Myanmar

When to Go

Myanmar has three seasons similar to many other parts of Southeast Asia. The Southwest monsoon starts at the end of May or beginning of June and lasts until the end of September. This season brings frequent and heavy downpours of rain, mainly in the afternoon and evening especially in Yangon, the rest of the country is dryer with sometimes even no rain for a week in a row. In the raining season the weather is more humid what can make travelling less comfortable. The rains give way to dry weather in October and the temperatures are generally lower and more pleasant at this time. In March the temperatures start to climb again leading up to the next rainy season at the end of May. Temperatures between March and May can be very hot reaching over 35oC in some places.

Main Sights:

Yangon (Rangoon)

Yangon lies in the fertile delta country of southern Myanmar on the Yangon River. Although the population is around the 4 million mark, the city seems so full of trees and shade that some neighbourhoods are practically jungle, giving it a totally different feel from other Asian cities of comparable size. At night, Yangon's wide boulevards come alive with hordes of stalls selling delicious food and piles of huge cigars. If you can close your eyes to the decay of the old colonial architecture downtown, you'll probably agree that this is one of the most charming cities in Asia.

Mandalay

This sprawling cultural centre is the most Burmese of Myanmar's cities. It was the last capital of Myanmar before the British took over and is the country's second-largest city, complete with bustling markets of produce and handicrafts from all over northern Myanmar.

Mingun

One of four ancient city sites around Mandalay, Mingun has a number of interesting features in a relatively compact area, including the massive brick base of an incomplete stupa called Mingun Paya; the Mingun Bell which, at 90 tonnes and 5m in diameter, is the biggest hung bell in the world; and the 1811-built vaulted shrine of Settawya Paya.

Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock)

The excursion to the incredible balancing boulder stupa called Kyaiktiyo (or Golden Rock) is a must-do. The small stupa, just 7.3m (24ft) high, sits atop the Gold Rock, a massive, gold-leafed boulder delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff at the top of Mt Kyaikto. This is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Myanmar.

Our Top Pick for Myanmar
 

Bagan

Inle Lake

Mangalay

Yangon

Kalow