For biking adventurers, Myanmar is probably a very new destination yet the country offers many beautiful cycling routes that feature life changing experience thanks to its culture and nature diversity.
Zaw from Authentic Asia Tours , a biking guide expert releases some of his favorite places :
Shan State
The gems of Shan State are probably Inle Lake and Kalaw. There is a big contrast of these places: tranquil lake with colorful ethnic hill tribes and picturesque town with lots of British colonial buildings. This contrast makes your biking enjoyable thanks to the change in landscapes as you encounter mountain pass, fascinating villages, remote monasteries and stilt villages.
Suggestion: spend at least 3 days biking from Kalaw to Loikaw, passing the NyangShwe town and visit the lakeside market which rotates around the lake.
Bagan and Chin State
Bagan is without any doubt the highlight of any Myanmar Tours. Studded by thousands of pagodas, riding along the sacred plains of Bagan provides you the unlike travel experience. It is the place where you feel the heat as well the stunning pagodas remained from 11th century.
Cultural interaction is also available as you stop by Manuha or Minathu pagodas.
Chin State is another world, full of wilderness. From mountain pass to village dirt trail, you will be challenged by different elevation where cascading waterfall and breathtaking mountain vistas await your discovery.
Suggestion: book 5 days trip with Yangon Tours who offers special biking routes throughout Myanmar.
Mandalay and its ancient capitals
While most of ordinary travelers take car and grab a quick look at Mandalay and its outstanding monuments, pedaling allows you to explore further any sites and stop where you prefer to capture some amazing scene.
The route from Mandalay to Sagaing demonstrates vividly the development of Buddhism in north Myanmar with many pagodas and monasteries. Many of these pagodas are left besides the tourist radar, they are real treasure for great photos.
If you make 4 days trip, cycle to PynOoLwin would be something stunning as this area boasts unique weather to the rest of Mandalay. There are chances to see botanical garden, the Victorian era villas, ancient churches and importantly beautiful flower market.
Suggestion: Mandalay biking can be linked to many other routes of the country. You can travel from Mandalay to Bagan via Monywa, heading to Lashio via Namshan. For active travelers, local tour operators can customize some trip combining biking and trekking as well.
