Yangon

Yangon

Things to do - general

Yangon is a big and yet not modernized city, with Victorian buildings, tree-lined avenues, lakes and parks and a bustling city centre of friendly vendors, colourful stalls and people going about in their daily chores dressed traditionally in their Longyi and flip-flap sandals. The Bogyoke Aung San market (also called Scott’s Market) is a must for every visitor and so is the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda – the prominent landmark of Myanmar. The first fundament of the Shwedagon is believed to have been built more than 2000 years ago, and the pagoda is revered by Buddhist and non-Buddhists alike. Yangon is the gateway to Myanmar and has direct air links with Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Seoul, Doha, Beijing, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Guangzhou, Kunming, Nanning, Gaya and Dhaka.

Yangon is a city of 5 million people, but the downtown area is relatively small and can easily be covered on foot. A morning stroll with your guide through Yangon’s colonial architecture to the Strand Hotel, once one of the most renowned hotels in Asia in line with the Oriental in Bangkok, Raffels in Singapore and the Peninsula in Hong Kong and during the last fifteen years restored to some of its former glory.

Yangon is still home to many other faiths, and strolling about you will see Hindu and Chinese temples, Islamic mosques, Anglican cathedrals and various Christian churches. There is even a small Jewish synagogue.

Things to do

While Yangon until the 18th century was still an insignificant fishing village, its prominent and famous landmark, the Shwedagon Pagoda has stood there for more than 1000 years, mesmerizing visitors and residents alike with its glistening gold covered stupa where it is said that eight hairs of the last (Gautama) Buddha are enshrined at the base. The tip of the stupa is covered with 1800 carats gold and studded with thousands of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and topaz. A huge emerald sits in the middle to catch the first and last rays of the sun. You should go there in the late afternoon before sunset, remove you shoes and slowly wander the lower terraces together with the friendly local population of very devout Buddhists.

At the Bogyoke Aung San market you will find everything of locally produced items, from Mandalay silk, ethnic minority products, silver and wood carvings to precious stones, garments and cheroots.

In the heart of the city is the Sule Pagoda, the nucleus from where the city centre where were laid out in its Victorian grid pattern by the British about 150 years ago.

East Hotel

East Hotel

234-240 Sule Pagoda Rd, Yangon
A 45 rooms newly built boutique hotel situated in the heart of Yangon downtown area, on Sule Pagoda More info
Hotel Green Hill (Best Western)

Hotel Green Hill (Best Western)

12 Phoe Sein Road, Tamwe, Yangon
Newly built hotel situated behind Chatrium hotel on Phoe Sein Road. Well appointed rooms, some with More info
Inya Lake Hotel

Inya Lake Hotel

37 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Inya Lake, Yangon
The Inya Lake Hotel, with its 239 rooms, is surrounded by gardens and greenery and situated at the b More info
Panorama Hotel

Panorama Hotel

294-300, Pansodan Street, Yangon
The 10-storey Panorama Hotel also enjoys a prime location in the city center, within walking distanc More info
Savoy Hotel

Savoy Hotel

129, Dhammazedi Rd, Bahan, Yangon
The Savoy Hotel is a boutique hotel built in colonial style and located in a residential area north More info
Sule-Shangri-la Hotel

Sule-Shangri-la Hotel

223 Sule Pagoda Rd, Yangon Downtown, Yangon
Sule-Shangri-la Hotel is formerly Traders Hotel. Well appointed 5 stars hotel in the centre of the c More info
The Strand

The Strand

92, Strand Road, Yangon Downtown, Yangon
Declared “the finest hostelry East of Suez” by John Murray in his “Handbook for Traveler More info
A Classic Tour of Myanmar

A Classic Tour of Myanmar

Mount Popa, Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan
Price per person from $ 1,180
Trip Route: Yangon – Bagan – Mount Popa – Mandalay – Yangon Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights More info
A Myanmar Pilgrimage

A Myanmar Pilgrimage

Yangon, Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock), Mandalay
Price per person from $ 1,385
Start From: Yangon Trip Route: Yangon – Kyaikthiyo – Bago – Yangon – Mandalay – Amarapura – Mi More info
Magical Mystery Myanmar

Magical Mystery Myanmar

Pindaya, Monywa, Yangon, Mandalay, Inle Lake, Bagan
Price per person from $ 2,105
Trip Route: Yangon – Mandalay – Monywa – Bagan – Pindaya – Inle Lake – Yangon Dura More info
Off The Beaten Track

Off The Beaten Track

Kyaing Tong (Keng Tung), Yangon, Inle Lake
Price per person from $ 1,540
Trip Route: Yangon – Kyaing Tong – Inle Lake – Yangon Duration: 10 days / 9nights DAY 1 Arrive More info
Overland Safari (Dawei-Mawlamyine-Hpa'an-Golden Rock-Yangon)

Overland Safari (Dawei-Mawlamyine-Hpa'an-Golden Rock-Yangon)

Hpa'an, Dawei (Tavoy), Mawlamyine, Yangon
Southern Myanmar Explorer (SM 1) Starting in Dawei, ending in Yangon (7 days / 6 nights) Be among th More info
The Essence of Myanmar

The Essence of Myanmar

Yangon, Inle Lake, Bagan
Price per person from $ 1,160
Start From: Yangon Trip Route: Yangon – Bagan – Inle Lake – Yangon Duration: 7 day More info
Wonderland

Wonderland

Yangon, Mandalay, Inle Lake, Bagan
Price per person from $ 1,300
Trip Route: Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay – Inle Lake – Yangon Duration: 8 days / 7nights Day 1: A More info

Unfortunately there are no cruise offers at this location at the moment.