Myanmar Attractions

1. Bagan

• What is Bagan?
  • Standing on the eastern banks of the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan is an ancient city renowned for its Bagan Archaeological Area.
• What makes Bagan famous?
  • Bagan is home to over 2,000 ancient temples in its famed archaeological site, creating a stunning landscape of stupas towering against a lush, green background.
• What can visitors expect to see in Bagan?
  • The wondrous metropolis is gleaming with beautiful ritual artistry and jaw-dropping ruins that every person visiting Myanmar must experience.
• How old are the temples in Bagan?
  • The temples are believed to be a product of the 12th century, and at its prime, Bagan would have had over 10,000 temples and pagodas.
• How can visitors explore Bagan?
  • Bagan is best toured on foot to get an up-close experience with the ruins, but hot air balloon rides are also available for stunning aerial views.

2. Chin Tsong Palace

• What is Chin Tsong Palace?
  • Part European mansion and part pagoda, Chin Tsong Palace is an ornate villa constructed by Lim Chin Tsong, a Burmese merchant who made a fortune from his family’s rice business.
• When was Chin Tsong Palace built?
  • The architectural masterpiece took two years to build and was finally completed in 1919.
• What happened to Lim Chin Tsong?
  • Although he built the palace, Lim Chin Tsong did not get to enjoy it for long as he passed away in 1924.
• How has Chin Tsong Palace been used over the years?
  • The palace housed various businesses over the years, including the Burma Broadcasting Station and the Kanbawza Yeiktha Hotel, before it was turned into a cultural center.
• What can visitors see at Chin Tsong Palace today?
  • Visitors today can admire features such as the grand staircases, towering columns, pagoda-like towers, and murals of the Great Wall.
• Where is Chin Tsong Palace located?
  • Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yangon, Myanmar

3. Floating Gardens of Inle Lake

• What are the Floating Gardens of Inle Lake?
  • The Floating Gardens of Inle Lake comprise a series of tiny artificial islands created by the local communities to cultivate crops without being limited by the available land.
• How do the floating gardens work?
  • The articulately crafted floating gardens bob over the water, swaying with the currents as farmers glide from plot to plot using boats.
• What crops are grown in the floating gardens?
  • Many of these unconventional gardens grow tomatoes, which make up 90% of the gardens’ yields and have proven to be a prominent crop.
• What makes visiting the Floating Gardens of Inle Lake special?
  • Visitors will find the entire experience to be unique and thought-provoking – you can even spend time talking to the farmers and learning what it is like to work in such an environment.
• Where are the Floating Gardens of Inle Lake located?
  • Taunggyi, Myanmar

4. Giants of Mudon

• What is Win Sein Taw Ya?
  • Win Sein Taw Ya, more commonly known as the Giant Buddha of Mudon, is the world’s largest reclining Buddha.
• How big is the Giant Buddha of Mudon?
  • The amazing shrine towers at 30 meters high and 180 meters in length, making it visible from miles away.
• Can visitors explore inside the Giant Buddha?
  • Though it is a place of worship, visitors are invited to explore the Buddha and the many rooms housed within it.
• What can visitors see inside the Giant Buddha?
  • As you walk through the Giants of Mudon, you’ll be able to see several artifacts and dioramas that showcase the teachings of the Buddha.
• Why should visitors see the Giant Buddha of Mudon?
  • It’s an amazing sight to see and an attraction that shouldn’t be missed while in Myanmar.

5. Inwa

• What is Inwa?
  • Inwa, locally known as Ava or Ratanapura, was originally founded in 1365 on an artificial island formed by a canal.
• What role did Inwa play in Burmese history?
  • For the next five centuries, Inwa served as the capital and imperial city of successive Burmese kingdoms.
• Why was Inwa abandoned?
  • Although it had been destroyed and rebuilt many times, a series of devastating earthquakes in 1839 flattened the city and forced the capital to be moved.
• What is Inwa like today?
  • Since its abandonment, Inwa has been left to nature and farmers, many of whom graze livestock and grow crops amidst the remains of massive city walls, palace towers, and pagodas.
• How can visitors explore Inwa?
  • Local guides provide tours of the stunning site via horse-drawn carriages throughout the year.

6. Kyaiktiyo Pagoda

• What is the legend behind Kyaiktiyo Pagoda?
  • According to legend, Kyaiktiyo Pagoda began with a single strand of hair given by the Buddha to a hermit, who in turn gave it to the king.
• How was Kyaiktiyo Pagoda created?
  • To show his gratitude, the king used magical powers to retrieve a boulder from the ocean, which was shaped like the hermit’s head. The boulder was perched on the edge of a cliff, and a small pagoda was built atop it to enshrine the Buddha’s hair for eternity.
• Why do pilgrims visit Kyaiktiyo Pagoda?
  • Centuries later, pilgrims from all across Myanmar flock to the pagoda to give offerings to the Buddha and to meditate.
• Why is Kyaiktiyo Pagoda also known as the Golden Rock?
  • The stone is now covered with gold-covered leaves and is a beautiful, glittering sight at night.
• What is special about Kyaiktiyo Pagoda during the Full Moon day of Tabaung?
  • In March, during the Full Moon day of Tabaung, 90,000 candles are lit at the site, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

7. Mingun

• What is Mingun?
  • Sitting on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, Mingun is a small town renowned for the Mingun Pahtodawgyi, an immense yet unfinished ruins of a pagoda.
• Why was the Mingun Pahtodawgyi never completed?
  • Construction on the monument began in 1790 by King Bodawpaya but was not completed due to a royal astrologer’s prediction that the king would die upon its completion.
• How big would the Mingun Pahtodawgyi have been?
  • Had it been completed, it would have been the world’s largest stupa, standing at 490 feet.
• What other significant attraction is in Mingun?
  • Visitors to Mingun will also see a gigantic bell cast to accompany the stupa. The bell weighs 90 tons and is still the largest ringing bell in the world today.

8. Thanboddhay Pagoda - Monywa Temple

• What is Thanboddhay Pagoda?
  • The Thanboddhay Pagoda, commonly known as the Monywa Temple because of its location, was originally built in the 14th century and then reconstructed for preservation in 1939.
• What makes Thanboddhay Pagoda unique?
  • The temple complex is sure to strike you with awe as it is drastically different, yet eerily similar, to many of the other temples in Myanmar.
• What is different about the entrance to Thanboddhay Pagoda?
  • Unlike other temples where the entrance is guarded by lions, Thanboddhay Pagoda’s entrance is flanked by statues of two imposing white elephants.
• What can visitors see inside the Thanboddhay Pagoda?
  • Inside, you will find a colorful array of images and statues depicting the Buddha – over 500,000 of them, varying from miniatures plastered on the pillars to large statues that capture attention.
• What is the significance of the Buddha images inside the pagoda?
  • Each of these images and statues brightly praises the Buddha, creating a visually striking and deeply spiritual atmosphere.

9. Myanmar Adventure Outfitters

• What is Myanmar Adventure Outfitters?
  • Myanmar Adventure Outfitters gives you the opportunity to experience uncommon adventures near the Burma Road while also contributing to the better living standards of the communities and villages you will visit.
• Who founded Myanmar Adventure Outfitters?
  • The company is the passion project of a Canadian/American couple who have spent much of their time together trying to develop the livelihood of the people of Myanmar.
• What activities does Myanmar Adventure Outfitters offer?
  • Each of the adventures are customized to how you would like to spend your time; options include hiking, trekking, paddle boarding, mountain biking, motorcycling, caving, waterfall swimming, and relaxing in one of the area’s many hot springs.
• Can visitors stay overnight in a village?
  • Take it one step further and opt to stay overnight in one of the villager’s homes, dining with them and getting to know their family.
• What is the exact location of Myanmar Adventure Outfitters?
  • No. 2, Kwa Nyo Rd, Quarter 2, Lashio, Myanmar (Burma), Phone: +95-97-95-36-64-26

10. Illustrated map of Myanmar with cities and landmarks

Explore Myanmar and plan a trip with this unique map.