Yangon

Yangon (formerly Rangoon) is Myanmar's largest city and commercial hub. With its blend of colonial-era architecture, traditional pagodas, and modern developments, the city offers a fascinating glimpse into a country that was largely closed to tourism until recently.

At Yangon's heart lies the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, a golden Buddhist shrine visible from most parts of the city. Dating back over 2,500 years, this impressive structure is covered with gold plates and topped with a stupa containing thousands of diamonds and precious stones.

The downtown area is home to one of Asia's best-preserved colonial cores, with buildings dating back to British rule. Many are now being restored after decades of neglect, creating an atmospheric setting for exploring the city's past.

The bustling streets are filled with food stalls serving delicious Myanmar cuisine - influenced by neighboring Thailand, India and China, yet distinctly its own. The local tea shops are cultural institutions where people gather to chat, read newspapers, and watch the world go by.

Yangon's pace of change has accelerated in recent years, with shopping malls, restaurants, and art galleries popping up alongside traditional markets and temples. Despite this modernization, Yangon retains its unique character, where monks in burgundy robes walk past street vendors selling everything from lotus flowers to smartphone accessories.

Inle Lake

Inle Lake is one of Myanmar's most stunning natural landmarks. This vast, serene body of water sits at an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet and covers roughly 45 square miles in Shan State. What makes this place truly special is the unique way of life that has developed around it.

The Intha people who call this lake home have created a fascinating cultural ecosystem. They're famous for their distinctive leg-rowing technique - a mesmerizing sight where fishermen wrap one leg around an oar while standing at the stern of their wooden boats. This traditional method allows them to keep both hands free for fishing while navigating through dense patches of floating gardens.

Speaking of floating gardens, these are another remarkable feature of Inle Lake. Local farmers grow tomatoes, flowers, and other crops on these buoyant gardens that rise and fall with the water level. The lake's surface is also dotted with stilt houses and entire villages built right over the water.

The lake's ecosystem is incredibly diverse, with several endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. The rotating markets that move between villages around the lake offer a glimpse into the area's trading traditions that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. And while tourism has certainly increased over the years, Inle Lake maintains much of its tranquil atmosphere and cultural authenticity that makes it such a treasured part of Myanmar.

Kalaw

Kalaw is a charming hill station in Myanmar's Shan State, sitting at an elevation of about 1,320 meters above sea level. Originally developed as a British hill station during colonial times, today it's a popular starting point for multi-day treks to Inle Lake.

The town has a unique atmosphere that combines Myanmar culture with colonial-era architecture and influences from various ethnic groups like the Palaung, Danu, and Pa-O that live in the surrounding hills. The cooler climate makes it a welcome break from Myanmar's more sweltering locations.

Kalaw's central market offers a glimpse into local life, with villagers from nearby communities coming to sell fresh produce, spices, and handcrafted items. The area is known for its excellent hiking opportunities, with trails winding through pine forests, tea plantations, and small villages.

Interestingly, Kalaw has a significant Nepali and Indian community, descendants of Gurkha soldiers who were stationed here during British rule. This diverse heritage is reflected in the local cuisine, which includes traditional Shan dishes alongside Indian and Nepali influences. The town's weekly rotating market is particularly vibrant, drawing people from all the surrounding hills who come to trade goods and socialize.

Bagan

Bagan is one of Myanmar's most extraordinary places. This ancient city was once home to over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas, and monasteries built between the 11th and 13th centuries. Today, around 2,200 structures remain, creating an incredibly unique landscape that's often compared to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, though with its own distinct character.

The plains of Bagan offer a spectacular sight, especially at sunrise and sunset when the temples are silhouetted against the colorful sky. Many visitors take hot air balloon rides during these hours for unforgettable views of the temple-dotted landscape below.

Bagan has a rich history as the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, which unified regions that would later become modern Myanmar. The kingdom embraced Theravada Buddhism, which explains the abundance of religious structures. The temples showcase impressive architecture and beautiful wall paintings that have survived for centuries.

Visiting Bagan today offers a glimpse into Myanmar's cultural and spiritual heritage. Each temple has its own story and unique features. Despite earthquake damage over the years, including a significant one in 2016, conservation efforts continue to preserve this archaeological treasure. In 2019, Bagan was finally recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, giving it the international protection and recognition it deserves.

Inn Wa

Inn Wa (also known as Ava) is a true window into Myanmar's past. This ancient imperial capital, located just outside of Mandalay, offers an extraordinary glimpse into the kingdom's glory days from the 14th to 19th centuries.

As you explore Inn Wa, you'll encounter crumbling city walls, ancient monastery ruins, and impressive wooden structures that have withstood the test of time. The area has a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere, with rural farmland surrounding historic buildings—creating a striking contrast between daily life and the remnants of royal history.

One fascinating aspect of Inn Wa is how it fell from prominence. After ruling as the capital for centuries, a devastating earthquake in 1839 convinced the royal court to abandon the city. What's left today is essentially an open-air museum spread across a rural landscape.

Highlights include the Bagaya Monastery with its intricate teak carvings, the leaning watch tower of Nanmyin, and the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery with its unusual brick construction. Most visitors explore the area by horse cart, which adds to the old-world charm of the experience.

Inn Wa offers a less crowded alternative to some of Myanmar's more famous sites while still delivering an authentic and meaningful historical experience.

Mandalay

Mandalay is Myanmar's last royal capital, a city full of deep history and rich culture. Founded in 1857 by King Mindon, it's now the second-largest city in the country and serves as a major cultural hub in the northern region.

The heart of Mandalay is dominated by the imposing Mandalay Palace and its fortress, surrounded by a wide moat. Though largely reconstructed after WWII damages, it gives visitors a glimpse into Myanmar's royal past. Mandalay Hill offers spectacular views of the city and is considered a sacred spot where, according to legend, Buddha once prophesied that a great city would be built at its foot.

The city is famous for its traditional arts and crafts - gold leaf beating, marble carving, and kalaga tapestries are part of the local heritage that continues today. Mandalay is also home to some of Myanmar's most revered Buddhist sites, including the Mahamuni Buddha Temple with its gold-leaf covered Buddha image.

The sounds of monastery bells and chants fill the air at dawn as thousands of monks walk the streets collecting alms - a tradition that dates back centuries. With its mix of modern urban life against a backdrop of ancient traditions, Mandalay offers an authentic glimpse into Myanmar culture that hasn't been overly shaped by outside influences.