More than 180,000 pilgrims have visited the Mann Shwesettaw Pagoda festival in Minbu (Sagu) Township, Magway Region, with a total of 187,118 visitors recorded as of 4 April, according to the pagoda board of trustees.
The annual festival, which runs for 86 days from 22 January to 17 April 2026 (from the 5th waxing day of Tabodwe to Myanmar New Year Day), has drawn large crowds, especially during weekends and public holidays. Pilgrims have travelled from across the country, including major cities such as Yangon and Mandalay, using both tour buses and private vehicles.
A total of 17,259 vehicles of various sizes and 1,304 motorcycles have entered the festival grounds, reflecting higher attendance compared to last year. Accommodation has been arranged to ensure visitors can stay comfortably, although lodging facilities have been fully occupied during peak holiday periods.
The festival is expected to grow busier as it approaches its closing day on Myanmar New Year Day following the Thingyan holidays, said U Aye Ko, chairman of the pagoda board of trustees. — Zeya Naing (Shwe Kan Myay)/KZL

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Springtime flower-viewing tours are emerging as a major attraction across China ahead of this year’s Qingming Festival, with cities and rural destinations rolling out cultural performances, interactive travel services and countryside experiences to lure visitors and boost the tourism economy.

Falling on April 5 this year, the Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival for honoring the deceased and paying tributes to ancestors. The three-day holiday also provides a short break for Chinese citizens to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing in pleasant springtime temperatures.

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Naruto-themed attractions are set to open at the Spirou theme park near Avignon, in southern France, a first outside Japan, according to park officials who have secured the licence to operate the famous manga. The site, which covers 1.5 hectares and has seen an investment of €16 million over four years, recreates a Japanese village and invites visitors to learn the basics of ninja techniques.

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According to the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism, a total of 112,936 domestic and international visitors travelled to the Ngwehsaung Beach, one of Myanmar’s most well-known seaside resorts, in the first three months of 2026. The number of visitors reached 32,294 in January, 37,403 in February, and 43,239 in March.
The Ngwehsaung Beach attracts a steady flow of tourists due to its clear seawater, clean and well-maintained sandy shoreline, and reliable safety conditions. Visitors can enjoy swimming, surfing, and leisurely walks along the beach in a calm and relaxing atmosphere. In addition, activities such as jet skiing, banana boat rides, and speedboat trips allow tourists to appreciate the beauty of the sea and nearby islands at close range. The area also offers a wide variety of places to visit, further enhancing its appeal.
There are 38 hotels and 70 guesthouses at the Ngwehsaung Beach, providing accommodation and services for tourists. — Kyaw Lin Oo (IPRD)/MKKS

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The Ngwetaung Beach, near Tinchaung Village in Hainggyikyun, Ngaputaw Township, Ayeyawady Region, received 54,522 domestic visitors in February 2026, and the number of tourists is increasing, according to Daw Ni Ni Mar, an executive of the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association (Ngwetaung Beach).
Located near the Myat Mawtinsun Pagoda, Ngwetaung Beach is a popular year-round destination for local travellers, most of whom reportedly come from the Yangon Region and the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area.
“In January 2026, only 29,755 domestic tourists visited the Ngwetaung Beach, but in February, the number rose to 54,522. The Ngwetaung Beach is seeing an increase in domestic tourism, with visitors coming year-round and numbers continuing to grow each month,” said Daw Ni Ni Mar.
To ensure a safe and peaceful experience for visitors, arrangements have been made for leisure activities and services such as bicycle rentals, motorboat rides, and horse riding, while stalls offer local food, consumer goods, and souvenirs. — ASH/TH

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Coral reefs, often depicted as the rainforests of the sea because they are home to more than a quarter of marine species, are being preserved along Myanmar’s coastal areas. Among these, the coral reefs in the Lampi Marine National Park, located in the Myeik Archipelago of Taninthayi Region, are reported to be thriving.
The Lampi Marine National Park is an ASEAN Heritage Park rich in biodiversity and surrounded by numerous small islands. It is a vast marine park composed of evergreen forests, mangrove forests, seagrass, beach forests, amphibians, rare species, and beautiful coral reefs. It is also home to many of the coral reefs, especially along Myanmar’s coastline. Coral reefs support the long-term survival of marine species. They are formed by the accumulation of numerous tiny organisms called coral polyps, which build calcium carbonate skeletons that create rocklike structures and reef formations. These reefs enrich underwater ecosystems and biodiversity, while also supporting the development of marine life.
“ If the coral ecosystem is well established, it sustains marine life, providing ideal habitats for fish species to breed and survive within the food chain. As a two-mile marine area around Lampi Marine National Park is protected, the coral reefs surrounding the island remain healthy. They are relatively less disturbed. Around the island, both hard and soft corals can be found. As restoring coral reefs is costly, the best approach is to conserve and protect them from damage. Coral reefs near humans are more affected by human activities, so measures are taken to prevent human and boat access. Currently, the coral reefs around the Lampi Marine Island are in strong condition,” said U Kyi Oo, warden of the park.
Rising sea temperatures can damage coral reefs, and changes in ocean chemistry, natural disasters, overfishing, and marine pollution. However, the coral reefs act as natural underwater barriers that help reduce the impact of strong currents, sea-level rise, storms, and waves. Although coral reefs cover only about one per cent of the world’s ocean area, about 25 per cent of marine species depend on them for survival.
Compared to other coastal coral reefs, those in the Lampi Marine National Park are less affected. Their beauty and rich marine biodiversity also support the tourism industry. — Thitsa (MNA)/KTZH

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Rooms at some hotels in Ngwehsaung and Chaungtha beaches have now been fully booked for the Thingyan holiday.
Rooms have already been booked for the Thingyan holiday, meaning some hotels in these famous destinations are now unavailable, according to sources from the travel industry.
Due to elevated temperatures, more people are visiting the beaches to avoid the summer heat, and most of the hotel rooms have already been booked for the coming Thingyan holiday.
“Even now, the number of visitors has increased. People come here to avoid the summer heat, and the matriculation exam is near to end, so some families have now booked rooms for their vacation after the exam. And many people have already booked rooms for the Thingyan holiday in April as well. Some hotels have been fully booked now. Sea view rooms are mostly enjoyed by guests,” said a tour planner.
Including company trip planners, many people have now prepared for the pre-Thingyan trip with their beloved family or friend groups. In addition, visitors regularly arrive at domestic destinations such as Bagan, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Taunggyi, Kalaw, PyinOoLwin, Inlay, Pindaya, Hpa-an, Bago and Kyaiktiyo, as well as famous beaches: Ngwehsaung and Chaungtha.
In addition to domestic destinations, locals have also made plans for their vacations in overseas destinations in the coming Thingyan holiday, according to sources. — MT/ZS

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The travellers from European countries, rather than Asian countries, visit Wah Ale Resort, located in Lampi Marine National Park, in Taninthayi Region, according to the resort.
Tourists visiting Wah Ale Resort usually stay for vacations ranging from five days to two weeks. During their visits, they enjoy activities such as kayaking through mangrove forests, trekking in the forest to observe ecosystems, climbing hills to enjoy natural scenery, observing rare wildlife, exploring the underwater beauty of coral reefs, swimming, walking along the sandy beaches, enjoying sunsets, and learning about the lifestyle of the Salon (Moken) people.
“We paid special emphasis on ensuring that the construction of the Wah Ale Resort did not harm the natural ecosystem from the very beginning. The buildings were constructed using old timber and bamboo, and there are no refrigerators or air conditioners. Because the natural ecosystem has been carefully preserved, the whole of Lampi Island remains beautiful. The island has rich biodiversity, including diverse animal and plant species, so foreign visitors come here as it is still an unspoiled natural destination. Many visitors from Europe who love forests, mangroves, marine environments, and nature come to visit. Therefore, we limit the number of visitors to avoid harming the environment. For this year’s travel season, tourists will continue visiting until April,” said U Aung Zin Latt, general manager of the resort.
The Wah Ale Resort hosts travellers in October every year, and the site was opened in November due to certain weather conditions, and offered at US$800 for a single room and US$1,500 for a double room. The resort has 40 rooms. Tourists arrived from Russia, the US, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Switzerland, Espanola, India, the Netherlands, Cambodia, Canada, and Latvia. Among them, the highest number of visitors came from Russia and the US.
“ We heard that the resort is fully booked until 12 April this travel season. In many foreign countries, tourism is considered a “smokeless industry” that generates foreign income. Myanmar’s Lampi Marine National Park earns foreign income from the Blue Economy without harming the natural environment. Therefore, developing more tourist destinations that can generate foreign income like this would greatly benefit the country,” said U Thet Oo, warden of Lampi Marine National Park.
The tourists proceed to Wah Ale Resort after visiting Inlay, Popa and Bagan, and they return to their respective countries via Thailand. European tourists especially visit the Wah Ale Resort in Lampi Marine National Park every year for tis natural beauty, rare species and biodiversity. — Nyein Thu (MNA)/KTZH

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The sandbank between Minbu and Magway in Magway Region has been bustling with people relaxing along the riverside between 3 pm and 6 pm.
As the period coincides with the festival season of the Mann Shwesettaw Pagoda, visitors on their return from the pilgrimage, as well as residents from nearby areas, gather on the sandbank between Minbu and Magway. They enjoy various fritters, salads, grilled foods, snacks and soft drinks, bathe in the river along the shore, and relax while admiring the beauty of the sunset, making the area particularly lively.
Magway Region lies in the central part of Myanmar, and the summer months of Taboung, Tagu and Kason are extremely hot. As a result, riversides and bathing spots become crowded with people bathing in the evenings. Likewise, the Minbu sandbank is filled with visitors who come to swim, relax and enjoy refreshments such as various drinks, watermelon juice, cucumber juice and sugarcane juice while appreciating the beauty of the sunset, making the place lively and crowded. — Zeya Naing (Shwekan Myay)/MKKS

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