How much time should I spend in Burma?

I am very much looking forward to visiting Bulrma. I%26#39;m wondering how much time I should spend in order to get a real feel for the people and the country.

How much time should I spend in Burma?

It depends on how much time you are willing to spare.

If this is your first time to Burma, and you wish to have a reasonable feel about the country as well as seeing the place(s) I would suggest at least 3 weeks for a 3 centre tour.

First 3-4 days: spend your time in Yangon, visiting Shwedagon Pagoda, walk around the city center, look around the Bo Gyoke Market (in the city centre). There are a few watering holes I might suggest: The Zawgyi on Bo Gyoke Road, next to the Bo Gyoke Market, Cafe Aroma on Sule Pagoda Road, across from the Traders%26#39; Hotel, the 50th Street Bar on the 50th Street (you will need a taxi to get there and back). Pick up current news/ suggestions.

Next 4-5 days: Bagan, I might suggest. Take your time. Try and go to the pagodas or temples a bit further out than the well known touristy pagodas and temples in the center. You can hire transport (I arranged for a car while I was in Yangon through my agent) If you go to Mount Popa, the extinct volcano, it will take one whole day. Lacquer wares are made in Bagan.

Next 4-5 days: Taungyi in the Shan States. You can go to Inle Lake (and stay 1-2 nights there if you like) Go to Pindaya where there are natural caves where the people have built pagodas within. Although Burma itself is a hot country, It gets cold in the Shan states, especially November -March; and with no central heating, you do feel it!

OR

You might want to go to Mandalay instead. There are plenty to do and see in Mandalay. the Palace and the Mandalay Hill [very good view (panorama) of the city and the sunset.] There are places outside Mandalay which were old/ ancient capitals of Burma before Mandalay like Innwa, Amarapura, Sagaing. I took a boat trip up-river a short distance to Mingun. It was wonderful

Then back to Yangon to reorganise, go around places you%26#39;d not been or learnt about in your travels.

I would definitely NOT advise less than 2 weeks. ( Unless you just want to specialise Yangon). You will be rushing around in the 2 weeks. 3 weeks is the minimum to get to know a bit about the place and the people. Don%26#39;t make conclusions just by having met the vendors; guides (or the children who wants to be your guide in Bagan and Mandalay). Instead, talk to people at the watering -holes!

Have a good time.

Then return

How much time should I spend in Burma?

Khayeethe really covered it all... Not much to add.

Do, when making your plans take into account that travel is slow... Part of the fun really.. but you do need to allow about 1 day between the sites. So while it looks like a lot of time in the above... It really will only allow you ';to scratch the surface';....

Where you go and how you do it will depend on your personal tastes and preferences... Spend as much time now doing the reading... Because there%26#39;s just so much to see when over there....

One option in the order of events is to begin your trip in Mandalay.. and just skip south... either fly Chiang Mai to Mandaly direct (Thursday only with Mandalay airways.... or go there as soon as you arrive into Yangon and then leave Yangon for the end....

Some people like to go to the beach for a few days at the end of the trip... We didn%26#39;t... spent 17 days... and I really wish we had allowed the full 28 days of the visum.... but as said already.. leave a bit for next time... Happy journey....