The Irrawaddy River, also known as the Ayeyarwady, is Myanmar's largest river and its most important commercial waterway. It runs north to south through the heart of the country, so much of Myanmar's life has long been arranged along its banks, from farming and fishing to the boats that carry goods and passengers from one town to the next.
What a visit offers
For many travellers the river is the main attraction. Scenic river cruises let you see the country from the water, watching villages, fields and riverside settlements slide past at a steady pace. It is a restful way to travel, and the views change with the light from one stretch to the next.
The river also sits close to a number of ancient temples, which gives a visit a historical side. Pairing a cruise with time on land lets you see both the waterway and the religious sites that stand near it.
Planning your trip
- Choose a cruise if you want the river itself to be the focus of your journey.
- Allow time to visit temples on shore, since they are among the reasons people travel along this stretch.
- Expect the river to be a working waterway, with commercial traffic alongside passenger boats.
The Irrawaddy suits travellers who enjoy slow journeys and want to understand how a region lives along its river. It is less a single sight than a route through the country, and the places around it give the trip its shape.
