Yangon is madness. No scooters are allowed in the city so it is absolutely jam packed with cars. Make sure you allow a decent amount of time to get anywhere, or walk!
#1 - The Shwedagon Pagoda
The Shwedagon Pagoda is on everyone's must see list for Yangon. According to legend, the pagoda was built over 2,600 years ago, and has been damaged repeatedly by earthquakes. Not that you can tell! It is spectacular. Just be prepared for burnt feet - it is so hot in there, you can only stand on the white concrete for long. Find shade where you can. Usually this is where cats and monks are hanging out!
#2 - Chaukhtatgyi Buddha (giant Buddha)
Generally, I get rapid onset temple fatigue...but I found this statue pretty awe-inspiring. I've never seen anything so big (that's what she said....ha). The feet are pretty cool to look at...they have really intricate detailing. There are kittens running around everywhere too!
Make sure you have a longyi on though. I bought a longyi at the markets outside and my experience there really epitomizes how I feel about Myanmar. They had two types of longyis to buy - one cheap cotton one and one more expensive silk one. The shop owner, obviously knowing I was purely buying it for the giant Buddha and not for any real special occasion, kept insisting I buy the cheaper one. I had to insist more than once I really wanted the more expensive silk one! It was odd. So different to the rest of South East Asia. That was quite a common occurrence I found...they don't see you as a walking money machine.
This Buddha is walking distance from Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda too...which is worth a look if you have time, but don't go out of your way.
Make sure you have a longyi on though. I bought a longyi at the markets outside and my experience there really epitomizes how I feel about Myanmar. They had two types of longyis to buy - one cheap cotton one and one more expensive silk one. The shop owner, obviously knowing I was purely buying it for the giant Buddha and not for any real special occasion, kept insisting I buy the cheaper one. I had to insist more than once I really wanted the more expensive silk one! It was odd. So different to the rest of South East Asia. That was quite a common occurrence I found...they don't see you as a walking money machine.
This Buddha is walking distance from Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda too...which is worth a look if you have time, but don't go out of your way.
#3 - Kandawgyi Park
There are two lakes in Yangon - Inya Lake (skip it) and the man-made Kandawgyi Lake which Kandawgyi Park sits around.
I didn't know what to expect, but ended up having a great time at Kandawgyi Park. We arrived on the south western side and found a beautiful wooden bridge that takes you to the other side of the park. Be careful where you stand though...some of those planks are a bit loose!
We walked across the bridge (it's like a kilometre long) to the other side where we found a whole lot of little restaurants. We grabbed some Korean food and settled in for the sunset. Do not miss the sunset here. It's magical.
It's a great people watching spot. If you get there early enough you can look in the giant dragon boat too. There is also a neat gift shop, which is reasonably priced!
I didn't know what to expect, but ended up having a great time at Kandawgyi Park. We arrived on the south western side and found a beautiful wooden bridge that takes you to the other side of the park. Be careful where you stand though...some of those planks are a bit loose!
We walked across the bridge (it's like a kilometre long) to the other side where we found a whole lot of little restaurants. We grabbed some Korean food and settled in for the sunset. Do not miss the sunset here. It's magical.
It's a great people watching spot. If you get there early enough you can look in the giant dragon boat too. There is also a neat gift shop, which is reasonably priced!
#4 - Have dinner on 19th street
19th street is famous for its barbecues. Every night the street comes alive with Myanmar Chinese barbecue, and loads of beer. It is hot, crazy, and full of character.
The street is lined with restaurants. Pick one with some seats out on the street so you can fully immerse yourself in the chaos.
Once you've sat down and ordered a Myanmar beer, head over to the glass cabinet and point to the skewers you want. There are loads to choose from - meat, veggies, fish! Try lots of different things. It's so cheap that it doesn't matter if you don't like it. The cooks will then barbecue it for you and bring it over when it's done. Just sit down and wait, and enjoy the atmosphere.
We finished up the evening with a party at the French Embassy. There was a curfew on in Yangon when we were there, but the Embassy somehow gets around it. If you can find your way there, make sure you do. Just seemed so crazy...a party on the lawn of the French Embassy! It has a band, and bars, and is lots of fun....well if you haven't filled yourself up on barbecue and want to go to bed that is!
The street is lined with restaurants. Pick one with some seats out on the street so you can fully immerse yourself in the chaos.
Once you've sat down and ordered a Myanmar beer, head over to the glass cabinet and point to the skewers you want. There are loads to choose from - meat, veggies, fish! Try lots of different things. It's so cheap that it doesn't matter if you don't like it. The cooks will then barbecue it for you and bring it over when it's done. Just sit down and wait, and enjoy the atmosphere.
We finished up the evening with a party at the French Embassy. There was a curfew on in Yangon when we were there, but the Embassy somehow gets around it. If you can find your way there, make sure you do. Just seemed so crazy...a party on the lawn of the French Embassy! It has a band, and bars, and is lots of fun....well if you haven't filled yourself up on barbecue and want to go to bed that is!
#5 - Take the bus.
We jumped on the local town buses a few times. We didn't really know where they were going...but it worked out well when going to and from the Shwedagon Pagoda because most of the buses go up that street constantly.
Riding these buses were so much fun. They are crazy. They basically don't stop moving to let you off! But the people are really kind and will help you get a seat. You can even flag them down and jump on. Well we did...maybe they just stopped for us because we are obviously tourists.
Make sure you pay the man standing up at the door. He'll probably come over to you to get the money at some point. One man did refuse our money once though, I'm still not sure why. I'll just assume he was being kind. You don't pay the driver, he is too busy navigating Yangon's hectic streets.
You can try to ask the doorman where the bus is going. Otherwise just jump on and hope for the best. If you do end up going somewhere out of the way, as we did....you can get a taxi home for like $3! Totally worth it for the fun of the bus.
Riding these buses were so much fun. They are crazy. They basically don't stop moving to let you off! But the people are really kind and will help you get a seat. You can even flag them down and jump on. Well we did...maybe they just stopped for us because we are obviously tourists.
Make sure you pay the man standing up at the door. He'll probably come over to you to get the money at some point. One man did refuse our money once though, I'm still not sure why. I'll just assume he was being kind. You don't pay the driver, he is too busy navigating Yangon's hectic streets.
You can try to ask the doorman where the bus is going. Otherwise just jump on and hope for the best. If you do end up going somewhere out of the way, as we did....you can get a taxi home for like $3! Totally worth it for the fun of the bus.
Runners-up
- Visit the Sule Pagoda. See it glitter at night time.
- Escape the heat and pretend to be British royalty at Strand Hotel bar. It's worth it for the toilets alone. Trust me.
- Shop up a storm at the Bogyoke market. It even has cobblestone streets. And you don't get hassled!
- Get a cyclo down Yangon's main streets
- Go to Shan 999 noodle house for the best noodles you'll have in Myanmar.
