I spent three weeks backpacking around Myanmar, starting in Yangon, then traveling to Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake before returning to Yangon for my flight. Those three weeks were filled with chasing sunrises and sunsets — the best times for photography and experiencing the magic of this country.
Most people visit Myanmar looking for the best sunrise spots in Bagan, but I quickly learned that there are incredible sunrise and sunset experiences across the country. In this post, I’ll share my favorite places to watch the sunsets and sunrises in Myanmar, with photos from each location and detailed maps to help you find them.
The Best Sunrise Spots in Bagan
Sunrise view from Utrecht temple
Let’s start with Bagan because as I mentioned earlier, this is probably the place most people are interested in. Bagan is the sunrise capital of the world. With thousands of ancient temples scattered across the plains, watching the sun rise over the misty landscape is an unforgettable travel moment.
👉 Pro tip: Don’t rely on Google Maps here. Instead, download maps.me, which has every temple and path marked. Since it works offline, you won’t even need a SIM card. Once you have this app downloaded, it’s much easier for me to explain where everything is, as I’ve taken screenshots from maps.me to properly show the locations.
Nowadays, most of the pagodas are closed for climbing, and the official rule is that climbing the temples is prohibited. However, there are still some pagodas which are suitable for climbing and give you an excellent view to watch the sunrise or sunset. The easiest way to explore is by renting an e-bike and cruising around at your own pace.
In a summary, the sunrise temple options in Bagan are these:
Utrecht Temple (Sunrise Temple): One of the best sunrise spots in Bagan. You’ll need to climb a bit, but it’s not too difficult, and the atmosphere is magical as the hot air balloons rise into the sky while the temples glow in the morning light.
Hidden Sunrise Pagodas: With maps.me, you’ll find several smaller pagodas around Utrecht Temple. These spots are quieter, and you can often have them all to yourself.
On maps.me, search for Utrecht Temple — one of the best spots for sunrise in Bagan. You’ll need to climb a little, but it’s not too difficult.
Utrecth temple is the one on the left
Watching the sunrise from the pagoda
The best sunrise view in Bagan!
Using maps.me, you can also discover several smaller pagodas near Utrecht Temple. Utrecht Temple is one of the busiest sunrise spots, so the other spots around it might be quieter.
The Best Sunset Spots in Bagan
Sunset in Bagan is just as special, and you’ll want to plan your evening around it.
In a summary, the sunset temple options in Bagan are these:
Sunset Pagoda near Utrecht Temple: This pagoda has proper stairs, making it easy to climb and enjoy sweeping views as the sun goes down. It can get busier than sunrise spots, but the golden light over the temples is breathtaking.
Pre-sunset photography stop: Nearby, there’s a smaller temple area that is perfect for capturing soft golden light just before sunset. I loved shooting photos here before heading to the main sunset pagoda.
Unlike sunrise, you won’t see balloons at sunset, but the glowing light over the temples and the peaceful atmosphere still make it well worth heading out.
This is a wider view of the area, with Utrecht Temple circled in blue. The red circle marks another temple that’s especially good for sunset. Here you don’t need to climb, since there are proper stairs leading up.
Sunset views from the pagoda
The sunset pagoda as seen from my drone
Go here just before sunset for the perfect lighting
In the same map picture above, you can see another red pin below the blue and red circles. This spot is great to visit just before sunset for beautiful photo lighting. After that, you can continue on to the main sunset pagoda.
The Best Sunset Spot in Mandalay
Sunset view from Mandalay Hill
Moving on to Mandalay, the best place to watch the sunset is definitely Mandalay Hill. You can either hike up if you’re feeling energetic, or take a moto taxi if you’d rather save your energy. If you haven’t already downloaded the app Grab, do it now — it’s basically the Uber of Southeast Asia. It makes getting around so much easier since you don’t have to haggle, and the prices are very affordable.
At the top of Mandalay Hill, you’ll find pagodas and shrines. Since it’s a holy site, shoes must be left downstairs, and tourists pay a small entrance fee. Despite the crowds, the atmosphere is spiritual and calm. Watching the sun set over Mandalay from here, with the Irrawaddy River in the distance, is truly unforgettable.
The Best Place to Watch the Sunrise in Mandalay
U Bein Bridge is a must-see for anyone visiting Mandalay. While most people go there for sunset, I highly recommend waking up early to catch the sunrise instead. At sunset, the bridge gets very crowded with tourists, since it’s included in almost every tour. But at sunrise, it’s peaceful and quiet — you’ll mostly see monks crossing the bridge in the morning light. It’s also one of the best times for photography.
The Best Sunset Spots in Yangon
The Shwedagon Pagoda is the most famous landmark in Yangon. While you can’t actually watch the sun set from here, the golden stupa looks incredible in the changing light. As the sun goes down, the pagoda begins to glow, creating amazing photo opportunities. The atmosphere is lively, with locals gathering for evening prayers alongside a few tourists. Just remember that, like all pagodas in Myanmar, you’ll need to take off your shoes and dress conservatively (cover your knees and shoulders).
Atlas Rooftop Bar & Lounge is another good option for watching the sunset and it offers great views over the city. Because of the air pollution, the sunset itself might not be too spectacular, but you can see the Shwedagon Pagoda from here, which looks stunning as the city lights come on. It’s definitely worth staying a little after sunset to enjoy the night views too.
The Best Sunrise and Sunset Spots at Inle Lake
Everyone traveling to Myanmar should visit Inle Lake, which also happens to be one of the country’s most photogenic destinations. Both sunrise and sunset are perfect times to be out on the water, and they offer some of the best photography opportunities. You’ll most likely stay in Nyaung Shwe, where most of the hotels and hostels are located, and from there it’s easy to organize a boat trip. Inle Lake is magical at any time of day, but sunrise and sunset are when it truly shines.
Sunrise boat ride: Organize a boat trip from Nyaung Shwe, where most guesthouses are located. At sunrise, the mist hangs low over the water, and you’ll see local fishermen practicing their unique leg-rowing technique. I found out that some of the fishermen performing during tours are mainly posing for tourists and ask for money after photos — still, it’s fascinating to watch. Just make sure to bring plenty of layers for the sunrise ride; it’s freezing on the lake before the sun comes up!
Sunset on the lake: As the sun sets, the sky reflects beautifully on the water. The colors are stunning, and the atmosphere is peaceful.
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Myanmar probanly has the most scenic places for sunset and sunrise in the whole world. My favourite place is Inle Lake – can have a perfect sunset with no other people around you on the lake or a amazing foggy sunrise on the lake.