Buzz
Indulge in affordable buffets, apply the traditional thanaka cosmetic, capture stunning sunsets and sunrises... these are the exciting things you'll experience when traveling in Myanmar.
Embark on memorable experiences found only in a Myanmar trip
Savor budget-friendly buffet delights
When mentioning buffets, many immediately think of luxurious restaurants and hotels serving this dining style at a hefty price. However, when in Myanmar, you can comfortably enjoy a buffet meal for less than 100,000 dong, and this price even includes beverages.
Unlike the typical buffet setup where you choose your preferred dishes from a pre-arranged spread, in Myanmar, you will be served directly at your table. The staff will proactively bring new dishes to guests when they notice the food is running low. A Myanmar buffet typically includes meats (pork, beef), salads, rice soup, and various vegetables... The food in Myanmar has a taste similar to Vietnamese cuisine, but with a bit more oil and a distinctive curry aroma, though not as strong as in India or Malaysia. After your meal, you will be treated to desserts such as assorted fruits and unique jams or dried fruits that are quite delightful.
The price for a traditional buffet meal in Myanmar is usually around 3,000 kyats per person, inclusive of beverages like fruit juices and beer, ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 kyats.
Apply Thanaka
Myanmar experiences year-round hot weather, prompting the locals to adopt a unique skincare ritual - the application of Thanaka. This traditional cosmetic, with a light yellow hue, is finely ground from the bark of a specific tree and applied directly to the face. Thanaka acts as a sunblock, providing a cooling sensation to the skin under the intense Myanmar sun. Travelers in Myanmar often encounter sun-kissed faces adorned with glistening streaks of Thanaka.
You can ask the locals to help you apply Thanaka, and they will gladly assist you. Using simple tools - a piece of the tree trunk, a stone disc, and a bottle of water - Myanmar residents grind the tree trunk on the stone disc to create layers of wet powder with an ivory-white color. These layers, when applied to the face, gradually dry, revealing a deep yellow tint.
You can easily purchase Thanaka at the market as a souvenir. This type of powder is skin-friendly and does not cause irritation. Thanaka is often packaged in small pieces for convenient portability.
Witness sunrise and sunset like nowhere else
When in Myanmar, the most renowned spot to admire the sunset is the Ubein teakwood bridge in Mandalay, while Bagan provides an ideal landscape to welcome the first rays of the sun each day.
Ubein - the world's longest and oldest teakwood bridge, considered a symbol of Myanmar, ranks among the top 10 most beautiful sunset spots globally. In the evening, the entire bridge is adorned with the vibrant orange glow of sunset, piercing through the wooden posts. Visitors can rent wooden boats to get closer to the bridge and marvel at the sunset over the lake.
In the ancient city of Bagan - one of Myanmar's most beloved destinations, you'll experience the anticipation of sitting atop a temple platform and gradually witnessing the first rays of dawn. Bagan in the morning light is likened to a fairytale realm, sparkling and mystical with hundreds of ancient temples.
To catch the sunset at Ubein bridge, you can rent a boat for prices ranging from 10,000 to 12,000 kyats, accommodating 4-5 people. The boatman will actively guide you to picturesque spots for photography. For Bagan, rent a horse-drawn carriage or an electric bike, follow the map to reach some renowned temples for sunrise viewing, with Shwesandaw Pagoda being the most beautiful.
Explore Inle Freshwater Lake
While witnessing the sunrise over Inle Lake, if you're fortunate, you might get the chance to see a traditional festival, rich in the indigenous colors of the Myanmar people. You'll be amazed as, in the blink of an eye, dozens of boats from all directions on the lake converge for a gathering.
Boats intricately adorned, carrying hundreds of Myanmar men dressed in longyi, dancing and immersing themselves in traditional xylophone music. In contrast to the serene view of the lake and the typically calm Myanmar locals, the traditional festivals create a lively and vibrant scene.
Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a midday meal right on the lake or visit traditional craft villages such as weaving, cigar-making, and silversmithing. Unique souvenirs from Inle Lake include silver fish amulets for good luck, all-natural handmade cigars, silk products woven from lotus fibers... Handicrafts here are often pricey and not easily negotiable.
Sip Wine in Nyaungshwe
Beyond the famous Inle Lake, the quaint and peaceful town of Nyaungshwe offers an interesting spot worth visiting – the Red Mountains vineyard, specializing in grape cultivation and wine production. You can rent a bike or a tuktuk and reach this hilltop in about 30 minutes.
Here, tourists can enter the wine production facility, grape gardens, or taste wines for free... From the hilltop, in the cool and fresh air, you can leisurely gaze over the entire town.
If you wish to taste wine, the restaurant has a special menu priced at 2,000 kyats featuring 4 different wines. Additionally, some flavors require separate payment, ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 kyats per glass. A bottle of wine costs between 8,000 and 10,000 kyats, and you can also find this wine at Yangon airport. The vineyard also has a restaurant serving meals and various desserts for guests.
Myanmar utilizes two forms of currency – the Kyat, pronounced as 'chat,' and USD. The exchange rate at the airport is approximately 1 USD for nearly 1,000 Kyat.
According to Ngoisao.net
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourSeptember 30, 2015
