Bicycle Tour to U Bein Bridge in Mandalay
From the center of the town it is a 60 minute ride with a bycicle until you reach the famous U Bein bridge just outside Mandalay. The tour takes you through narrow streets in which are located numerous street hawkers, local markets and small restaurants and bars. But mostly you are able to have an authentic impression of the normal way of life of Myanmar people, as hardly any tourist takes this route. Due to that, you see grinning faces, waving kids and greeting people all the way until you reach the northern end of Taung Tha Man Lake, where you need to decide to which end of the bridge you would like to drive. For a mind blowing sunset view it is definately the eastern end. On the bridge some locals sell fried crabs and other snacks. Dont’t forget some headlinghts for the ride home.
Pagodas at Bagan
Bagan is probably the most visited sight in whole Myanmar – and you won’t get disappointed. Over two thousand impressive Pagodas (temples, stupas) are located within a relative small area. With a bicycle or e-bike it is the best way to explore the area as you are free to drive and stay wherever you want. Especially for sunrise and sunset it is necessary to secure a place at one of the bigger stupas to enjoy the sun come up / go down over hundreds of Pagodas as far as you can see.
Cultural Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake
A trekking tour in the area around the Inle Lake offers not always the most astonishing landscapes but it allows a deep insight to Myanmar and various tribal cultures in the Shan state. Sleeping at floors in monasteries or homestays at local villagers, living almost without electricity and running water, cooking over an open fire and just experiencing the rural life of people are the highlights of this trekking tour. Make sure to have an english speaking guide. During high season the rice and corn fields are mostly brown and harvested, in off-season the whole country is green and colourful – but you have to cope with rain and mud.
Shwedagon Pagode Yangon
A must see in Myanmar. During the early evening the light is best to visit the impressive golden Pagoda with visiting hours until 10pm.
Souhtern Myanmar
Dawei and Myeik are still very undeveloped regions with old fisher villages and only little tourism. This is really like travelling back in time in comparison to well developed backpacker destinations like Thailand or Malaysia. Only very few people speak English and a touristic infrastructure just does not exist. Even getting around on very poor roads is an experience for itself though.
Here you find my route through Myanmar and useful information for your Myanmar trip.