Myanmar - weather & travel conditions in July

Weather

July is undeniably among the rainy season and also the 2nd wettest month of the year in Myanmar. According to the recorded data, it has about 15 rainy days this month.

Regarding the temperature and in comparison with the previous month June, it is a little cooler. The average temperature ranges from 24 degrees Celsius (in the mountainous regions like Kalaw and Pyin Oo Lwin) to 33 degrees Celsius (in the cities like Bagan and Mandalay).

Being affected by monsoons, the coastal areas’ road systems often get flooded, so traveling by air and keeping away from the sea is recommended during this month.

Due to the high amount of rainfall and the increase of humidity, the possibility of getting an illness from dengue fever is much more easily than in other months. Therefore, make sure you wear long sleeves clothes and always bring along the mosquito repellent spray at all times.

Average precipitation and temperature in Myanmar’s destinations in July

Yangon - Rainy & Humid

Yagon still receives a high rainfall in July. The rain makes temperature comfortable, the highest is about 32°C. However, indoor activities are recommended in this month.

You can visit Yangon’s iconic temples and pagodas, such as the sacred Shwedagon Pagoda. A visit to National Museum, where you can observe the works of art, relics, historic artifact…, is also a good idea. Or you can take a ride on the circular train around Yangon. Since the train is also a daily transportation to the locals, it’s your chance to get one step closer to the life and work in the place you visit.

For a care-free trip, you should bring along your umbrella or raincoat. Shorts and T-shirt are suitable for high temperature.

Mandalay - Hot & humid

The rainfall in Mandalay increase up to 6.1 inches in July, despite the temperature is still above 30°C. The weather of Mandalay in July is hot and humid.

July seems not to be ideal for adventurous activities in Mandalay. Luckily, it’s also the month when Waso Full Moon Festival is celebrated. It’s an important occasion in Burmese’s Buddhist Calendar. The festival also marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent.

If you are planning a visit to temples and pagodas, please wear long and modest clothes that can cover your shoulders and knees. Else, short-sleeved shirt and comfortable clothes are good choice for hot day. Do not forget your umbrella because it would rain a lot.

Bagan - Hot rainy days

In Bagan, the temperature is higher and can reach to 38°C. The hot weather is not ideal for your trip. However, you can still escape from the heat and explore ancient temples of the province. Bagan Archaeological Museum is a great destination, too. With a lot of sophisticate wood, stone and metal sculptures, the museum remains many relics and historical vibe of Bagan. Perfect for ones who like exploring the history of where they get to.

Long-sleeved shirt and trousers are better choice since they can protect you from the strong sunlight. Apply sunscreen to protect yourself from the UV rays.

Inle lake - Humid and cool

In Inle lake, the weather is wet and cool, with an average of 25°C. The temperature can drop down to under 20°C at night while the precipitation is high (the total rainfall is 10.7 inches).

Ngapali Beach - Still impacted by heavy rain

In July, the rainfall in Ngapali is still high. Because of the unstable weather, flights can be canceled and resorts are mostly closed. July is not a good time to visit Ngapali beach.

Events

Full Moon Day of Waso

Celebrated on the 4th month of the Burmese calendar (normally in July), it marks the beginning of the upcoming Buddhist Lent lasting for 3 months. During this event, monks spend more time meditating and researching so that they cannot do any multiday outside activities. The full moon day on the previous month is the time villagers prepare necessary things to give the monks including alms, medicine, clothes, etc.

Chin Lone Festival

Chin Lone Festival, one of the greatest events in Myanmar, is held for 1 month in late June or July in Mandalay annually. During this interesting festival, people organize lots of daily “chin lone” (cane ball) competitions at the Mahamuni Pagoda which attracts numerous players from different regions in the country gathering to participate.

Taung Byone Nat Festival

On the 8th day of Wagaung which falls on the 5th month of the Burmese calendar, people celebrate the Taung Byone Nat festival right outside of Mandalay. This important and meaningful event attracts various media as well as spiritual people who wish to communicate with spirits.

How to do and what to expect if travel in Myanmar in July

July is one of the perfect time to discover the ancient relics in Bagan due to the less crowded and much more cooler in comparison with other months of the year. Obviously, the rain will fall unexpectedly but do not let it prevent you from enjoying the interesting sightseeing activities.

During this month, the roads in the countryside are wet and a bit muddy but the rice fields are in the fresh green color and lively than ever. If your budget of time is not too limited, taking the train for a local experience and having the chance to admire the beautiful landscapes through the window is the thing that you should not miss. In case you wish to travel faster, taking internal flights will help you to save costs and time as most airline companies offer cheaper fares for July than other busy months.

Traveling from the north to the south, you will feel the difference in the climate of the 2 regions. It rains very often surrounding Yangon, Golden Rock, and Inle Lake while the weather in Bagan and Mandalay is still dry and very hot. Despite the rainy season, all sightseeing places are still open to welcome tourists and some of them have covers for the whole complex which enables you to explore the site under the rain.

Some recommended exciting activities that you can consider for a trip planning to Myanmar in July including checking out the sunrise at Shewezigon Temple, visiting Ananda Temple, climbing to the top of Mandalay Hill, taking nice photos of the beautiful botanical garden in Pyin Oo Lwin town, discovering the unique Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery at Inle Lake, etc.