3 or 4 days in Myanmar are not enough to visit the whole country, however, you can still have a chance to dig deeper into a major city. Since Yangon and Mandalay have international airports, it will be more convenient for you to pay a visit to either of these cities on your short trip to Myanmar.
Best Places to Visit on 3 or 4 days in Myanmar
We have some recommendations for your 3-day or 4-day tour to Myanmar. Within a short time, you can manage to spend time in some highlights of this exotic country.
Click to read other suggested itineraries to Myanmar and best time to visit Myanmar.
1. Yangon
Recommended stay: at least 1 day
No trip to Burma would be complete without a trip to this economic and cultural hub to immerse in the bustling local life and explore iconic religious sites.
- Shwedagon Pagoda – Yangon
The must-visit attraction in Yangon is undoubtedly the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda. This is the most sacred Buddhist spot in Burma since it stores the strand of Buddha’s hair. It stupas are covered with hundreds of golden plates with the top encrusted with 4,531 diamonds, making Shwedagon a real treasure. A visit to this historical site requires at least 2 hours and we advise that you should take some photos of mesmerizing sunsets on this pagoda.
- Sule Pagoda
You can take your time to explore other pagodas and temples in this city. Located in the heart of the city, Sule Pagoda was built 2600 years ago, which was before Shwedagon Pagoda. This pagoda was named after Sularata, the Sule Nat (spirit) who lived in the area where the pagoda stands now. Moreover, Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple houses one of the most beautiful reclining Buddha images in Burma. This 65-meter long image was completed in 1907 and decorated with impressive colors.
- Saint Mary’s Cathedral – Yangon
If you desire to get a glimpse into the colonial era, head to the City Hall, Saint Mary’s Cathedral, and particularly Pansodan Street, which contained many governmental and residential buildings constructed during that era. Do not forget to visit Bogyoke Aung San Market, or also known as Scott’s Market.
2. Bago
Recommended stay: 1 day
Formerly known as Hanthawaddy, Bago is 91 kilometers from Yangon. It used to be the capital city of Mon Kingdom in Myanmar and was known as Pegu during the colonial era. As one of the richest archaeological sites in the country, Bago attracts foreign tourists for its spectacular historical and cultural buildings.
- Shwemawdaw Pagoda
Shwemawdaw Pagoda, or the Great Golden God Pagoda, is definitely the first place to go on your Bago trip. This pagoda was originally constructed by two merchants to preserve the hair relics of the Buddha. The construction started in the 10th century and the pagoda’s original height was 23 meters. However, due to a massive earthquake in 1930, it was rebuilt in 1952 – 1954. With a height of 114 meters, it is now the tallest pagoda in the country.
- Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha
Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha in the city center is also the highlight of Bago. The statue is 55 meters tall and 15 meters long. Built in around 994 AD, it was discovered by an English railway contractor in 1881 when the British colonized Burma. Other impressive pagodas in Bago are Shwethar Lyaung Pagoda, Mahazedi Pagoda, and Snake Pagoda.
3. Mandalay
Recommended stay: at least 2 days
With its splendid beauty and pristine nature, Mandalay never fails tourists’ heart. Founded in 1857 by King Mindon, Mandalay is the last royal capital of the country. There are many historical and cultural aspects you can explore in this city: colorful markets, solemn monasteries, spectacular temples, and of course the bustling riverside.
- U Bein Bridge – Mandalay
The famous U Bein Bridge is an inspiration for many mesmerizing photos of Myanmar that tourists can see on the Internet. U Bein Bridge, with a length of 1.2 kilometers, is the longest teak bridge in the world. It crosses Taungthaman Lake to link two suburban areas of Mandalay. It is extremely memorable to admire the bridge at the sunset when you can capture the color transition from light to dark as well as monks and local people walking and cycling.
- Mandalay Hill
Climbing Mandalay Hill for a panoramic view of the city is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, particularly at sunrise or sunset. The scenery becomes charmingly romantic when the last rays of sunrise hit the top of splendid Sutaungpyei Pagoda. Just a few minutes from Sutaungpyei Pagoda, Shwenandaw Monastery, or Golden Palace Monastery, is well-known for its teak carvings of Buddhist stories.
4. Mingun
Recommended stay: 1 day
- Mingun Pahtodawgyi
11 km upriver from Mandalay, Mingun is popular for its ruined Mingun Pahtodawgyi. This building is an uncompleted stupa built by King Bodawpaya in 1790. It would have been the largest temple in the world with a height of 150 meters, but the earthquake in 1839 destroyed a part of the stupa. In the Mingun Pahtodawgyi complex, there is a 90-tonne bell called Mingun Bell, the largest ringing bell in the world.
- Hsinbyume (Myatheindan) Pagoda – Mingun
Just a couple of minutes from this structure lies the gorgeous white Hsinbyume (Myatheindan) Pagoda. Unlike other pagodas in Myanmar which are covered with golden plates, people used 100,000 emeralds to create the all-white look for this pagoda.
Suggested Itinerary for 3 or 4 Days in Myanmar
Itinerary 1: 3 or 4 days in Yangon
- Thanlyin
Day 1: Arrive in Yangon. If you arrive early, take your time to visit Sule Pagoda and Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda. Discover the iconic pagoda in Myanmar, Shwedagon Pagoda and admire the splendid sunset here.
Day 2: Escape from the bustling atmosphere of Yangon by a short trip to the rural Thanlyin and Kyauktan, just across the river from Yangon.
Day 3: Day trip to Bago. Get back to Yangon in the evening.
Day 4: Go shopping for some traditional souvenirs and handicrafts at Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott’s Market).
Itinerary 2: 3 or 4 days in Mandalay
- Golden Palace Monastery
Day 1: Arrive in Mandalay. Visit Mahamuni Pagoda (The Great Sage), the famous pagoda in the south of the city. Trekking to Mandalay Hill to admire the view of the whole city.
Day 2: Spend your time at Golden Palace Monastery, Kuthodaw pagoda and royal capital Inwa (also known as Ava).
Day 3: Wake up early in the morning to cruise over the Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun. Visit the ruined Mingun Pahtodawgyi and extraordinary Hsinbyume (Myatheindan) Pagoda. Transfer to U Bein Bridge at around sunset.
Day 4: Go shopping at some local markets before departure.
Itinerary 3: Yangon and Mandalay in 4 days
- U Bein Bridge
Day 1: Arrive in Yangon. Spend time to understand the historical and religious importance of Shwedagon Pagoda. Fly or take a night bus to Mandalay.
Day 2: Visit Mahagandayon, a famous Buddhist monastery and continue to the 200-year-old U Bein teak bridge. In the afternoon, proceed to Mahamuni Pagoda, Golden Palace Monastery and enjoy sunset in Mandalay Hill.
Day 3: Fly back to Yangon. Pay a visit to Chaukhtatgyi and Sule Pagoda. Discover some colonial architecture around the city.
Day 4: Go shopping for some traditional souvenirs and handicrafts at Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott’s Market).
