Joanna James
Yangon is the largest city in Myanmar, and comprises of beautiful architecture, high rises and a lot of history. There's plenty do and see in Yangon, here's all you need to do for your first visit!
No trip to Myanmar is complete without a stop at Shwedagon Pagoda, which is officially named Shwedagon Zedi Daw or Great Dagon Pagoda. This spot is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is iconic, situated at the very heart of Yangon. Within close distance to almost any hotel in Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist stupa in Myanmar and is also one of the most important religious monuments in the world. The Shwedagon, according to local chronologies, is believed to possess the bodily relics of Lord Buddha and artifactual relics associated with the three other most recent previous Buddhas of our present era. The main stupa is covered in gold, and the crowning umbrella is adorned with sparkling diamonds and other jewels. Buddhist devotees make it a point to visit this prominent spot.
The 6000 graves at Taukkyan War Cemetery will show you that Burma (present Myanmar) played no small part in World War Two. The cemetery is located an hour away from downtown Yangon, and roughly 45 minutes from PARKROYAL Yangon. Bear in mind, however, that the journey is worth every minute as you get to see firsthand the tributes made to the heroes who fought far from home. Aside from this, there are three memorials to look out for which commemorate the 27,000 soldiers who died in during campaigns in Burma.
Not too far from Shwedagon Pagoda is where you'll find this lake and Karaweik Palace. This nature park is popular among families and is where you will find the boardwalk around the lakes' edge. The boards are lose and old, so every step needs to be taken carefully. Make sure you have water and sun screen with you during this stroll!
There's nothing quite like experiencing the charm a city possesses when you're there, and in Yangon, this is achieved by losing yourself in Downtown Yangon! The network of streets are spread out and numbered, and the crumbling European style architecture only makes it more exciting. There are plenty of market stalls that pop up and countless street vendors selling a plethora of items, so make sure to take your time taking in what is going on around you. Initially overwhelming, but once you get used to the sounds and lights, there's nothing quite like Downtown Yangon to get lost in!
When in Yangon, experiencing the street food and cuisine is a must. Hot noodles and tasty dumplings are served fresh, and you're most definitely going to have a gastronomic experience to remember. Fried snacks, dosas and samosas are all lined up in stalls. In fact, with more than 135 ethnic groups living within the city, street food in Yangon takes a whole new meaning.
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