Yangon.
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Overview

Yangon (Burmese: ရန်ကုန်; Shan: တႃႈၵုင်ႈ), formerly known in English as Rangoon, is the largest city in Myanmar and was the capital of the country until it was replaced by Naypyidaw in 2005. Western governments and Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD party still use the old English name as a sign of non-recognition of the military government that changed the name. Today, with a population of over 5 million people, it remains the largest city and the economic hub of Myanmar.

Understand

As the country's former capital, Yangon is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Myanmar, where you can find nightlife, quality international restaurants, and many of the country's museums. The city is an amalgamation of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences. Well-known for its colonial architecture, which although decaying, remains an almost unique example of a 19th-century British colonial capital in Asia. New skyscrapers began to rise from the 1990s forward as the government began to allow private investment, and with the introduction of liberalising reforms in 2013, many new buildings were constructed and refurbished in the city centre. Since the capital was shifted to Naypyidaw in 2005, former government buildings such as the massive Secretariat Building have benefited from large-scale restoration efforts.

Yangon's former English name, Rangoon, was not the only victim of change; the country's name itself was changed from Burma to Myanmar. To add to the ongoing identity crisis, the city has been stripped of its status as the capital, relocated to a remote new site called Naypyidaw, built from scratch. The flag too has been changed in 2010, replacing the old one, which replaced another one slightly more than a decade earlier.

Read Our Home in Myanmar: Four Years in Yangon by Jessica Mudditt - An Australian freelance journalist recounts living in Yangon during the country's liberalisation between 2012–2015, working for an English-language newspaper. The author describes with fascination what her life was like, the stories she worked on, and the difficulties created by the Myanmar government for her husband, a Bangladeshi, in light of the beginnings of the Myanmar military's genocide of the Muslim Rohingya people.

Get in

Yangon International Airport. There are several accommodation options in the immediate vicinity of the airport to fit every budget.

Grab Taxi, the dominant Uber equivalent in Southeast Asia, has a counter just before the exit.

By public bus: exit the international terminal and turn right, walking along the road for about 10 min to Pyay Rd, where you can take public bus 51 which will take you one block east of Sule Paya (200 kyat). To get to the city, you could ask the driver at the airport to drop you off at the bus stop called "Mile 10" on Pyay Rd and take line 51. You might have trouble being understood: have someone writes it down for you in Burmese script with precise instructions (e.g., someone at your hotel). Another option is to share a taxi.

International: There are direct flights to RGN from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore, Beijing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Taipei, Seoul, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Dubai. International Airlines serving RGN include Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, China Airlines, Korean Air and Air India. The international terminal has free Wi-Fi. Coffee, tea and very basic snacks (packaged biscuits and single serving cakes) are available inside the security area. Since the 2021 coup and subsequent economic depression, the terminal's shopping area and food court is mostly closed; outside of a Coach outlet, a watch retailer and a bookshop, only a few low-end food and jewellery stalls remain.

Domestic: The domestic terminal is 200 m past the international terminal, and is old and tired looking. Facilities are minimal (espresso coffee, tea, local beer, limited hot food, and basic packaged snacks are available) but, as a consequence, check-in is simple and quick and bags arrive quickly from arriving aircraft. Ancient buses ferry passengers to their aircraft. Pre-paid taxis are available, paid at the taxi counter inside the baggage claim area, but it is easier and cheaper to exit the terminal and negotiate directly with the taxi czar who controls the taxi trade at Mingladon. Try not to allow porters to carry your luggage, as they will demand tips and hassle you. This is especially a problem in the domestic terminal as there is no customs to pass through with your bags. If a porter has not attached himself to a hapless tourist, he may take random bags off the luggage trolley, hoping someone will follow him.

There are several train lines that connect Yangon to the rest of Burma. Several trains daily connect Yangon to Mandalay via Bago with connections to Bagan and the Inle Lake area at Thazi. Most trains leave early in the morning (02:00 or 03:00) and arrive late at night.

The oldest line in Burma is the Yangon-Pyay line and it shows its age. Three trains leave from Pyay. 1) Start 02:00 and arrives 13:40 at Kyemyindine station (11½ hr). 2) Start 06:15 and arrives 17:30 at Kyemyindine station (11 hr). 3) Start 23:30, arrival 07:50 at Yangon central (8½ hr). Upper class 3,900 and ordinary seat 1,950 kyat.

On this trip in first class you get your own seat and it's slightly less crowded, but there isn't much else different between the classes.

Trains also run to Pathein in the Irrawaddy delta but are very slow and the bus is a better alternative.

By boat 150 years ago, boats were the way to get to places from Yangon and IWT (Inland Water Transport) passenger ferries still ply the major rivers. Yangon to Mandalay takes 5 days with a change at Pyay (3 days) and the return trip (downriver) takes three days. The ferry leaves Pyay every Friday at 06:30 and arrives in Yangon on Sunday at 21:40.

E lite has an all new fleet with several departures early morning and evening. The new highway has dramatically reduced travel times north with the Mandalay trip taking just over 8 hr with a good bus. Bagan – Buses are poorer value at 15,000 kyat. At the stadium in Yangon, you can get bus tickets for 13,000 kyat to Bagan (haggle!). Pyay – Several buses a day: 8 hr, from 10,000 kyat. A few of which have started in Sittwe 18 hr before that. Ngapali (Thandwe) – There are many buses travelling this route, for there are many tourist longing for the beautiful beach. From Thandwe (but also Ngapali) most Yangon buses start in the morning. The first 6-8 hr of the trip can be very exhausting, because they are through hills and on serpentines mostly only the bus will fit on. Make sure to take care of your stomach. Tamu – An Ordinary Express departs at 07:00, and a VIP Express at 11:00. Alternatively, transferring or stopping over in Kalay, the Ordinary Express departs Kalay at 12:00, and the VIP Express at 15:00.

Getting there/away: Going to the city from the Highway Bus Station is possible on Bus 43 for 300 kyat. The bus passes in front of the entrance to the station. Just ask the helpful locals. On the way to the terminal, ask your hotel to write it down in Burmese script and catch the bus from the city hall across from Sule Paya to the city centre for 200 kyat. Better than the horrible transfer time (see shuttle ticket below) that sometimes make you wait at Aung Minglar for 3 hours. Bus 43 takes about 1 hr to get there, but give yourself some time to check in and allow for potential delays, leaving 2 hr from Sule Paya before your bus leaves.

Big bus companies serving the main tourist destinations (Aung Mingalar Bus Terminal) have sales offices across from Yangon train station (can also buy "shuttle ticket" to Bus Terminal for 1,000 kyat here).

Get around

Aung Zha Bridge. Over Hlaing River connect Insein township with Hlaing Thar Yar township

Bayint Naung Bridge. Over Hlaing River

Maha Bandula Bridge. A bridge over Ngamoeyeik Creek

Nga Moe Yeik Bridge. A bridge over Ngamoeyeik Creek

Thaketa Bridge. A bridge over Ngamoeyeik Creek

Thuwunna Bridge. A bridge over Ngamoeyeik Creek

The easiest way to get around the city is by taxi and Yangon is the city where Toyotas come to live out the rest of their days. Plenty of old white Toyota Corolla taxis ply the streets and will pull over if you stick your hand out. Genuine taxis have red licence plates, carry a laminated green slip, and a large-print taxi driver identification card on the dashboard of the car, but all taxis are reliable. Be warned though that around lunchtime and late at night, it may be hard to hail one. Taxis are always available outside the bigger hotels, on Sule Pagoda Rd, outside Cafe Aroma, and, during the day, outside the south entrance to the Shwedagon Pagoda. Away from the city centre, for example, near the budget hotels in Pazundaung Township, you may have to wait a bit before a taxi shows up and it may be easier to ask your hotel to call one for you. If you're travelling in the early hours (for example, to catch a 04:00 train or flight), arrange one with your hotel the previous evening. You will always, at all hours, find a taxi outside the Central Hotel on Bogoyoke Aung San Rd.

It is customary to negotiate prices prior to the trip but, other than tacking on an informal tourist surcharge, you'll very rarely be cheated. If you're not sure how much you should pay, it is safe to assume the driver is charging you an extra 500 kyat because you're a foreigner. Expect to pay more, sometimes twice as much, when it rains and late at nights.

It seems like meters are never used, even when present.

Some drivers only accept cash and will refuse online payment through the app; shortly after the booking is confirmed they will either cancel on their end, or text to ask you to cancel for them. When this happens, simply book again until you've find a driver who accepts online payment.

By trishaw Trishaws are scarce in the city centre (and not permitted before 10:00), but more readily available in downtown and the surrounding townships.

Using buses is safe and very cheap, the only drawback is that the network is hard to understand. Many locals do not speak English and the signs and route numbers are written in Burmese. Yangon Bus Service (YBS) is operated by Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA).

There are some apps that might come handy, although they are in Burmese, showing the bus stops and individual bus lines on the map (e.g. Yangon Bus Service Official App for Android).

By boat A ferry crosses the river to Dallah from the Pansodan St Jetty.

Nan Thida Ferry Terminal and Pansodan Ferry Terminal.

On foot Distances in the tourist areas are not great and, provided you take it easy, you can walk almost anywhere. The pavements can be very crowded though, particularly on Anawratha Rd, so expect to be constantly bumped into and to have to negotiate your way across vendors selling everything from hot samosas and curry to screwdrivers, TV remote controls to jeans. Many of the footpaths and pavements have large holes, mismatched pavers, or missing/unstable covers over drains. Walking on the footpath after dark can be treacherous, so either carry a torch or, like most locals, walk on the edge of the roadway which is normally in a (marginally) better state of repair.

See

Relatively untouched by development compared of other major Southeast Asian cities, the city centre of Yangon is full of historical sights. Yangon is perhaps the best-preserved example of a European colonial capital in Southeast Asia.

The Shwedagon Pagoda or Paya is the most important religious site in Myanmar. The pagoda stands on the top of Singuttara Hill, and, according to legend, that spot has been sacred since the beginning of time, just before our present world was created. At that time, five lotus buds popped up on the hill, each bud signifying the five Buddhas who would appear in the world and guide it to Nirvana. Gautama, the Buddha as we know him, is the fourth of these five (Maitreya, the fifth, will announce the end of the world with his appearance) and, according to the legend, two brothers brought eight hairs of the Buddha to be enshrined in this sacred location, inaugurating the Shwedagon Pagoda. Whatever the truth of the legend, verifiable history records a pagoda at the site since the 6th century CE. Built and rebuilt, gilded and regilded, almost nothing in the pagoda is likely to be old, except whatever is hidden deep inside the stupa. An 18th-century earthquake destroyed the upper half of the pagoda spire and many buildings. Burmese Buddhists are practical people who constantly build and rebuild pagodas for merit.The pagoda is an interesting place: multicoloured neon highlighting a galaxy of colours, textures and shapes. It is also a jungle of spires with superior Burmese woodcarving embellishment, playfully mixed and matched with modern building materials such as corrugated roofing. Unlike other religious sites, it has a spiritual as well as a secular feel about it. Children run up and down singing songs, monks sit on the steps chatting, young men cast amorous glances at women, women stand around gossiping, all while others are deep in prayer in front of whatever shrine has significance for them. At night, illumination transforms the pagoda into a towering golden pillar visible from across the city; Yangon building regulations decree that no building can exceed 75% of Shwedagon Pagoda's 170-meter height above sea level, ensuring that its spire dominates the skyline. The Shwedagon captures the essence of both the informal nature as well as the strong ties that signify the relationship that the Burmese have with Buddhism.

Guides. The quality is variable, but most guides are friendly and helpful.

Food. The closest restaurant is at the intersection of the Shwedagon Pagoda Rd and U Hlaung Bo St (at the bottom of the south walkway). There are some tea shops on a small roadway that describes a semicircle just below the top of the pagoda where you can get tea and biscuits. North of the pagoda, on Inya Rd and outside the Savoy, are many places to eat, fincluding a good fast food restaurant for pizza, coffee and sandwiches. Bring water; the heat of the sun can get to you if you visit during the daytime. No food or bottled water is available on the platform itself, but water is available from one of the many water dispenser. It's clean, cool and free.

Disabled visitors. A road on the south side leads halfway up the Singuttara Hill and an elevator can take you the rest of the way. Alternatively, if not in a wheelchair, head for the Western entrance from where escalators are available all the way to the top.

Dress code. Dress reasonably and keep your legs covered (long skirts, halfway between knee and ankle, are fine; shorts, on men or women, are not). Longyi are available at the ticket booth if you arrive overly uncovered.

Shoes. As with all Buddhist monuments in Myanmar, footwear is not permitted; socks also must be taken off here. All visitors are required to remove their footwear at the gates before setting foot inside the complex. There are places to leave your shoes at the bottom of every walkway for a nominal fee (5 kyat) but that can be a problem if, say, you enter using the east walkway and wish to leave by the north. Carry a plastic shopping bag, pop your shoes into that bag, and carry it around with you while on the walkways and platforms. If you can, visit during the early morning or in the late afternoon and evening so the white marble tiles do not burn your feet.

Plan. The pagoda is shaped similar to a Greek cross. There are four entrances at each of the four cardinal directions flanked by gargantuan sculptures of mythical Burmese lions. These entrances open up to the four walkways as the appendages of the cross ascending to the top via flights of steps. At the top is the octagonal intersection of the cross which consists of the stupa at the very centre itself surrounded by shrines that can qualify as temples by themselves and separated from the Stupa by a vast open walkway paved with spic and span shiny marble tiles. The stupa is further surrounded by a string of micro shrines: small celled structures housing the icon of the Buddha himself and interspersed by lion sculptures, and then further inwards, another string of micro stupas surround the stupa superstructure.

Walkways to the Pagoda. Four covered walkways lead up to the pagoda from the plains surrounding the hills. The east walkway is the most interesting, crowded as it is with vendors selling items for pilgrims (candles, flowers, gold leaf, stones and other paraphernalia of Burmese Buddhist worship) and souvenirs for tourists (Buddhas, lacquer ware and thanaka). The other walkways are less interesting but the west walkway has escalators and the southern has an elevator. Walking up the Eastern walkway to the top and allowing the beauty of the pagoda it to emerge remains the best way to get up the hill.The entrances are striking: there is a pair of mythical and stylized stone lions guarding the doorway framing the grand staircase as if this scene is coming out from a biblical film set. To view clearly these mythical lions, one simply has to examine the Myanmar currency notes where it is featured practically in all denominations. The Great Stupa is visible at dark, multicoloured neon lightings highlight its profileAnother attraction of this temple in general and the walkways in particular are the 3D murals of the Jataka tales in Myanmarese interpretation showing distinctive Myanmar landscape, temple and toddy palm dotted countryside, country life, architecture, palace and court scenery and pageantry, temple scenes, period costumes, mythological nagas and nats, elephants, lions and dragons. These 3D murals flank the upper part of the walls of all the four entrances.

The Pagoda Platform. Although similar in concept to Mecca's kaaba, surrounded by a vast space, the pagoda platform where people may make rounds of the stupa, is a religious space without pomp and circumstance and is one of the best places in the world to sit and people watch. Find a comfortable step, or sit on the floor, and look around. Children run up and down, perhaps singing and shouting with abandon. Women cluster in groups gossiping. Couples, young and old stroll up and down. Burgundy robed monks are everywhere. Here and there, at the many shrines that dot the platform and sit around the stupa, people pray, seriously and silently. Bells ring. There is no awe here, only life, religious and secular life. Sit there long enough and someone will stop to chat with you, to ask questions, to exchange information.

Day Shrines. There are eight shrines, one for each day of the week (in the Burmese calendar, Wednesday is divided into two parts), dotted around the eight corners of the stupa (the stupa is octagonal), and most Burmese pray at their day shrine when visiting a pagoda. If you can figure out the day of the week when you were born, light a candle, place some flowers, or pour water over the shrine corresponding to that day. Starting from the south entrance, and going clockwise, the eight planetary posts are: Mercury (Wednesday morning, before noon), Saturn (Saturday), Jupiter (Thursday), Rahu (no planet, Wednesday afternoon), Venus (Friday), Sun (Sunday), Moon (Monday), Mars (Tuesday). Each shrine also has a beast associated with it, the most interesting one being the Gahlon, a mythical half-bird half-beast said to guard Mount Meru (the shrine for Sunday).

Statue of Wa Thon Da Ray. The statue of Wa Thon Da Ray, the guardian angel of the earth, is to the left of the south walkway. Wa Thon Da Ray is said to have saved the Buddha from burning by wrapping her wet hair around the earth. The long tresses are clearly visible in the stone statue that stands in her honour.

The Arakanese Prayer Pavilion. A little before the west walkway, was a gift of the Rakhaing people of Arakan. The prayer hall itself is ordinary, but the wood carvings on the roof are exquisite, probably the finest in the pagoda complex.

Maha Ganda Bell. Known locally as the Singu Min Bell (after King Singu, who donated it to Shwedagon), the Maha Ganda bell was cast between 1775 and 1779 and weighs 23 tonnes. Impressed by the size of the bell, the British attempted to take it as war booty after the First Burmese War (1825), but dropped it into the Yangon River instead. The story goes that the British tried everything to get the bell out of the water, but all their technology was of no avail. Giving up, they told the Burmese that they could have it back if they could get it out of the water. The Burmese, with some bamboo rafts, managed to retrieve the bell and it was returned to the pagoda. Pick up a mallet and bang on the bell for luck. Behind the bell, a small pavilion provides excellent views of the stupa (spectacular at night) and a panoramic view of the city.

Naungdawgyi Pagoda and Sandawdwin Tazaung. Left of the north walkway, the Naungdawgyi or Elder pagoda is supposed to mark the spot where the sacred strands of the Buddha's hair were placed and washed before being enshrined in the stupa. Women are not allowed onto the Elder pagoda platform. Close by is the Sandawdwin Tazaung (Hair Relics Well) which provided the water for the washing. The well is odd because it is fed by the Irrawaddy rather than by ground water and the level of water in this well rises and falls with the tides.

Dhammazedi Inscription. A 1485 tablet that relates the story of the Shwedagon in Pali, Mon, and Burmese. One of the few verifiably antique objects in the pagoda complex.

Botataung Paya. The original pagoda was destroyed by allied bombing during the Second World War but the site has a legendary history as long as that of the Shwedagon or the Sule Paya, and it is supposed to house more strands of the Buddha's hair brought to the site by a thousand soldiers (hence the name which means "1,000 officers"). The rebuilt stupa is hollow inside, and many relics (though not the hair) are on display. While not spectacular like the Shwedagon, the river-front setting and the hollow stupa make it worth visiting. Entrance fee: 6,000 kyat

Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda. A temple that is home to an impressive reclining Buddha that is 65 m long and 6 storeys high.

Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Anglican cathedral built by the British. It is one of two cathedrals in Yangon, and has a beautiful interior.

Meilamu Paya. A large expanse of land on which larger-than-life, colourful statues depicting Buddha's lives are located. Mailamu Paya also showcases a pavilion on a man-made lake, and several chedis.

Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue. The only synagogue in Yangon. It is a colonial relic, built in 1893. Its interior is beautifully maintained.

Saint Mary's Cathedral. The cathedral's exterior is newly renovated, but it's still an ugly eyesore outside, but the superior Myanmarese dexterity of carving is shown in the interior's 14 Stations of the Cross. Images literally pop out of the screen in 3D fashion.

Sule Paya. Incongruously serving as a traffic island in the middle of the busiest intersection in central Yangon, Sule Paya is a 46 m octagonal-shaped stupa that, according to the local story, was built 2,000 years ago to house a strand of the Buddha's hair. Whether or not it has a strand of the Buddha's hair, the galleries of the pagoda are an oasis of calm from the chaotic traffic that passes around it all day long. Shoes can be left at counters at any entrance, but carry a plastic bag.

Ngar Htat Gyi Pagoda. Features tall seated Buddha.

Inya Lake. The largest lake in the city. Some parts of Inya Lake's shoreline are accessible on foot, and are known for their gardens. Along Inya Lake's shore is the famous Inya Lake Hotel, now owned by Dusit and Yangon University (in a beautiful park-like setting). Surrounding the lake are villas owned by military leaders.

Kandawgyi Lake. A renovated park that makes for a nice stroll. Lots of small restaurants, food stalls and a playgarden inside. The lake is best known for its karaweik (at its southeastern tip), a replica of a traditional Burmese royal boat. There is also a board walk around the south edge of the lake, affording a better view than that from the gardens. At its northwestern tip is Bogyoke Aung San Park, which is on Natmauk Rd. Main entrance is from the southeast corner. Foreigners pay 300 kyat, and there's a sign indicating there's also a 500 kyat camera charge and a 1,000 kyat video camera fee, but those don't seem to be enforced. Not all parts of the park are accessible from the southeast entrance, so you might have to walk around a bit on the street as well to see the park completely.

Kandawgyi Nature Park. This is a peninsula that provides good views around the lake and is the access to the Karaweik. There are restaurants (some cheap, some expensive) dotted around the lakefront and an amphitheatre that often has free concerts. Very popular with locals on Friday and Saturday nights.

Maha Bandula Park. Known for its rose gardens. Inside the park is the Independence Monument, built to signify Myanmar's independence. The park offers a great view of the City Hall and colonial buildings.

Martyrs' Mausoleum. A memorial built to honour Aung San and six cabinet members who were assassinated. The mausoleum is on a hill, and is adjacent to Shwedagon Paya. It offers a beautiful panoramic view of Yangon.

People's Park. Occupies 130 acres, between parliament and Shwedagon Paya and known for its large concrete water fountain. Inside the park is a museum. There are a lot of decrepit statues and relics (like ships and aircraft) as well as sterile squares in the Stalinist model, all of which gives an interesting insight to the government. Entrance fee for foreigners.

Zoological Gardens. Opened by the British in 1906. There are 145 species of 1203 land animals. During public holidays, the Elephant Circus is performed for attractions.

Aung San Suu Kyi's House. The house is guarded by a high wall, and visitors are not allowed to enter. The most you can hope to do is to take a picture of the gate.

Bogyoke Aung San Museum. This is the house where Aung San lived with his wife and three children until his assassination. The house is still in original condition and houses a museum with many interesting items on display, e.g., Aung San's car, his library and his suits. Outside is the pond where his son, Aung San Lin, drowned. The accident was one of the reasons why the family moved.

Bahadur Shah Zafar Grave. The grave of the last of the Mughal emperors in India, as well as the last ruler of the Timurid Dynasty. After the Indian rebellion of 1857, he was exiled to Rangoon together with his wife, Zeenat Mahal, and some of the remaining members of the family. Bahadur Shah died in Nov 1862. Today you can see his tomb, and if you are lucky, a guide may be there to give you a lot of information about this Sufi saint. There is no entrance fee, but you can give donations to local Sufis.

Chinatown and Little India. Home to the descendants of migrants who came from China and India during the colonial era. You can still see reminders of that heritage, with Chinese clan temples, as well as Hindu temples, still to be found in these districts, as well as ethnic food.

City Hall. The seat of the city's administrative body, Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC). Construction began in 1926 and ended in 1936. The city hall has been the focal point of major political demonstrations and the site of several bombings, including one in 2000, 2008 and 2009.

Drug Elimination Museum. A huge four-story building dedicated to fighting narcotics (mainly opium), displaying the effects of drug use and efforts to find alternative crops. The exhibits are quite outdated and dusty. The main reason for a foreigner to visit is to experience a bizarre remnant of the previous regime. Be prepared that you may be the only visitor at the museum, but there is plenty of staff.

High Court Building. Until 2006, the Supreme Court of Myanmar was located at this complex. The building is listed on the Yangon City Heritage List.

Martyrs Mausoleum. Contains the tombs of Queen Suphayalat, wife of Burma’s last king; nationalist and writer Thakin Kodaw Hmaing; former UN Secretary-General U Thant; and Aung San Suu Kyi’s mother, Khin Kyi. In 1983, the structure was bombed by North Korean agents attempting to assassinate the visiting South Korean president, Chun Doo-hwan. He escaped, but 21 others were killed. The structure was completely rebuilt, and is now much less grand than the original.

Ministers' Building. It was the home and administrative seat of British Burma. In February 2012, 7 local companies and 3 foreign companies submitted a proposal to the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) to convert the Ministers' Building into a hotel and museum.

National Museum. Displays many Burmese historical artifacts, including regalia of the last Konbaung Dynasty. This museum has one of the better quality collections in South East Asia, containing the best of Burma's artistic heritage and superior craftsmanship. The architecture of the museum is a pathetic and crude interpretation of modern architecture. The exhibitions have been improved during 2016 and most exhibits have signs in both Burmese and English. Some rooms are dimly lit. Photography is prohibited. Do not buy books in the museum shop. Buy them at Innwa Bookstore with its varied selections, and other stores along Pansodan Rd.

Strand Hotel. The oldest and most famous hotel in Myanmar, built by the Sarkies brothers in 1901 (who also built Penang's E&O and Singapore's Raffles). It is a national landmark and was renovated in the 1990s after years of neglect.

There is an abandoned amusement attached to the zoo that has many overgrown rides, while entry is not permitted, many people do go in, and locals are used to tourists going in. While it is within shouting distance of the road and zoo, women should be aware of their personal safety. Millions of mosquitoes thrive here in the wet season and a number of aggressive wild dogs live here too.

Do

Dallah Ferry. To Dallah, a small village across the river from Yangon, an interesting ferry ride. The ride is brief, but filled with all the craziness of a Burmese ferry: you can buy freshly sliced watermelon, cheroots, cigarettes, tea, all kinds of interesting-looking food, various knick-knacks from the many vendors who pack the ferry. The ferry ride seems more like a floating market than a means of transportation. Combine the ride with a trip to Twante for a half- or full-day trip. There is a pagoda at Dallah worth a visit, but otherwise the village is not really a destination.

Market Tour and Cooking Demonstration. The cooking demonstration takes place upstairs in the hotel's Mindon Lounge where you will learn to prepare a traditional Burmese salad.

Cinemas – There are a number of cinemas that play new release English movies. remember to stand in silence for the national anthem.

Hlawga National Park. Big wildlife area along with mini zoo and elephant and safari rides.

Buy

Valuable and expensive woodcraft, gemstones, food ingredient, and souvenirs. Shopping is fun in Yangon for variety of things being available, unlike other crowded countries, foreigners can visit on certain times view things without distraction. Bargaining is expected, although tourists will be charged higher prices. Street vendors in the centre are not allowed to open their shops until 18:00, by government mandate.

Bespoke Clothing. Although not as well known as Bangkok or Hong Kong, Yangon is an excellent place to have a shirt tailored. 4-5 days should be sufficient for a shirt to be made.

Bogyoke Aung San Market. An excellent source for Burmese handicrafts, such as wood carvings or lacquerware. However some lacquerware are not made in the country but are sold in high prices.

Capital Hypermarket. Capital Hypermarket is a huge supermarket to shop freely with confidence for fresh vegetables, meat and rare ingredients. The top and only floor of the building has rare electronics, clothes for both adults and child with affordable prices, leather made clothes, shoes and bags. You can also find cheap Blu-ray Discs at the top floor near the televisions. The ground floor is full of restaurants, and on some days with discounts on furniture. Has an artist gallery on the second floor.

Chinatown. A wide selection of street vendors. Colonial coins, Chinese calendars, Chinese temples, tea shops, several markets and small running businesses.

Junction Square Shopping Centre. The main attraction is the cinema, crafty stationery with high-prices and various food restaurants which is on the top floor.

Market Place by Citymart. Good for food shopping.

Super One Supermarket. Super One is a department with many different items and foods by different brands from which you may not be able to find even in the biggest supermarket of Yangon.

Junction City, One of the famous shopping center in downtown area.

Money Unlike more popular currencies, there is no point in converting your money to the weak and rarely-stocked kyat prior to arriving in Myanmar.

Do not change at the first bank you see inside the security area.

If you need to change money outside business hours, especially on holidays and Sundays, only banks in the airport are open.

Every full moon day is a public holiday. Banks, money changers, some Chinese shops and all government offices will be closed.

There are more than 500 ATMs in Yangon, however not all may work. It may take awhile to find one working. The withdrawal limit is typically 300,000 kyat plus a processing fee of 5,000 kyat.

If you are given any damaged notes, nobody will accept it.

Eat

Yangon has seen an explosion of restaurants in the last ten years and a wide selection of international cuisines is available: French, Italian, Japanese, Thai and Korean. Local cuisine reflects the multi-ethnic nature of the city and the country. Along with Bamar food, there are a large number of Indian and Chinese restaurants as well as a few places specializing in ethnic Shan food. Fast food restaurants (usually with table service) serving burgers and pizza, and a few cafes complete the scene.

Biryani, a rice and meat dish with roots in the Mughal Empire, is a speciality and there are many biryani restaurants (dan-PAO-sain in Burmese) in the city centre, especially along Anawratha Rd. The three main competing restaurant chains (all halal, but vegetarian biryani is usually available) are Yuzana, KSS (Kyet Shar Soon), and Nilar.

Street Food: Anawratha Rd and Mahabandoola Rd are dotted with food stalls, but Yangon street ambiance is not conducive to al fresco eating. Betel-nut spitting pedestrians do not add to the ambience either. Myanmar street food is mostly deep fried, and often served in a puddle of oil. Dishes are washed at the roadside "dunk" style, without soap and without running water. The green tea is free but before drinking from the cups pour some tea, swill it, empty it on the street and then pour yourself the cup of tea. Alternatively, use the provided tissue at the table as the locals do. There are many buffet-style street stalls where you point at the food to order.

Street vendors sell samosas, onion balls, and other Indian snacks around Anawratha St between Sule Paya Rd and Shwe Bontha St in central Yangon for under 200 kyat. Many restaurants and food stalls close as early as 20:00 or 21:00. It is best go around 19:00.

999 Shan Noodle Shop. Tiny snack joint with very good noodle dishes. The staff will play harmless entertaining tricks on your table such as flipping the pepper bottle if you look friendly.

Aung Mingalar Shan Noodle Shop. A lively restaurant specializing in Shan cuisine.

Feel. A wide variety of Burmese curry dishes displayed in the back. Salads and fries.

Golden City Chetti. Offers Indian food at very reasonable prices and free top-ups on the veg thali.

Kyet Shar Soon Biriani. Established in 1947, offers a dish of halal Burmese-accented biryani.

Hla Myanmar. This is just a simple restaurant, but a good one for those on a budget. They specialise in Bamar (Burmese) curries, so this is a good opportunity to eat like the locals. You can just point at the curry you want and take a seat on one of the chairs. It is difficult to find, so ask the locals for directions. It is well-known among locals, because the famous actor Shwe Ba used to have his house in the area, and the restaurant is sometimes named after him.

New Delhi. Better and cheaper than Golden City. Small Indian place, well known to the locals and tourists. Great taste and value.

Nilar Biryani. A venerable, old Biryani restaurant serving chicken, mutton and vegetable biryani. Fast, delicious and cheap.

Shwe Pu Zun. Ice cream and dessert shop known for its faluda a dessert of rose syrup, sweet basil, string of jelly, pure milk, ice-cream and warm custard.

Soe Pyi Swar. Vegetarian restaurant. Run by a delightful old couple and serving both vegetable and mock meat dishes. A few doors north on the same block is another veggie restaurant marked only by Chinese characters.

YKKO. A well-established restaurant that is known for its kyae-oh, a Chinese type of noodle soup. With white noodles, minced pork, pig body parts such as pork brains, fresh water cress, it is then mixed with spicy red sauce in the bowl and eaten with a porcelain spoon.

Barbecue food stalls. This road becomes busy between 18:00-19:00 when plenty of food stalls open. Choose your fish, meat or veggies to be barbecued on the spot.

50th Street. The only stand-alone Western-style cafe, restaurant and bar in Yangon. Amazing architecture and ambiance. Free Wi-Fi, multiple sport TVs, pool table, and dart board.

Kaisu kitchen, (on Mahabandula Road, between 11th Street and Hledan Street, diagonally across from Lotteria) serving western style fried chicken, burgers and Singapore style food- 2500Kyat. better than Lotteria, cheaper than KFC, has Wifi.

Karaweik Buffet Restaurant. A buffet restaurant inside the Karaweik, offers a wide selection of Asian dishes, and a 1-hr cultural show from 19:30 to 20:30.

Sabai Sabai. The best Thai restaurant in town. Expect to pay about 7,000 kyat/person for drinks, soup, starter, and main. Most main dishes are around 4,000 kyat. This clean and atmospheric place is a favourite among expats and business people. Closed between lunch and dinner time (15:00-17:00). Closes at 21:00. Most taxi drivers know of the place. It's in an area with plenty of other mid-range restaurants.

Monsoon. Burmese, Lao, and Thai cuisine. Restaurant and bar. Great ambiance and comfortable air conditioned surroundings with free Wi-Fi.

L'Opera. A fine Italian restaurant in Yangon.

Le Planteur Restaurant and Bar. One of the best restaurants of Myanmar. It specialises in fine French cuisine with an Asian touch. The location of the restaurant (a former Australian Embassy) is spectacular and the service is impeccable.

Signature Garden Restaurant. A fine dining restaurant.

Strand Hotel. Yangon's luxury colonial hotel, founded by the legendary Sarkies brothers in 1901, who also founded Penang's Eastern and Oriental Hotel and Singapore's Raffles Hotel. An interesting experience is to have an elegant high tea. Served in the restaurant of one of the classic examples of the colonial hotel in SE Asia. One can choose from either Burmese or English afternoon tea. The English variety includes delicate sandwiches, scones, tiny cakes, and tarts, while the Burmese afternoon tea has small spring rolls and samosas, and traditional Burmese sweets.

Drink

Expect to get a lot of attention when going to the local bars, since theses places are not frequented by foreigners. Drinking is not culturally acceptable for women in Burma, so don't expect to pick up any girls except in nightclubs and Western-style venues, local bars are places where men meet to talk and chew betel nut (very popular in Myanmar).

In stark contrast to local bars are the trendy cocktail bars and nightclubs that are springing up in the more modern areas of town, this is where you will find the expatiates and wealthy Westernized locals. Drinks are expensive and the DJs are unreliable- but expect a more or less Western experience, girls drink, most venues are LGBT friendly and all "the people" are there.

Bars Asia (A5IA), nicely decorated, across from Ko San Ko San Double Happiness Bar, cheap and friendly on 19th Street Port Autonomy, very trendy and in a new location, but expensive by Yangon standards

7 Joint Bar. One of the first bars in the city and still popular.

Nightclubs Nightclubs in Yangon are not world famous and the music is often variable. Many upmarket discos and nightclubs can get quite lively, with locals eager to socialise with foreigners.

Fuse nightclub Pioneer nightclub, mostly rich local kids but has reliable DJs, always popular. Go with four people and buy an 80k package that includes a liter of vodka. Security is tight. Level 2 nightclub, probably has the best DJs in the city, frequent events. Attached to the trendy Alchemy Bar. Pyrite, has a gay night (under repair as of 7 July 2019 but will re-open soon) Crush Bar in the north of the city Safehouse

Sleep

The government requires all foreigners to register their passports at hotels. It is illegal to stay in a private residence without registering with the local Township authorities.

With the near-total collapse of tourist demand following the 2021 coup and subsequent civil war, accommodation in Yangon is now very cheap compared to the likes of Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City. Many international chains have pulled out of the Myanmar market, leaving their properties to either rebrand or cease operations altogether. Some of Yangon's largest and most luxurious hotels have been shuttered indefinitely, including the Pullman Centrepoint and Sule Shangri-La. Even the legendary Strand is only open for food and beverage, not accommodation, as of March 2025.

Rooms are abundant except at the height of the tourist season (Dec-Jan), and then only in the popular backpacker hotels. Reservations are almost never necessary. Credit cards are increasingly accepted at hotels.

Budget hotels are mostly away from city centre. The upside is that the hotels are quieter, the city centre can be quite noisy, and you get a little more room for your money. You'll need a taxi to get to the main sight, the Shwedagon Pagoda anyway. The downside is that most restaurants are in the city centre, a long walk or taxi ride away and choices outside the centre are limited, usually with the only choice being a restaurant attached to the hotel with indifferent cuisine and which may be closed if business is slow. Pazundaung and Botataung Townships seem to have the highest concentration of budget hotels. Some rooms, the cheaper ones, in many budget hotels have no windows. There are a few budget central hotels but, except for a couple, are quite shabby.

Mid-priced hotels are scattered about the city, with one set concentrated in the few blocks around Sule Pagoda and a second set just north of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Luxury hotels are concentrated around Kandawgyi Lake or city centre.

In a budget hotel, expect a banana, an egg, some bread and coffee made from "coffee mix" (a pre-packaged mix of coffee powder, milk powder and lots of sugar).

An important factor in choosing a hotel is electricity. Electricity supply is subject to frequent breaks anywhere in the city. Mid-priced hotels usually have their own generators while budget hotels either do not or have a limited supply: lights will work till 23:00, fans may or may not work, air conditioning never does even if fitted in the room unless state-supplied electricity is available. Ask when you book what the electricity situation is and, if there is no generator, what you can expect on the days that you are there.

Aung Si Guesthouse. Clean rooms with air-con, free Wi-Fi, hot water and electricity available 24 hr. Helpful staff can arrange onward transport and hotel bookings.

Beautyland Hotel II. Friendly and helpful staff in a central location. They have a range of rooms: non-air-con, air-con with TV, air-con with TV & window. Breakfast included.

Garden Guest House. Worth it if your budget is tight and you're not fussy about decor. Breakfast is included but is very basic: four slices of bread, no toast, butter and jam, tea or coffee.

Hostel9. 10 bed dorm. with free breakfast.

Hotel Everest. The place is not beautiful, but the staff are very friendly. Acceptable for a cheap stay providing you are not a diva and can handle some shabby walls.

May Fair Inn. Good central location. Dated rooms but clean bathrooms. The owner is a bit wacky but her daughter is full of useful information. No breakfast.

Motherland Inn 2. Prices have gone up significantly. Expensive for a guesthouse but still a popular backpacker's place with private and shared baths, and on-site restaurant. They offer free pickup and drop-off from the airport with an early morning breakfast. A long walk or short taxi journey from the city centre. Seems past its prime, and the low ceiling rooms are sometimes without windows. Internet is 1,000 kyat/hr. A cheaper option is the Internet cafe opposite.

Ocean Pearl Inn. All rooms have baths, air conditioning, and hot water. 15 minute walk to the city centre.

Sunflower Hotel. Set on the busy intersection of Anawratha Rd and Shwe Bontha St, a few minutes walk from Sule Pagoda and the railway station, the hotel has a great location, but can be noisy. Cheaper rooms have no windows and a damp mustiness about them, and others are large and roomy with air conditioning and satellite TV. Tasty breakfast included, but some of the reception staff can be surly.

The Lodge Yangon hostel. Commercial style hostel, free breakfast, free WiFi, good air conditioning and small rooftop bar.

Three Seasons Hotel. Rooms with shared and private bath. Friendly Indian owners and a good place to stay if you plan on spending a few days in Yangon and need a place to call home. Closer to the centre than Motherland Inn 2, but still a bit of a long walk.

20th Street Hostel. Free breakfast. Free Wi-Fi.

White House Hotel. An 8-storey walk-up backpacker's hotel. The place has a lot of character. Run by a very friendly and helpful family. Penthouse dining area offers amazing views of the city. Reception area finished in a mosaic of different marbles all over, floor, walls, and ceilings. You feel like you're somewhere in Spain in some sort of Gaudi-inspired cave-like room. 24 hour electricity. Some rooms have windows, some not, some have private bath, some shared bath. Provides a great city map with local bus numbers and routes. It compensates for the lack of windows, TV, Internet, air-con and private bath. Free Wi-Fi.

Alfa Hotel. Building is dated, but the staff are helpful and the breakfast is adequate. Wi-Fi reasonably fast. A pleasant bubble tea shop and other small shops are just east on Nawaday St.

Central Hotel. This well-located hotel provides near-luxury facilities at mid-range prices. Rooms are clean and big (don't expect a view) with satellite TV and air conditioning. The rooms are spacious, but a little old. The hotel has room service and a popular coffee shop and Chinese restaurant. 24 hour electricity. This hotel is owned by the government (Yangon City) and an army colonel.

City Hotel Yangon. Five min walk from Sule Pagoda and around the corner from the Strand, this well-located hotel caters to business travellers. A small, but good restaurant is on the premises, the hotel is centrally air conditioned, and all rooms have satellite TV. (good, but inexperienced service is second to none).

City Star Hotel. Clean, well kept, and comfortable rooms with TV, minibar, free coffee. 24-hour electricity.

Classique Inn. A small boutique hotel with well-furnished rooms in the quiet area north of the Shwedagon Pagoda. In the embassy district (about 2 km from Shwe Dagon Pagoda) just a few doors down from Bahrain embassy. It is a cute, small, quiet hotel made with teak and decorated with traditional Burmese lacquer ware. Only a couple of minutes away lies Bogalay Mohenga shop which sells great mohinga (perfect for breakfast).

Clover Hotel. With over 40 rooms, the hotel is equipped with basic amenities like hot water, 24 hr electricity and air conditioning. Wifi is reasonably fast. The cafe on the rooftop has a great view of the Shwedagon Pagoda.

East Hotel. Rooms are clean, air conditioned, with hot and cold shower. Bath has no door, only a shower curtain and a wall to block off the toilet area. Free Wi-Fi and 24 hr electricity. The staff are friendly and speak English.

May Shan Hotel. Clean, well-kept, but small rooms right outside the Sule Pagoda. Has its own generator, and the staff are friendly. All rooms have air-con, satellite TV, bath attached with hot and cold shower. A bit run-down.

Panda Hotel. Comfortable, if faceless, modern business hotel located at the edge of the city centre. You will need a taxi to get around (easily available in front of the hotel). Wi-Fi available in the lobby. Offers great views of the city, especially from the upper floors. All rooms have satellite TV, air conditioning and attached baths. Is very popular.

Hotel G Yangon. Clean and central, but basic. The first international hotel in Yangon, and good value for money.

Winner Inn. Close to the Shwedagon Pagoda, a quiet hotel favoured by German tourists. All rooms with attached bath, air-conditioning and satellite TV. Restaurant on the premises but, if it is not open, it is a bit of a walk to the nearest restaurants near the Savoy. Free Wi-Fi.

Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon. 300-room hotel with outdoor swimming pool, business center, fitness center, meeting rooms and 3 restaurants (Kohaku Japanese Restaurant, open 11:00-22:30; Emporia Restaurant, which the hotel describes as serving Asian, Thai & continental dishes together with an international buffet dinners, open 06:00-22:30; and Tiger Hill Restaurant, which serves an à la carte dim sum menu and Chinese dinner buffet, open 11:00-22:30).

Governor's Residence. A renovated teak mansion, formerly a guesthouse for Kachin State officials, in one of Yangon's most exclusive neighbourhoods. The hotel has 48 rooms and pleasant gardens, with a swimming pool and two excellent restaurants on the premises.

Inya Lake Hotel. On the shore of Inya Lake, a 30-minute drive from the city centre, depending on traffic. Given as a gift to Myanmar by Nikita Khruschev in 1958 this hotel has plenty of Soviet-inspired style. Known locally for their Sunday brunches and nice pool. Very quiet, next to SOS Clinic.

Pan Pacific Yangon. Sharp-looking glass skyscraper with restaurant/bar, a/c, wifi, pool, hot tub, gym, and spa. Downtown location close to Bogyoke Aung San Market.

Parkroyal Yangon. A good quality hotel with 272 rooms. La Brasserie Restaurant, Phoenix Court Chinese Restaurant, Shiki-Tei Japanese Restaurant, and the Lobby Bar. The well-known disco Music Club is in the basement.

Pullman Yangon Centrepoint. Pullman chain highrise hotel with many rooms that have a view of the Yangon River or Mahabandula Park or possibly even the Sule Pagoda. Has a pool, spa, gym, a/c, wifi, restaurant, and bar. Located one block south of Sule Pagoda.

Sedona Hotel. Burmese architecture. 366 rooms.

The Strand. A deluxe colonial hotel built by the Sarkies Brothers (who also built Penang's E&O Singapore's famed Raffles Hotel) in 1901. Meticulously restored, the Strand has huge airy rooms with vintage fittings, teak flooring, and furniture, a cafe and bar.

Sule Shangri-La. Pool, spa, gym, restaurant/bar, a/c, wifi. Breakfast buffet. Classy old world charm in building with Asian architectural style. Close to Sule Pagoda and Bogyoke Aung San Market.

Summit Parkview Hotel. Just west of Shwedagon Pagoda and with excellent views of that pagoda. Good restaurant and bar.

Yuzana Garden Hotel. 37 rooms in a renovated colonial building.