Visiting Myanmar Thailand in January
January is one of the best times to visit Myanmar. The weather is warm and dry making for wonderful condition to travel; however, it is one of the busiest times in the country. Top destinations like Inle Lake will be covered by the visitors, but enjoy the sunshine on the beaches of Ngapaili is a good ideal and the river levels are still high enough for boat travel.
Events & Festivals
- Burmese Independence Day: On January 4, 3 days after celebration of new year. This day is commemorated with parades, flag-waving and a presidential address.
- Ananda Pagoda Festival: it is a festival for Bagan’s Ananda Temple and the celebration will last for a week with the busiest day on the full moon day.
- Full Moon Day of Tabodwe/Htamane Festival (January or February): It is a festival of celebrating the harvest. People make ‘htamane’ – sticky rice with coconut, ginger, peanuts and sesame seeds and they will offer some to monks before sharing the rest with their families and neighbors.
Visiting Myanmar in February
The weather in February is much as the same as that in January: it is warm, pleasant and dry though the temperatures rise but still comfortable, making it one of the most popular times to explore the country. So, it is essential to make reservation far in advance to disappointment.
Events & Festivals
- Full Moon Day of Tabodwe/Htamane Festival (January or February): It is a festival of celebrating the harvest. People make ‘htamane’ – sticky rice with coconut, ginger, peanuts and sesame seeds and they will offer some to monks before sharing the rest with their families and neighbors.
- Union Day (February 12): A public holiday celebrating the anniversary of the Panglong Agreement, which was signed among Burmese government and Chin, Shan, and Kachin people in 1947, for unifying the country. As a tourist, you will hardly notice it.
- Mahamuni Pagoda Festival – Mandalay: A two-day festival on the full moon day of Thabodwe, with thousands of people pilgrimage to the pagoda. They burn incense sticks and pray to the Buddha image.
Visiting Myanmar in March
Temperatures in March continue to rise and in Yangon, the highest temperature approaches to 100°F. Rainfall still has not arrived, but the agricultural fires burn out of control, making the air quality quite poor. Due to it is still in dry season, the accommodation still fills up quickly, so it is better to make reservation as early as possible.
Events & Festivals
- Shwedagon Pagoda Festival: An exciting event falls in early March in Yangon. People come to Shwedagon Pagoda to dance and present gifts to the monks and pray to gain favor. A carnival-like atmosphere can be expected. Games, puppet shows and competitions and you can meet a lot of friendly locals there.
- Magha Puja: it is a Buddhist celebration held in March or in late February. Candlelight vigils and processions can be seen and you can also participate in.
- Indawgyi Festival – Hopin: A lively festival attracting more than 100,000 people and concerts and boat races will be held.
Visiting Myanmar in April
April is the hottest month in Myanmar with the highest temperature over 100°F in some regions and air quality is at its worst. However, crowds flock to the country to celebrates Burmese New Year with local in the middle of the month. The celebration helps everyone to cool down and have great fun by splashing water to each other. Monsson arrives until late April.
Events & Festivals
- Myanmar New Year/Thingyan (April 13 to 17): it is the traditional Burmese New Year, much like Songkran in Thailand. Water splashing is a kind of “blessing” and everyone is ready to get a good-natured soaking. The holiday lasts for four to five days and is a fun time to travel to the country.
- Thanaka Grinding Festival – Sittwe: it is the eve of Thingyan. On this day, women grind the bark of Thanaka trees to make a fine cream to wash buddha images at nearby pagods as a new year good deed.
Visiting Myanmar in May
May marks the start of monsoon season with searing temperatures continues for much of the month and humidity jumps to suffocating levels. Fortunately, the new rain cleans the air and cool down some heat There are fewer crowds this time, although you may experience the odd shower. It is an excellent time to visit Myanmar as you can take advantage of shoulder season hotel offers.
Events & Festivals
- Workers’ Day: as in many socialist countries, May 1 is Workers’ Day in Myanmar. A parade is held in Yangon and public offices close on this day.
- Shit-Thaung Pagoda Festival – Mrauk U: An eight-day festival held at the pagoda. Exciting activities as traditional wrestling, boat racing and water splashing in Mrauk U’s canal will be held on the full moon day.
Visiting Myanmar in June
The rainfall in June doubles that in May and temperatures reduce to around 85°F; but it is hotter in the central plains to the south of Mandalay. The showers are usually short-lived and should not impact on your overall experience. Tourist arrivals decline significantly and the beach resorts at Ngapali close gradually by mid-June in preparation for the unfavorable weather in the coming months. Travelers now look towards drier destinations like Bali in Indonesia.
Events & Festivals
- Thiho Shin Pagoda Festival — Pakokku: it is a classic Upper Myanmar festival, with traditional dancing and plays entertaining locals and visitors as well.
Visiting Myanmar in July
July is the least ideal time to travel to Myanmar for its extremely wet weather. Floods and mudslides are frequent, which create significant transportation delays. Road travel across the country will be difficult, but it is the peak time for cruising along the Chindwin River. Trekking and exploring temples become much more of a challenge.
Events & Festivals
- Vassa: a retreat observed by Theravada Buddhists, begins in mid-July and lasts for three months. During this period, Buddhist monks are forbidden from making a journey lasting over one day and they have to remain in the monasteries to devote more time to Buddha’s teachings and meditation. Locals offer robes and alms to them to gain favor. You will seldom see Myanmar’s maroon-robed monks on the streets.
Visiting Myanmar in August
The monsoon season comes to its peak in August and the heavy rain blanket the whole country. Temperatures in Yangon decline to around 80°F while humidity near 90 percent, which makes everything sticky. Travel to rural areas by road will be very difficult but if you are lucky enough to find a few days of good weather with sunshine, trekking can be extremely rewarding as you will see the most beautiful landscape of Myanmar in a year. Great discounts for accommodation are very easy to find in this month.
Events & Festivals
- Taungbyone Nat Festival – Mandalay: this festival attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors to Mandalay, a major gathering place for spiritual mediums. Pilgrims make offerings and enjoy ritual dancing and other ceremony in honor of two famous Nats.
Visiting Myanmar in September
Rainfall in September starts to reduce, the temperatures are nearly the same as those in August. Beaches remain closed while the central plains and the north areas express their lush green landscape, making it a wonderful time to visit Myanmar.
Visiting Myanmar in October
Rain drops off sharply in October and weather becomes warm and dry gradually throughout the country. As days become sunnier, the green jungle foliage becomes even more lush. Beach resorts at Ngapali cater for visitors once again. It is an ideal time to visit Myanmar and avoid the crowds
Events & Festivals
- The Thadingyut Festival (dates vary according to the full moon): it is one of Myanmar’s most visually spectacular celebrating the end of Vassa which started in mid-July. All structures are lit with candles and electric lights, much like Diwali in India. Stages are set up in the streets for free culture performances to enjoy. More and more monks appear again in the streets. In some places, people launch sky lanterns and set off firecrackers to celebrate the holiday.
Visiting Myanmar in November
The rainfall fades and temperatures remain comfortable, making November one of the best time to visit Myanmar. It is often considered the beginning of the high season and it is better to book everything in advance.
Events & Festivals
- The Tazaungdaing Festival (Festival of Lights): Like the Yi Peng Festival in Thailand, it is a beautiful spectacle in Myanmar. Thousands of candle-powered sky lanterns are launched to the sky. The floating lantern looks like the sky appears full of new stars, making the atmosphere around Schwedagon Pagoda in Yangon magical.
- National Day: falling on Nov.21, it is a public holiday observing the first strikes against British rule before independence. In recent years, this day has become one of protests against the current military regime. Beware and avoid large public gatherings.
Visiting Myanmar in December
More great weather appears in December and rain does not exist virtually. With the average daytime temperature is around 80°F and 64°F at night, this is one of the coolest months in Myanmar. Crowds flock into the country for Christmas holiday, so visit before the Christmas period to avoid vacation surcharges. December is one of the best times to visit Myanmar.