Overview
When I think of lesser-known or off-the-beaten-path countries, Myanmar always comes to my mind, alongside Uzbekistan. It’s a land that surprised me at every corner, one of those places where, in rural areas, people live in simple homes but everyone has a smartphone—a typical contrast of developing Asian nations, similar to what I later found in Vietnam and China.
Myanmar gifted me with smiles, incredible pagodas, sunsets, and peaceful waters. I’ve decided to divide this trip into 2 parts, and at the end, I'll list the entire itinerary. This is one of those "do-it-yourself" trips, but not entirely in the strict sense. I managed Yangon, Bagan, and part of Mandalay by myself, but I booked a pickup for the Golden Rock and a tour for navigating Inle Lake.
Route summary (part 1)
Yangoon by walk and Tuk tuk
Golden Rock private transfer
Arrival
We arrived at Yangon Airport late in the morning, and within 30 minutes, I was at Hotel G—clean, modern, and centrally located. Highly recommended! The tour kicked off immediately, and I hired one of the many available drivers.
First stop: Chaukhtatgyi Buddha, the enormous reclining Buddha. The 66-meter statue is housed in a semi-covered pavilion, and I was particularly struck by the intricate gold carvings on its feet. Just three minutes away is the Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda, where you can admire the 14-meter-tall seated Buddha, draped in white and gold.
From the very first moment, you realize that religion is an integral part of everyday life here, and this remains true throughout the journey.
In just over 20 minutes, we reached the stunning Swe Taw Myat Pagoda, with its golden and white roof and equally golden interiors. I noticed some similarities to Thai architecture, but here, everything felt more "lived in."
We wrapped up the day with a visit to the unmissable Shwedagon Pagoda, the city’s symbol and the most sacred place for all Burmese people, as it houses relics of the four Buddhas. The shimmering gold is blinding! We walked around this marvel barefoot, just like the locals performing their religious rituals. It’s an emotion I will never forget.
We were even advised to return in the morning to experience the unique atmosphere when the monks begin their prayers.
Day 2
We did just that—early morning visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda, and it did not disappoint. Not only did we appreciate it in daylight, but we were also mesmerized by the repetitive prayers and strong incense the monks use during their rituals. Extraordinary!
From there, we walked down to the Colonial District, stopping briefly at Sule Pagoda and then Botahtaung Pagoda, strolling along Bo Aung Kyaw Road. You’ll find charming colonial buildings here, weathered by time, which only adds to their appeal. We took a break at the Theingyi Zei Traditional Market and enjoyed some stir-fried noodles from a street vendor.
Our next stop was the Bogyoke Aung San Market—touristy, yes, but a good spot for shopping. In the afternoon, we explored Chinatown, welcomed by its countless lanterns. Massage parlors are everywhere here, offering a 30-50 minute relaxing massage for just $8-9. Definitely worth trying! Hygiene standards might be questionable, but the skillful hands make you forget everything.
Dinner was near Kandawgyi Lake, nothing memorable. And then it was off to bed early—tomorrow morning, our pickup would come bright and early.
Day 4: The Golden Rock
This is an excursion many skip, but I decided it was worth doing. I booked it through a local tour operator, and the organization was top-notch!
We were picked up at 9:00 AM, heading towards the Golden Rock. Our first stop, however, was the awe-inspiring Bago, the ancient capital. Here, we were left speechless in front of the gigantic Reclining Buddha, followed by the Shwemawdaw Paya Pagoda. Afterward, we visited Kyaik Pun Pagoda, famous for its four Buddhas sitting back-to-back.
After nearly five and a half hours, including stops, we finally arrived at the base of the mountain where the Golden Rock stands. But no, we weren’t there yet! To reach the top, you need to board an open truck with bench seating. It felt like being on a roller coaster—tree branches hit our faces, and the driver sped like a madman. Fun, but not exactly safe!
We reached the site by foot just in time for sunset. What a spectacle! Hundreds of devotees attach small gold leaves to the rock as a sign of good fortune, while others offer entire trays of food (which, sadly, will later be discarded). Calling the atmosphere "mystical" doesn’t even begin to describe it!
As the rock illuminated under artificial lights, we headed back to our hotel, just 200 meters away. We found that most worshippers camp out on the ground, waiting for dawn prayers. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace.
Day 5
Before sunrise, we headed back to the rock. Worshippers were already in prayer, and the thick incense created a dense fog. It felt like a dream.
After breakfast, we made our way back to Yangon, with a stop at a local market, where an elephant casually walked down the road, ridden by a local. That evening, we made a quick stop at Shwedagon Pagoda before heading to bed early—tomorrow, we had an internal flight to Inle Lake, but more on that in the next post.
My Impressions
Awe. Myanmar was a destination I had high hopes for, and it far exceeded them! The spiritual side is undoubtedly its strongest point, but the landscapes of Inle Lake and Bagan are nothing short of stunning. The Burmese people are humble, pure, and still untouched by the Western influences that have shaped countries like Thailand and Vietnam.
Visiting Myanmar feels like visiting that quirky friend—unconventional, but you always have a great time!
Food
I wasn’t particularly impressed by Burmese cuisine. The Tea Leaf Salad is a typical dish, as well as Chicken Curry. You can often find places serving good stir-fried noodles or fried rice with vegetables.
Full Itinerary
Yangon, Golden Rock, Inle Lake, Bagan, Mandalay.
...to be continued...
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