Yangon in Myanmar would have a distinctive allure for the visitor with a special ambiance quite unlike that of any other city. Here, you would have the opportunity to experience diverse sightseeing attractions, shopping options, delectable dishes, and the unique local culture. In Yangon, you could enjoy distinctive experiences like exploring lively markets, relishing barbeque and beer in Chinatown, riding a local train, and visiting sacred temples. You could easily spend an extended period experiencing all that this city has to offer.
The optimal time to visit
As Yangon would experience a warm tropical climate the year round it would be quite possible to visit it at any time of the year. However, similarly to many other Southeast Asian cities, it would experience distinct dry and rainy seasons.
For the finest weather, the period of choice to visit Yangon would be the duration from November through February. At this time, the dry season would be in progress and the weather should be optimal, making it a popular time to visit Myanmar. On the other hand, you may also consider visiting in March or April, when the weather would still be dry; however, this would be the warmest period of the year, meaning that visitors from cooler regions could be somewhat unaccustomed to the weather conditions.
Finally, you may also consider visiting Yangon in the time of the rainy season which would extend from May through October. At this time, the monsoons would bring rain, which would mean that it could be slightly more difficult to experience attractions though there will be periods with clearer skies, ideal for some exploring. Additionally, this would be the low season for tourism, meaning that you would encounter fewer fellow tourists, while accommodation rates would be less too.
How to get about
There would be several useful options for getting about the city. Firstly, it would be feasible to get around the downtown locality on foot as the distances would not be excessive. You may also rent a bicycle for pedal-powered and eco-friendly adventures.
Since Yangon’s public transportation systems would be rather rudimentary and challenging for foreign visitors, many tourists would use taxis to get around the city. You will find that it would be simple and convenient to travel by taxi, as they could be easily obtained and fares should be reasonable. However, you should keep in mind that local taxis would not be metered, meaning that it would be necessary to negotiate a price before setting off on your journey. Meanwhile, the Grab app for ride-hailing – in addition to a number of similar local services – would be available for foreign visitors.
There would also be a bus system in Yangon that many locals use to get about. Keep in mind though, using this mode of transport could be difficult for foreigners as many of the vehicles would be older, whilst displaying the numbers of routes in the local script. However, there would also be more comfortable air-conditioned buses with the routes being displayed in English.
Finally, you could also mingle with the locals and experience the local way of life by riding the Yangon circular railway which would take you along an extensive loop.
Things to do
There would be a host of interesting things to do and places to visit in Yangon that would appeal to the discerning visitor. Some of these outstanding attractions are described below.
Shwedagon Pagoda
Taking pride of place in the city would be the famed Shwedagon Pagoda which may be regarded as Myanmar’s most venerated Buddhist pagoda and the most popular attraction in Yangon. According to tradition, this pagoda is believed to house the relics of several Buddhas.
You will see that Shwedagon Pagoda presents an impressive sight for the visitor, measuring 99 m in height and boasting a striking appearance. Visitors will notice that the entirety of this stupa happens to be coated with gold plating; interestingly, much of this gold has been donated by the monarchs and people of Myanmar over centuries.
Whilst the immense golden stupa would be the centrepiece of the complex, you will see that it also features several other monuments, shrines and structures. Accordingly, you could very well spend a couple of hours or more exploring the Shwedagon Pagoda compound.
Chaukhtatgyi Paya Temple
The splendid Chaukhtatgyi Paya or Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple would be another noteworthy religious attraction in Yangon. The focus of interest here would be the colossal 66 m statue of the reclining Buddha you would encounter. This huge statue is sure to be an arresting sight, featuring vivid colours and rich detailing that would make a strong impression on the observer. You will see that the face of the statue stands around 16 m above the level of the ground, while another interesting feature of this statue would be the soles of the feet which depict the Buddha’s noble characteristics.
It would also be a pleasant experience to take a leisurely stroll through the grounds of this temple, enjoying the aromas of fresh flowers and incense. You would see monks from neighboring monasteries engaging in religious activities as well.
Yangon Circular Railway
Whilst the city of Yangon wouldn’t feature a metro network, it would offer the circular railway which would provide an engrossing experience for visitors. You will see that this rail service links Yangon with the nearby suburban localities and satellite towns. The locals would use this service for their daily commute, while for tourists, it would be an absorbing and enjoyable sightseeing experience.
Riding the circular railway would be a marvelous way for one to gain an authentic glimpse into the way of life of the people of the city. On your journey, you could observe the daily activities of the local people and would also encounter vendors selling snacks and buskers providing entertainment. Keep in mind that one complete loop of the railway would take around three hours to complete.
Bogyoke Aung San Market
An attraction of a rather different kind would be the vibrant Bogyoke Aung San Market which is sure to draw the interest of the shopping enthusiast. This sizable covered market would feature more than 2,000 individual shops offering an interesting collection of merchandise. The locals often arrive at this market to shop for goods like fabrics, clothing and shoes; however, you would also find other items like jewelry, handicrafts, antiques and various souvenirs here. Apart from self-exploration, you would also have the option of taking a guided tour of this captivating market.
Kandawgyi Lake
An attractive leisure site in Yangon that would offer a pleasant respite from the urban environment would be the appealing Kandawgyi Lake which would happen to be an artificial lake situated in proximity to Shwedagon Pagoda. You will see that the environs of this body of water would be a pleasant locality featuring numerous trees as well as several restaurants. It would always be an agreeable experience to take a relaxing stroll along the banks of this picturesque lake.
National Museum Yangon
Culture and history lovers should undoubtedly take the opportunity to visit the National Museum Yangon which would offer some enthralling exhibits. This fine site would be dedicated to the culture, history, and art of the nation of Myanmar. By visiting this expansive museum, you would have the opportunity to gain a wonderful insight into the cultural heritage of this multi-faceted destination. You would find an array of artifacts relating to the history of the nation here, dating from ancient periods to comparatively recent times.
What to eat
There would be a host of tantalizing dishes to be tried on your visit to Yangon as the cuisine of Myanmar would be diverse and delectable. Make sure to sample specialties like laphet which would be a dish of fermented tea leaves featuring several ingredients like fried garlic, dried shrimp, and peanuts.
A well-known local highlight would be mohinga, a typical breakfast dish consisting of rice noodles, filling fish broth, and a selection of toppings like ginger, lemongrass, and chilli. The Burmese would always appreciate a warm dish of mohinga with lentil crackers, herring roe, and an egg.
A rather different kind of dish would be tofu salad which would basically consist of thinly sliced bean curd combined with lentil flour, red oil, chilli powder, fish sauce, and fried onions. This culinary creation would also be suitable for vegans if soy sauce is used instead of fish sauce.
Accommodation
Of the various accommodation options – including upscale properties and more modest guesthouses – available in the city of Yangon, a discerning choice would be a conveniently located hotel offering luxurious well-appointed rooms and suites. Naturally, you would appreciate accommodation situated in a central location in proximity to sightseeing attractions like the Shwedagon and Sule pagodas, shopping options, and dining venues. An accommodation option to consider situated in such a location would be Pan Pacific Yangon.
Yangon offers an array of engrossing experiences, so much so that you could spend many days exploring it and experiencing its various highlights. Irrespective of your individual preferences, you are unlikely to be disappointed in this city which is well worth making your next holiday destination.