The 5 Best Things to Do in Yangon

Yangon is often the first stop for foreigners visiting Myanmar. It is the former capital, the most populous city, and the largest commercial city in the country. As a developing urban center, it is changing quickly and becoming a more international city day by day, but still rich in culture and offers sightseers adventure, traditional themes, colonial buildings, and a host of other interesting things to see and do. Below are the top 5 recommended things to do when you are in this No.1 city of Myanmar.

1. Visit Shwedagon Pagoda

No visit to Myanmar is complete without a visit to temples or pagoda. Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most important religious sites in Yangon, and all of Myanmar and visiting this pagoda is on the top in must-see places in Yangon. Being in this pagoda, you will able to see people performing rituals, walking circumferences around the base of the pagoda. The most interesting thing about this pagoda is that there is a little golden umbrella on the top of the pagoda. The main gold-plated dome is topped by a stupa containing over 7,000 diamonds, rubies, topaz and sapphires, which make the whole giddy blend offset by a massive emerald positioned to reflect the last rays of the setting sun.

The beautiful glow shining on Shwedagon Pagoda

The best time to visit Shwedagon Pagoda is 4 pm when you can enjoy it in daylight, watch the sunset and see how it glitters when the darkness descends. Photos taken at this time is absolutely beautiful and it can be among the best ones during your Myanmar trip.

Open hours: 4 am – 10 pm daily (but closed on certain holidays)

Ticket price: 8,000 Kyats (US$ 8.11)

2. Ride the circle train

Riding the circle train is the cheapest and the most attractive way to see Yangon. On this three-hour train along 49 km track, you will be able to stop at any stations among 39. The railway can be not as comfortable as you expected, but you will be able to see authentic local life in the countryside of Myanmar. From the moment of children playing on the track, women balancing goods on their head, men working on the rail line to the landscape changing from the city to the countryside, house changing from concrete to huts and also the flooding of fields, damaged housing and floating rubbish.

Try a ride of the circular train in Yangon

The Yangon Circular Train departs from Yangon Central Railway Station from 8:30 am, which departs every 45 minutes to 1 hour, from platforms 6 and 7. It will be a great experience to try since you cannot find it anywhere else in Myanmar.

Ticket price: 200 - 500 Kyats (20 - 60 US cents). Passports are required to buy the ticket.

3. Shop at Bogyoke Aung San Market

It is true that if you want to know more about a new place, just go to visit the local market. Meanwhile, if you want to know about Yangon, just go to visit Bogyoke Aung San Market, which is known as Scott Market. The market sells almost everything from Burmese handicrafts, jewelry to medicine, clothing, foodstuffs… It is also known as a black market where you can change all kinds of money. If you are a foodaholic, this market is definitely a must-visit. People can find the best noodles in Myanmar here. And if you are more adventurous, do not forget to try the flavor of boiled and fried pig organs (intestines, tongue, ears, etc.) and then toss in fiery chili sauce. Share with your friends at home the feeling when you taste it. They may also want to try and do not forget to buy gifts for them from here.

Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily

4. Wander around the Chinatown

You may find Chinatown in most countries you have visited, but Chinatown in Yangon offers you many distinctive experiences. Like Chinatown in others countries, this is one of the busiest areas in the city. It opens all day and night time, but it is best to visit after 5 pm when the street is filled with tasty food. The 24^th through 18^th street is famous for food. Especially, 20th street is known for its Chinese cuisines like rice congee and grilled pork skewers while 19th street is known as barbecue street, a side road that’s lined with Chinese restaurants that have glass cabinets full of all things skewered, ready to be chosen and barbecued up. Coming to Chinatown, you will get the most interesting thing to do in Yangon.

Yangon Chinatown on Lunar New Year Day

5. Visit the National Museum of Myanmar

For those who are interested in learning the culture of Myanmar, the National Museum of Myanmar should be on your to-do lists. This is the main museum of Burmese art, history, and culture in Myanmar. It boasts an extensive collection of ancient artifacts, inscriptions, and artwork. Visiting this museum enlightens one with greater knowledge and understandings of beautiful the Myanmar nation and its people.

The current National Museum is located on Pyay Road in a magnificent five-story building which is built for the purpose of spacious grounds and special landscapes. Priceless artifacts, historic art, and memorabilia are displayed in 14 halls of the four floors. Three ground-floor halls hold exhibitions on the development of Myanmar scripts and alphabets, with Lion Throne room and the Yatanabon Period pieces. The National Museum of Myanmar is located at No. 66/74, Pyay Road, Dagon Township, Yangon, near some other popular places that might be on your lists already such as the Shwedagon Pagoda, the Sein Gay Har Super Market, People's Square, or People's Park.

National Museum of Myanmar

Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm daily, except on Myanmar New Year Holidays (Thingyan Festival) in April.

Entrance fee: currently 5,000 kyats  per person (approximately US$ 3.27)

Hope that you will enjoy your traveling in Yangon with the above recommendation. Find the best deals on Yangon tours.

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Jenny Tran

(Image source: Internet)