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Myanmar travel guide
Golden pagodas, temple plains and calm lakes.
Myanmar is a Southeast Asian country known for its Buddhist pagodas and traditional way of life. Classic highlights are the temples of Bagan, the gold of Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Mandalay and the stilt villages of Inle Lake.
Travel tools
Getting there
Yangon International Airport is the main gateway, with Mandalay also receiving international flights. Land borders with Thailand and other neighbours exist but are frequently closed or unsafe, so check the latest situation before any overland plans.
Best time to visit: Nov–Feb – dry and cooler weather.
Tougher months: June-September - the monsoon brings heavy rain, especially on the coast; April-May is extremely hot.
Weather by month in Yangon
- 32°J
- 34°F
- 36°M
- 37°A●
- 34°M●●
- 30°J●●●
- 30°J●●●
- 29°A●●●
- 30°S●●●
- 31°O●●
- 32°N●
- 32°D
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Asia/Yangon. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 16 of 198 other passports can enter Myanmar without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 87 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 95 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of Myanmar (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-05-08). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Myanmar travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Myanmar are based around Yangon, Bagan or Mandalay. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$25–40 for a backpacker and US$60–120 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Myanmar page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: C, D, F, G. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +95.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Yangon (South · former capital): The largest city, with Shwedagon Pagoda, colonial architecture and bustling street life.
- Bagan (Central plains · temples): A UNESCO-listed landscape of more than two thousand ancient Buddhist monuments.
- Mandalay (Upper Myanmar · royal city): The last royal capital, surrounded by the ancient capitals of Amarapura, Sagaing and Inwa.
- Inle Lake (Shan State · lake): A tranquil lake of floating gardens, stilt villages and Intha fishermen.
- Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock) (Mon State · pilgrimage): One of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the country.
- Hpa-An (Kayin State · karst landscapes): Limestone mountains, cave temples and rural scenery.
- Ngapali Beach (Rakhine coast · beach): A long stretch of white sand with fishing villages and seafood.
- Mrauk U (Rakhine State · ancient capital): Atmospheric stone temples of a former Arakanese kingdom; access has often been restricted.
Things to do
- Visit Shwedagon Pagoda. Walk barefoot around Yangon's gleaming golden stupa as it glows at sunset.
- Explore Bagan's temples. Cycle or ride an e-bike between thousands of ancient temples scattered across the plains.
- Boat across Inle Lake. Watch leg-rowing fishermen and visit floating gardens, stilt villages and markets.
- See the Golden Rock. Join pilgrims at Kyaiktiyo, where a gilded boulder balances on a cliff edge.
- Cross U Bein Bridge. Walk the long teak footbridge near Mandalay at sunrise or sunset.
- Climb Mandalay Hill. Ascend past shrines and monasteries for views over the old royal city.
- Explore Hpa-An's caves. Visit Buddha-filled limestone caves and paddy fields under karst peaks.
- Taste mohinga. Start the day with the national dish, a fragrant fish noodle soup sold at street stalls.
Source: full Myanmar guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Mohinga – fish noodle soup, often eaten for breakfast
- Laphet thoke – pickled tea leaf salad
- Shan noodles – rice noodles with chicken or pork
- Burmese curry – rich curries with many side dishes
Source: RoamSun Myanmar guide
Money and safety
Currency: Myanmar kyat (MMK). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: Not expected; small tips for guides and drivers are appreciated.
Emergency numbers: 199 police · 191 fire · 192 ambulance.
- The currency is the kyat; cash is essential, as cards and ATMs are often unreliable for foreigners.
- Bring clean, unmarked US dollar notes, which are more easily exchanged.
- Many governments advise against all or non-essential travel to Myanmar due to armed conflict and political instability - check your government's latest advice before travelling.
- Large areas, including many border regions, are affected by fighting and may be closed to foreigners.
Source: RoamSun Myanmar facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Myanmar?
Nov–Feb – dry and cooler weather. Tropical, with a hot season from March to May and monsoon rains from June to October.
What time zone is Myanmar in?
Myanmar uses Asia/Yangon.
Do I need a visa for Myanmar?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 16 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 87 need an e-visa or eTA and 95 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Myanmar use?
Myanmar uses plug type C, D, F, G at 230 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Myanmar?
The international calling code for Myanmar is +95.
Do you tip in Myanmar?
Not expected; small tips for guides and drivers are appreciated.
What is the emergency number in Myanmar?
199 police · 191 fire · 192 ambulance.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Myanmar?
Traffic drives on the right.