Accommodation in Yangon is quite spread out, so if you are flying in it is advised to try and book in advance either by telephone or email. All of the staff that we encountered spoke reasonably good English. Some hotels will offer air-port pick-up as well, though this is reflected in their price; so if you intend to stay for several nights, it is better to organise this yourself. 

There are always others that have landed and willing to share a ride into town ($10/ 7,000Ks 4 people sharing). More and more hotels have Wi-Fi and some offer an internet service.

 

It can be a little daunting finding food at night if you are in one of the more remote hotels. Check out our city map for a little guidance. If in doubt though, head to any Dagon Beer or Myanmar Beer sign and they will no doubt do some basic fare. Street food vendors tend to start late afternoon to early evening. Otherwise, check out our map and head towards one of the main streets.

Good coffee from 1400Ks/ cappuccino 1800

Good food but ended up quite expensive, confirm prices before ordering

Reasonable local food just a few doors away from the Mayfair Inn. The staff are very friendly and helpful if you want to start your language lessons for Myanmar.

The breakfast area of this hotel doubles up as a restaurant in the evening. Seats inside and out-front of the building. With nothing much else within a 20 minute walk you’ll find quite a few of the hotel’s guests dining and drinking here. So if you’re travelling alone and in need of some company, it’s not a bad destination.

Very tasty south Indian dishes served on a thali style tray. Healthy-portions of various curries subsequently come with a selection of tasty side dishes that are topped up as you eat. If you’re not sure about this place, then try getting a seat after prayer has finished at the local temple; it’s impossible! Fork and spoons given out, or go Indian and get stuck in with your fingers; either way, be prepared to be licking them clean in satisfaction. Extra rice given for 300Ks making this a monster feast for very little. 

Though for food from 1,800Ks the food is good, it just misses something. The lack of locals and mass of foreigners made us think that those subtle additions that you get in other Indian restaurants close by (spices, dips etc) means that this is a blander version created for foreigners?

Ok, it’s called a sports bar but the only reason is, is because the owner likes sport?!?! There are several screens inside but really it’s more of a food/ beer and show bar. 

They have free Wi-Fi and decent coffee 500Ks (on Mahabandoola road, near Sule Paya)

Two bar/ restaurants for the price of one! On Merchant street, you’ll get more of a local bar/ dining atmosphere and just around the corner on 38th (the backs join up) you have a bigger restaurant. Both show live sports (including Premiership football, Grand Prix etc.) whilst 38th street has a screen showing satellite movie channels.

A rooftop bar that unfortunately doesn’t really give you any great sunset photographs. So no need to rush there. A nice vibe and a great way to entertain yourself whilst you try to understand how the “singers” get awarded glittery-scarfs as a medal; for a great performance?

Expect to pay around $8-10 or 7,000Ks travelling in either direction. If you are looking to share a taxi, get your group together before approaching the taxi.

There is a 200Ks charge to get into Aung Mingalar Bus Station which your driver will expect you to pay. You can catch a bus from this “bus village” to the main destinations in Myanmar. It really is a village though (bigger than Kalaw and Bagan!) so make sure you know where you are going to. Most people take a taxi from Yangon (7,000Ks) but another option is to take the circle line and then a taxi from there – worth thinking about if you are rushing through Yangon. Prices and times vary depending upon the company that you use (or which your hotel uses).

As a guideline consider:

Yangon – Mandalay, depart 1930, arrive 0930, 10,500Ks

Yangon – Kalaw/ Inle Lake area, depart 1700, arrive 0300/ 0500, 11,000Ks

Yangon – Bagan, depart 0800/ 1800, arrive 2000/ 0500, 15,000Ks

There are rest-stops approx. every 3 hours. On the main highway these are very lavish affairs indeed. Some of the more luxurious buses supply warm blankets but not all. Some buses can be very cold indeed. If you are travelling at night on a bus, then consider booking your hotel in advance since some buses arrive in the early hours of the morning.

As always, head to Seat61 for up-to-date train information.

0600, 0715, 0800, 1100 Upper $3, Std. $1

Circle line $1

We’ve only commented on the sites that our travellers have visited. There are more listed for Yangon on-line. If you’re bored of walking and want to try something different, then get the ferry across the river.. and back or sit and watch the corn-hawkers fend of the pigeons on Merchant Street; a nice place to see life in Yangon.

They have done away with the individual charge for the use of a camera and combined this with the previous entry fee. You’re also given a very informative leaflet about the history of the Paya and its contents.

Botataung Paya is a shrine with hollow passages inside to walk through. The name Botahtaung means "a thousand military leaders". This pagoda was named after the 1,000 military leaders who escorted the sacred hair relics of Buddha, brought from India over two thousand ago. Inside the pagoda, there are glass showcases containing many ancient relics and donated artefacts sealed but visible inside the shrine. The original shrine was destroyed during the World war II bombing. Present day structure is built over the old original one. Above this interesting interior, the golden pagoda spire rises to 132 feet (40 meters). 

This is a Buddha of colossal size; the eye lashes of this reclining Buddha are over 30cm in length.

Located 10 minutes away from down-town, and 5 minutes from the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the 72 meters long reclining Buddha image is the biggest colossal reclining Buddha image in Myanmar. Originally built in 1907, it has suffered damage due to climate over the years. In 1957, it was demolished and rebuilt to this structure and completed in 1966. The uniqueness of the image is the glass mosaic on the sole of its feet representing the 108 special characteristics of the Buddha.

The ferry runs pretty much non-stop until after sun-set. You can hire a trishaw for around 1,000Ks for 50 minutes. Of if you just fancy a walk around, as you exit the ferry area and passed the taxis and motorbikes (you’ll not see any of these in Yangon!), take a right-turn onto Yatza Thingyan Rd and walk to the Yahaman Mosque and Sri Maha Temple. Follow the road up and take a left back towards the Buddhist temple of snakes. Cross over at the main junction and walk along Shin Saw Pu St. and you’ll find another Paya and temple.

It’s a nice walk and a peaceful escape from the noise of the city, even though there is a main road running alongside in parts. A nice spot for a picnic one would say!

Karaweik Hall is one of the landmarks of Yangon, standing in the Kandawgyi Lake(Royal Lake ). This modern architecture is built in the shape of the mythical creature Karaweik bird. It has 3 floors including a ceremonial hall. This wholly gilded building is about 40 years old.

Some points of interest but don’t put it high on your list if you only have a day or so in Yangon. Poor lighting and only the second floor really that interesting. Photography inside the museum is not allowed. A locker is provided free of charge just after purchasing your ticket.

Well worth the trip to get there. This seated Buddha is quite breath-taking. Your $2 goes to the upkeep of the paya and you get a free bottle of water!

Ticket office is at the top of the steps. Take your shoes off BEFORE you step into the compound. If you use the shoe-stations at the entrances, you will be asked for a “donation”. These stalls are in fact shops.

Towering to a height of 326 feet on Theingottara hill, dominates Yangon. Visitors to Myanmar are awe-struck on seeing the magnificence and splendor of this golden shrine, the prominent landmark visible from miles around, where the holy hair relics of the Buddha were enshrined more than 2,500 years ago . Ralph Fitch, the first Englishman to arrive in Myanmar's in 1558, comment: " it is called Dagon and is of a wonderful bigness, and all gilded from the foot to the topped - it is the fairest place, as I suppose, that is in the world." Rudyard Kipling inscribed "this most famous of all Myanmar shrines as a golden mystery lofty on the horizon, a beautiful wonder that blazed in the sun," in his letters from the east published in 1889. In his Gentleman in the Parlor, Somerset Maugham, at his first sight of the Pagoda was inspired to write that the superb, glistening, golden Shwedagon rising superbly upwards, was ". Like a sudden hope in the dark night of the soul. It is the most venerable pagoda in Southeast Asia.

The landmark at the Yangon City center and symbol of downtown Yangon is situated right at the heart of the city. The Sule Pagoda is said to be over 2,000 years old, enshrining a hair relics of the Buddha. The golden pagoda is unusual in that its octagonal shape continues right up to the top terrace. It stands 46 meters (152 feet) high and is surrounded by small shops of all the familiar non-religious services such as astrologers, palmists, photo studios and watch repair. From there, you may observe the atmosphere of the Yangon center with crowed people from all walks of life in various trades, and busy traffic.

There are a lot of Internet café’s around the 38th street and Mahabandoola junction offering their services for 400Ks/ hour. So rather than spending 500Ks on a coffee and an intermittent link, you may consider this option.