Yangon
Photo: Sacha Gregoire / Unsplash
Key Facts
Best Time to Visit
November to February (cool, dry season, 20-32°C)
Language
Burmese (Myanmar); English spoken in tourism and by educated residents
Currency
Myanmar Kyat (MMK)
Time Zone
MMT (UTC+6:30)
Airport
Yangon International Airport (RGN)
Population
~5.2 million (metro area)
Climate
Tropical monsoon, avg 25-37°C; intense monsoon rains June-October
Safety Rating
Exercise Increased Caution (Level 2); check current political situation before travel
Important Note
Political situation since Feb 2021 coup — verify travel advisories from your government before booking
Top Highlights
Shwedagon Pagoda
Myanmar's most sacred Buddhist site — a 99-meter gold-plated stupa encrusted with 4,531 diamonds and topped by a 76-carat diamond. Entry: 10,000 MMK for foreigners. Open 4AM-10PM. Best at sunrise or sunset when the gold glows. Dress code: long pants, covered shoulders, bare feet. Allow 2-3 hours to explore the full platform.
Colonial Architecture Walking Tour
Yangon has Southeast Asia's densest collection of colonial buildings — the Secretariat (where Aung San was assassinated in 1947), Strand Hotel, High Court, and City Hall. The Yangon Heritage Trust offers guided walks (~15,000 MMK, 2.5 hours). Self-guided: walk from Sule Pagoda south to the river along Pansodan Street.
Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market)
The city's premier shopping destination with 2,000+ shops selling jade, gems, lacquerware, textiles, and antiques. Open 10AM-5PM, closed Mondays and public holidays. The gem section is fascinating even without buying. Bargaining expected — start at 40% of asking price. The food court serves excellent Shan noodles (~2,000 MMK).
Yangon Circular Train
A 46-km, 3-hour loop through Yangon's suburbs and countryside on a colonial-era railway. Tickets: 200 MMK for foreigners at Yangon Central Station (Platform 7). Departures roughly hourly. The ride through markets, villages, and paddy fields offers a window into local life few tourists see. Hop off at Insein for the market.
Mohinga — Myanmar's National Dish
A rich catfish and rice noodle soup served everywhere from 5AM street stalls to upscale restaurants. The best mohinga is at street stalls for 1,000-2,000 MMK per bowl. Try the stalls near 19th Street in Chinatown or at Rangoon Tea House for a modern interpretation (~5,000 MMK). Squeeze in lime and add crispy fritters.
Kandawgyi Lake & Karaweik Palace
A serene lake in the city center with views of Shwedagon Pagoda reflected in the water. The Karaweik Palace, a concrete replica of a royal barge, hosts a cultural buffet dinner show (30,000 MMK). Free to walk around the lake. Best at sunset. The adjacent Kandawgyi Nature Park has pleasant shaded paths. Allow 1-2 hours.
Planned Itinerary
7-Day Yangon Itinerary
Arrival & Shwedagon at Sunset
Arrive at Yangon International Airport (RGN). Settle in and witness Shwedagon Pagoda glowing at sunset.
E-visa and arrival(30 minutes)
Print your e-visa approval letter. $50 tourist visa via evisa.moip.gov.mm. Check current political situation before travel
Grab to hotel in downtown(45 minutes)
3,000-5,000 MMK (~$1.50-2.50). Stay near Sule Pagoda for central location
Late lunch at Rangoon Tea House(1 hour)
Modern interpretation of Burmese classics. Mohinga from 5,000 MMK, laphet thoke (tea leaf salad) 4,000 MMK. Stylish colonial-era setting
Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset(2.5 hours)
10,000 MMK entry. Myanmar's most sacred site — 99m gold-plated stupa with 4,531 diamonds. Arrive 4:30PM to watch the gold transform through sunset. Remove shoes AND socks. Walk clockwise
Colonial Downtown Walking Tour
Yangon has Southeast Asia's densest collection of colonial buildings — explore on foot.
Morning mohinga breakfast(30 minutes)
Street stalls serve Myanmar's national dish from 5AM. Fish and rice noodle soup from 1,000-2,000 MMK. Try stalls near 19th Street in Chinatown
Colonial architecture walk(3 hours)
Self-guided or with Yangon Heritage Trust (~15,000 MMK). Start at Sule Pagoda, walk south along Pansodan Street past the Secretariat, Strand Hotel, High Court, and City Hall
The Secretariat (exterior)(30 minutes)
Where Aung San was assassinated in 1947. The interior is partially restored for tours — check current access
Lunch at 999 Shan Noodle Shop(45 minutes)
Legendary Shan noodle stall on 34th Street. Rice noodles in tomato-meat sauce from 2,500 MMK. Closes by 2PM — go early
Bogyoke Aung San Market(1.5 hours)
2,000+ shops — jade, gems, lacquerware, textiles. Open 10AM-5PM, closed Mondays. Bargain from 40% of asking. The gem section is fascinating
Circular Train & Chinatown
Ride the colonial-era train loop and explore Yangon's vibrant Chinatown.
Yangon Circular Train(3 hours)
200 MMK at Central Station Platform 7. 46-km loop through suburbs, markets, and paddy fields. A window into local life. Full loop 3 hours or hop off at Insein (1.5 hours)
Insein Market stop(45 minutes)
If hopping off — chaotic local market with produce, fish, and snacks at real local prices
Lunch at Feel Myanmar Food(1 hour)
Buffet-style Burmese curry restaurant near Shwedagon. Choose from 20+ curries — 5,000-8,000 MMK for a full spread with soup and sides
19th Street Chinatown BBQ(2 hours)
After dark, 19th Street transforms into an open-air BBQ paradise. Grilled skewers from 500 MMK, draft beer 1,000 MMK. Sit on plastic chairs and soak in the atmosphere
Kandawgyi Lake & Spiritual Yangon
Lake views, spiritual exploration, and the Karaweik Palace.
Kandawgyi Lake morning walk(1.5 hours)
Serene lake with Shwedagon Pagoda reflections. Free. Nature Park has shaded paths. Best at sunrise
Shwedagon Pagoda deep visit(2 hours)
Return to explore the full platform — 64 small pagodas, planetary posts, and the eastern stairway approach. Find your birthday planet post and make an offering
Lunch at Aung Thukha(45 minutes)
Legendary Burmese curry house near Shwedagon. Full meal for 3,000-5,000 MMK. The mutton curry is their best
Karaweik Palace dinner show(2 hours)
30,000 MMK. Cultural buffet dinner inside a concrete replica of a royal barge on Kandawgyi Lake. Traditional dances during dinner
Bago Day Trip
Day trip to the ancient Mon kingdom capital 80 km northeast — giant reclining Buddhas and monastery life.
Drive to Bago(2 hours)
Hire car with driver ~50,000 MMK round trip. Or take shared bus from Hlaing Thar Yar bus station (4,000 MMK)
Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha(45 minutes)
10,000 MMK combined ticket for Bago sites. 55m reclining Buddha — one of the world's largest. The facial expression is mesmerizing
Shwemawdaw Pagoda(45 minutes)
Taller than Shwedagon at 114m. Less crowded, equally impressive. The fallen spire from the 1917 earthquake sits in the grounds
Kanbawzathadi Palace(45 minutes)
Reconstructed 16th-century Mon palace. Throne halls and royal audience chambers
Free Morning & Local Life
Rest morning, then immerse in everyday Yangon life.
Brunch at Monsoon Restaurant(1 hour)
Pan-Asian with Burmese focus. Beautiful restored building. 5,000-10,000 MMK per dish
People's Park afternoon(1.5 hours)
Shaded park near Shwedagon. Locals picnic, exercise, and socialize. Join a pickup chinlone (cane ball) game if you can
Sunset at Inya Lake(1 hour)
Large university lake — peaceful alternative to Kandawgyi. Aung San Suu Kyi's residence is on the shore
Farewell dinner at Le Planteur(2 hours)
Yangon's finest dining — French-Myanmar cuisine in a colonial villa. Tasting menus from 50,000 MMK
Departure Day
Final morning and airport transfer.
Last mohinga breakfast(30 minutes)
One final bowl from a street stall
Quick shopping at Bogyoke Market(1 hour)
Lacquerware, thanaka paste, longyi fabric, jade. If closed (Mondays), try Junction City mall
Grab to Yangon Airport(45 minutes)
3,000-5,000 MMK. Allow 2 hours before flights
14-Day Yangon Itinerary
Arrival & Shwedagon Sunset
Arrive RGN, settle in, Shwedagon at golden hour.
Shwedagon at sunset(2.5 hours)
10,000 MMK
Colonial Walking Tour
Yangon's colonial heritage on foot.
Circular Train & Chinatown
Train loop and Chinatown BBQ.
Circular Train(3 hours)
200 MMK
Kandawgyi & Spiritual Yangon
Lake, deeper Shwedagon visit, cultural dinner show.
Karaweik dinner show(2 hours)
30,000 MMK
Bago Day Trip
Ancient Mon kingdom — giant Buddhas and monasteries.
Rest Day
Free day. Spa, pool, gentle exploration.
Traditional massage(1.5 hours)
5,000-10,000 MMK at local spas
Twante & Delta Life
Day trip across the Yangon River to Twante — pottery villages and rural delta.
Ferry across Yangon River(20 minutes)
From Pansodan Jetty. 200 MMK. Then shared transport or hire a trishaw
Twante pottery village(1.5 hours)
Artisans hand-shape and kiln-fire massive terracotta pots used throughout Myanmar. Watch the process. Small pots from 2,000 MMK
Shwesandaw Pagoda, Twante(30 minutes)
Beautiful small pagoda in the town center. Active local worship
Canal boat through delta villages(2 hours)
Hire a small boat (~10,000 MMK) to navigate the narrow canals through stilted farming villages. Authentic rural Myanmar
Yangon's Hidden Temples
Visit lesser-known pagodas and meditation centers.
Sule Pagoda(45 minutes)
3,000 MMK. Downtown octagonal pagoda at the city's exact center. Over 2,000 years old
Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha(30 minutes)
Free. 65m reclining Buddha with enormous eyes. Less visited than Bago's version
Lawka Chantha Abaya Labha Muni(30 minutes)
Massive jade Buddha carved from a single boulder. Free. North of Kandawgyi
Lunch at Shan Yoe Yar(1 hour)
Best Shan cuisine in Yangon. Tofu salad, Shan noodles, and Shan-style sour soup. 4,000-8,000 MMK
Mahasi Sasana Meditation Center(1.5 hours)
Myanmar's most famous Vipassana center. Visitors can sit in on a session. Free. Ask at the office. Dress modestly
Cooking Class & Markets
Learn Burmese cuisine and explore local markets.
Burmese cooking class(4 hours)
Rangoon Cooking Class or similar. ~25,000 MMK. Market visit, then cook mohinga, tea leaf salad, and Shan noodles
Thiri Mingalar Market(1 hour)
Local market in Mingalar Taung Nyunt. Fish, produce, thanaka bark, betel nut. No tourists — bring a camera
Evening at Junction City mall rooftop(1 hour)
Modern Yangon — rooftop views and decent restaurants
Dala Ferry & River Life
Cross to Dala on the south bank for rural life within sight of Yangon's skyline.
Ferry to Dala(10 minutes)
From Pansodan Jetty. 2,000 MMK foreigners. The crossing itself is scenic
Trishaw tour of Dala(2 hours)
~5,000 MMK. Explore villages, markets, and monasteries. Feels like rural Myanmar but you can see Yangon's towers across the river
Village monastery visit(30 minutes)
Monks are often happy to chat about Buddhist practice
Lunch at Sharky's(1 hour)
Western-style deli popular with expats. Good sandwiches and salads. 5,000-10,000 MMK
Rest Day
Second rest day. Gentle exploration.
Afternoon tea at The Strand Hotel(1.5 hours)
Yangon's most prestigious colonial hotel (1901). Afternoon tea from 25,000 MMK. Worth it for the atmosphere
Golden Rock (Kyaiktiyo) Day Trip
Full-day trip to the famous balancing boulder pagoda — a pilgrimage site.
Early drive to Kyaiktiyo(3.5 hours)
170 km northeast. Hire car ~80,000-100,000 MMK. Leave by 5AM
Truck and hike to Golden Rock(1.5 hours)
Open truck up the mountain (~2,500 MMK) then 45-min walk. Or sedan chair (~10,000 MMK)
Golden Rock Pagoda(1.5 hours)
6,000 MMK entry. Massive boulder balanced on a cliff edge, covered in gold leaf. Women cannot touch the rock (controversial rule). Sunset view is spectacular
Return to Yangon(4 hours)
Long day but worth it. Alternatively, overnight in Kinpun village
Last Full Day — Favorites
Revisit what moved you. Final shopping and farewell dinner.
Morning Shwedagon visit(1.5 hours)
One last sunrise at the golden stupa
Bogyoke Market shopping(1.5 hours)
Lacquerware, jade, longyi, thanaka
Farewell dinner at Le Planteur(2 hours)
French-Myanmar colonial villa dining
Departure Day
Final morning and airport transfer.
21-Day Yangon Itinerary
Arrival & Shwedagon Sunset
Arrive RGN, Shwedagon at golden hour.
Shwedagon sunset(2.5 hours)
10,000 MMK
Colonial Walking Tour
Yangon's colonial heritage.
Circular Train & Chinatown
Train loop and 19th Street BBQ.
Kandawgyi & Spiritual Yangon
Lake, temples, dinner show.
Bago Day Trip
Mon kingdom ruins.
Rest Day
Free day.
Twante Delta Trip
Pottery village and delta canals.
Hidden Temples & Meditation
Lesser-known pagodas and a Vipassana session.
Cooking Class
Learn Burmese cuisine.
Cooking class(4 hours)
~25,000 MMK
Dala & River Life
Cross to Dala for rural life.
Golden Rock Day Trip
Kyaiktiyo balancing boulder.
Golden Rock Pagoda(1.5 hours)
6,000 MMK
Rest Day
Recovery after Golden Rock.
Strand Hotel afternoon tea(1.5 hours)
25,000 MMK. Colonial grandeur
Fly to Bagan
Domestic flight to the temple plains. 2-3 nights in Bagan.
Flight to Bagan (Nyaung-U)(1.5 hours)
~$80-120 on Myanmar National Airlines or Air KBZ
Check in near Old Bagan(30 minutes)
Hotels from 30,000 MMK. E-bikes (the only way to explore) from 8,000 MMK/day
Sunset from Pyathada Pagoda or alternative viewpoint(1.5 hours)
25,000 MMK zone fee. The sunset over 2,200+ temples is one of Earth's great sights
Bagan Temples Day 1
Explore the major temples by e-bike.
Sunrise at Bagan plains(1.5 hours)
Wake at 5AM. Hot air balloon flights available (~$350) for the ultimate view
Ananda Temple(1 hour)
Bagan's most revered — masterpiece of Mon architecture. Four standing Buddhas facing cardinal directions
Thatbyinnyu Temple(45 minutes)
Bagan's tallest at 61m. Transitional architectural style
Dhammayangyi Temple(45 minutes)
Bagan's largest — built by a king seeking forgiveness for patricide. The brickwork is so precise a needle can't fit between blocks
Lunch at Sanon Restaurant(1 hour)
Social enterprise near Old Bagan. Training for at-risk youth. Excellent curries 4,000-8,000 MMK
Bagan Temples Day 2
Deeper exploration — smaller temples and local villages.
Gubyaukgyi Temple(30 minutes)
11th-century with original murals still visible. Remarkable preservation
Myinkaba village walk(1.5 hours)
Traditional village between temples. Lacquerware workshops — watch artisans layer and engrave. Pieces from 10,000 MMK
Manuha Temple(30 minutes)
Built by a captive king — the cramped interior symbolizes his imprisoned state
Shwezigon Pagoda(1 hour)
Prototype for all Myanmar pagodas. Gold-plated, with nat (spirit) shrines
Bagan to Yangon
Final Bagan morning and return flight.
Yangon Art & Culture
Explore Yangon's growing contemporary scene.
Yangon Gallery(1 hour)
Contemporary Myanmar art. Free. Rotating exhibitions
Pansodan Gallery(45 minutes)
Free. Art space in a colonial building
Myanmar Film Institute screening(2 hours)
Check Myanmore.com for current screenings and cultural events
Dinner at Union Bar & Grill(1.5 hours)
Renovated colonial space. Craft cocktails and fusion food. 10,000-20,000 MMK
Rest Day
Third rest day.
Local teashop session(1 hour)
Sit in a Yangon teashop — milky tea, samosa, and people-watching. Total cost 2,000 MMK
Photography Walk & Local Life
Golden-hour photography and deeper local immersion.
Chinlone (cane ball) at People's Park(1 hour)
Watch or join locals playing Myanmar's traditional sport
Last Full Day — Favorites & Farewell
Revisit favorite spots and farewell dinner.
Departure Day
Final morning.
Travel Tips
Visa & Entry
E-Visa Required for Most Nationalities
Apply at evisa.moip.gov.mm at least 3 days before travel ($50 USD, 28-day tourist visa). Print the approval letter. ASEAN nationals get visa-free entry. Check current processing status — e-visa services may be disrupted due to the political situation. Some nationalities may also get VOA at RGN airport.
Safety
Check Current Political Situation Before Traveling
Since the February 2021 military coup, Myanmar's political situation is unstable. Yangon is generally calmer than rural areas, but protests, curfews, and internet shutdowns occur. Check your government's travel advisory. Avoid political gatherings. Keep a low profile on social media about your location. Have embassy contact information handy.
Budget
Bring Crisp US Dollar Bills
USD is widely accepted for hotels, tourist sites, and flights. Bring clean, crisp, post-2006 bills — torn, stained, or old bills are rejected everywhere. Exchange to MMK at licensed money changers (not street changers) for local purchases. ATMs dispense MMK but have low limits (300,000-500,000 MMK) and high fees ($5 per withdrawal).
Local Customs
Temple Etiquette is Paramount
At Shwedagon and all pagodas: remove shoes AND socks, cover shoulders and knees, never point feet at Buddha images, walk clockwise around stupas, and never touch a monk (especially women). Thanaka paste on faces is traditional sunscreen/cosmetic — it's not a costume for tourists to mock.
Internet and Communication Challenges
Internet is unreliable — VPN is essential as many websites and social media platforms are blocked by the military government. Buy a local SIM (Ooredoo or Telenor) at the airport for data (~10,000 MMK for a tourist pack). Wi-Fi in hotels is generally functional but slow. Download offline maps before arriving.
transport
Grab Works in Yangon
Grab ride-hailing covers Yangon and is the safest, cheapest transport option. A ride across the city costs 3,000-5,000 MMK (~$1.50-2.50). Regular taxis should have meters but many don't — agree on price before boarding. The Yangon Bus System (YBS) costs 200 MMK per ride but routes are confusing for visitors.
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