Family holidays with children in Myanmar-Burma - attractions and entertainment

Is Myanmar (former Burma) suitable for vacationers with children? Yes, family tourists can go to Myanmar and do not worry that their kids will feel bored. The country is equally enchanting for children and adults. It feels like time has stopped in this exotic place. Yangon, the former capital, is a modern urban megalopolis with a population of 7 million people. Outside it, tourists can find areas that have the same lifestyle as 300-400 or even 1,000 years ago. Do not be scared out by this fact. When it comes to locals, they are friendly and treat foreigners with respect and never try to trick or double-charge them. It is safe to say that a vacation in Myanmar can be a wonderful lesson of kindness. Every parent wants to show his/her children what kindness is and teach them to be kind. Myanmar is a wonderful example as kindness is everywhere here.

Where should parents take their children? The answer is simple – to the same places that they want to visit. Myanmar is an exotic country that has many unusual aspects of life, including architecture, lifestyle, and cheerfulness of local people. One more local peculiarity – there are no typical entertainment venues for children like Disneyland in Myanmar. In the capital, Naypyidaw, tourists are welcome to visit the new Ngalaik Aqua Park. The capital’s zoo is one more interesting place to explore. It was opened only several years ago but has quickly become the largest zoo in the country. When choosing the best route to explore Myanmar’s cultural landmarks, pick ones that are comfortable for you and your child. For example, an airplane ride early in the morning, then several hours in a bus or car, an excursion, a way back, and hotel late in the evening is tiresome for travelers of all ages, but these routes exist. The airplane is the most comfortable way to move between the cities, and taxi is the best transport within the same city.

In Yangon, vacationers can visit a beautiful zoo with peacocks, crocodiles, monkeys, tigers, elephants, and pink hippos. Local attraction park and the most famous landmark - the Shwedagon Pagoda that hosts a true treasure, several hairs of Buddha – these attraction points also deserve the attention of guests. The height of the temple is 100 meters, and its surface is covered with gold, the total weight of which is 60 tons. Yangon’s public transport system got a serious upgrade in recent years – there are modern buses with air conditioning. However, traffic jams can easily spoil all excitement. Smaller cities do not have such heavy traffic. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Bagan, earlier known as Pagan, is an important city in the history of Myanmar. This is an ancient capital of the Pagan Kingdom. Nowadays, this is a large museum in the open air with thousands of temples – pagodas built many centuries ago. This is an incredibly beautiful place that is open for everyone. In the park area, visitors can explore it in two-wheeled horse-drawn carts, visitors with older children can try cycling. It is possible to rent bicycles at the hotel, and carts usually stand near the park area. Actually, tourists do not need to search for drivers of these carts because drivers will find them first. A visit to the thousand-year-old Shwezigon pagoda covered with gold will surely be a mesmerizing experience.

Local natural parks (Alaungdaw Kathapa, Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens, Lampi Marine National Park) have interesting tropical flora and fauna. They are a must for everyone who has ever wanted to see the real jungles. When visiting Inle Lake, tourists can stay at the hotel built on pillars. The Temple of the Five Buddhas in the middle of the lake and the Monastery of Jumping Cats are the most notable local landmarks. On the shore of the Bay of Bengal, in Ngapoli, vacationers can try such activities as elephant riding and relaxing on the most beautiful beaches famous for their white sand, shallow water near the coast, and clear water. The long coastline has enough space for many beautiful 3* to 5* resorts, cute coastal cafes, and fishing villages.

What food should parents give to their children in Myanmar? Restaurants at hotels and cafes in big cities that offer European cuisine and are targeted at tourists are the optimal choice. Local food may be not suitable for children because it contains many spices and ingredients that are unknown to Europeans. That is why it is better to refrain from visiting small local cafes and food carts with traditional food. Moreover, sanitary conditions in such cafes can be lower than in restaurants targeted at foreign guests.

Is it safe to travel with children in Myanmar? The country had tough times in the past, but this is an incredibly optimistic and cheerful place. Smiles and friendliness seem to appear out of nowhere in Myanmar. Maybe, local warm colors, Buddhist temples covered with shiny gold, monks dressed in burgundy and brown, blue sky, and lush flora make people kinder and softer. Myanmar is indeed a safe country. According to statistics, it has a low crime level. There are almost no thefts, no racism towards people of other nationalities, and no political unrest. Even ordinary brawls that are so common in many countries are almost absent in Myanmar. Locals are very friendly with family tourists and are always ready to help. It is hard to believe in this fantastic kindness of local people, but give them a chance and you will see that they do not pretend.

What hotels are the best for tourists with children? Some hotels have special playgrounds for kids and offer babysitter services. There can be a lack of beds for children, so it is better to specify this aspect in advance. Here are some hotels that offer services for guests with children – the Chatrium Royal Lake hotel in Yangon, Heritage Bagan in Bagan, and the Emerald Palace Hotel in Naypyidaw. It is better to choose branded hotels as they usually offer more traditional services and take into consideration the special requirements of family tourists, such as a separate menu for kids or a children’s center. Anyway, it is always better to specify all details in advance.