Myanmar - where to fly into, and where to go/what to see?

[FlyboyAl]

Looking at 2 weeks in Myanmar in November.
Presuming we would fly into Yangoon, but are there other options?
Don't want to really keep changing accommodation, so maybe after Yangoon go to ????. And if so, what is the best way to get to ????
We would be happy to do personalised tours, but really don't know what to see and what to miss.
Does anyone have some postive experiences to share?

 

[drron]

Probably best flying into Yangon.But SQ,PG and China Eastern all fly into Mandalay.Bagan is a must do and a cruise on the Irrawaddy is good.That's al we did..TR here-

In search of an Empire.Siam,Burma and Singapore.

Our next trip starts in 90 minutes when we leave for BNE.5 weeks since we arrived home and 2.5 of those I spent in Townsville. Flying BNE-SYD today on our last JASA and spending the weekend in Sydney with family. Monday and our first Avianca award flying TG F to BKK.Spending 6 nights at the...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[RooFlyer]

I agree with drron's suggestions (go on 'Balloons over Bagan' - but book early!), adding that there's much to see in Yangon (Brit colonial, Buddhist temples, incl the big one, Schwedagon).

Wi-fi and general amenities have come on in leaps and bounds in the past few years. I doubt many tourist hotels won't take credit cards now, but check the 'take crisp US$ cash' situation; many small operators will probably still want it.

Here's my TR:

10 days in Burma (Myanmar) - men in sarongs (longyi)

Opportunity came up not long ago to go to Burma (Myanmar – I’ll stick with the old name) for 10 days, intersecting with some friends who were going to be there. The travel budget was just about skint, so I raided the Aeroplan cookie jar and booked MEL-BKK-MEL on TG business, and...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[RooFlyer]

Don't want to really keep changing accommodation, so maybe after Yangoon go to ????. And if so, what is the best way to get to ????
We would be happy to do personalised tours, but really don't know what to see and what to miss.

To get from Yangon to Mandalay there is a freeway most of the way (still 8 hrs drive). I did part that and part the old highway 1 rather than flying Dodgy Air to get north, on a private tour; quite interesting. You'll probably need to stay in at least 3 or 4 locations to get the best out of the place - Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and inle Lake is another popular spot, but I didn't go there.

 

[stm1sydney]

We only did Yangon and Bagan, so can comment on those:
Yangon - very interesting city, do the usual things like the colonial district, Shwedagon pagoda, circular train, chinatown markets etc.
Bagan - worth two or three days - spectacular - explore by e-bike (electric scooter) about 5000-6000 kyat per day each.
We flew RGN-NYU on Golden Myanmar airlines - very good and the plane looked well maintained. We returned by overnight VIP coach (JJ Express) which was excellent.

 

[Archipelago]

Some good advice above... Enjoyed reading RooFlyer's and DrRon's TR's, hadn't come across them before from memory.

Long term Myanmar resident here -20 years on and off.

2 weeks in November is a good stretch. A week is too short, a month in one hit is too long.

Yangon is the best option to fly into. Many legacy and LCC's. Mandalay is an option to fly out of at the end if it suits your travel itinerary.

Key spots to visit (as with above posts):
- Bagan
- Inle Lake, Taunggyi
- Mandalay, Sagaing, Pyin Oo Lwin
- Lashio and the Gokteik Viaduct by train (if you have an old copy of Paul Theorux's first big railway writing, worth a read)
- Yangon - the colonial buildings/heritage areas, Shwedagon Pagoda, and the many new bars/cafes/restaurants

Try to do the Circle Line train while in Yangon. We're currently upgrading it here, so it won't be the same rambling trip it was before for much longer.

Myanmore's website is a good heads up on Yangon local events/galleries/F&B options - google them and subscribe to their weekly newsletter just before you travel.

Depending on your budget - a personalised tour is highly recommended for Myanmar. Local guides are excellent and you will see MUCH more through their eyes.

Happy to answer more queries regarding the local travel/banking/transport questions if asked..

 

[burmans]

Try to do the Circle Line train while in Yangon. We're currently upgrading it here, so it won't be the same rambling trip it was before for much longer.

Thats a damn shame, really enjoyed that trip!

 

[Isochronous]

I loved Rangoon when I visited earlier this year. Breakfast at the Shangri-La is one of the best hotel buffet breakfasts I've had for both variety and quality. Great service. Also very cheap at just over 100 USD a night.

Some vendors still insist on crisp USD but increasingly local currency is now preferred.

A lot of people seem to base themselves in RGN and do day trips to elsewhere - a lot of options involve rolling up to the airport at 6am to fly somewhere (usually about 1h flying time) to spend a full day on a tour then come back. Outside Rangoon and Mandalay I don't think there's a lot in the way of accommodation options.

 

[stm1sydney]

Outside Rangoon and Mandalay I don't think there's a lot in the way of accommodation options.

Bagan has lots of excellent hotels. We stayed at Zfreeti, highly recommended.

 

[Archipelago]

Thats a damn shame, really enjoyed that trip!

Can confirm now, Circle Line is out for the time being.
I just watched an interesting Trip Report video in Youtube posted by a Canadian chap, well worth a look

I will update on the Circle Line, most likely in a new thread - when I have more info

 

[stm1sydney]

Presumably, though, the main line to Insein and Danyingon is still operating. In this case, it is certainly worth catching the train out to Danyingon market, which is very interesting and very large, then catching the train back. Or Grab/taxi or a local bus (number 93).

 

[Cossie]

In Feb. we bought tickets and went clockwise to Insein. Train stopped, we were there for about 45 minutes and caught another packed train back to the central station.