One of Southeast Asia's most ancient civilizations — 2,000 Buddhist temples rising from Bagan's plains, U Bein's teak bridge at sunset, and the Inle Lake's one-legged fishermen — currently politically complex to visit.
- Capital
- Naypyidaw
- Population
- 51,316,756
- Area
- 678,500 km²
- Languages
- Burmese
- Currency
- Burmese Kyat (MMK)
- GDP
- $64,944M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
Annual visitors
903,000 (2020)
Safety
Low (2.58/100k)
Avg temp
23.8°C
Religion
Buddhism
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999
Travel guide
Myanmar (မြန်မာ myanma), or Burma is a country in Southeast Asia. The country features awe-inspiring ancient temples, lively local markets, and captivating landscapes, such as unspoiled beaches, picturesque hills, and verdant forests. The genuine warmth of the Burmese people, combined with delectable cuisine, creates an ideal destination for gastronomes and culture aficionados alike. Since the 1960s, the country has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. For a considerable period, Myanmar has been afflicted with political instability, sectarian violence, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and a prolonged history of colonial exploitation that paid scant attention to human development.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Myanmar
Best time to visit
November–February is the cool dry season — the best time. March–May is very hot. June–October is monsoon season. Monitor current travel advisories carefully.
Visa
Most nationalities require a visa for Myanmar — e-Visa available online. Check current travel advisories before visiting given the ongoing political situation since the 2021 military coup.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (2)
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Major cities
Yangon
Myanmar's former capital with the extraordinary golden Shwedagon Pagoda, Bogyoke Market, and British colonial streetscapes.
Bagan
A plain of 2,000+ ancient Buddhist temples and stupas — best experienced at sunrise from a hot air balloon.
Mandalay
The last royal capital of Burma, with U Bein Bridge (the world's longest teak bridge) and Mandalay Hill views.
Inle Lake
A mountain lake where farmers grow floating gardens and fishermen balance on one leg to row — a unique and vanishing way of life.