There are three seasons in Myanmar. January falls in the cool season and it is the sunniest and coolest month of the year. It's warm and comfortable during the day and rather cool at night. Besides, it's dry with hardly any rain. January is the perfect time to travel in Myanmar.
Myanmar weather in January is excellent, with no excessive heat or rainfalls expected. Therefore nothing will ruin the long-awaited trip.
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Yangon – Warm and Cozy
In Yangon, the weather is warm and cozy in January. The average day temperature is 36°C (96°F), which is fairly comfortable, while the average night temperature is about 24°C (75°F).
Shwedagon Pagoda is regarded as the most sacred religious site in Myanmar. It's one of the top-priority places to visit, for experiencing Buddhist culture and architecture.
Ngwesaung Beach is a beautiful beach with blue skies, clear water, fresh air, soft sea wind and silver sand. In January, it becomes the perfect place for your vacation.
At night, it's recommended to take a taste of local life. China Town may be a good place for this. You can taste different local food, fresh seasonal fruit and other snacks.
Clothing: Sun cream, hat or umbrella and flat shoes.
Mandalay – Dry and Cool
In January, the average day temperature in Mandalay is around 23°C (75°F). The highest temperature is around 31°C (88°F) and the lowest 11°C (52°F). Rainfall is negligible and it's very dry.
Mandalay Hill is one of the places to go in Mandalay. It's a 240-meter hill with 1,729 steps leading to the top. The city is named after the hill. From the top, you can enjoy a full view of the city and the wonderful spectacle of the Irrawaddy River.
Mahamuni Buddha in MandalayWe also recommend renting a bike or motor bike to explore different local landscapes, along with local people's lives and customs. Discover some great food in the non-tourist restaurants in Mandalay.
Clothing: Pants and long-sleeved shirts or thin coats will be needed for the cool evenings. Also bring a hat or umbrella as shade from the sun.
Bagan – Pleasant and Dry
Bagan is warmer in January than Mandalay or the Inle Lake region. The monthly average temperature is 27°C (80°F). The highest temperature is around 32°C (90°F) and the lowest is about 8°C (46°F). There are 30 sunny days and rainfall is negligible.
Bagan is an ancient city with over 2,000 Buddhist temples and is famous as being a "Temple Town". You should not miss the temples, such as Ananda Temple, and Shwezigon and Shwesandaw Pagodas. They are historical sites, full of legend.
You can appreciate the beautiful sunset on the top of Shwesandaw Pagoda, which also named the "Sunset Temple".
Hot-air balloon trips and boat trips on the Irrawaddy River are high-priority things to do in Bagan. On a balloon, you can enjoy spectacular views and the wonderful sunrise above Bagan.
Clothing: Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt or a thin coat at night; and a vest and shorts during the day. Bring a hat or umbrella as shade from the sun.
Inle Lake – Cool Days, Cold Nights
January is the sunniest and coldest month of the year. It's warm and comfortable during the day, at an average of 26°C (79°F). By contrast, it feels chilly at night, at an average of 10°C (50°F). It is the best time to visit Inle Lake, with 30 sunny days, so doing some outdoor activity is highly recommended.
At Inle Lake, you should visit Indein Village, if you want to know more about the lifestyle of the indigenous people of Myanmar.
Inle Lake in JanuaryThe Shwe Indein pagoda complex is highly recommended when visiting Inle Lake. It has over 1,000 pagodas with delicate carvings and decorations.
In the early evening, you can taste some Myanmar-style wine at Red Mountain Estate Vineyards and Winery, while admiring the sunset.
Clothing: Long-sleeved shirt or thin coat and pants. Bring a hat or umbrella for the sun. Wear comfortable shoes.
Ngapali – Hot Days, Cool Nights
In January, it's a bit hot at Ngapali: the average temperatures day and night are 35°C (95°F) and 22°C (71°F), respectively. The highest temperature is around 38°C (100°F) and the lowest temperature is about 17°C (62°F).
Ngapali Beach is the best place for you to relax after an action-packed trip. The sky is blue and the sea wind is soft. The peaceful and quiet atmosphere can help you relax.
Ngapali in JanuaryBesides, you can visit some well-known local shops, such as the MiMi Souvenir Shop, where you can buy lovely ballerinas, handbags or shawls as souvenirs..
Clothing: Vest, dress or shorts, hats, sunglasses, thin coat.
Festival in January
Ananda Temple Festival: This is convened in Bagan. Thousands of pilgrims camp around the temple for the festival. It's an annual almsgiving time, when donations are given to monks.
Why Visit Myanmar in January?
January falls in the cool season, when the weather is warm, cozy and dry and landscapes are fantastic. It's the perfect time for outdoor activities.
Please Note
January is in the peak season for tourism and there is a surge in the number of tourists. It's recommended to book flights and hotels well in advance. Besides, New Year's Day falls in January. So travel expenses will be a little higher.
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