Joanna James
Myanmar's capital Yangon went through its fair share of problems and hardship to become one of the top tourist destinations in the world while retaining its colourful and rich cultural identity.
Myanmar shares their borders with India, Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh, China and is home to more than 130 ethnic groups making it a melting pot for food. If you're a foodie and want to try out the local street food scene then there are lots of street food vendors who offer a wide variety of dishes all over the city. Mohinga, Grilled Skewers, Shan Noodles, Samosa Salad and Mont Lin Ma Yar are some of the popular street food delicacies that you should try out.
Yangon is home to some of the worlds most majestic and beautiful pagodas in the world. Out of all the Pagoda's you'll see the Shwedagon Pagoda and the Sule Pagoda are Yangon's most popular pagodas. The Shwedagon Pagoda is said to be more than 2500 years old and one of the most revered religious relics in the country. Sule Pagoda is beautiful pagoda that was created over 2000 years ago and is known for its flashy mirrors that reflect the sunlight during the day and lights up the night sky once the sun sets. Tourist can spend a few hours exploring these temples and marvelling at their beautiful architecture and majesty.
The Chaukhtatgyi Paya, also referred to as the Reclining Buddha is a statue of Lord Buddha in reclining position that's 65 metres long. The construction of this monument was sponsored by Sir Po Tha, a wealthy Buddhist of Burmese origin in 1899. The statue was completed in 1907 and was originally built with Lord Buddha having an aggressive face but was corrected in 1950 by the temple trustees.
If you're staying at Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon, an uber chic and luxurious hotel Yangon has to offer then you'll find that there is plenty to do around Kandawgyi Lake. It is one of the most tranquil and calm lakes in Yangon that is perfect for an evening stroll. The majestic Shwedagon Pagoda is an excursion that you can easily visit while visiting this lake. If you're an animal lover the lake has a zoo you should visit. If you're visiting the lake during the night, you'll find a variety of restaurants where you can enjoy a scrumptious meal and watch puppet shows that are hosted inside the Kandawgyi Palace.
If you want to get a better understanding of about Myanmar's way of life and what life is like for an average person, then you should check a local market. The markets sell a variety of items such as fresh produce, various types of spices, clothing and a large variety of food stalls. Bogyoke Market, a place that was used as a black market is one of the most popular local markets frequented by lots of locals and is a great place to buy jewellery, mementoes and souvenirs for a cheap price. Chinatown, located to the west of Sule Pagoda and between 18th and 24th street is another great local market that offers a huge variety of vegetables, fruits and jewellery stores. Chinatown also has several restaurants, and bars that offer alcohol and food at a cheap price, making it the perfect place to enjoy during sundown.
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