Westerner Behind the Wheel

As Myanmar’s tourism sector has reopened to domestic travelers, Hpa-an has become a hot spot those wanting a scenic, relaxed trip away to recover from lockdown.

It’s been a hard few months for Myanmar. Now that lockdowns are lifted and domestic travel is back on, easy overnights and day trips from Yangon offer a much-needed break.

Myanmar’s tourism authority has announced that foreign travelers no longer need to apply for special permits to visit two remote areas in Kayah State.

Taunggyi, Loikaw and Dawei will receive the Asean Clean Tourist City Standard award to recognize their efforts to create a pristine environment. 

Upon approval, visitors from Australia, Spain, Italy, Russia, Switzerland and Germany will be allowed to apply for a 30-day tourist visa in the country at a cost of $50.

From innovative tourist ideas to interactive memorials for the country’s pro-democracy and independence struggles, South Korea shows Myanmar the way as a travel destination.

In this wide-reaching guide to destinations in Myanmar, we offer a tantalizing taste of the country’s best-loved, emerging and secluded spots to add to your must-visit list.

In this last guide of the series, we travel from Indawgyi Lake where a wealth of wildlife can be found, to the legendary snow-capped mountains at the northern tip of Myanmar.

Though Myanmar’s eastern borders are synonymous with civil war and the opium trade, the areas open to travelers have a wealth of diverse ethnic subgroups and top trekking routes.