Although I’m in the process of reviewing all the experiences of my very recent trip to New Zealand and Sydney, earlier in the year I had an amazing trip to Thailand and Myanmar. This Sunday, with Christmas sneaking up behind me quietly but very quickly, I thought I’d return back to Myanmar and do a ‘best seven’ of the things I did, saw and places I went.

Cool Pyin Oo Lwin

Although Myanmar was not quite as hot as Thailand, the heat still gets to you. Not in pretty little Pyin Oo Lwin, a hill station a couple of hours from Mandalay. It was even cold at night! I loved this little town. Not too far from it were some beautiful waterfalls. The Hampshire falls are quite beautiful, although it’s all set up for the visitors so don’t expect a quiet hour or two to yourself. Read more about Pyin Oo Lwin HERE.

 

Taking the train

Although no-one would claim that trains in Myanmar are either comfortable or well run (or indeed maintained!) the experience of riding the train in Myanmar is not to be missed because it is such an adventure. The ride from Pyin Oo Lwin to the viaduct mentioned below is pretty special, there’s a wonderful loop train around Yangon but my favourite was the train from Thazi to Inle Lake, with switch-backs, going over mountains, cute little villages and some breathtaking vistas. More on that journey HERE.

 

Crossing the Gokteik Viaduct

This amazing metal structure, 300 feet above the ground crossed by a slow and barely functioning train was the culmination of a seriously amazing train trip. Which you can read about HERE.

 

Shwedagon Pagoda

This amazingly beautiful pagoda, reached by a lift, was stunning. Yes, the ground was so hot it was very difficult to walk on out of the shade (and shoes were checked in before entering the lift) and it was absolutely packed with visitors, but it was also beautiful and out of this world. Yangon’s premier attraction without a doubt! More about Shwedagon HERE.

 

The U-Bein Bridge

Visited on a tour from Mandalay, this 1300 yard long teak bridge is the longest teak bridge in the world, and there is no better spot in Myanmar to watch the sun go down, even if you are watching it with thousands of others. Read more about it HERE.

 

Inle Lake

Visiting Inle Lake is a must for any traveller coming to Myanmar. As touristy as it is with gift shops and the like, there are so many temples and markets to visit on the lake, not to mention ‘floating farms’. It’s brilliant, and there’s no better way to spend a day than in a boat exploring the lake. Read more about Inle HERE.

 

Temples of Bagan

Thousands of ancient temples strewn across the plains at Bagan, that you can explore. Your mind will be blown away by the scale of Bagan, it is simply brilliant. It is hands down the most brilliant thing in Myanmar and one of the true highlights of all of South East Asia. Read more about it HERE.

 

Thanks for reading this Sunday, if you have any comments on these places, or somewhere else you think I should have mentioned, please do comment! May the Journey Never End!