Joanna James
The largest city in Myanmar is a vibrant city centre, promising a wealth of culture and surprises. There are glittering pagodas and thriving markets, inviting travellers to discover its many wonders.
Perhaps the most famous landmark in the city and one of the best things to do in Yangon is to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda. Glittering in gold, this magnificent stupa is over 100 meters tall and is considered one of the most sacred stupas in the world. The stupa enshrines hair relics of the present Buddha, Gotama, and four other Buddhas of the present aeon. It is customary to circumbulate right to left to pay homage to the Buddha and gain blessings. Visitors can also walk around its base, admire intricate carvings, and watch monks offering prayers. The pagoda is especially striking at sunrise and sunset.
The best way to experience local life is to visit the Bogyoke Market and Aung San Market. You will be able to discover the best of handmade jewelry, colourful textiles, trinkets, and fancy souvenirs to take back home with you. The markets are also a great place to discover traditional foods and snacks. One of the best ways to be at the heart of Yangon is to be at the markets. The hustle and bustle, the bargaining, the busy crowds, you will be at the centre of life in Yangon. There is no better place to do some people watching in Yangon than the markets.
Grab a ride on the circular train and explore every nook and cranny of the city like never before.. The slow moving train travels in loops around the city, passing little villages, lakes, and markets, providing one of the best ways to enjoy the city, offering you a fresh perspective beyond the famed tourist sites.
The city of Yangon has several lakes dotted throughout the city. Among them, Lake Kandawgyi makes for a relaxing outing while in Yangon. You can leisurely stroll along the footpaths of the lake, go on a boat ride, or just take in the serene views of the lake overlooking the city. This is one of the best locations in the city to truly immerse in the quieter side of Yangon, and provides a nice retreat from the chaos of the city.
Another magnificent structure located at the heart of downtown Yangon is the Sule Pagoda. It is a part and parcel of daily life for the locals, apart from being a golden landmark of Yangon. The structure is over 2000 years old and is surrounded by chaotic streets, colonial structures, and modern shops. The pagoda enshrines a sacred hair relic of the Buddha, attracting worshippers and tourists from all over the world. If you want to base your stay at the heart of Yangon, the likes of Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon can be a great accommodation option to discover attractions such as Sule Pagoda and more.
Yangon was once the capital of British Burma, and you can discover the colonial past of the city by exploring the many colonial style architecture dotted along the city. You will be met with buildings with grand old facades, tall windows, colonnaded porticos, and detailed architecture. These buildings have added a quaint charm to the city and are a remnant of the historical past of Yangon.
Burmese food is full of bold flavours, aromatics, and textures. It is known for its unique blend of flavours such as bitter, salty, sour, and spicy, and the use of unusual ingredients such as fermented tea leaves. Signature dishes such as the fish noodle soup, mohinga, shan noodles, and lahpet thoke are among the most beloved treats you will find in the street food stalls of Yangon. Markets are a great place to discover Burmese food. Of course, the city is full of amazing restaurants, so you can go and have your fill of some Burmese treats while in Yangon.
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