Chin State
The highest peak in Chin State – 10,016ft – and the third-highest in Myanmar, stunning Mt Victoria is one of the principal attractions of southern Chin…
Must-see attractions in Western Myanmar
Rakhine State
Shittaung means ‘Shrine of the 80,000 Images’, a reference to the number of holy images inside. King Minbin, the most powerful of Rakhine’s kings, built…
Chin State
This small, heart-shaped lake has huge spiritual significance for the Mizo people, who inhabit both sides of the nearby Myanmar–India border. Rih Lake…
Rakhine State
One of Mrauk U’s star attractions, Kothaung Paya is also the area's largest temple. It was built in 1553 by King Minbin’s son, King Mintaikkha, to outdo…
Rakhine State
The highlight of this squat, little-visited temple is its passageway with bas-relief illustrations of the tribumi (Buddhist visions of heaven, earth and…
Rakhine State
Built by King Minphalaung in 1571, Dukkanthein Paya smacks of a bunker (with stupas). Wide stone steps lead up the southern and eastern side of the…
Chin Antiques & Cultural Exhibition Centre
Chin State
Trained lawyer and maths teacher Robert Om Kee, son of Vakok vilage chief, has dedicated himself to this fascinating and tiny house museum. He'll quickly…
Chin State
This rather strange, impeccably tidy village is an oddity in that it follows its own religion despite its proximity to heavily Christian Tiddim. In fact,…
Rakhine State
Twenty miles north of Wethali, just beyond the former ancient capital of Dhanyawady, is Mahamuni Paya, the alleged first home of the buddha image now…
Rakhine State
Strand Rd leads about 1.5 miles south to a location called View Point, a paved urban park with a small lighthouse built over the point where the Kaladan…
Sanda Muhni Phara Gri Kyaung Taik
Rakhine State
The highlight at this hilltop monastery, and the temple's namesake, is the Sanda Muhni, a buddha statue said to have been cast from the precious metal…
Rakhine State
About 7 miles north of Mrauk U are the barely discernible remains of the kingdom of Wethali. It was founded in AD 327 by King Mahataing Chandra, according…
Rakhine State
Andaw Thein takes the form of an eight-sided monument with a linear layout: rectangular prayer hall to the east, multispired sanctuary to the west…
Chin State
Kennedy Peak stands 8868ft high, making it Chin State's second-highest mountain. The site of a battle between the British and Japanese in WWII, the peak…
Rakhine State
Roughly half a mile northeast of the palace walls, and behind Shwegudaung hill, this graceful Mon-influenced zedi (stupa) was erected in 1629 by King…
Rakhine State
Sitting on a hilltop, this unrestored four-door pagoda is thought to predate the Mrauk U period. Climb to the top, push your way past the rubble and…
Rakhine State
You can’t miss this big golden pagoda between the airport and the city centre. Its cavernous gilded worship hall, held aloft by decorated pillars, is…
Rakhine State
This impressive 1859 building – the oldest mosque in Sittwe – could have been lifted out of the pages of Arabian Nights. Sadly, since the 2012 sectarian…
Rakhine State
Focused on the 1956 municipal market building, Sittwe's market has lots of action from dawn to noon and beyond – it’s well worth popping by before your…
Chin State
This temple with a golden zedi (stupa) and a sitting, white-faced Buddha surrounded by five disciples looms over Falam from almost the highest point above…
Rakhine State
Partly housed in a picturesque, ramshackle colonial-era building on a backstreet, this was the monastery of U Ashin Ottama (1880–1939), a leader of the…
Rakhine State
This massive stupa (sometimes called Yadanapon) is ringed by 24 smaller stupas. It was apparently built by Queen Shin Htway in 1612. During WWII a bomb…
Rakhine State
This compact, highly ornate stone building is one of the seven Mrauk U libraries remaining from the original 48. Today protected by a blue-and-maroon…
Chin State
It's not very old – dating back only to 1983 – but this is possibly the largest church in Chin State and it dominates Falam. It's worth checking it out on…
Rakhine State
Hundreds of noisy fruit bats migrate from these trees on Main Rd every evening at dusk, having spent the day jostling with crows for space in the trees…
Ngapali Beach
A mile west of Thandwe's market, Nandaw Paya was supposedly erected in AD 761 by King Minbra to enshrine a rib fragment of the Buddha. The long shrine…
Rakhine State
Southeast of the palace, the ‘Golden Hill Pagoda’ is the highest in Mrauk U. Built by King Minbin in 1553, it’s accessed by a few trails largely lost…
Rakhine State
This octagonal, slightly leaning zedi (stupa) was built by King Minkhaungraza in 1525. An unusual feature is its outer wall, adorned with Islamic-inspired…
Chin State
There are fine views over Hakha and the surrounding hills from this viewing platform about 1 mile outside town. To find it, follow Bo Gyoke Rd south past…
Rakhine State
The name of this hilltop temple can be interpreted as meaning 'holding control of the people'. Its 29 niches with sitting buddha statues are a reference…
Rakhine State
This poorly restored temple looks a bit like a squashed-up version of the nearby Dukkanthein, but was actually built 140 years earlier, making it the…
Rakhine State
Built around 1750, this small white temple with fine westward views is on a hilltop just north of the palace walls. It’s a good place to get your bearings…
Chin State
The steps to the top of this monastery, offering the best mountain views, especially at sunset, are lined with standing Buddha statues.
Chin State
Climb the steep steps to this small golden zedi (stupa) perched above Mindat for awesome views over the surrounding area.
Rakhine State
This museum is grand looking from the outside, but much less so inside, and features two floors of dusty Rakhine cultural goodies. On the 1st floor are…
Rakhine State
Just inside the palace’s western walls is the Department of Archaeology’s insufficiently illuminated but worthwhile museum. Inside you'll find an…
Rakhine State
Monk U Bhaddanta Wannita spent 49 years collecting old coins and buddha images from monasteries to protect them from thieves. Some of his collection is…
Chin State
With its fine stone steeple and red roof, this is the most distinctive and historic of Hakha's many churches. Funded by American missionaries, it dates…
Former District Commissioner's House
Chin State
Back when the Chin Hills were part of British Burma, they were administered from this red-brick house, the former home of the district commissioner. The…
