Myanmar Guide

Trekking is a popular way of traveling in Myanmar and usually take place in areas where there are usually no means of transport available. Trekking is not necessarily mountaineering; it is walking for a number of days, usually on uncharted paths in challenging environments that are likely to be hilly or mountainous. Trekking tours in Myanmar usually take place in the hill regions in the upper part of the country. Here are some popular locations for treks in Myanmar. Kalaw to Pindaya First one has to travel from Yangon to Kalaw. The Myanmar tour operators usually arrange the accommodation and trekking guides for the trips. From Kalaw is the start of the trekking tour. The dwellers of the southeast Shan mountain ranges are the Pao, Palaung and Danu. Trekking trips generally pass through Pao, Palaung and Danu villages and the trip takes about 1 to 1½ hours from one village to another. One can learn and see the way of lives of the different Shan races. The most significant elemen...

Hey foodies! One of the reasons why I like to travel to Mandalay is because of the food. Here I share the top 7 foods that you must try while in Mandalay. Kho Taung Mont Di (MMK 500) A type of Myanmar noodle salad inspired and originated from the Kho Taung village in Sagaing. It is similar to Nan Gyi Thoa and tastes really good. There are add-on fritters, jengkol, and fish cakes to go with the salad if you want. The jengkol is sticky and sweet; the fish cake tastes even better because it is not fried but boiled in the soup. Besides Kho Taung Mont Di, other types and sizes of noodle are available. We ate at Daw Jann located on the 87th street (between 26 and 27). The place is usually crowded as it is well-known so if you are planning to go, we suggest going earlier in the day Milky Rice (MMK 500) This is a must-eat food whenever I go to Mandalay because it is really rare to find in Yangon. As the milk from Mandalay is fresh and authentic, it makes the taste y...

Everyone loves to visit Mya Thein Than Pagoda when they are in Mandalay or Sagaing. The pagoda is breathtaking, magically white and attracting photography enthusiasts from everywhere, for good reason. There are many beautiful spots for Instagrammers, so take a skilled photographer with you if you can. To find the best spots, just ask the local children who will be your photo guide and photographer if you need. Usually, there are local people at the entrance ready to guide you to the best spots and also have props like Pathein umbrellas and lotus flowers ready for you.       To reach the pagoda there are two stairs, inside and outside. We recommend you to take the inside stair option for better safety.Just follow your hired photographer and they will take you to every beautiful place and corner, and can even teach you how to pose. The popular spots can be crowded so be patient. The children are amazing and very organized. Each child pa...

From generation to generation, a visit to the Zoo is a must-do activity for families, especially with young children. Not only do we spend time together, children are learning about animals, the environment and spending time outdoors playing. I remember the fun and happy memories of my parents taking me to the zoo, parks, playgrounds and other places when I was young. It gives me joy to be able to share and do these same things for my children. Entrance fee – 1000 KS There is a gate fee to visit the zoo. From age 2 to 10, it is 500 KS per pax and 1000 KS for adults; for expats, it is $10. The fee seems a little high, but it is for the upkeep of the zoo and to provide clean restrooms and other public facilities. There are a lot of sights to see and activities to do within the zoo grounds. Modern Monkeys Monkeys are always an attraction, because they behave like children, playing, teasing, eating, and having fun with each other. You can feed the monkeys with bananas...

Myanmar Trishaw was invented by Sayar Nyo, a car repairer from Nyaung Bin Market, Mandalay in 1938.  The trishaw is made of three wheels – a combination of a bicycle and sidecar which has two back to back seats for two passengers on the left side of the driver. Myanmar trishaw is very different from others in Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia. History The reason for the invention of the trishaw was a significant economic revolution in transportation at that time. Unlike Yangon there were no rickshaws in Mandalay at that time, only horse cart and train. When the nationalist uprising occurred across the whole country, the people decided to make their own national economy and tried every way to get rid of foreign industries. They figured out a way to make their own vehicles using only bicycles based on the amount they could spend. Thus, the very first trishaw was invented in 1938. Victory At that time, 60 miles of the road was made in Mandalay by the British government bu...