noodles, from the highlands, are served in a light broth or dry with a tomato and meat sauce.

The cool, dry season, from November to February, is the most comfortable time to visit. March to May is very hot, particularly on the central plains around Bagan and Mandalay, and the monsoon brings heavy rain from late May to October.

Respect local customs. Remove shoes and socks at all religious sites, dress modestly, and never touch a monk or point your feet at a Buddha image. Ask before photographing people, and be discreet about politics, as locals may face risks for what they say. Carry enough cash, as cards are rarely accepted and ATMs can be unreliable, and download maps before arrival, as internet access can be restricted.