Top 10 attractions in Myanmar – uncover an outstanding culture

Strewn with palm trees and a beautiful beach to call by, especially during November to March; the coastal town of Ngapali is the country's most popular location for engaging in a beach holiday. Beachside restaurants will serve as a good means of discovering the very best of local fare whilst sunbathing and swimming are amongst the things that one can try.

Scenes of the Intha people busily attending to their daily chores and crowded markets are bound to come into focus no sooner you are on the waters of the Inle Lake. A day outing on board a traditional long boat will appear as the best way to familiarize yourself with these picture-perfect surroundings.

Where else can you go on a serene cruise than on the calming waters of the Irrawaddy which is Myanmar's longest river? The journey will take you through the cities of Bagan and Mandalay where deep gorges, dense forests and a plethora of Buddhist statues and temples will be your constant companion.

Arguably the most talked about area in all of Myanmar, Bagan presents an opportunity to go sightseeing to various Buddhist shrines and stupas. Bagan was fondly referred to as the 'Gilded City' by Marco Polo with the gold spired Ananda Temple appearing as one of its favourite sections to visit for the intrepid traveller.

Having ascended the 777 steps that lead to Taung Kalat which is a Buddhist temple in Bagan, travellers will be able to enjoy unobstructed views of the old city itself and Mount Popa. Thick jungle surrounds the temple with large numbers of Macaque monkeys adding to its appeal.

Housing a range of ancient relics out of which a strand of Buddha's hair is the most sacred, Shwedagon Pagoda is without a doubt the most cherished and visited of all cultural sites in Myanmar. Rising to almost 100 meters, the pagoda was believed to have been built during the 6th and 10th centuries AD and can be located in Yangon's Singuttara Hill. Found under 6 km from the pagoda is Sedona Hotel Yangon which is a well-placed luxury hotel in Yangon that can be made your choice of accommodation apart from many others in the vicinity.

Considered the tallest pagoda in Maynmar at 375 feet, Shwemawdaw Paya which has stood for well over 1000 years will be hard to miss should you be in Bago. The vastness of the pagoda is only made all the more apparent as it is found amidst a number of smaller pagodas, pavilions and Buddhist statues that have been hewn out of gold.

For the culture buff, a tour of the Golden Palace in central Myanmar will surely invoke a deep appreciation for its appearance is breathtaking in every sense of the word. What was once a part of Mandalay Palace, the premises were soon transformed into a monastery and upon nearing its entrance, visitors will be treated to ornate carvings of teak that beautify the exterior.

In actuality, the Golden Rock is a boulder that sits precariously on a cliff some 3600 feet above sea level but still continues to draw in large crowds and devotees. A pagoda rests atop the boulder and locals believe that the boulder is in its current position owing to a miracle of the Buddha.

Once admired and visited for its trade activities in yesteryear, Mrauk U consists of stone temples that hold a wealth of archaeological value. Fine stone carvings are a constant element wherever you might turn with its overall appearance denoting features that resemble a fortress.