Nature is one thing that Myanmar has in abundance. No wonder its most successful community-based tourism (CBT) projects place the environment at the forefront.

From Phonganrazi’s remote snowy peaks in the north to Myeik’s sun-kissed island villages in the south, CBT projects in Myanmar generate tourism dollars that help preserve ecosystems and create better livelihoods for local families. The success of Myanmar’s CBT projects may be invisible at the moment, but the results are still hard to dispute.
Three standout examples—Putao, Myeik, and the Ayeyarwaddy River villages—illustrate how CBT is forging stronger links between nature, local communities and the tourists willing to go the distance.

Photo credit: Northern Brothers FB
Sky’s the Limit: Mountain Climbing from Ziyadang Village, Putao, Kachin State
High in the Kachin State lies Mount Phonkanrazi, standing at 4,328 meters above sea level and cloaked in snow from November to May. Mountaineers seeking an authentic off-the-beaten-path adventure can start their Phonkanrazi adventure at Ziyadang Village, the first settlement on the route from Putao.
Local residents, in partnership with the Kachin State Directorate of Hotels and Tourism, plan to offer homestays during climbing season. Because Ziyadang sits in a reserved forest, large hotels or resorts aren’t allowed—ensuring that the community itself remains the focal point of any local experience.
“We will train moutaineers and guides to carefully conserve the natural environment, and to provide travellers at their houses with blankets and beds in addition to healthy meals,” explained U Khaing Oo, director of the Kachin State Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.

Photo credit: Eleven Myanmar
Enjoying the Island Life in Don Nyaung Hmaing Village, Myeik
Off Myanmar’s southern coast lies Don Island and Don Nyaung Hmaing village, the country’s first community-based tourism initiative on an island. The government recently designated it as a major CBT project for Taninthayi Region, hoping its success can be transferred to other CBT sites.
The village can be reached by a two-hour speedboat ride from Myeik. Visitors get to enjoy Don Island’s secluded beaches, fresh seafood, and a mellow pace of life by the Andaman Sea. It’s also set to be the only place in the area where foreigners can stay overnight on the island, offering a rare glimpse into a community that includes Bamar, Karen, and Moken (“sea gypsies”) residents.
Visitors can wander the beaches, learn about the Moken’s traditional sea nomadic lifestyle, and take boat excursions to nearby islands.
Future plans for CBT include improved transport and coordinated sightseeing cruises, ensuring that guests experience the best of the archipelago without compromising the local way of life. For villagers, the project promises an avenue for economic growth rooted in cultural exchange and environmental respect.

Dolphin Watching from Aye Kyun Village, Mandalay Region
Community-based tourism isn’t limited to Myanmar’s mountains or coastline. Along the Ayeyarwaddy River, Aye Kyun village promotes a local CBT venture that spotlights the region’s famous Irrawaddy dolphins.
From Aye Kyun, travelers can watch cooperative fishing practices, where dolphins and fishermen work together to corral fish toward the boats. It’s an age-old practice, threatened only by the Irrawaddy dolphins’ shrinking numbers.
Between cultural demonstrations, handicrafts, and the excitement of spotting dolphins in their natural habitat, these river communities are drawing plenty of local tourists. It’s a critical undertaking, given that Irrawaddy dolphins are endangered, with fewer than 70 individuals remaining in this stretch of river.
“The high water brings plentiful food for the Irrawaddy dolphins, making [June] the prime time to see the largest gatherings in the Mandalay-Kyaukmyaung region,” explains U Maung Maung Lay, leader of the Irrawaddy Dolphin Protection Group of the Fisheries Department (Mandalay Region). “In May alone, we estimated around 300 visitors daily.”
These CBT projects allow visitors and locals to share in the wonder of Myanmar’s diverse landscapes—while safeguarding them for generations to come.