Holidaying with Your Family in Myanmar By Steve Brown

Looking for a destination to go with elderly parents and kids? Myanmar is what you are looking for. The country has beautiful locales that present something for everyone.

When it comes to travelling with family, striking a perfect balance to keep everyone engaged at all times can be difficult. Myanmar’s varied locations will help you address this issue. Read on to find what Myanmar has in store for you and some activity ideas to have a great family holiday.

Fun Activities for Elders and Children Alike

Myanmar strikes the perfect balance between fun and education for children. Yangon and the capital city, Nay Pyi Taw, each have a zoo that exhibits an extensive array of animals, many of which have been brought in from abroad.

Additionally, Kandawgyi Park in Yangon is equipped with several interesting concepts to keep everyone busy. It is a beautiful park surrounding Kandawgyi Lake, ideal for an evening stroll, some fun games, sitting and reading a book, and simply spending time with family.

Caption: The beautiful Kandawgyi Park in Yangon.

People’s Park in Yangon and Water Fountain Park in Nay Pyi Taw have water fountain lighting shows. To make this an educational trip for your children, you can plan an excursion to National Races Village in Yangon and spend a day understanding the culture and traditions of different races of Myanmar. This village extends over a vast area surrounded by trees and equipped with all kinds of facilities to cater to children and the elderly.

Myanmar has several amusement parks ideal for spending a fun day with children. You can visit Little Stars Water Park in Mandalay or Mya Kyunt Thar Amusement Park and Yangon Waterboom in Yangon. The kids will love you for it.

Beautiful Locales

Myanmar is home to unparalleled locales, many of which are devoid of the general crowd. If your family fancies cool weather, head to any of the hill stations such as Pyin Oo Lwin, Hsipaw or Kalaw. Spend a few days amidst nature and unwind. These are perfect places to enjoy bonding with your family.

If you want to head to a more happening locale, visit Inle Lake and be mesmerised by how people have adapted to life on the lake. From taking a boat ride to engaging in a shopping spree, there’s something for everyone here. I am sure your parents will love the exquisite lotus-weaving technique practised by the people who live here. If your parents appreciate wine, take them to the many wineries located on the hills surrounding Inle Lake.

Caption: The exquisite one-legged boat rowers of Inle Lake.

Take your family to see the Himalayas, the king of mountains, by taking a flight to the little town of Putao. Putao is surrounded by snowcapped mountains all around. Myanmar’s highest peak, Mount Hkakaborazi, can be seen from here.

If your family members are beach people, don’t think twice. Head straight to southern Myanmar to visit either Ngapali Beach, one of the best beaches in the world, or some of the islands of Myeik Archipelago. Take a swim in the water, snorkel, kayak or simply laze around on the beach – there’s something for everyone at these destinations.

Explore History and Culture

Want to give a history lesson to your children? There’s no better place to do it than Bagan, Myanmar’s latest entrant to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Take them through the thousands of temples spread across this ancient city, all of which were built between 11th and 13th century.

Gift your parents an experience of a lifetime by taking them on a hot air balloon ride in Bagan. I’m sure your parents will love to fly over the innumerable temple tops, especially when the first golden rays of the sun light up the area.

Apart from Bagan, Myanmar is home to thousands more pagodas, monasteries, stupas and temples. In fact, it is said that there is one in every corner of every street of every town. Take your family to some of the notable ones and explore them together. A visit to any of the temples will also give your children a detailed understanding of Buddhism, a religion that teaches non-violence and peace.

Ideas for Keeping the Family Happy

• Ride on horse carts and trishaws.
• Ride on boats and canoes, especially at Inle Lake.
• Attend a festival. My pick is the Thingyan Water Festival if you are travelling with kids only. If there are elderly people in your group, attend the Festival of Lights or the Hot Air Balloon Festival.
• Try thanaka, the yellow paste seen on the faces of locals everywhere.
• Visit a wildlife or bird sanctuary.
• Enjoy a traditional puppet show.

Myanmar will amaze you and your family with its sheer variety of things you can do. If you need help planning an itinerary, explore the itinerary section of this website. There are sample itineraries for different themes. Simply mix and match according to your interest and you will be good to go.