Myanmar Tours & Vacation Packages | Top 10+ Burma Trips

Sandwiched between India and China, this Southeast Asian country also shares borders with Laos, Thailand and Bangladesh, and juts out to the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal to the south. The mountain range forms a horseshoe to the north, west and east. The river flows north to south and terminates in the coastal plain. Characterized by numerous lakes and gorges, the Shan Plateau covers eastern Myanmar and is where intensive irrigated agriculture is practiced. Fruits, vegetables and citrus grow in this area, and paddy fields extend to the south. Much of Myanmar was formerly covered by subtropical rainforest, but unfortunately less than half of the country is still covered by forest due to logging.

Myanmar has three distinct seasons, with February to May being the hottest and driest. Temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius during this time, but there is some relief in the higher altitudes where temperatures are cooler on average. The monsoon season lasts he from May to October, but usually he has a mild and dry climate from October to February.

Burmese cuisine has many similarities with neighboring Southeast Asian countries. As in Thailand, India and China, rice is the basis of most dishes, and curries are common but usually not oily and spicy. There are many, and in the south it is characterized by fish paste and sourness. Burmese cuisine makes prominent use of pickled vegetables, bamboo shoots and tea leaves, as well as seafood from the country's many lakes and extensive coastline.

Historically, Myanmar people are not heavy drinkers. Although this is changing, ochaya are still the center of social gatherings. Recognizable by the small plastic tables and stools that roll around the streets, the many teahouses serve noodles, snacks, and sweets (dark and served with condensed milk) in addition to tea.

Those who want a strong drink can head to Beer Station, an open-air barbecue restaurant in Myanmar's big cities. Indian restaurants serving all-you-can-eat vegetarian thali (a selection of Indian food served in small bowls with roti, rice, chutneys and desserts) are also common in big cities like Yangon and Mandalay, but Chinese There is also a store. all over the country.

Best Foods to try in Myanmar Tours

Rafetto (Tea Leaf Salad)

Myanmar is not the only country to drink tea. Made from fermented green tea leaves, this tart snack blends sesame seeds, fried peas, fried garlic and peanuts. Some variations also have shredded cabbage and tomato slices.

Mohinga

Fish soup with vermicelli. Find these popular breakfast options at Yangon's coffee shops and street vendors.

Burmese Curry

Milder and more oily than other countries' curries, Myanmar's curries usually focus on pork, fish, beef, or mutton. For the proper experience, order a variety of side dishes (rice, salad, fried and cooked vegetables, soups, condiments, etc.) along with your curry at a traditional Myanmar restaurant.

Early History of Burma

The land now known as Myanmar is estimated to have been inhabited since 11,000 BC. inhabited. Archaeological evidence from burial sites indicates that early settlements were mainly concentrated near the Ayeyarwaddy River, with agricultural and pastoral activities beginning around 1500 BC. won. Larger settlements or city-states were later established by the peaceful Pyu people who settled around 1 BC. Buddhism was brought to Myanmar from the north. With the migration of the Hmong from the south in the 6th century and the attack from the north he continued through the 9th century, the Pyu were absorbed by the general population and helped shape the face of the future Burmese people. The Bagan Empire ruled Myanmar from his 1044 to 1287 years, and a prosperous agricultural and trading economy allowed him to build thousands of Buddhist temples. Many of them still exist today. By the 13th century, the Bagan Empire began to decline due to poor economic management and foreign invasions by the Mongols and Hmong. Myanmar's precarious fortunes have persisted for centuries, with wars, invasions and changes of control becoming commonplace over the years.

Recent History of Myanmar

By 1886, Britain claimed Myanmar (formerly Burma) as a state of India and named Rangoon (now Yangon) as its capital. This period of British rule had a great influence on Burmese society, and the culture, religion, economy and society were greatly changed by the British. This period in history marks a difficult time for the Burmese, as locals saw little economic benefit from increased trade and farming, and many villages were destroyed. Burma's desire for independence grew during World War II, and Burma was granted independence in 1948. Decades of change and political instability followed, with an unstable parliament and several military coups creating unrest in the newly socialist country. Burma appears to have swung from crisis to crisis, plagued by corruption, inflation and volatility from the 1960s to the 1990s. Amid trade bans, protests, sanctions and mounting international pressure, the military government was forced to end the detention of democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi and restore democracy to the country. In the 2015 elections, Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD party won a majority in both houses of the Myanmar government. In February 2021, the military took control of the country's government structure, dismissing and arresting former ministers.

Thingyan (Water Festival)

For three or four days each April, Myanmar marks the Burmese New Year by washing away the old year with an epic underwater battle. Join in the fun as people across the country use whatever means they have – spray guns, buckets, hoses, whatever – to flush each other out. In the evening, the dip is replaced by lavish parties.

Independence Day

The end of British colonial rule is celebrated every 4 January with national fairs, such as the week-long one at Kandawgyi Lake in Yangon and sports competitions.

Thadingyut (Festival of Lights)

As the Buddhist Lent season draws to a close, people across Myanmar are celebrating the return of the Buddha from heaven to earth with a dazzling three-day feast for the senses. Cities transform as houses and temples light up with colorful lanterns and candles. The aroma of fried snacks fills the air as street food fairs and games take place in the streets. Fireworks also light up the night sky.

Bagan Ananda Temple Festival

Almost every Buddhist temple holds its own annual festival, but the one organized by Ananda Temple is especially important. Both a thriving market and a religious ceremony, this two-week event held in December or January each year includes street food, market stalls, carnival games and activities comedy, as well as occasional religious lectures.

Shwedagon Paya Temple

As one of Myanmar's holiest sites, this shimmering temple located in Yangon is a must-see for visitors who want to learn more about the Buddhist faith and culture in Myanmar. The golden bell-shaped stupa is beautiful, while the surrounding statues and satellite shrines offer insight into Burmese culture and mysticism.

Dhammayangyi Temple

The largest temple in Bagan's impressive, centuries-old complex, Dhammayangyi stands out for its exquisite brickwork, dark passages filled with shrines, and pure Buddha images. With the construction shrouded in historical mystery, the identity of the architect/builder of this unfinished temple remains unknown.

Shwezigon Temple

One of Bagan's most famous pilgrimage sites, Shwezigon is an important place of worship for many Burmese. With its exquisite gold stupas, ornate stairs, and golden ornamental plants, it is one of the most beautiful temples in Myanmar.

Mahamuni Temple

Large pillars, vibrant frescoes, peaceful pavilions, a reflective lake and a huge golden Buddha statue combine to make this one of the most fascinating and interesting spiritual sites in the world. The best in Myanmar. As an active monastery, school for monks and place of worship, Mahamuni of Bagan is always busy with daily rituals and annual religious festivals.

Ananda Temple

Although not the largest or most elaborate temple, Bagan's symmetrical Ananda rises majestically into the sky with a sense of grace. Damaged by an earthquake in the 1970s, Ananda has been lovingly restored to its former glory and continues to inspire awe for locals and visitors alike.

Although shopping opportunities in Myanmar are not as plentiful as in neighboring countries, most towns have at least one central market. Regional specialties that can be found at the market include lacquerware from Bagan, tapestries and puppets from Mandalay, and painted parasols from Pathein.

If you're looking to bring home a piece of Myanmar, consider purchasing one of the region's specialties - it supports both traditional and low-income artisans. Remember that trading is the norm in the market and cash is the usual form of payment.

As in most countries, shopping opportunities are more abundant in big cities. Check out the glitzy six-storey shopping mall called Diamond Plaza alongside gold leaf workshops and shops selling traditional crafts in Mandalay, Myanmar's cultural capital. Visit Bogyoke Aung San Market in Yangon for a wide range of luxury goods, handicrafts, connoisseurs, clothing and jewelry.

Myanmar is famous for its jade production, but care must be taken to avoid being fooled. You'll also need official certificates when going through customs, so it's safer to buy them from more reputable stores for receipts.