Myanmar River Cruises

Ports along the Irawaddy

Yangon 

The city of Yangon lies close to the Irrawaddy and as such, is the place where most river cruise holidays in Myanmar begin. You’ll often spend more than one night in the city before you set sail, so there are plenty of opportunities to take in its key sites. The star attraction is undoubtedly the Shwedagon Pagoda, a huge and ornate Buddhist shrine which is around 2,500 years old. Other key sights include the reclining Buddha statue at Chaukhtautgyi Temple, Botatoung Pagoda and St Mary’s Cathedral, which dates back to the time of British influence.

Pyay

Pyay is the city from where Myanmar river cruises tend to depart and was the country’s former capital in the days of the Pyu people. Before you set sail, you’ll have time to explore, with guided tours offered by many river cruise providers. The city’s star attraction is the stunning Schwesandaw Pagoda – a key place of Buddhist pilgrimage and home of the Golden Hair Relic, said to hold two of Buddha’s hairs.

Bagan

Once called Pagan and the capital of the ancient kingdom of the same name, Bagan is home to thousands of stunning pagodas and temples and though it’s obviously not possible to see them all, some of the most popular include Ananda, Sulamani Guphaya and Bulethi. It is possible, however, to take a trip up Mount Popa during your visit. As well as being a key pilgrimage site, this awesome peak offers incredible views of Bagan’s beautiful plains and many temples.

Inwa

Another former capital, Inwa has endured a turbulent history, being both sacked during conflicts and destroyed by earthquakes. Despite maintaining little of its past glory, it’s still a popular tourist destination, as a number of rewarding sights have endured, such as the Mahaaungmyebonzan monastery and the Bargaya monastery.

Mandalay

Take the river, not the road to Mandalay and see some of Myanmar’s most celebrated sites. The Kuthodaw Pagoda is home to none other than the world’s largest book, which consists of marble slabs of Buddhist scriptures, while the Mahamuni Pagoda is where you’ll find a 12-foot bronze Buddha presiding over the city’s holiest site. Indeed, there are many ornate and spectacular places of worship to explore in Mandalay, so it’s convenient that some itineraries offer overnight stays in port.

Myanmar river cruise travel tips

• You’ll need a visa to visit Myanmar and the country has introduced an e-visa program to make this easier
• You’ll likely be visiting a lot of temples during your visit, so remember to pack appropriate clothes to keep your shoulders, upper arms and upper legs covered