Yangon travel guide

Overview

Yangon is Myanmar's largest city, and its economic and cultural centre of Myanmar. The city was occupied by the British in 1852 when it became the centre of the Burmese Raj. The resulting influx of traders, diplomats and wealth transformed the city into a thriving regional hub. The legacy of this time is evident in the decaying though stately colonial buildings found along the Rangoon River and toward the centre of town. The city has myriad tourist attractions, most notably the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, which justifies a visit to the city all by itself and is the country's most beloved landmark. There are also markets to explore, and Yangon is a glorious city to trawl for jewels.

Yangon is hot and humid, especially at midday when most of the population takes refuge indoors or in the shade of a temple or banyan tree. It is a noisy and chaotic place too, with congested traffic, orange robed monks, neon signs and golden temple spires clashing in a visual landscape of uniquely Asian contradictions. Yangon is also considered one of Asia's safest big cities as far as travellers are concerned, meaning that the bustling chaos can be explored with little fear of crime.

Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda is Myanmar's most famous sight, an iconic landmark that stands as a highlight for any visitor to the region. The stupa is covered in gold plates weighing an estimated 52 metric tons and topped with a 76 carat diamond, as well as being covered by many other jewels. The temple was built between the 6th and 10th centuries, although the site atop Singuttara Hill has been considered holy for over 2,500 years.

Also known as the Golden Temple, Shwedagon is the most sacred site for Burmese Buddhists, and is a daily focus for worship. Relics of the Buddha are said to be housed in the stupa, along with many other historical artefacts and great treasures. There are stairways at the north, south, east, and west and you can ascend using any of these, or the elevator if you want to skip the climb. The southern entrance is the most used because it rises out of the city; and the eastern stairway, although damaged by the British long ago, is popular because it leads down to the bazaars, making it a good exit point for prospective shoppers.

Shwedagon is a place of worship, prayer and meditation, and it is important to act with respect and keep noise levels down. Dress conservatively, with long pants and sleeves, and remove your shoes when entering the complex. Be discreet when using your camera. Sunset and sunrise are the most powerful times to visit the stupa.

Address: Singuttara Hill

Shwedagon Pagoda Dwstein

Lake Inle

Inle Lake, located at the base of steep green hills, is remarkable because of its inhabitants. Around 70 000 of people live around and on the lake. Whole villages rest on stilts surrounded by water, rather like a bamboo and teak Venice, where men steer rowing boats through water roads. The men have adapted a unique way to row, wrapping one leg around an oar and standing with the other, which frees their hands to fish at the same time.

Tourists can hire a boat and guide to lead them through floating markets and workshops making silks, cigars (cheroots), and jewellery. An impressive wooden temple on the water is also open to visitors; bizarrely, the monks at the temple are famous for having trained cats to jump through hoops and perform tricks.

Visitors first arrive in the town of Nyaugshwe to a host of riverside guesthouses and restaurants. Boat hire can be done through hotels or independently at the town's river. Expensive hotels on the lake can be booked in advance but more rustic accommodation can usually be found without pre-planning. Depending on the season the town can flood, making the concept of living on water a little more practical than it first seemed.

Lake Inle, Myanmar Clay Gilliland

Bogyoke Aung San Market

The Bogyoke Aung San Market is a perfect place for tourists to start their visit to Myanmar, not only because it is the best place in town to convert foreign currency, but becuase it gives an idea of what the country has in store.

The official exchange rates of the Myanmar kyat is kept artificially strong by the government set rates. This has created a large black market trade in the currency at a much better price for tourists. The best place to change currency is in the central jewellery section of the market; most of the shops provide the service and money exchanging hawkers line the area waiting for tourists. To maximize the rates it is best to ask several different vendors and bargain hard. Be careful to count your money and do the exchange math yourself. Exchanging currency on the black market is risky, but many travellers go this route.

Once you have converted money the market is a great place to buy crafts, art work, jewellery or antiques. Popular souvenirs include Burmese cigars, and old Burmese currency, some of which was issued in the curious but numerologically auspicious denominations of 35, 70 and 90 kyat notes. Bogyoke Aung San Market is open daily from about 9am to 5pm and is centrally located in downtown Yangon. Locals will be happy to direct you if you get lost.

Address: East D, Bogyoke AungSan Market, 11141, Pabedan, Township

Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10.30pm-5pm, closed Mondays.

Bogyoke Aung San Market Werner Bayer

Yangon International Airport

Location: The airport is situated 10 miles (16km) outside of Yangon.

Time: Local time is GMT +6.5.

Getting to the city: Taxis are available at the airport.

Car Rental: Car Rental counters are located at the arrival hall of each terminal. Europcar is the only airport sponsered car rental company.

Airport Taxis: Taxi counters are situated at the arrival halls of each terminal.

Fascilities: There are many restaurants and bars available, from high end institutions to fast food. Yagon Airport also contain many clothing stores, duty free, ATMs, smoking lounges, and news stores.

Parking Parking is situated opposite Terminal 2. Parking is free of charge. No overnight parking is allowed.

Website: www.yangonairport.aero.

The shining jewel of Yangon's many attractions is Schwedagon Pagoda, the golden temple visible throughout the city and an iconic sight emblematic of the country and its strong Buddhist influence. Other major attractions include the 2,200-year-old Sule Pagoda, Little India and Chinatown, and the vibrant night markets including Bogyoke Aung San Market, which is also arguably the best place to change money. Inle Lake is lined with gardens and luxurious villas, providing a cooling distraction at sunset, when locals and visitors can enjoy the views. Other popular attractions in Yangon include the Taukkyan War Cemetery, a beautifully maintained graveyard and memorial to those who died fighting the Japanese is World War II, the Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue and Old Jewish Cemetery, and the Kyaikto, or Golden Rock, which is a glorious landmark.

The city has seen a big increase in tourists recently, and infrastructure is improving to accommodate visitors, but one hopes Yangon won't lose its charm and off-the-beaten track appeal as it becomes more popular. It is a safe and exciting city to explore, though it still retains its off-beaten-track appeal.

Bagan

Bagan is an ancient city dating back to the 9th century that was home to the first kingdom of a unified Myanmar. A seemingly impossible collection of thousands of temples and monuments scattered over a vast plain, the buildings range in condition from ruined to resplendent, although many retain the power and majesty their devout designers intended. Most of the structures were built between the 11th and 12th centuries, when Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire. Regrettably, many temples have suffered under the government's poor attempts at restoration, but others have been well-preserved by organisations like UNESCO.

The temples can best be viewed via bicycle which allows for independent exploration as bike trails link all the temples. This attraction still feels relatively undiscovered and allows visitors to fell that they are the only ones exploring a temple. Each is thoroughly unique so one can spend days exploring and remain enthralled. Sunset is prime time in Bagan as locals and visitors alike head for the highest temples to enjoy the magnificent sunsets over the stupa-dotted plain. Another popular way of seeing the temples is from the air, in a hot air balloon.

Address: Bagan is located 90 miles (145km) southwest of Mandalay. The temples are situated within the Bagan Archaeological Zone

The temples of Bagan Lisa de Araujo

Ngwe Saung

This beautiful 10-mile (15km) palm-lined beach is almost free of tourists. A small touristy village has materialised on the beach's parallel road, with craft stalls selling cheap trinkets and delicious seafood. At low tide a small island appears which you can walk to and around.

Package tours can arrange transport and hotel, but the beach is easy to get to from Yangon without pre-arrangement. The bus station next to Yangon's train station sells tickets for the five to six hour ride to the lovely coast. However, passengers should be wary of being passed off to smaller buses and charged again. Ngwe Saung is not yet thronged by the crowds of tourists it deserves, and those who like their beaches remote and pristine will love this coastline. It is a popular excursion from Yangon, and many choose to stay one or two nights to enjoy the lovely beaches.

Palm Beach Hotel, Ngwe Saung Juan de Dios Santander Vela

Mandalay

Mandalay is Myanmar's second-largest city and the former royal capital of the Burmese kingdom. A good place to start a visit is to hike up the 780-foot (240m) stairwell to the top of Mandalay Hill, a holy site with an ornately decorated temple with a Buddha statue overlooking the former capital city and far-reaching flatlands. Dominating the city's centre are the 150 year-old palace grounds of King Mindon and King Thibaw, with an adjacent temple and surrounding moat. For local travellers the Mahamuni Buddha is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists in Myanmar.

Aside from sightseeing, shopping is Mandalay's major pastime. A jewel market, where visitors can watch craftsmen shape gems, is worth a visit. Crafts such as monk's umbrellas, gold leaf, ornate furniture, and lacquer-ware are made and sold within the city. Motorbike taxis are avalible, as are trishaws which are traditionally used in rural Myanmar.