Photo Steve Fuerst

Myanmar Precious Stones and Ruby

When you ask anyone who knows about ruby, it seems Myanmar Ruby is rated among the best quality ones in the world. That is not all. Myanmar is home to some of the biggest precious stone mines which produce high-quality products. 
Jewelry experts say Myanmar rubies are the rarest ones you can find on the globe. 

Can I buy Ruby from Myanmar?

You can buy Rubies or Gemstones from the authorized shop with the invoice. You may be asked to show up the invoice upon your departure from the airport.

What is the best Gem Market in Myanmar?

Mandalay is the biggest Gem market and is open to tourists. You can find various types of precious stones in both raw and processed conditions. 

Can I visit a gemstone Mine in Myanmar?

Visitors are not allowed to access gemstone miles unless they have a special permit from the government. 
Tours to Mogok, the land of Ruby are not operated in 2023.

Giant Shwedagon Pagoda

The Shwedagon Pagoda is not only the largest but also the most magnificent pagoda. It is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site, also referred to as the Golden Pagoda.
Set atop a small hill in downtown Yangon, Shwedagon houses the impressive 99-meter-tall gold-plated pagoda, adorned with a spire encrusted with diamonds. 
It has gained the attention of all visitors who once came to Myanmar.

Is it easy to visit Shwedagon?

Shwedagon can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. It is big and very welcoming to tourists. 
Opening time: 4.00 am to 22.00 pm
The entrance fee is 10,000 kyat. 

When is the Shwedagon Festival?

The main festival of Shwedagon happens from December to January every year. See also: Visit Myanmar in December
There are many other religious festivals to soak up in Shwedagon like Light Festival, and Water Festival. 

Balloon Flight in Bagan

There are 2 sites where you should do ballooning in Asia: Cappadocia -Turkey and Bagan - Myanmar.  While Cappadocia is packed with styled houses set inside the picturesque mountains, Bagan is home to more than 2,000 sacred temples and pagodas remaining from the XI century. Each of these religious sites has its own personality. 
Experiencing the Bagan hot air balloon ride provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the ancient temples of Bagan from a bird's-eye view.  The mystical pagodas scattered across the distinctive landscape make the hot air balloon ride an iconic and must-do bucket-list experience for anyone visiting Myanmar.

What is the time for Balloon in Bagan?

The balloon tour takes place from 5.00 to 9.00 am. You`ll be picked up from your hotel to the take-off site early in the morning. 
After all the introduction of the flight as well as the safety condition, the balloon will fly with the wind! 
For some inspiration, see our article on Balloon in Bagan 

How much is the Balloon Tour?

The price for a balloon tour in Bagan starts from $250. Different balloon companies have their different rates depending on their services like welcome drinks, photo shoots onboard, etc.
Another possibility to capture all the best of Bagan including the balloon in the morning is our Bagan Photo Tour.

Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites

For Asian people who practice Buddhism, Myanmar is probably the most well-known destination for a pilgrimage after India. From north to south, there are thousands of sacred pagodas, and holy plains to admire. Many of them are believed to reserve Buddha relics like the Aung Sakkya pagoda in Mandalay, the Kyaikhtiyo pagoda in Mon State or Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung in Shan State. 
Thus one of the things that Myanmar is famous for is its pilgrimage journeys. 

Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of Aung San, recognized as the Father of the Nation of present-day Myanmar, was born in 1945.
In the year preceding her 1991 Nobel Peace Prize win, Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the EU Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. In 1990, she won the General Election, but the Military Junta rejected the results, and Aung San Suu Kyi was subsequently placed under house arrest. During the 21-year period, she spent a total of 15 years under house arrest, during which she was known for her nonviolent approach to politics, earning her the moniker of one of the "Children of Gandhi."

Tea can be a food in Myanmar

It comes to surprise all people who had once visited Myanmar that tea can be eaten here. In fact, the Burmese create their own tea recipe by fermenting the tea leaves and making it tasty. Fermented tea leaves can be served as a type of salad. You can try this typical Burmese food in many places like Yangon, Inle Lake. 

Freshwater Dolphin

Myanmar is very famous for a very special nature creature: the freshwater dolphin or known as Irrawaddy Dolphin. The friendly animal is named after the legendary Burma river: the Irrawaddy  - also its residence. 
Spotting Irrawaddy Dolphin is one of the most precious travel experiences that you should immerse in Asia. It requires some encouragement and travel effort as they live off the tourist path in the northern part of the country. 

The Golden Triangle

We are sure you have heard about this piece of land that various movies have mentioned about. 
The Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers. The term "Golden Triangle" is more widely used to describe an area of approximately 950,000 square kilometers (367,000 sq mi) that overlaps the mountains of the three adjacent countries.
Since the 1950s, the Golden Triangle, alongside Afghanistan in the Golden Crescent, has been among the world's largest opium-producing regions


Photo: Pawl123

One of the best places for river cruises on earth

After the Mekong River, the Irrawaddy and Chindwin of Myanmar have gained a reputation as one of the best Asia cruising destinations. Along its amazing waterways, there comes fantastic Unesco Heritage sites, incredibly lush nature, intriguing Buddhist monuments, and vibrant cities. All these and more have formed the highlights of any cruise in Myanmar. 

How long is the Irrawaddy River?

The length of the Irrawaddy River is 2,280km. It flows into Myanmar from China and merges in the Andaman Sea. 

What types of cruise trips are available on the Irrawaddy River?

Daily cruises are good for travel between Mandalay and Bagan.
Overnight cruises are available with options from 2 days 1 night till 14 days -13 nights between Yangon and Bhama, the far north province of Myanmar. 
Please note that in 2023, all cruises are at ease due to the tourism and political instability situation. 

The wilder part of the Andaman Sea

Another thing that Myanmar is famous for is its untouched islands in far southern Myanmar. Imagine there are more than 800 islands out to the Andaman Sea that are mostly uninhabited. If that is not appealing enough for a sea-sand-sun holiday then think about its spectacular Myanmar national park which features some of the least visited diving sites, and rich marine life. 

When is the best time to see the Andaman Sea?

The best time to explore the Andaman Sea is from November to April. This is called the dry season in Myanmar.

Is there any group tour of this area?

Although Myanmar is famous for its islands, there are no group tours to the southern part of Myanmar so far. If you are really interested in taking a holiday to the area, our guide of the Mergui Archipelago itinerary will be helpful.