Myanmar is a country rich in history, culture, and diversity, offering endless opportunities for photography. In Bagan, thousands of ancient temples stretch across the plains, best seen at sunrise or sunset. Inle Lake is home to floating villages and fishermen practicing their unique leg-rowing technique. From rural villages to bustling cities, Myanmar offers a mix of landscapes and daily life scenes that make it an engaging destination for any travel photographer.
Myanmar is becoming increasingly popular since the country opened for tourism in the early 2010’s, causing an influx of visitors every year. Yet Myanmar still feels quaint compared to other Asian countries. This quaintness is what gives Myanmar its charm and made me fall in love with it even more.
Mandalay, Myanmar’s former capital
I began my journey in Mandalay where I got my first glimpse of golden temples piercing the deep blue sky. Novice monks in red gowns would get up at the crack of dawn to do their chores and I would encounter them as they commuted across town. Occasionally they would glance over to acknowledge me and sometimes even return a smile.
One of the popular spots in Mandalay is the U Bein Bridge. This is the oldest and longest wooden bridge in the world. As the sun was setting, foot traffic on the bridge increased as people were making their way over to the nearby temples, creating cool silhouettes from across the water.
Inle Lake, Myanmar’s most famous lake
Inle Lake, located in Myanmar’s Shan State, is a serene, freshwater lake known for its stilt-house villages, floating gardens, and unique leg-rowing fishermen who skillfully navigate narrow boats by wrapping one leg around an oar. I recommend getting up at sunrise and hop on a boat with one of these fisherman to experience the calm waters and serenity of Inle Lake as the first morning mist clears.
The ancient temple city of Bagan
Bagan, in central Myanmar, is an ancient city renowned for its vast plains with over 2,000 temples, pagodas, and stupas dating back to the 9th–13th centuries. Bagan’s skyline is made up of spires and red-brick ruins stretching along the Irrawaddy River. The sunrise and sunsets here are breathtaking and combined with the ancient, intricate architecture and spiritual atmosphere, is what draws visitors to this site.
In the new town, not too far from the ruins, you can experience the day to day life of the monks in their traditional red gowns, reflecting the spiritual vibe of this unique city in Myanmar.
