kdd

Hi,

We have planned to travel to Myanmar next week. Currently, Yangon and Bagan are in the itinerary. We have planned to return to Yangon from Bagan, and spend one more day before leaving. However, now i am wondering if we should go to Mandalay instead and spend the day there and fly out from Mandalay. Initial read of Mandalay did not generate much interest, however i am now rethinking this.

What should we do?

MmePerdu

I think it depends on how many days/nights you'll spend in the country altogether and how those days are currently apportioned. I can't say I'm crazy about Mandalay and would advise adding several days, at least, in the Inle Lake region long before suggesting Mandalay.

thursdaysd

I rather liked Mandalay. It's certainly worth a day.

MmePerdu

I don't hate Mandalay, but I loved some other places. Again, it would depend on the overall plan & number of days altogether.

kdd

Hi,

Not counting the days we arrive and depart, we have 2 days in Yangon and 2 in Bagan. The extra 1 day can be spent either in Yangon (and flight out of Yangon) or Mandalay (and fly out of Mandalay). This is the part I am trying to decide.

MmePerdu

You might as well check out Mandalay then.

sartoric

With only one day, I'd delve a little deeper into Yangon, there is much there to see, eat and experience. There are likely more outbound flight options too. A new expressway links the airport to downtown.

The best parts of Mandalay (the ancient capitals) are spread out, the airport is at least an hour away.

Kathie

Your limited time makes this very difficult. Please make sure I have correctly counted your days.

So you have two days in Yangon (3 nights) and two days in Bagan (3 nights) and you have one day (2 nights?) left over?

Of the "Big Four" Bagan and Inle Lake are the most compelling. Mandalay is a hard city to love. The things of interest are the ancient cities areas outside of the city. The one we liked best was Sagaing. If you have two nights to spend in Mandalay, you could spend a day in Sagaing. You would need a car and driver in Mandalay in order to visit Sagaing. The city of Mandalay has little to recommend it. People want to visit the old palace, but the old palace was completely destroyed. What is there now is a fantasy re-creastion with with little to no historical accuracy.

So choose what you can fit into this limited trip and start planning on how to return!

MmePerdu

This is one of those trips where there really is no right or wrong answer. One can find a rationalization for either, given the circumstances.

kdd

Kathie, you have got the days right.

Yes i realize there is no right or wrong choice here! I think i am resisting the pressure of trying to see a place in one day. With Yangon option, having already spent a couple of days, it could be a more relaxed trip overall.

Kathie

SE Asia in general and Myanmar specifically lend themselves best to slow travel. If you rush, you'll miss it all. I think it is wise not to add another destination.

You might want to add another day to Bagan.