Recreation & Shopping

What to do in Myanmar

Trekking

The countryside and mountains;  Inle Lake  in Shan State  and  Putao in Kachin  State  have many interesting walking tours.

Sports

Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan all have golf courses. Swimming and other types of watersports are possible on Ngapali Beach.

Entertainment

Myanmar's traditional popular theatre, known as pwe (show) is an excellent example of local folk art. There are regular performances of Nat Pwe, which pays homage to the spirit world, and Yok-Thei Pwe (marionette theatre), using puppets up to a metre high. Expert puppeteers are deeply respected.

Meditation

There are several centres for the study and practice of Theravada Buddhism. The most famous of these is the Mahasi Meditation Centre in Yangon, founded in 1947 by Mahasi Sayadaw, one of Myanmar's greatest meditation teachers. Visitors wishing to participate in Buddhist retreats need to obtain a special, long-stay entry visa, allowing stays of up to 12 weeks. However, it should be noted that the application would require arrangement and following of certain procedures.

Wildlife

A number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries offer trekking and safaris, and Myanmar Travels & Tours is eager to encourage ecotourism. Parks worth visiting: Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park located northwest of Monywa; Hlawga National Park near Yangon, which is reportedly good for birdwatching; Popa Mountain Park - a forested extinct volcano in the desert area of central Myanmar; Lampi Island off Myeik Archipelago, which can be reached by boat from Myeik and Kawthaung Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Minbu. Inlay Birds' Sanctuary, Mohingyi and Sein Ye Forest Camp.

Flora and Fauna

Due to diverse topography, the flora ranges from sub alpine forests in the north through thorn forests in the central region to tropical rain forests in the south and mangrove in the delta area. It has recorded a variety of 300 mammal species, 300 reptiles and 1,000 bird species.

Eating

Main dishes such as fish, chicken and pork are usually served with vegetables mixed with onion, peppers, ginger and garlic, and are usually hot and spicy. Rice or noodles act as a base and are often complemented with curried dishes and raw vegetable salad. To enhance flavour, a fermented shrimp paste known as ngapi is added to most meals. Local dishes include the spicy rice salad, lethok son; a fish soup with noodles called mohinga; and oh-no khauk swe, a blend of noodles, chicken and coconut milk.

Drinking

Chinese tea, served at most restaurants, is a safer alternative to 'purified' water. Purified, bottled water is available everywhere.

Shopping

While duty-free shops, department stores, supermarkets and minimarkets in Yangon offer a wide choice of products, both foreign and local with fixed prices, the real magic of shopping is to be found mainly in the well-known Bogyoke Aung San Market where shopping is fun and easy; and bargaining is acceptable.

Situated in the heart of Yangon, housing 2,000 shops with a wide selection of unique locally made goods, luxury buys such as precious jewellery of gold and gems, silverware, arts and crafts, lacquerware, paintings,traditional wooden dolls, Mandalay silk, typical Shan and Kachin shoulder bags, foodstuffs, cosmetics and tailor-made clothes are a few of the sought-after items.

The shops at Bogyoke Aung San market are open daily from 9.30am. To 5.00pm except on Mondays and gazetted holidays. Shopping amongst a range of locally produced articles can be a delightful experience.

Myanmar has a long tradition of crafting beautiful items.

Markets in Yangon

Bogyoke Aung San Market - First built in 1926, and situated in the heart of Yangon, there are nearly 1700 shops and stalls selling luxury items, handicrafts, food stuffs, clothing, jewellery, fashion and consumer goods.

New Bogyoke Market - Sells imported textiles, household appliances, medicines and general merchandise

Thiri Mingala Market - A large variety of fresh and salt water fish, the market also operates as a wholesale vegetable market

Best Buys

Bamboo products - The bamboo should be properly matured, as new green bamboo can split and house insects feed on the dried sap.

Coconut masks - Make for interesting decorations and come in all shapes and sizes.

Folk dolls - Reflect the numerous national races in Myanmar and come in many different varieties.

Gold leaf - Manufacture of gold leaf is concentrated in Mandalay as a cottage industry. Small pieces of gold bullion are laboriously beaten out for days until it reaches the gossamer-like thinness required to gild the images in pagodas. Sold in little packets and is used as an expression of reverence for temple images.

Gold embroidery - Necessarily expensive, but some very fine pieces can be found.

Jewellery - Though design and workmanship is not generally up to international standards, there are some unusual and attractive pieces. Gold needs to be checked to make sure that it is not merely gold plated silver. All gem and jewellery purchases need to be made through a government-authorised dealer, who must issue an official receipt, which is required for export of such items.

Jewels - Quality of rubies, sapphires, and jade, etc. can be difficult to gauge. The advice of an expert or proper training is useful, but not always

Kalaga embroidered tapestries - These beautifully ornate creations make magnificent wall decorations when suitably framed, though quality can vary greatly and older pieces tend to look more aesthetic.

Lacquerware - This beautifully crafted product comes in many decorative and utilitarian forms, shapes, and colours. Older pieces can be particularly attractive.

Leather crafts - Very attractive items from small purses to large hard wearing bags which will last for years.

Longyi - The men's traditional longyi is a much more comfortable alternative to tight jeans or trousers.

Shan style shoulder bags - Attractive and practical.

Silverware - Older pieces are particularly attractive.

Stone carvings - Though lovely pieces are available for the house or garden, shipping can be complicated and the advice of a local person is advised.

Teakwood furniture - Tempting and beautiful pieces are made by local craftsmen and can be made to order. The advice of a local resident should be sought to check the regulations in the country to which the piece is to be shipped.

Traditional puppets - Puppetry is a long respected tradition, and there are a wide variety of puppets and marionettes that make attractive decoration and unusual gifts.

Tribal handicrafts - A very wide variety of silver, bone, wood, silk and cotton handicrafts are available, but are best purchased on location in the mountain areas.

Weaving - Handmade goods can be found all over the country, varying in fabric, design, and texture from region to region.

Woodcarving - Many pieces are available, both old and new, in different woods, including teak.

Note : The export of antiques is prohibited, and the export of loose gemstones, jewellery & silver requires an official certificate from the vendor. To avoid any confiscation of such goods purchased elsewhere (Thailand, for instance) they should be clearly indicated on customs declaration forms on arrival.