I have been living in Yangon for over a year now, and I remember how at first it took me time to get used to it. Now, after I have found my go-to places, I am simply in love with this city! Beautiful attractions, authentic people and a variety of food to suit your budget – are just a few of the things that make up this down-to earth city.
If you are looking for expensive-dining, luxurious hotels and groomed landscapes – you can find those for sure... But I would personally suggest to explore the authentic nature of daily life. The simple, humble way the Burmese people manage their day-to-day.
In this post, I will be unfolding to you my secret list of go-to places. These are my personal recommendations of where to go and what to do.
On the bottom, you will find the full list of recommendations by type
I suggest to begin with Shwedagon and its surroundings:
1. Shwedagon Pagoda:
The view of Shwedagon Pagoda (pronounced SHWEY-da-gon) in the morning, during sunset, and at night – changes drastically. All three stages are breathtaking. I would recommend to go there during the day, continue to Kandawgyi lake, and come back in the evening for free if you chose to.
2. Kandawgyi lake:
At the east base of Shwedagon pagoda leys Kandawgyi lake (pronounced kan-DO-ji). A beautiful green park and lake with shadow grassy areas and wooden bridges over the lake. Many insta-ops await you in Kandawgyi. At the far end of Kandawgyi (east), you will find the boat-palace. A beautiful replica of the king’s boat palace. Today, it is a home to a gorme restaurant, but still a beautiful view.
3. Esperando Lake View Hotel – Rooftop Bar:
Cross the street from the palace, to get to Esperando Lake View Hotel. The entrence is free. Go up to the roof, where a beautiful view of the lake, palace, and shwedagon in the distance await you. I especially recommend to go there for a drink at sunset. The pink sky over shwedagon with a glass of wine/beer in your hand – is enchanting. A glass of wine is about 6$-8$.
4. People’s Park – amusement park: (not a must, only if you have time, and you’re into that sort of thing)
If you are in yangon over the weekend – be sure to stop by at People’s park (located at the west end of shwedagon pagoda). There are 3 good rides, that I highly recommend, but the rest of the time – just go there to examine how the Burmese like to spend their weekends. It’s an extraordinary anthropological experience.
Best ride: the small rotating roller coaster
2nd best: the big loop roller coaster
3rd best: Ghost ride in happy-zone
Each ride is about 2,000-3,000 MMK
5. Lover’s park: (not a must, only if you have time, and you’re into that sort of thing)
At the south part of Swedagon pagoda – you will find lover’s park. This is a small lake with many shaded areas – ideal for falling in love. You will find swan-paddle-boats for rent, fountains and lots of grassy hideaways for couples to relax. If you are travelling with your significant other, and are looking for some low-budget romance – this is the place!
6. Rooftop bars:
Most foreigners and many locals like to spend their late evenings at some of the most incredible bars yangon has to offer. Here are my selected few:
A. Eclipse – Myanmar plaza – great live music. Party vibe
Crowd: half local / half foreign. Crowded.
Music: depends on the night. Can range between live music (amazing), to DJs to shows.
Price: not cheap
B. The Penthouse – my go-to place
Crowd: mostly foreigners
Music: DJ. Tends to be a bit loud
Price: not cheap
Tip: Great cocktails!
A day downtown:
7. Circle train:
I suggest to begin your day early, and go to the nearest train station. Do the circle train. It takes 3 hours (more if you stop occasionally to see the views and the markets. Train ticket is 300mmk, and is relevant for the entire ride. You can get on and off as you please. The scenery is always changing, the merchants sell their food between the isles in the early morning – and It really is an interesting experience. At the north-most stop, there is a big market- stop off, and take a tour
8. Bogyok Market
Finish your circle train tour downtown at the Phaya Lan bus station, and walk down to bogyok market. It’s touristic, and not cheap, but it has an exquisite collection of wood-work, authentic clothes, jewelry, art, food and more. It’s an experience all on its own, even if you don’t buy a single thing.
9. Sule pagoda:
After you are done looking around in the market, and walk down to sule square. It’s not worth the entrance, but the area is beautiful. Walk around people’s square, and see the beautiful building of city hall, independence monument, and colonial buildings in the area.
10. Around Sule:
From sule, walk west on maha bandula road, to find a unique complex of buildings:
On 30th street you will find the beautiful Mogul Shiah Masjid (mosque)
On 28th street you will find Lord MurughaTemple (Indian)
On 27th street you will find a unique budehist temple: Maha Theindawgyi
And on 26th street you will find Yangon’s first Synagogue. (open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-2pm)
All buildings are exceptional, and literally side by side - proving to us Myanmar is a multi-culture accepting nation.
11. Rangoon tea house:
Go to Pansodan street, and stop at Rangoon tea house. A popular restaurant amongst foreigners for all the right reasons. Prices are decent, but what draws me – is the cuisine. They are masters in preparing Burmese food for the culinary taste of foreigners. Foreign folks might find Burmese food too spicy / oily / stinky (rotten fish sauce they love to add to most dishes). This restaurant is great at preparing traditional dishes to those who find Burmese food challenging. I personally love it, and take my guests there regularly.
12. 19th Street:
Finish your night at the young bar-scene street. Lower 19th street in Chinatown is known for its BBQ and bar night scene. Here you can get cocktails for as little as 1000mmk! (they are not that good, but are good enough if you are travelling on a budget). The street is packed every night, and you can barely find a place to sit if you arrive after 9pm. Other than bars, you will find a lot of BBQ shops: just select your preferred dinner, and have a seat. It will be roasted, and served to you instantly.
13. 7th Joint:
A fun bar downtown with loud music and young vide. Recently thy took smokers outside. You can find local beer, soft drinks and bar food at decent prices.
Recommended tours:
1. Morning/Evening food tour: SAJAME
Experience exceptional Burmese dishes in an adventurous tour around Sanchuang, Yangon. This tour changes seasonally, and takes you on a unique experience either in the early morning or late at night. Tours include useful Burmese vocabulary, transportation and fun activities
2. Burmese Adventure: doBurma
Experience Yangon in an authentic way – tourists don’t get to see. Learn Burmese, culture, food and experiences - all in 1 day!
My full list of recommendations
Must see: Shwedagon
Kandawgyi lake Bogyok market Circle Train
Unconventional: Rooftop bars Water bus Take a tour of villages / markets / architecture Happy world
People’s park Lovers park Rangoon tea house
Esperando Lakeview Hotel China town Street food Learn to tie a longyi & buy yourself one Synagogue/church/hindu temple
Skip: Sule Bakeries
Night life: 19 st. 7th joint Rooftoops...
Tours:
Yangon Heritage tour
Burmese Adventure tour Night food tour Morning food tour
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