Are you planning on backpacking Myanmar? Unless your plan is to cross the land border from northern Thailand, you will more likely fly into Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, and the center of economic activity.
Yangon was the first stop of our one month trip around Myanmar, and although I braced myself for the chaos, the city was much more chaotic than I had imagined. That said, Yangon is definitely the perfect start of a trip to Myanmar.
Click on a section in the list to jump down the page.
- First Impressions
- The Best Things To Do In Yangon
- Our day by day itinerary
- How to get to downtown from the airport
- Essential Travel Tips
First Impressions
As soon as we arrived in Yangon, I knew that I was about to have a whole new travel experience. Unlike other Asian cities, motorbikes are banned in Yangon, but that doesn’t mean the roads are smooth. Traffic is quite heavy and the drivers don’t follow traffic rules – Speaking of traffic rules, in Myanmar drivers have a right-hand steering wheel and drive on the right-hand side of the road, so I let you imagine how confusing and unsafe this is!
In the city center, streets are lined with decrepit colonial buildings and covered by a tangled mess of overhead cables. The city is hectic, dirty, and smelly, but in the middle of this chaos, there is one thing that really stood out for me – The easy smiling people.
After spending two full days exploring the city, I thought I’d put together a post on what to see, where to eat, and how to make the most of your visit. Below, you will find all the highlights, places, and other things you should do. This post is also full of tips and advice that will help you have the best experience.
Now, let’s get started with my guide to the best things to do in Yangon.
The Best Things To Do In Yangon
The Colonial Buildings
Get your walking shoes on and go for a stroll through the streets of Yangon’s city center. Yangon has the distinction of having the largest number of colonial buildings in all Southeast Asia. They may look tired and run-down but that’s what gives Yangon its unique identity.
Yangon Circular Train
This train is an adventure on its own. Not only people but chicken, goods, and vegetables are transported on this train. Also, many vendors get on the train to sell snacks, fruits, and drinks. It was definitely one of the most authentic and fascinating experiences I have been on.
The train covers a distance of 31 miles (50 km) and has 39 stops. The whole circuit is 3 hours but you can get off and explore.
Departure: Yangon Central Station – Platform 7
Ticket cost: MMK 200 (~$0.15)
Shwedagon Pagoda
A visit to Yangon and a trip to Myanmar are not complete without seeing the unique Shwedagon Pagoda, most iconic pagoda and one of the country’s most sacred spot. This 326-foot-tall Pagoda is located on Singuttara hills, a few miles away from downtown. This place is huge and contains many temples and about 71 other pagodas.
We’ve visited the Shewadgon Pagoda just before sunset and stayed there until it got dark. To end your day on a magical note, I suggest you do the same.
Transport: A taxi ride from downtown takes about 15 minutes. It should not cost more than K2500 (~ $1.5)
Dress code: Barefoot, shoulders, and knees need to be covered.
Entrance fee: K10200 (~ $7)
Open hours: from 4 am to 10 pm
Maha Bandula Park And The Independence Monument
As soon as you get in the park, the first thing you will notice is the Independence Monument. The park is a green space within the city where locals like to hang out. Just lie around on the grass or walk through the park. Maha Bandula Park is also a great place to visit at sunset when temperatures are cooler and the sky wonderful.
Sule Pagoda
The Sule Pagoda is easily accessible by walk. It’s located in the city center near Maha Bandula Park and right in the middle of an intersection. The pagoda is 2500 years old and one of the most significant landmarks in Yangon. There is nothing extravagant to see inside, so choosing to visit the inside is really up to you.
Tip: If you choose to go inside the pagoda, visit the Sule Pagoda before visiting the Shwedagon Pagoda. Also, be aware, there are women that will try to sell you flowers and a group of men at the entrance who introduce themselves as tourism students who offer a free guided tour. Don’t accept their offer, as they are likely to scam you.
Dress code: Barefoot, shoulders, and knees need to be covered.
Entrance fee: MMK4000 ( ~ $3)
Open hours: from 4 am to 10 pm
China Town
Let’s be honest here, China Town is dirty, with trash everywhere, funky smells, and rats crawling around the stalls, but a stroll through China Town is one of those important things to do in Yangon. China town is located in Yangon’s downtown starting on the 24th street and ending on the18th. The 19th street is the main street of China town and is famous for its food stalls. Brace yourself for an experience like no other.
San Paya Fish Market
Not everyone will have the courage to wake up at 4 am to visit a wholesale market but Yangon is not a relaxing vacation destination, right? So get your smile ready and go to meet the fishermen. Don’t be surprised if you see kids and teenagers playing and running around in big puddles of water. Life starts early here. The fish smells will probably get stuck in your nose, and you may also wonder what you are doing there, but seeing all those people working together in harmony is an experience you will not forget. Life does not get any more real than this.
Remember you are visiting a fish market! Don’t wear flip flop. Non-slippery waterproof footwear is recommended. And yes, your footwear will smell.
Combine your visit to San Paya fish market with the Banana wholesale market. Ask your taxi driver to drop you off at one of them. They are located close to the wholesale fish market.
Amber Museum
Did you know that Burmese amber is considered one of the most interesting sources of fossils? There is a small museum owned by an American living in Yangon. You can also find a variety of amber jewelry that can be purchased. We find this museum by chance while we were wandering the streets of Yangon and it turned out to be an enriching and welcoming place to visit. The museum is located inside a bookshop and is open every day.
Entrance fee: free
Open hours: from 10 am to 5 pm
Address: 136, 37th Street, Yangon
Inya Lake And The Gate Of Aung San Suu Kyi house
Inya Lake is the largest lake in Yangon. You can spot it on your way from the airport to downtown. It’s a popular place where locals like to hang out, especially young couples. Grab a drink and enjoy the view from one of the open-air cafes. San Suu Kyi house is located just behind Inya lake. Unfortunately, the house is encircled by a high fence. You can see the gate only.
Over 2 days in Yangon?
These are other popular places to visit:
Bogyoke Aung San Market: Also known as Scott Market, is a huge bazaar located in central Yangon. it’s known for its colonial architecture and is popular with tourists looking for souvenirs.
Kandawgyi Lake: Also called as Royal Lake, is an artificial lake channeled from Inya Lake. It was created by the British to supply clean water to the city. Today is one of the major tourist attractions in Yangon.
Tooth Relic Pagoda: If you have the time and enjoy visiting pagodas, Tooth Relic Pagoda is another spiritual place that is not part of the itinerary many tourists follow.
If you are a fast-paced traveler, these attractions can fit into your two days itinerary.
Our day by day itinerary
Below we go through our two days itinerary, to help make your trip planning a little easier, and to make sure you don’t miss out.
Arrival Day
Once we drooped off our luggage at the hotel, we headed for a drink at the Golden Tea Cafe & Food Center. It’s a small yet busy restaurant with seating on the front sidewalk that attracts mainly locals. That was the perfect place to immerse ourselves in the local culture. I ordered a Burmese tea but the food was so tempting that I ended up ordering a Naan Flatbread with Pe Byouk that actually did not disappoint. Oh, this one is very cheap!
After topping up our energy level, we headed to Maha Bandula Park. We just pulled up on a patch of grass, indulged some people watching, and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. At 5:30 pm, the bell began to ring out; it was time to leave. The park closes at dusk.
Golden Tea Cafe & Food Center: Bo Soon Pat Street. Yangon.
Day 1
On the first full day, we started our visit at the Sule Pagoda. We got up early to avoid the heat. The ground can be burning hot for the tenderfoot. After a quick and easy visit, we headed toward Yangon central station, bought our tickets, and got on the circular train. Less than one hour later we decided to get off at Kyun Chan to explore and have lunch at Shwe Kaung Hot Pot, a popular restaurant in Yangon. Since we were quite lazy to walk back to the railway station, we took a taxi to go back to the city center.
Back to downtown, we spent the rest of the afternoon meandering the streets of Yangon and taking a few shots. We visited the Amber Museum and explored China town. We ended our sightseeing day with some nice quiches and pastries at the Parisian Cake and coffee.
Shwe Kaung Hot Pot: 56, Nar Nat Taw St, Yangon. (This one is quite expensive)
Parisian Cake and coffee: 132, Sule Pagoda Rd. (Best bakery in Yangon)
Day 2
The first stop of day two was San Paya fish market and the Banana wholesale market. For this visit, we woke up before sunrise as there is no much to see after 7 am. After wandering around these two markets, we headed back to the hotel, took a shower and breakfast, and had some rest.
In the afternoon, we took a taxi to Inya Lake, it’s a nice place to rest and switch off from the hustle and bustle of the city. We just had a drink there after a walk along the lake.
After all this sightseeing, it was finally time to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda. We like to save the best for last, and we were sure that there’s no better way to finish off our time in Yangon than visiting its most famous landmark. We jumped in a taxi one and a half hour before sunset and headed to Shwedagon Pagoda. As soon as we got in, we were absolutely wowed by the beauty and uniqueness of this place. The colors were wonderful as the sunset bathed the whole temple in the most magical golden light.
How to get to downtown from the airport
To get to downtown from the airport, we took the shuttle bus which runs every 10 minutes. The buses park just outside International Departures. When you leave the airport building, just cross, walk to the left and you will notice 1 or 2 buses parked by the road. The bus is air-conditioned and has comfy seats. It takes about 45 minutes from the airport to downtown, depending on the traffic. A ticket costs MMK 500 (~$0.3) Ask for 500 notes when exchanging the money at the airport as no change will be given back.
Essential Travel Tips
▪ While hotel receptionists can speak some English, many workers at shops in downtown don’t. Be patient and don’t hesitate to use body language.
▪ Use Grab app to book rides, it’s reliable and cheaper than a taxi. If you hail a taxi on the street, always agree on the price first, often the meter will not be used.
▪ Don’t buy fruits that have been peeled or sliced. They are exposed to strong sun. Don’t drink fruit shakes even if it’s tempting. I can tell you from my own experience that you can get sick.
▪ Finding western food or modern settings in Yangon can be challenging. If you eat street food always eat where locals eat.
▪ Don’t let the scammers get to you. Be extremely wary of accepting anything for free.
▪ Myanmar is a conservative country. Pack modest clothes that will cover your shoulders and knees.
And that’s it for my two day Yangon Itinerary post! I hope you have an amazing trip. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments section.
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