Contributed by TuristangDentista
Now that Myanmar has finally opened up to foreign visitors after a decade and a half of isolation, this is the perfect opportunity to visit this diverse, culturally rich country. Why consider Myanmar as your next destination? The people, the culture, the charming architecture, the local experience… and the list goes on.
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is the largest country in Southeast Asia and is bordered by China, Laos, Thailand, India and Bangladesh. It is divided into seven states – Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan.
Also read: 10 Countries Filipinos Probably Didn’t Know They Can Travel to Without Visa
Like the Philippines, Myanmar was taken over by countries like Great Britain and Japan but eventually achieved its independence. The new capital is Naypyidaw (or Nay Pyi Taw) while the largest city is Yangon. Planning on paying a visit to its new capital? Naypidaw is just a five-hour drive from Yangon!
With great diversity, Myanmar is composed of seven main ethnic groups – Burman, Karen, Shan, Han Chinese, Mon, Yangbe and Kachin.
This post is about my one-week itinerary in Myanmar, which enabled me to visit four big cities, namely Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Nyaung Shwe where Inle Lake is located.
Flight
Manila to Yangon (round-trip) via Air Asia, inclusive of 20 kg check-in baggage both ways: ₱16,048 ($321.90 or K1,355)
Accommodation
Yangon
Hotel Lavender
One room, two nights = ₱4,494.96
Bagan
Thazin Garden Hotel
One room, two nights = ₱7,451.46
Mandalay
Ace Star Bnb Backpackers Hostel
Two all-female dormitory beds, two nights = ₱2,030
Nyaung Shwe (Inle)
Aung Mingalar Hotel
One room, two nights = ₱1,709
Total: ₱31,733.42
Itinerary
Day 1
- 10am: Check in at Hotel Lavender
Late breakfast - 1pm: Mahi Wizaya Pagoda
- 2.30pm: Three-hour Circular Train via Yangon Railway Central Station (₱7)
- 7pm: Shwedagon Pagoda. Longyi is available for rent at ticketing centre (₱392)
Dinner: House of Memories
Day 2
- 8.30am: Yangon Day Tour with car service courtesy of Aung-Aung (₱1,545)
Sule Pagoda
Independence Park & Monument
Governor’s Residence
Bogyoke Aung San Market
Kandawgyi Lake
Karaweik Palace
St. Mary’s Cathedral
Chauk Htat Gyi Temple - 8pm: Check out from hotel and departure for Bagan via the Aung Mingalar Bus Station
Day 3
- 8am: Check in and breakfast at Thazin Garden Hotel
- 1pm: Bagan Half Day Tour with car service courtesy of the hotel front office staff (₱566)
Shwe Zi Gon (Shwezigon) Pagoda
Gubyaungke (Gubyaukgyi) Temple
Hitlominlo Temple
Anada Temple
Alotawpyi Pagoda
Tharabar Gate
Bupi Ya (Bupaya) Pagoda
Sunset by Irrawaddy River
Bagan House Lacquerware shop
Dinner: Be Kind to Animals
Day 4
- 5.30am: Bagan Sunrise and Hot Air Balloon Sightseeing with car service courtesy of the hotel front office staff (₱285)
- 10.30am: Bagan Full Day Tour with car service courtesy of hotel front office staff (₱1,133)
Minnathu Village
Dhammayazika Pagoda
Narathihapatae Hpaya Pagoda
3 Pagodas
Dhammayangyi temple
Myin Kabar Gubtaukgi Pagoda
Manua Phaya Monastery
Nan Phaya Temple
Lunch: Treasure Café & Restaurant
- 8.30pm: Dinner, check out from hotel and departure for Mandalay via the Bagan Bus Station
Day 5
- 1.30am: Check in at Ace Star Bnb Backpackers Hostel
- 8.30am: Mandalay Morning Tour with car service courtesy of Lar Sett of the hostel
Mahamuni Pagoda
Ananda River
Yadanabon Bridge
Hsinbyume Pagoda
Mingun Pahtodawgy (or Pahtodawgyi)
Mingun Bell
Soon Oo Ponya Shin Pagoda
Innwa Bridge - 1.30pm: Five-minute boat ride to Iniwa Island (₱53)
Horse ride around Iniwa Island. A horse cart ride is the best way to explore Iniwa Island. The tour is good for three and more hours (₱570 for the entire horse carriage rental)
Iniwa Island Tour:
Yadana Hsemee Pagoda Complex
Bagaya Wooden Monastery
Maha Aung Mye (or Myae) Bon Zan Monastery (₱380 entrance fee)
Palace Tower (or Watch Tower) - 5pm: Mandalay Afternoon Tour
Amarapuyra: U-Bein Bridge (aka Awa Sky Bridge) - 8.30pm: Check out from hostel and departure for Nyaung Shwe
Day 6
- 4.30am: Check in at Aung Mingalar Hotel
- 9am: One-hour boat ride to Inle Lake arranged by the hotel (₱392)
Note: Tourists entering Nyaung Shwe via Bus must pay for “Inle Zone” entrance fee which I paid prior to entering Nyaung Shwe. Keep the ticket!
Inle Lake Boat Tour (₱529):
In Paw Khone (Silk, lotus, and cotton hand-weaving)
Hein Thap Yay (Bamboo handicraft shop)
Shun Thap Yay boat-making factory
Mya Hnin Si Cheroot (Cheroot-making shop)
Aung Myint Mo Inle (Traditional silversmith)
Pyae That Tun (Long Neck)
Ywama Floating Market
Ywama Floating Garden
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery - Boat ride back to Nyaung Shwe
- 6.45pm: Check out from hotel and departure for Yangon via Full Moon Express at Nyaung Shwe Bus Station
Day 7
- Check in at Agga Bed & Breakfast
- Yangon Half Day Tour:
National Museum of Myanmar (₱196)
Note: December 30 & 31 are Gazetted holidays and the museum is usually closed.
Botataung Pagoda (optional)
Tooth Relic Pagoda (optional)
Bogyoke Aung San Market - Check out from hotel and departure to Yangon Airport
Also read: 3 Perfect One-Week Itineraries for Myanmar
If you want to have a more relaxed experience in Myanmar, you can stretch out your visit to two weeks or longer. However, with one week, it is possible to see most of Myanmar’s most sought-after tourist destinations and the four major cities – but with a really hectic schedule if you consider this itinerary.
Questions? Concerns? Leave us a comment!
