Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, offers visitors a taste of Myanmar’s rich culture, cuisine and history. Fast becoming one of the world’s holiday hotspots, now’s the time to discover its many charms.
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Home to magnificent gold stupas, Yangon is Myanmar’s largest city and its commercial and artistic hub
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Watch the sun set over Yangon’s Kandawgyi Lake, casting glittering reflections of the Shwedagon Padoga and Karaweik Palace in the water
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Visit the larger-than-life Reclining Buddha in Yangon’s Meilamu Pagoda
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Winch a prayer card up to the elevated shrine in the Sule Pagoda, Yangon’s 2,000-year-old golden temple and city landmark
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Admire the neo-Gothic architecture and painted statues of Yangon’s Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Myanmar’s largest Catholic Church
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Spend a few hours exploring the dazzling interior, gold-leaf maze, terrapin pond and peaceful riverside setting of Yangon’s Botataung Pagoda
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Home to magnificent gold stupas, Yangon is Myanmar’s largest city and its commercial and artistic hub
2
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Watch the sun set over Yangon’s Kandawgyi Lake, casting glittering reflections of the Shwedagon Padoga and Karaweik Palace in the water
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Visit the larger-than-life Reclining Buddha in Yangon’s Meilamu Pagoda
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/6
Winch a prayer card up to the elevated shrine in the Sule Pagoda, Yangon’s 2,000-year-old golden temple and city landmark
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Admire the neo-Gothic architecture and painted statues of Yangon’s Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Myanmar’s largest Catholic Church
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Spend a few hours exploring the dazzling interior, gold-leaf maze, terrapin pond and peaceful riverside setting of Yangon’s Botataung Pagoda
Eat
Le Planteur
This modern European and Indochinese restaurant has been managed by Michelin-starred Swiss chef Felix Eppisser and his wife, Lucia, since 2011. Set in a large white mansion on south shore of Inya Lake, the restaurant also opens to diners its fabulous lawn, complete with Burmese parasols and lanterns.
Should Le Planteur be fully booked, the Governor’s Residence, with its choice of European or Asian cuisine, is a worthy alternative.
Do
Mya Kyun Thar
Mya Kyun Thar park may be out of the way, but visitors enjoy a relaxing time, whether they are hitting golf balls into Inya Lake, sipping a drink on an outdoor terrace or looking out over Aung San Suu Kyi's waterfront home, where the celebrated political leader spent 15 years under house arrest.
Location
Kabar Aye Pagoda Road
See
Shwedagon Pagoda
The morning is the perfect time to visit the 112-metre tall Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most venerated Buddhist sites in Southeast Asia. The steep, wide, marble stairs of the pagoda's many entrances are lined, on either side, with trinket shops and vendors selling everything from sandalwood beads to golden Buddha statues.
Location
North of the city centre, between People's Park and Kandawgyi Lake
Visit website
See
Kandawgyi Lake
Kandawgyi Lake is just east of Shwedagon Pagoda. Frequented by locals, it is surrounded by sprawling parkland complete with forested paths and dozens of open-air cafés. Karaweik Hall on is a floating restaurant, a great place to eat lunch and escape the heat of the city before walking off your meal on the lakeside paths. There are always rickshaws and taxis waiting at every exit, so it's easy to get to your next destination.
Location
East of the Shwedagon Pagoda
Eat
Feel
Always packed, Feel restaurant is one of the best places to try typical Myanmar food. There are no menus, and patrons simply go up to the counter to choose from the food available. The selection always includes at least a dozen different noodle dishes, and the servers quickly bring your order.
Shop
Bogyoke Aung San Market
No trip to Yangon is complete without a stop at the Bogyoke Aung San Market, the city’s main bazaar. Located downtown, it's a great place to haggle with the locals and buy souvenirs. Known for its colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, the market is dominated by antiques, Burmese handicrafts, jewellery shops, art galleries and clothing stalls.
