In recent years, Myanmar becomes one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia for both domestic and international tourists. Many explorers choose Myanmar for their next ideal exploration site. Many families pick Myanmar for a happy family vacation. Many young tourists come to Myanmar with the desire to discover and experience. Every year, more and more tourists come to Myanmar. So, what is the reason for this tendency? Here we would like to show you 7 reasons to start a Myanmar travel tour this summer.
Explore the country of Buddhism
Coming to Myanmar, you can have a great opportunity to explore the culture of this Buddhist country. Called “the land of pagodas”, you can meet the image of palatial pagodas, ancient temples everywhere in Myanmar. There are many splendid pagodas which are gilded or attached hundred of diamonds such as Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Maha Muni in Mandalay, Swezigon in Bagan,… You can also find out here a lot of small unknown monasteries, tiny shrines nested behind green old trees on the trails.
In addition, in the Myanmar travel tour, visitors can ride the bicycle from one temple to another in their journey. On the way to experience the beauty and mystery of pagodas in Myanmar, tourists will meet many monks meditating or chanting for hours. If you want to learn more about the worship rituals here, you should prepare some snacks and drinks as it usually lasts a long time and there are no restaurants around the temples.
The friendliness and hospitality of Myanmar’s people
It can be said Myanmar people are very gentle, honest and friendly. If you leave valuable personal belongings on the bus, attractions, eateries … then the rate you can find your belongings is very high. Not only that, if you want to ask for directions or learn about a sightseeing from any Myanmar people on the street you meet, then what you get is a gentle smile and hearty instructions.
Myanmar’s people even supply water free so do not worry if you feel thirsty in your Myanmar travel tour. You can find many jars with water on the road, near the trees, under the roofs, sometimes at other places.
Burmese also attach importance to the credibility (say the truth, punctual appointment ). They always respect people who have learned. The people with the highest education and degrees are usually the monks. Another interesting thing is that wedding invitation papers often show clearly the academic title, academic degrees as well as the achievements of the bride and groom.
The traditional culture of Myanmar
Traditional clothes of Myanmar are dresses, called Longyi (for men) and Tamain (for women). These dresses were made with a lot of unique patterns and brilliant colors. They are sold in many markets with different prices so you can buy one to try if you like. The way to wear is also quite simple when just wrap the fabric into several loops horizontally tightly. However, the way to wrap these dresses between men and women is different, so you can ask vendors in the store where you bought it to help you.
Coming here in your Myanmar travel tour, you should not miss learning the beauty method of Myanmar women from Thanaka. This is a traditional make-up powder with a sweet scent, which has the effect of cooling and protecting the skin under the sun made from the powder of the stem of Thanaka. The use of this type of powder is very simple, just mix less of Thanaka powder and water for a slightly match and apply to the skin. The children here often draw lovely animals on their cheeks or arms by Thanaka.
Fortune Telling
One of the most interesting things in the traditional culture of Myanmar people is that they love the fortune telling. The most popular place for this unique feature is in the boutiques along famous temples such as Sule Pagoda, Kaba Aye Pagoda … They often like being predicted information about their name, career, marriage age, Wedding time,… There are many different methods of fortune-telling like astromancy or pendulum reading, horary astrology or spirit board reading, tasseography (reading tea leaves in a cup) or cartomancy (fortune telling with cards), tarot, crystallomancy (reading of a crystal sphere), and chiromancy (palmistry, reading of the palms).
That is the reason why when visiting Myanmar, besides admiring the famous temples such as Chauk Htat Gyi Temple, Shwedagon Pagoda, Kyaiktiyo Temple, Kaba Aye Pagoda or Sule Pagoda … the fortune telling is one of the most fascinating experiences that every visitor wants to discover. After visiting, worshiping in the temple, you can visit any stall around the pagoda or along the way to the pagoda to let a fortune teller show you things to know more about your career, love or destiny in the future …
Fascinating festivals which you should not miss in your Myanmar travel tour.
Thingyan Festival (New Year’s Festival)
Also known as the Water-Sprinkling Festival, the Thingyan Festival is usually held on the occasion of the New Year in Myanmar. This festival is held everywhere in Myanmar by splashing water on others. It is meant to wash away the dirt that has accumulated over the past year and to welcome the new year with the purity of mind and body. In the past, people often prepare fragrant water (made from flowers) to throw on each other. Today people no longer use perfume but instead, they use cold water.
Traditional music festival
Attending this festival, visitors will learn about the unique traditional music of Myanmar. Traditional orchestras include a set of drums (usually from 9 to 21 small drums), a set of gongs, bamboo bells, wind instruments, including Hne – for very high sound – and flutes and cymbals. Besides the music, there are traditional dances with bold Buddhist characters of Burmese, showing the complexity of the dances, but they are also solemn when the dancers do not touch each other.
Phaung Daw U Boat Racing festival.
This is the most important and popular festival in Myanmar. It usually takes place in early October in the sense of paying homage to the Buddha. The most recognizable of this festival is the colorful boat, marching from village to village nearby Inle Lake. In the middle of the delegation, there is a yellowish barge, symbolizing Myanmar mythology, above the barge are five small Buddha statues of Paung Daw U. In addition, there are many other fascinating activities in the land which you should not miss in your Myanmar travel tour.
Popular tourist destinations.
Yangon.
The old capital of Myanmar is always ideal destination chosen by visitors coming to this country. Yangon attracts visitors with the beautiful harmony between nature, architectural works, and people. Shwedagon Pagoda is a tourist attraction that tourists want to visit when visiting Yangon. Besides, there are many interesting places to explore here such as the Sule Pagoda, museums, parks … Not only the scenery, culture, Yangon also attracts tourists because of its bustling shopping center in the heart of the city.
Bagan
The most fascinating thing about Bagan is that you can explore hundreds of great and small temples here. The temples are often close to each other, so one of the most suitable means that you need to consider is cycling themselves to explore. Alternatively, you can travel by other means such as taxi, tuk-tuk or bus. One of the most special transports to do, this is balloon overs this city. From above, you can not only admire the panorama of the mysterious scenery of Bagan but also take lots of magnificent pictures to keep as a souvenir.
Mandalay
Climbing to the top of Mandalay and enjoying the panoramic view of nature below in the sunrise or sunset is a great experience for you in Myanmar travel tour. Besides, you can also talk to the monks in English to learn more about the culture and people of Myanmar. U Bein bridge here is also an interesting attraction for you. With a length of 2 km, this is the longest teak bridge in the world, connecting the small town of Mandalay. Walking on the bridge to see the pure water with the fish swimming underneath or rowing on the lake and watching the stream across the bridge can be really a memorable experience. Note to come here at sunset. You can enjoy the picturesque scenery here better.
Inle Lake
In the minds of Myanmar people, Inle Lake is the most beautiful place in the world. The lake is not too deep but wide and flat like a mirror reflecting mountains, hills, clouds and the surrounding sky. Coming here, you can choose cycling to visit the surrounding small villages or taking a boat ride to see the beauty of the lake and visit the nearby temples.
In addition, coming to Myanmar, you can also explore the ancient beauty of Mrauk U, Hpa An, Ngapali Beach and Ngwe Saung, Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock Temple),.. with many interesting experiences.
Discover Myanmar cuisine
The food in Myanmar is rich and varied. There are many different dishes in the local people’s meals. Each member will have a cup of soup. In addition to dishes such as Lephet-do also known as tea leaf salad, this dish is made from fresh tea leaves mixed with cabbage, onion, garlic, peanuts and other vegetables. Shan noodles are made from fruit and vegetables, and the sauce is also worth a try. Parata is made from wheat flour, eggs, sugar,… It is also an indispensable experience when you use a sack of it with a cup of tea here. In addition, seafood in Myanmar is also extremely delicious, fresh at a fairly cheap price.
With thousands of ancient temples, hundreds of gold-plated temples, pristine natural scenery, mysterious historical myths and unique culture, Myanmar is truly an ideal place for travel every summer. And if you want to start your Myanmar travel tour this summer, prepare now with us. Wish you memorable experiences in Myanmar!
