Things to Do in Myanmar: City Guides & Audio Tours

Myanmar, also widely known as Burma, is a country of ancient kingdoms, Buddhist heritage, varied landscapes, and many distinct cultures. The most important things to do in Myanmar include exploring historic cities such as Bagan, Mandalay, and Yangon, while discovering the stories behind the country’s history, food, and identity. Neywo has free audio guides for 3 cities in Myanmar, covering 85 narrated places in total, with narration available in 11 languages.

What to see and do in Myanmar

Discover the history of Myanmar

Myanmar’s history has been shaped by changing kingdoms, colonial rule, independence, and continuing conflict. Early societies included the Pyu city-states in Upper Myanmar and Mon kingdoms in Lower Myanmar. In the 1050s, the Pagan Kingdom brought the Irrawaddy valley and surrounding areas together for the first time. Burmese language and culture, together with Theravada Buddhism, gradually became dominant.

The country later went through periods of division and reunification. The Taungoo dynasty briefly created the largest empire in Southeast Asian history. After three Anglo-Burmese Wars, the British East India Company took control, and Myanmar became a British colony. Independence followed in 1948.

The history of modern Myanmar has remained unsettled. Military rule lasted for decades after a coup, and later elections brought a transition of power to the National League for Democracy, although the military retained influence over key government operations. After another election, the Tatmadaw seized power again. Widespread protests followed, and an ongoing civil war began. These events remain deeply present in the country’s national life.

Explore Bagan’s Buddhist heritage

Bagan is one of the key destinations for understanding Myanmar’s historic culture. Its narrated places on Neywo include Lawkananda Pagoda, Tharabha Gate, Sulamani Temple, and Thatbyinnyu Temple.

The city’s heritage reflects the importance of the Pagan Kingdom and the development of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar. A walk through Bagan offers the chance to connect individual monuments with the broader history of the kingdom that brought much of the Irrawaddy valley together.

Visit Mandalay

Mandalay is another important stop for travellers interested in Myanmar’s history and culture. Neywo’s narrated places include Mandalay Palace, as well as Lawkananda Pagoda, Tharabha Gate, and Sulamani Temple.

The city provides a different perspective from Bagan, bringing together royal history, Buddhist sites, and the cultural traditions associated with central Myanmar. Its places can be explored through stories that explain their role within the country’s historical landscape.

See Yangon’s landmarks

Yangon combines religious, civic, educational, and cultural landmarks. Among the places narrated by Neywo are Shwedagon Pagoda, Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Yangon, University of Yangon, and National Museum (Yangon).

These sites show several sides of the city and of Myanmar itself. Religious buildings stand alongside institutions connected with education and national culture, while the city’s heritage also reflects the country’s colonial past and its later political history.

Learn about Myanmar’s landscapes and biodiversity

Myanmar stretches across northwest Southeast Asia, between India, Bangladesh, China, Laos, and Thailand. Its southern and southwestern shores meet the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia, with a population of about 55 million.

The country’s geography is strikingly varied. Much of Myanmar lies in Asia’s monsoon region, but rainfall differs greatly across the country: coastal areas receive heavy annual rain, while central Myanmar includes a much drier zone. The north is cooler on average.

Natural environments range from tropical vegetation and seasonally flooded wetlands to tidal shores and alpine ecosystems. Myanmar is also highly biodiverse, with more than 16,000 plant species and hundreds of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Some of Southeast Asia’s largest intact natural ecosystems survive here, although more intensive land use and overexploitation are placing them under pressure.

Experience Myanmar’s cultures and languages

Myanmar is home to a wide range of indigenous cultures. The majority culture is Bamar and primarily Buddhist, but the country officially recognises 135 distinct ethnic groups. Its languages belong to four major language families and include Burmese, Karen, Kachin, Chin, Shan, and Chinese varieties such as Hokkien.

Bamar culture has also been influenced by neighbouring societies. These influences can be heard and seen in language, food, music, dance, and theatre. Traditional arts remain widely respected, while contemporary Burmese art has developed rapidly on its own terms.

Traditional sports include martial arts and chinlone, while football is played across the country, including in villages. The country’s name also carries cultural and political meaning. Burma was the official English name until 1989, when the military government adopted Myanmar. Both names come from an earlier term connected with the majority Burman ethnic group. The United Nations and ASEAN use Myanmar, while Burma remains in use among some political and ethnic opposition groups that reject the military government’s legitimacy.

Try Myanmar’s traditional food

Food in Myanmar is closely connected to fish and agriculture. Rice is the country’s major agricultural product and covers much of the cultivated land. Fish products give Burmese cooking much of its character, with fish sauce, dried prawns, and ngapi used extensively.

Mohinga is the best-known breakfast and is also regarded as Myanmar’s national dish. Its place at the start of the day reflects the role food can play in a shared national rhythm. Rice, fish products, and familiar morning dishes offer a direct way to encounter everyday life in Myanmar.

Explore Myanmar with Neywo’s free audio guide

Neywo offers free audio guides for 3 cities in Myanmar: Bagan, Mandalay, and Yangon. Together, they include 6 walking tours and 85 narrated places.

The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace. There is no group and no schedule: you simply walk, listen, and explore. Narration is available in 11 languages, making it easy to discover Myanmar’s landmarks with context as you move through the city.