Yangon

Yangon (Burmese: ရန်ကုန်), formerly Rangoon, was the capital of Myanmar until it was replaced by Naypyidaw in 2005. Today, with a population of over 5 million people, it remains the largest city and the economic hub of Myanmar.

As the country's former capital, Yangon is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Myanmar, where you can find nightlife, quality international restaurants, and many of the country's Museums. The city is an amalgamation of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, known for its colonial architecture, which although decaying, remains an almost unique example of a 19th century British colonial capital in Asia. New high-rise buildings were constructed from the 1990s as the government began to allow private investment and with the introduction of reforms in 2013 many new buildings are being constructed and refurbished in the city centre. Meanwhile, former government buildings such as the massive Secretariat Building, have been left to rot as the capital was shifted to Naypyidaw.

Yangon's former name was not the only victim of change in this country. For one, the country's name was changed. To add to the on-going identity crisis, the city has been stripped of its status as capital. The nation's capital has been relocated to a remote new site called Naypyidaw, built from scratch. The flag too has been changed, redesigned in 2010, replacing the old one which replaced another one slightly more than a decade ago.

While the government still requires foreigners to register their passports at hotels and private residences, the government no longer spends efforts to follow or otherwise monitor tourists and foreigners in Yangon. Note that it is illegal to stay in a private residence without registering with the local Township authorities.

Relatively untouched by development compared of other major Southeast Asian cities, the city centre of Yangon is full of historical sights. Yangon is perhaps the best preserved example of a European colonial capital in Southeast Asia.

• Shwedagon Paya. Daily, 06:30-22:00. The pagoda opens at 05:00 but generally tourists are not allowed in until 06:30. 10,000 kyat. Ticket booths are at the top end of the flights of steps on all entrances. If you get in at 05:00 and get out by 06:00 you'll probably escape paying the fee (but risk not being allowed in). Tickets are valid for one day only (not a 24 hour period) and must be retained throughout your visit. A sticker has to be displayed on your clothes to identify you as having a valid ticket, but it is unusable the next day as another colour is used. Bring some sticky tape to help keep the sticker attached to your clothing (especially if it is a hot or wet day, like most days in Myanmar). ATMs available at the platform. The Shwedagon Pagoda or Paya is the most important religious site in Myanmar. The pagoda stands on the top of Singuttara Hill, and, according to legend, that spot has been sacred since the beginning of time, just before our present world was created. At that time, five lotus buds popped up on the hill, each bud signifying the five Buddhas who would appear in the world and guide it to Nirvana. Gautama, the Buddha as we know him, is the fourth of these five (Maitreya, the fifth, will announce the end of the world with his appearance) and, according to the legend, two brothers brought eight hairs of the Buddha to be enshrined in this sacred location, inaugurating the Shwedagon Pagoda. Whatever the truth of the legend, verifiable history records a pagoda at the site since the 6th century CE. Built and rebuilt, gilded and regilded, almost nothing in the pagoda is likely to be old, except whatever is hidden deep inside the stupa. An earthquake (18th century) destroyed the upper half of the pagoda spire and many buildings. Burmese Buddhists are practical people who constantly build and rebuild pagodas for merit.
  The pagoda is an interesting place: multicoloured neon highlighting a galaxy of colours, textures and shapes. It is also a jungle of spires with superior Myanmar woodcarving embellishment playfully mixed and matched with modern building materials such as corrugated roofing. Unlike other religious sites, it has a spiritual as well as a secular feel about it. Children run up and down singing songs, monks sit on the steps chatting, young men cast amorous glances at women, women stand around gossiping, all while others are deep in prayer in front of whatever shrine has significance for them. The Shwedagon captures the essence of both the informal nature as well as the strong ties that signify the relationship that the Burmese have with their Buddhism.
• Guides. Guides, official and unofficial are available for US$5 (extra US$1/1,000 kyat tip). The quality is variable, but most guides are friendly and helpful. The pagoda is vast and complex and, if you can afford the extra cost, the company and practical information on what's going around you is worth the expense.
• Food. The closest restaurant is at the intersection of the Shwedagon Pagoda Rd and U Hlaung Bo St (at the bottom of the south walkway). There are some tea shops on a small roadway that describes a semicircle just below the top of the pagoda where you can get tea and biscuits. North of the pagoda, on Inya Rd and outside the Savoy, are many places to eat, fincluding a good fast food restaurant for pizza, coffee and sandwiches. Bring water; the heat of the sun can get to you if you visit during the daytime. No food or bottled water is available on the platform itself, but water is available from one of the many water dispenser. It's clean, cool and free.
• Disabled visitors. A road on the south side leads halfway up the Singuttara Hill and an elevator can take you the rest of the way. Alternatively, if not in a wheelchair, head for the Western entrance from where escalators are available all the way to the top. The escalators are free for foreigners (or rather, included in the price of the ticket).
• Dress code. Dress reasonably and keep your legs covered (long skirts, halfway between knee and ankle, are fine; shorts, on men or women, are not). Longyi are available at the ticket booth if you arrive overly uncovered.
• Shoes. As with nearly all Buddhist monuments, footwear is not permitted. However unusual here is that socks also are not permitted to be worn. Almost all visitors including all locals remove their footwear at the gates before even setting foot inside the complex. There are places to leave your shoes at the bottom of every walkway for a nominal fee (5 kyat) but that can be a problem if, say, you enter using the east walkway and wish to leave by the north. Carry a plastic shopping bag, pop your shoes into that bag, and carry it around with you while on the walkways and platforms. A minor scam are people handing out plastic bags just outside the complex, if you accept you will then be asked to pay at least US$1: just ignore them and leave your shoes & socks at the official places. If you can, visit during the early morning or in the late afternoon / evening so the white marble tiles do not burn your feet. Things to see at the Shwedagon
• Plan. The pagoda is shaped similar to a Greek cross. There are four entrances at each of the four cardinal directions flanked by gargantuan sculptures of mythical Burmese lions. These entrances open up to the four walkways as the appendages of the cross ascending to the top via flights of steps. At the top is the octagonal intersection of the cross which consists of the stupa at the very centre itself surrounded by shrines that can qualify as temples by themselves and separated from the Stupa by a vast open walkway paved with spic and span shiny marble tiles. The stupa is further surrounded by a string of micro shrines: small celled structures housing the icon of the Buddha himself and interspersed by lion sculptures, and then further inwards, another string of micro stupas surround the stupa superstructure.
• Walkways to The Pagoda. Four covered walkways lead up to the pagoda from the plains surrounding the hills. The east walkway is the most interesting, crowded as it is with vendors selling items for pilgrims (candles, flowers, gold leaf, stones and other paraphernalia of Burmese Buddhist worship) and souvenirs for tourists (Buddhas, lacquer ware and thanaka). The other walkways are less interesting but the west walkway has escalators and the southern has an elevator. Walking up the Eastern walkway to the top and allowing the beauty of the pagoda it to emerge remains the best way to get up the hill.
  The entrances are striking: there is a pair of mythical and stylized stone lions guarding the doorway framing the grand staircase as if this scene is coming out from a biblical film set. To view clearly these mythical lions, one simply has to examine the Myanmar currency notes where it is featured practically in all denominations. The Great Stupa is visible at dark, multicoloured neon lightings highlight its profile
  Another attraction of this temple in general and the walkways in particular are the 3D murals of the Jataka tales in Myanmarese interpretation showing distinctive Myanmar landscape, temple and toddy palm dotted countryside, country life, architecture, palace and court scenery and pageantry, temple scenes, period costumes, mythological nagas and nats, elephants, lions and dragons. These 3D murals flank the upper part of the walls of all the four entrances.
• The Pagoda Platform. Although similar in concept to Mecca's kaaba, surrounded by a vast space, the pagoda platform where people may make rounds of the stupa, is a religious space without pomp and circumstance and is one of the best places in the world to sit and people watch. Find a comfortable step, or sit on the floor, and look around. Children run up and down, perhaps singing and shouting with abandon. Women cluster in groups gossiping. Couples, young and old stroll up and down. Burgundy robed monks are everywhere. Here and there, at the many shrines that dot the platform and sit around the stupa, people pray, seriously and silently. Bells ring. There is no awe here, only life, religious and secular life. Sit there long enough and someone will stop to chat with you, to ask questions, to exchange information.
• Day Shrines. There are eight shrines, one for each day of the week (in the Burmese calendar, Wednesday is divided into two parts), dotted around the eight corners of the stupa (the stupa is octagonal), and most Burmese pray at their day shrine when visiting a pagoda. If you can figure out the day of the week when you were born, light a candle, place some flowers, or pour water over the shrine corresponding to that day. Starting from the south entrance, and going clockwise, the eight planetary posts are: Mercury (Wednesday morning, before noon), Saturn (Saturday), Jupiter (Thursday), Rahu (no planet, Wednesday afternoon), Venus (Friday), Sun (Sunday), Moon (Monday), Mars (Tuesday). Each shrine also has a beast associated with it, the most interesting one being the Gahlon, a mythical half-bird half-beast said to guard Mount Meru (the shrine for Sunday).
• Statue of Wa Thon Da Ray. The statue of Wa Thon Da Ray, the guardian angel of the earth, is to the left of the south walkway. Wa Thon Da Ray is said to have saved the Buddha from burning by wrapping her wet hair around the earth. The long tresses are clearly visible in the stone statue that stands in her honour.
• The Arakanese Prayer Pavilion. A little before the west walkway, was a gift of the Rakhaing people of Arakan. The prayer hall itself is ordinary, but the wood carvings on the roof are exquisite, probably the finest in the pagoda complex.
• Maha Ganda Bell. Known locally as the Singu Min Bell (after King Singu, who donated it to Shwedagon), the Maha Ganda bell was cast between 1775 and 1779 and weighs 23 tonnes. Impressed by the size of the bell, the British attempted to take it as war booty after the First Burmese War (1825), but dropped it into the Yangon River instead. The story goes that the British tried everything to get the bell out of the water, but all their technology was of no avail. Giving up, they told the Burmese that they could have it back if they could get it out of the water. The Burmese, with some bamboo rafts, managed to retrieve the bell and it was returned to the pagoda. Pick up a mallet and bang on the bell for luck. Behind the bell, a small pavilion provides excellent views of the stupa (spectacular at night) and a panoramic view of the city.
• Naungdawgyi Pagoda and Sandawdwin Tazaung. Left of the north walkway, the Naungdawgyi or Elder pagoda is supposed to mark the spot where the sacred strands of the Buddha's hair were placed and washed before being enshrined in the stupa. Women are not allowed onto the Elder pagoda platform. Close by is the Sandawdwin Tazaung (Hair Relics Well) which provided the water for the washing. The well is odd because it is fed by the Irrawaddy rather than by ground water and the level of water in this well rises and falls with the tides.
• Dhammazedi Inscription. A 1485 tablet that relates the story of the Shwedagon in Pali, Mon, and Burmese. One of the few verifiably antique objects in the pagoda complex.

Shwedagon Paya. Daily, 06:30-22:00. The pagoda opens at 05:00 but generally tourists are not allowed in until 06:30. 10,000 kyat. Ticket booths are at the top end of the flights of steps on all entrances. If you get in at 05:00 and get out by 06:00 you'll probably escape paying the fee (but risk not being allowed in). Tickets are valid for one day only (not a 24 hour period) and must be retained throughout your visit. A sticker has to be displayed on your clothes to identify you as having a valid ticket, but it is unusable the next day as another colour is used. Bring some sticky tape to help keep the sticker attached to your clothing (especially if it is a hot or wet day, like most days in Myanmar). ATMs available at the platform.

Guides. Guides, official and unofficial are available for US$5 (extra US$1/1,000 kyat tip). The quality is variable, but most guides are friendly and helpful. The pagoda is vast and complex and, if you can afford the extra cost, the company and practical information on what's going around you is worth the expense.

Food. The closest restaurant is at the intersection of the Shwedagon Pagoda Rd and U Hlaung Bo St (at the bottom of the south walkway). There are some tea shops on a small roadway that describes a semicircle just below the top of the pagoda where you can get tea and biscuits. North of the pagoda, on Inya Rd and outside the Savoy, are many places to eat, fincluding a good fast food restaurant for pizza, coffee and sandwiches. Bring water; the heat of the sun can get to you if you visit during the daytime. No food or bottled water is available on the platform itself, but water is available from one of the many water dispenser. It's clean, cool and free.

Disabled visitors. A road on the south side leads halfway up the Singuttara Hill and an elevator can take you the rest of the way. Alternatively, if not in a wheelchair, head for the Western entrance from where escalators are available all the way to the top. The escalators are free for foreigners (or rather, included in the price of the ticket).

Dress code. Dress reasonably and keep your legs covered (long skirts, halfway between knee and ankle, are fine; shorts, on men or women, are not). Longyi are available at the ticket booth if you arrive overly uncovered.

Shoes. As with nearly all Buddhist monuments, footwear is not permitted. However unusual here is that socks also are not permitted to be worn. Almost all visitors including all locals remove their footwear at the gates before even setting foot inside the complex. There are places to leave your shoes at the bottom of every walkway for a nominal fee (5 kyat) but that can be a problem if, say, you enter using the east walkway and wish to leave by the north. Carry a plastic shopping bag, pop your shoes into that bag, and carry it around with you while on the walkways and platforms. A minor scam are people handing out plastic bags just outside the complex, if you accept you will then be asked to pay at least US$1: just ignore them and leave your shoes & socks at the official places. If you can, visit during the early morning or in the late afternoon / evening so the white marble tiles do not burn your feet.

Plan. The pagoda is shaped similar to a Greek cross. There are four entrances at each of the four cardinal directions flanked by gargantuan sculptures of mythical Burmese lions. These entrances open up to the four walkways as the appendages of the cross ascending to the top via flights of steps. At the top is the octagonal intersection of the cross which consists of the stupa at the very centre itself surrounded by shrines that can qualify as temples by themselves and separated from the Stupa by a vast open walkway paved with spic and span shiny marble tiles. The stupa is further surrounded by a string of micro shrines: small celled structures housing the icon of the Buddha himself and interspersed by lion sculptures, and then further inwards, another string of micro stupas surround the stupa superstructure.

Walkways to The Pagoda. Four covered walkways lead up to the pagoda from the plains surrounding the hills. The east walkway is the most interesting, crowded as it is with vendors selling items for pilgrims (candles, flowers, gold leaf, stones and other paraphernalia of Burmese Buddhist worship) and souvenirs for tourists (Buddhas, lacquer ware and thanaka). The other walkways are less interesting but the west walkway has escalators and the southern has an elevator. Walking up the Eastern walkway to the top and allowing the beauty of the pagoda it to emerge remains the best way to get up the hill.
The entrances are striking: there is a pair of mythical and stylized stone lions guarding the doorway framing the grand staircase as if this scene is coming out from a biblical film set. To view clearly these mythical lions, one simply has to examine the Myanmar currency notes where it is featured practically in all denominations. The Great Stupa is visible at dark, multicoloured neon lightings highlight its profile
Another attraction of this temple in general and the walkways in particular are the 3D murals of the Jataka tales in Myanmarese interpretation showing distinctive Myanmar landscape, temple and toddy palm dotted countryside, country life, architecture, palace and court scenery and pageantry, temple scenes, period costumes, mythological nagas and nats, elephants, lions and dragons. These 3D murals flank the upper part of the walls of all the four entrances.

The Pagoda Platform. Although similar in concept to Mecca's kaaba, surrounded by a vast space, the pagoda platform where people may make rounds of the stupa, is a religious space without pomp and circumstance and is one of the best places in the world to sit and people watch. Find a comfortable step, or sit on the floor, and look around. Children run up and down, perhaps singing and shouting with abandon. Women cluster in groups gossiping. Couples, young and old stroll up and down. Burgundy robed monks are everywhere. Here and there, at the many shrines that dot the platform and sit around the stupa, people pray, seriously and silently. Bells ring. There is no awe here, only life, religious and secular life. Sit there long enough and someone will stop to chat with you, to ask questions, to exchange information.

Day Shrines. There are eight shrines, one for each day of the week (in the Burmese calendar, Wednesday is divided into two parts), dotted around the eight corners of the stupa (the stupa is octagonal), and most Burmese pray at their day shrine when visiting a pagoda. If you can figure out the day of the week when you were born, light a candle, place some flowers, or pour water over the shrine corresponding to that day. Starting from the south entrance, and going clockwise, the eight planetary posts are: Mercury (Wednesday morning, before noon), Saturn (Saturday), Jupiter (Thursday), Rahu (no planet, Wednesday afternoon), Venus (Friday), Sun (Sunday), Moon (Monday), Mars (Tuesday). Each shrine also has a beast associated with it, the most interesting one being the Gahlon, a mythical half-bird half-beast said to guard Mount Meru (the shrine for Sunday).

Statue of Wa Thon Da Ray. The statue of Wa Thon Da Ray, the guardian angel of the earth, is to the left of the south walkway. Wa Thon Da Ray is said to have saved the Buddha from burning by wrapping her wet hair around the earth. The long tresses are clearly visible in the stone statue that stands in her honour.

The Arakanese Prayer Pavilion. A little before the west walkway, was a gift of the Rakhaing people of Arakan. The prayer hall itself is ordinary, but the wood carvings on the roof are exquisite, probably the finest in the pagoda complex.

Maha Ganda Bell. Known locally as the Singu Min Bell (after King Singu, who donated it to Shwedagon), the Maha Ganda bell was cast between 1775 and 1779 and weighs 23 tonnes. Impressed by the size of the bell, the British attempted to take it as war booty after the First Burmese War (1825), but dropped it into the Yangon River instead. The story goes that the British tried everything to get the bell out of the water, but all their technology was of no avail. Giving up, they told the Burmese that they could have it back if they could get it out of the water. The Burmese, with some bamboo rafts, managed to retrieve the bell and it was returned to the pagoda. Pick up a mallet and bang on the bell for luck. Behind the bell, a small pavilion provides excellent views of the stupa (spectacular at night) and a panoramic view of the city.

Naungdawgyi Pagoda and Sandawdwin Tazaung. Left of the north walkway, the Naungdawgyi or Elder pagoda is supposed to mark the spot where the sacred strands of the Buddha's hair were placed and washed before being enshrined in the stupa. Women are not allowed onto the Elder pagoda platform. Close by is the Sandawdwin Tazaung (Hair Relics Well) which provided the water for the washing. The well is odd because it is fed by the Irrawaddy rather than by ground water and the level of water in this well rises and falls with the tides.

Dhammazedi Inscription. A 1485 tablet that relates the story of the Shwedagon in Pali, Mon, and Burmese. One of the few verifiably antique objects in the pagoda complex.

• Saint Anthony R.C. Church, Bo Min Yaung St.
• Botataung Paya, Strand Rd (A few blocks east of The Strand Hotel along the Yangon River. The original pagoda was destroyed by allied bombing during the Second World War but the site has a legendary history as long as that of the Shwedagon or the Sule Paya, and it is supposed to house more strands of the Buddha's hair brought to the site by a thousand soldiers (hence the name which means "1,000 officers"). The rebuilt stupa is hollow inside, and many relics (though not the hair) are on display. While not spectacular like the Shwedagon, the river-front setting and the hollow stupa make it worth visiting. Entrance fee: 6,000 kyat
• Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, Shwe Gon Taing Rd, Bahan Township (Bus to 'Chauk Htat Gyi'. 06:00-20:00. A temple that is home to an impressive reclining Buddha that is 65 m long and 6 storeys high. US$5 for foreigners.
• St Francis of Assisi Church, Kyaik Ka San Rd (Thida Street Bus Stop.
• Judson Church, Pyay Rd (Bus to stop Marlar, On western part of the Yangon University.
• Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Anglican cathedral built by the British. It is one of two cathedrals in Yangon, and has a beautiful interior. North of Bogyoke Zay Bus Stop, South of Phaya Lan Train Station, Shwedagon Pagoda Rd corner.
• Maha Wizaya Pagoda, Shwe dagon Pagoda Road (Shwedagon Pagoda South Gate Bus Stop.
• Fish and Turtle Lake.
• Meilamu Paya. A large expanse of land on which larger-than-life, colourful statues depicting Buddha's lives are located. Mailamu Paya also showcases a pavilion on a man-made lake, and several chedis.
• Muhammad Jann Mosque, Banyardala Rd/Tamwe Rd (Take a bus to stop Tamwe Ah Waing.
• E.A. Mumsar Mosque, Kyaik Ka San Rd (North one block of St Francis of Assisi Church.
• Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue, 85 26th St (Vandoola Park Bus Terminus half km away. The only synagogue in Yangon. It is a colonial relic, built in 1893. Its interior is beautifully maintained.
• Saint Mary's Cathedral, Bo Aung Kyaw Street. The cathedral's exterior is newly renovated, but it's still an ugly eyesore outside, but the superior Myanmarese dexterity of carving is shown in the interior's 14 Stations of the Cross. Images literally pop out of the screen in 3D fashion.
• Sein Yaung Chi Pagoda.
• Siyin Baptist Church, Maha Bandoola Road and 50th St cnr.
• Sule Paya, Maha Bandula Road. Incongruously serving as a traffic island in the middle of the busiest intersection in central Yangon, Sule Paya is a 46 m octagonal-shaped stupa that, according to the local story, was built 2,000 years ago to house a strand of the Buddha's hair. Whether or not it has a strand of the Buddha's hair, the galleries of the pagoda are an oasis of calm from the chaotic traffic that passes around it all day long. Shoes can be left at counters at any entrance, but carry a plastic bag. US$3.
• Ta Chan Pae Mosque, Upper Pansodan Rd.

Saint Anthony R.C. Church, Bo Min Yaung St.

Botataung Paya, Strand Rd (A few blocks east of The Strand Hotel along the Yangon River. The original pagoda was destroyed by allied bombing during the Second World War but the site has a legendary history as long as that of the Shwedagon or the Sule Paya, and it is supposed to house more strands of the Buddha's hair brought to the site by a thousand soldiers (hence the name which means "1,000 officers"). The rebuilt stupa is hollow inside, and many relics (though not the hair) are on display. While not spectacular like the Shwedagon, the river-front setting and the hollow stupa make it worth visiting. Entrance fee: 6,000 kyat

Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, Shwe Gon Taing Rd, Bahan Township (Bus to 'Chauk Htat Gyi'. 06:00-20:00. A temple that is home to an impressive reclining Buddha that is 65 m long and 6 storeys high. US$5 for foreigners.

St Francis of Assisi Church, Kyaik Ka San Rd (Thida Street Bus Stop.

Judson Church, Pyay Rd (Bus to stop Marlar, On western part of the Yangon University.

Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Anglican cathedral built by the British. It is one of two cathedrals in Yangon, and has a beautiful interior. North of Bogyoke Zay Bus Stop, South of Phaya Lan Train Station, Shwedagon Pagoda Rd corner.

Maha Wizaya Pagoda, Shwe dagon Pagoda Road (Shwedagon Pagoda South Gate Bus Stop.

Fish and Turtle Lake.

Meilamu Paya. A large expanse of land on which larger-than-life, colourful statues depicting Buddha's lives are located. Mailamu Paya also showcases a pavilion on a man-made lake, and several chedis.

Muhammad Jann Mosque, Banyardala Rd/Tamwe Rd (Take a bus to stop Tamwe Ah Waing.

E.A. Mumsar Mosque, Kyaik Ka San Rd (North one block of St Francis of Assisi Church.

Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue, 85 26th St (Vandoola Park Bus Terminus half km away. The only synagogue in Yangon. It is a colonial relic, built in 1893. Its interior is beautifully maintained.

Saint Mary's Cathedral, Bo Aung Kyaw Street. The cathedral's exterior is newly renovated, but it's still an ugly eyesore outside, but the superior Myanmarese dexterity of carving is shown in the interior's 14 Stations of the Cross. Images literally pop out of the screen in 3D fashion.

Sein Yaung Chi Pagoda.

Siyin Baptist Church, Maha Bandoola Road and 50th St cnr.

Sule Paya, Maha Bandula Road. Incongruously serving as a traffic island in the middle of the busiest intersection in central Yangon, Sule Paya is a 46 m octagonal-shaped stupa that, according to the local story, was built 2,000 years ago to house a strand of the Buddha's hair. Whether or not it has a strand of the Buddha's hair, the galleries of the pagoda are an oasis of calm from the chaotic traffic that passes around it all day long. Shoes can be left at counters at any entrance, but carry a plastic bag. US$3.

Ta Chan Pae Mosque, Upper Pansodan Rd.

• Butterfly Lakes, U Ba Han St (NE of A.K.K. Shopping Centre.
• Inya Lake. The largest lake in the city. Some parts of Inya Lake's shoreline are accessible on foot, and are known for their gardens. Along Inya Lake's shore is the famous Inya Lake Hotel, now owned by Dusit and Yangon University (in a beautiful park-like setting). Surrounding the lake are villas owned by military leaders.
• Kandawgyi Lake, Kan Yeik Tha Rd, Nat Mauk St (Northeast of city centre. Recently renovated park that makes for a nice stroll. Lots of small restaurants, food stalls and a playgarden inside. The lake is best known for its karaweik (at its southeastern tip), a replica of a traditional Burmese royal boat. There is also a board walk around the south edge of the lake, affording a better view than that from the gardens. At its northwestern tip is Bogyoke Aung San Park, which is on Natmauk Rd. Main entrance is from the southeast corner. Foreigners pay 300 kyat, and there's a sign indicating there's also a 500 kyat camera charge and a 1,000 kyat video camera fee, but those don't seem to be enforced. Not all parts of the park are accesible from the southeast entrance, so you might have to walk around a bit on the street as well to see the park completely. 300 kyat (plus possible 500 kyat camera fee, and possible 1,000 kyat video camera fee).
• Kandawgyi Nature Park, Kan Yeik Tha Rd. This is a peninsula that provides good views around the lake and is the access to the Karaweik. There are restaurants (some cheap, some expensive) dotted around the lakefront and an amphitheatre that often has free concerts. Very popular with locals on Friday and Saturday nights. 300 kyat.
• Kandawlay Sunni Muslim Cemetery, Bo Min Yaung St.
• Kandawlay Shi'a Muslim Cemetery, Bo Min Yaung St (North of Kandawlay Sunni Muslim Cemetery.
• Kan Taw Mingalar Garden.
• Maha Bandula Park, Maha Bandula Park Street (In the cantonment, on eastside of its is the Vandoola Park Bus Terminus. Known for its rose gardens. Inside the park is the Independence Monument, built to signify Myanmar's independence. The park offers a great view of the City Hall and colonial buildings.
• Martyrs' Mausoleum. A memorial built to honour Aung San and six cabinet members who were assassinated. The mausoleum is on a hill, and is adjacent to Shwedagon Paya. It offers a beautiful panoramic view of Yangon.
• People's Park, Pyay Rd, Dhammazedi Rd, Ahlon Rd, U Wisara Rd (West of Shwedagon Pagoda. 07:00-19:00. Occupies 130 acres, between parliament and Shwedagon Paya and known for its large concrete water fountain. Inside the park is a museum. There are a lot of decrepit statues and relics (like ships and aircraft) as well as sterile squares in the Stalinist model, all of which gives an interesting insight to the government. Entrance fee for foreigners.
• Tamwe Muslim Cemetery, Tamwe Rd.
• Theingottara Park, U Wisara Rd (East of People's Park.
• War Memorial Cemetery, Kyun Taw Rd.
• Zoological Gardens, Bo Min Kaung Street. 08:00-18:00. Opened by the British in 1906. There are 145 species of 1203 land animals. During public holidays, the Elephant Circus is performed for attractions. Entry fee is 1,000 kyat for each person.

Butterfly Lakes, U Ba Han St (NE of A.K.K. Shopping Centre.

Inya Lake. The largest lake in the city. Some parts of Inya Lake's shoreline are accessible on foot, and are known for their gardens. Along Inya Lake's shore is the famous Inya Lake Hotel, now owned by Dusit and Yangon University (in a beautiful park-like setting). Surrounding the lake are villas owned by military leaders.

Kandawgyi Lake, Kan Yeik Tha Rd, Nat Mauk St (Northeast of city centre. Recently renovated park that makes for a nice stroll. Lots of small restaurants, food stalls and a playgarden inside. The lake is best known for its karaweik (at its southeastern tip), a replica of a traditional Burmese royal boat. There is also a board walk around the south edge of the lake, affording a better view than that from the gardens. At its northwestern tip is Bogyoke Aung San Park, which is on Natmauk Rd. Main entrance is from the southeast corner. Foreigners pay 300 kyat, and there's a sign indicating there's also a 500 kyat camera charge and a 1,000 kyat video camera fee, but those don't seem to be enforced. Not all parts of the park are accesible from the southeast entrance, so you might have to walk around a bit on the street as well to see the park completely. 300 kyat (plus possible 500 kyat camera fee, and possible 1,000 kyat video camera fee).

Kandawgyi Nature Park, Kan Yeik Tha Rd. This is a peninsula that provides good views around the lake and is the access to the Karaweik. There are restaurants (some cheap, some expensive) dotted around the lakefront and an amphitheatre that often has free concerts. Very popular with locals on Friday and Saturday nights. 300 kyat.

Kandawlay Sunni Muslim Cemetery, Bo Min Yaung St.

Kandawlay Shi'a Muslim Cemetery, Bo Min Yaung St (North of Kandawlay Sunni Muslim Cemetery.

Kan Taw Mingalar Garden.

Maha Bandula Park, Maha Bandula Park Street (In the cantonment, on eastside of its is the Vandoola Park Bus Terminus. Known for its rose gardens. Inside the park is the Independence Monument, built to signify Myanmar's independence. The park offers a great view of the City Hall and colonial buildings.

Martyrs' Mausoleum. A memorial built to honour Aung San and six cabinet members who were assassinated. The mausoleum is on a hill, and is adjacent to Shwedagon Paya. It offers a beautiful panoramic view of Yangon.

People's Park, Pyay Rd, Dhammazedi Rd, Ahlon Rd, U Wisara Rd (West of Shwedagon Pagoda. 07:00-19:00. Occupies 130 acres, between parliament and Shwedagon Paya and known for its large concrete water fountain. Inside the park is a museum. There are a lot of decrepit statues and relics (like ships and aircraft) as well as sterile squares in the Stalinist model, all of which gives an interesting insight to the government. Entrance fee for foreigners.

Tamwe Muslim Cemetery, Tamwe Rd.

Theingottara Park, U Wisara Rd (East of People's Park.

War Memorial Cemetery, Kyun Taw Rd.

Zoological Gardens, Bo Min Kaung Street. 08:00-18:00. Opened by the British in 1906. There are 145 species of 1203 land animals. During public holidays, the Elephant Circus is performed for attractions. Entry fee is 1,000 kyat for each person.

• Aung San Suu Kyi's House, 54 University Ave. The house is guarded by a high wall, and visitors are not allowed to enter. The most you can hope to do is to take a picture of the gate. Approximate taxi fares from the city is 3,000 kyat.
• Bogyoke Aung San Museum, 25 Bo Gyoke Museum Lane (Natmauk Road (near the German embassy), +95 1 345 651. 09:30-16:30; Mo off. This is the house where Aung San lived with his wife and three children until his assassination. The house is still in original condition ans houses a museum with many interesting items on display, e.g., Aung San's car, his library and his suits. Outside is the pond where his son, Aung San Lin, drowned. The accident was one of the reasons why the family moved. US$3.
• Bahadur Shah Zafar Grave, Zi Wa Ka St. The grave of the last of the Mughal emperors in India, as well as the last ruler of the Timurid Dynasty. After the Indian rebellion of 1857, he was exiled to Rangoon together with his wife, Zeenat Mahal, and some of the remaining members of the family. Bahadur Shah died in Nov 1862. Today you can see his tomb, and if you are lucky, a guide may be there to give you a lot of information about this Sufi saint. There is no entrance fee, but you can give donations to local Sufis. Free.
• Chinatown and Little India. Home to the descendants of migrants who came from China and India during the colonial era. You can still see reminders of that heritage, with Chinese clan temples, as well as Hindu temples, still to be found in these districts, as well as ethnic food.
• Central Bank of Myanmar, No. 1 Industrial Road.
• Centrepoint Towers, Sule Pagoda Road (West from Maha Bandoola Garden.
• City Hall, Maha Bandula Road. The seat of the city's administrative body, Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC). Construction began in 1926 and ended in 1936. The city hall has been the focal point of major political demonstrations and the site of several bombings, including one in 2000, 2008 and 2009.
• Drug Elimination Museum, Kyun Taw Rd (Near to Hanthawaddy Circle, +95 1 505016, +95 1 505261. A huge four-storey building dedicated to fighting narcotics (mainly opium), displaying the effects of drug use and efforts finding alternative crops. The exhibits are quite outdated and dusty. The main reason for a foreigner to visit is to experience a bizarre remnant of the previous regime. Be prepared that you may be the only visitor at the, but there are plenty of staff. Camera fee for foreigners US$5. foreigner: 4,000 kyat, burmese national: 100 kyat.
• High Court Building, Pansodan Street (Next to Maha Bandula Park 89-133. Until 2006, the Supreme Court of Myanmar was located at this complex. The building is listed on the Yangon City Heritage List.
• Martyrs Mausoleum. Contains the tombs of Queen Suphayalat, wife of Burma’s last king; nationalist and writer Thakin Kodaw Hmaing; former UN Secretary-General U Thant; and Aung San Suu Kyi’s mother, Khin Kyi. In 1983, the structure was bombed by North Korean agents attempting to assassinate the visiting South Korean president. He escaped, but 21 others were killed. The structure was completely rebuilt, and is now much less grand than the original.
• Ministers' Building, Maha Bandoola Rd (Bogalay Zay Bus Stop. It was the home and administrative seat of British Burma. In February 2012, 7 local companies and 3 foreign companies submitted a proposal to the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) to convert the Ministers' Building into a hotel and museum.
• U Thant Museum, Inya Road (Tha Thone Street corner.
• National Museum, 26 Pyay Rd (In front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 10:00-15:00, closed M, Tu, and holidays. Displays many Burmese historical artifacts, including regalia of the last Konbaung Dynasty. This museum has one of the better quality collections in South East Asia, containing the best of Burma's artistic heritage and superior craftsmanship. The architecture of the museum is a pathetic and crude interpretation of modern architecture. The exhibitions have been improved during 2016 and most exhibits have signs in both Burmese and English. Some rooms are dimly lit. Photography is prohibited. Do not buy books in the museum shop. Buy them at Innwa Bookstore with its varied selections, and other stores along Pansodan Rd. A book that costs US$38 in the museum costs only US$22 at Innwa.
• Strand Hotel, 92 Strand Rd. The oldest and most famous hotel in Myanmar, built by the Sarkies brothers in 1901 (who also built Penang's E&O and Singapore's Raffles). It is a national landmark and was renovated in the 1990s after years of neglect.
• Yangon Region Parliament, Pyay Rd (West of People's park.
• Thaketa Crocodile Farm, Myamarlar St (East one km from Thuwunna Bridge.
• Tatmadaw Exhibition Hall, U Wisara Road (Opposite the Military History Museum, Phaya Lan Train Station a half km away.
• There is an abandoned amusement attached to the zoo that has many overgrown rides, while theoretically nobody is permitted to enter many people do and locals are used to tourists going in. While it is within shouting distance of the road and zoo women should be aware of their personal safety. Millions of mosquitoes thrive here in the wet season and a number of aggressive wild dogs live here too. Enter through the bus parks back fence thirty meters east of the zoo entrance, next to the mobile phone tower.

Aung San Suu Kyi's House, 54 University Ave. The house is guarded by a high wall, and visitors are not allowed to enter. The most you can hope to do is to take a picture of the gate. Approximate taxi fares from the city is 3,000 kyat.

Bogyoke Aung San Museum, 25 Bo Gyoke Museum Lane (Natmauk Road (near the German embassy), +95 1 345 651. 09:30-16:30; Mo off. This is the house where Aung San lived with his wife and three children until his assassination. The house is still in original condition ans houses a museum with many interesting items on display, e.g., Aung San's car, his library and his suits. Outside is the pond where his son, Aung San Lin, drowned. The accident was one of the reasons why the family moved. US$3.

Bahadur Shah Zafar Grave, Zi Wa Ka St. The grave of the last of the Mughal emperors in India, as well as the last ruler of the Timurid Dynasty. After the Indian rebellion of 1857, he was exiled to Rangoon together with his wife, Zeenat Mahal, and some of the remaining members of the family. Bahadur Shah died in Nov 1862. Today you can see his tomb, and if you are lucky, a guide may be there to give you a lot of information about this Sufi saint. There is no entrance fee, but you can give donations to local Sufis. Free.

Chinatown and Little India. Home to the descendants of migrants who came from China and India during the colonial era. You can still see reminders of that heritage, with Chinese clan temples, as well as Hindu temples, still to be found in these districts, as well as ethnic food.

Central Bank of Myanmar, No. 1 Industrial Road.

Centrepoint Towers, Sule Pagoda Road (West from Maha Bandoola Garden.

City Hall, Maha Bandula Road. The seat of the city's administrative body, Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC). Construction began in 1926 and ended in 1936. The city hall has been the focal point of major political demonstrations and the site of several bombings, including one in 2000, 2008 and 2009.

Drug Elimination Museum, Kyun Taw Rd (Near to Hanthawaddy Circle, +95 1 505016, +95 1 505261. A huge four-storey building dedicated to fighting narcotics (mainly opium), displaying the effects of drug use and efforts finding alternative crops. The exhibits are quite outdated and dusty. The main reason for a foreigner to visit is to experience a bizarre remnant of the previous regime. Be prepared that you may be the only visitor at the, but there are plenty of staff. Camera fee for foreigners US$5. foreigner: 4,000 kyat, burmese national: 100 kyat.

High Court Building, Pansodan Street (Next to Maha Bandula Park 89-133. Until 2006, the Supreme Court of Myanmar was located at this complex. The building is listed on the Yangon City Heritage List.

Martyrs Mausoleum. Contains the tombs of Queen Suphayalat, wife of Burma’s last king; nationalist and writer Thakin Kodaw Hmaing; former UN Secretary-General U Thant; and Aung San Suu Kyi’s mother, Khin Kyi. In 1983, the structure was bombed by North Korean agents attempting to assassinate the visiting South Korean president. He escaped, but 21 others were killed. The structure was completely rebuilt, and is now much less grand than the original.

Ministers' Building, Maha Bandoola Rd (Bogalay Zay Bus Stop. It was the home and administrative seat of British Burma. In February 2012, 7 local companies and 3 foreign companies submitted a proposal to the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) to convert the Ministers' Building into a hotel and museum.

U Thant Museum, Inya Road (Tha Thone Street corner.

National Museum, 26 Pyay Rd (In front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 10:00-15:00, closed M, Tu, and holidays. Displays many Burmese historical artifacts, including regalia of the last Konbaung Dynasty. This museum has one of the better quality collections in South East Asia, containing the best of Burma's artistic heritage and superior craftsmanship. The architecture of the museum is a pathetic and crude interpretation of modern architecture. The exhibitions have been improved during 2016 and most exhibits have signs in both Burmese and English. Some rooms are dimly lit. Photography is prohibited. Do not buy books in the museum shop. Buy them at Innwa Bookstore with its varied selections, and other stores along Pansodan Rd. A book that costs US$38 in the museum costs only US$22 at Innwa.

Strand Hotel, 92 Strand Rd. The oldest and most famous hotel in Myanmar, built by the Sarkies brothers in 1901 (who also built Penang's E&O and Singapore's Raffles). It is a national landmark and was renovated in the 1990s after years of neglect.

Yangon Region Parliament, Pyay Rd (West of People's park.

Thaketa Crocodile Farm, Myamarlar St (East one km from Thuwunna Bridge.

Tatmadaw Exhibition Hall, U Wisara Road (Opposite the Military History Museum, Phaya Lan Train Station a half km away.

• Bogyoke Aung San Stadium, Zoological Garden Road (Take Bus to Stop York Lan. - North of Yangon Central Railway Station.
• Dallah Ferry. To Dallah, a small village across the river from Yangon, an interesting ferry ride. The ride is brief, but filled with all the craziness of a Burmese ferry: you can buy freshly sliced watermelon, cheroots, cigarettes, tea, all kinds of interesting-looking food, various knick-knacks from the many vendors who pack the ferry. The ferry ride seems more like a floating market than a means of transportation. Combine the ride with a trip to Twante for a half- or full-day trip. There is a pagoda at Dallah worth a visit, but otherwise the village is not really a destination. 4,000 kyat roundtrip fare for foreigners..
• Ferris Wheel, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd (Inya Lakeshore eastside.
• Kokkine Swimming Club, Kokkaing Swimming Club Lane (Take bus to stop 'Har Mit Tic'.
• Kyaikkasan Grounds, South Race Course Rd (Near to National Library. A sportfield.
• Market Tour and Cooking Demonstration. The cooking demonstration takes place upstairs in the hotel's Mindon Lounge where you will learn to prepare a traditional Burmese salad. US$60 for a half-day tour including lunch (US$40 excluding lunch), excluding drinks.
• National Swimming Pool, U Wisara Road.
• National Theatre, Myoma Kyaung St.
• Thamada Cinema, Alan Pya Pagoda St (Take Bus to Stop York Lan.
• Thein Byu Sport Ground, Kan Yeik Tha Rd (Take a Bus to Stop Masar Set.
• Thuwana National Stadium, Wai Za Yan Tar Rd (Hnin Si Gone Railway Station Northeast ~700m.
• Cinemas – There are a number of cinemas that play new release English movies. Local cinemas cost only a few dollars and are usually in a good condition but the best cinema might be in Myanmar plaza. remember to stand in silence for the national anthem.

Bogyoke Aung San Stadium, Zoological Garden Road (Take Bus to Stop York Lan. - North of Yangon Central Railway Station.

Dallah Ferry. To Dallah, a small village across the river from Yangon, an interesting ferry ride. The ride is brief, but filled with all the craziness of a Burmese ferry: you can buy freshly sliced watermelon, cheroots, cigarettes, tea, all kinds of interesting-looking food, various knick-knacks from the many vendors who pack the ferry. The ferry ride seems more like a floating market than a means of transportation. Combine the ride with a trip to Twante for a half- or full-day trip. There is a pagoda at Dallah worth a visit, but otherwise the village is not really a destination. 4,000 kyat roundtrip fare for foreigners..

Ferris Wheel, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd (Inya Lakeshore eastside.

Kokkine Swimming Club, Kokkaing Swimming Club Lane (Take bus to stop 'Har Mit Tic'.

Kyaikkasan Grounds, South Race Course Rd (Near to National Library. A sportfield.

Market Tour and Cooking Demonstration. The cooking demonstration takes place upstairs in the hotel's Mindon Lounge where you will learn to prepare a traditional Burmese salad. US$60 for a half-day tour including lunch (US$40 excluding lunch), excluding drinks.

National Swimming Pool, U Wisara Road.

National Theatre, Myoma Kyaung St.

Thamada Cinema, Alan Pya Pagoda St (Take Bus to Stop York Lan.

Thein Byu Sport Ground, Kan Yeik Tha Rd (Take a Bus to Stop Masar Set.

Thuwana National Stadium, Wai Za Yan Tar Rd (Hnin Si Gone Railway Station Northeast ~700m.

Valuable and expensive woodcraft, gemstones, food ingredient, and souvenirs. Shopping is fun in Yangon for variety of things being available, unlike other crowded countries, foreigners can visit on certain times view things without distraction. Bargaining is expected, although tourists will be charged higher prices. Street vendors in the centre are not allowed to open their shops until 18:00, by government mandate.

• A.K.K. Shopping Centre, Lay Daungkan Rd (Thin Gan Gyun Station E0.7km.
• Bespoke Clothing. Although not as well known as Bangkok or Hong Kong, Yangon is an excellent place to have a shirt tailored. One can have a shirt with a traditional Burmese collar (mandarin collar) made for around US$6. 4-5 days should be sufficient for a shirt to be made.
• Bogyoke Aung San Market. An excellent source for Burmese handicrafts, such as wood carvings or lacquerware. However some lacquerware are not made in the country but are sold in high prices.
• Capital Hypermarket, Min Nandar Road (East of Nga Moe Yeik Bridge. Capital Hypermarket is a huge supermarket to shop freely with confidence for fresh vegetables, meat and rare ingredients. The top and only floor of the building has rare electronics, clothes for both adults and child with affordable prices, leather made clothes, shoes and bags. You can also find cheap Blu-ray Discs at the top floor near the televisions. The ground floor is full of restaurants, and on some days with discounts on furniture. Has an artist gallery on the second floor.
• Chinatown. 15:00-21:00. A wide selection of street vendors. Colonial coins, Chinese calendars, Chinese temples, tea shops, several markets and small running businesses.
• Junction Square Shopping Centre, Kyun Taw Road (Bus to stop Seik Pyo Yay. The main attraction is the cinema, crafty stationery with high-prices and various food restaurants which is on the top floor.
• Kyee Myint Dine Night Market, Zay Gyi Road/Mani May Kha Lar Street (Bus to stop Night Market/Nya Zay.
• Kyauk Myaung Market, Kyatk Ka San Road (Kyauk Myaung Zay Bus Stop.
• Market Place by Citymart, Dhama Zedi Road (Near to the Singapore Embassy. Good for food shopping.
• Mingalar Zay, Banyardala Road (Take a bus to stop Mingalar Zay. Market Hall?
• Shwedagon Paya. The entrance hallway offers many shops that sells, fresh and cheap coconuts, handmade bags, wooden and metal chests, paper owl charms, carved wood statues, beautiful fans, charming accessories with affordable price made from jade, and Buddha statues ranging from different sizes.
• Super One Supermarket, Lay Daungkan Rd (Lay Daungkan Rd, near I.L.B.C school.. 09:00-21:00. Super One is a department with many different items and foods by different brands from which you may not be able to find even in the biggest supermarket of Yangon.
• Junction City, One of the famous shopping center in downtown area.

Rates at the airport are almost as competitive as in the city, so change your money there or withdraw cash from an ATM. Do not change at the first bank you see inside the security area. Banks beyond security offer better rates.

If you need to change money outside business hours, especially on holidays and Sundays, only banks in the airport are open. Exchange rates are poorer at guesthouses and money changers.

Every full moon day is a public holiday. Banks, money changers, some Chinese shops and all government offices will be closed.

There are more than 500 ATMs in Yangon, however not all may work. It may take awhile to find one working. The withdrawal limit is typically 300,000 kyat plus a processing fee of 5,000 kyat.

When bringing in US dollars, the best exchange rates are for US$100 and US$50 notes. Smaller notes (US$1, US$5 and US$10) are indispensable to pay for admissions and transportation, which are sometimes charged in US dollars only. Bring notes in crisp condition as cashiers are wary of even the slightest blemishes. Check any US$ notes you are given in change, for the same reason. If you are given any damaged notes, nobody will accept it.

A.K.K. Shopping Centre, Lay Daungkan Rd (Thin Gan Gyun Station E0.7km.

Bespoke Clothing. Although not as well known as Bangkok or Hong Kong, Yangon is an excellent place to have a shirt tailored. One can have a shirt with a traditional Burmese collar (mandarin collar) made for around US$6. 4-5 days should be sufficient for a shirt to be made.

Bogyoke Aung San Market. An excellent source for Burmese handicrafts, such as wood carvings or lacquerware. However some lacquerware are not made in the country but are sold in high prices.

Capital Hypermarket, Min Nandar Road (East of Nga Moe Yeik Bridge. Capital Hypermarket is a huge supermarket to shop freely with confidence for fresh vegetables, meat and rare ingredients. The top and only floor of the building has rare electronics, clothes for both adults and child with affordable prices, leather made clothes, shoes and bags. You can also find cheap Blu-ray Discs at the top floor near the televisions. The ground floor is full of restaurants, and on some days with discounts on furniture. Has an artist gallery on the second floor.

Chinatown. 15:00-21:00. A wide selection of street vendors. Colonial coins, Chinese calendars, Chinese temples, tea shops, several markets and small running businesses.

Junction Square Shopping Centre, Kyun Taw Road (Bus to stop Seik Pyo Yay. The main attraction is the cinema, crafty stationery with high-prices and various food restaurants which is on the top floor.

Kyee Myint Dine Night Market, Zay Gyi Road/Mani May Kha Lar Street (Bus to stop Night Market/Nya Zay.

Kyauk Myaung Market, Kyatk Ka San Road (Kyauk Myaung Zay Bus Stop.

Market Place by Citymart, Dhama Zedi Road (Near to the Singapore Embassy. Good for food shopping.

Mingalar Zay, Banyardala Road (Take a bus to stop Mingalar Zay. Market Hall?

Shwedagon Paya. The entrance hallway offers many shops that sells, fresh and cheap coconuts, handmade bags, wooden and metal chests, paper owl charms, carved wood statues, beautiful fans, charming accessories with affordable price made from jade, and Buddha statues ranging from different sizes.

Super One Supermarket, Lay Daungkan Rd (Lay Daungkan Rd, near I.L.B.C school.. 09:00-21:00. Super One is a department with many different items and foods by different brands from which you may not be able to find even in the biggest supermarket of Yangon.

Junction City, One of the famous shopping center in downtown area.

Yangon has seen an explosion of restaurants in the last ten years and a wide selection of international cuisines is available: Italian, Japanese, Thai and Korean. Local cuisine reflects the multi-ethnic nature of the city and the country. Along with Bamar food, there are a large number of Indian and Chinese restaurants as well as a few places specializing in ethnic Shan food. Fast food restaurants (usually with table service) serving burgers and pizza, and a few cafes complete the scene.

The cost of food ranges considerably. Restaurants and cafes in hotels and the airport charge prices that are normal in Western countries, yet at a streetside stall a whole meal costs 500-2,000 kyat.

Biryani, a rice and meat dish with roots in the Mughal Empire, is a speciality and there are many biryani restaurants (dan-PAO-sain in Burmese) in the city centre, especially along Anawratha Rd. The three main competing restaurant chains (all halal, but vegetarian biryani is usually available) are Yuzana, KSS (Kyet Shar Soon), and Nilar.

Street Food: Anawratha Rd and Mahabandoola Rd are dotted with food stalls, but Yangon street ambiance is not conducive to al fresco eating. Betel-nut spitting pedestrians do not add to the ambience either. Myanmar street food is mostly deep fried, and often served in a puddle of oil. Dishes are washed at the roadside "dunk" style, without soap and without running water. The green tea is free but before drinking from the cups pour some tea, swill it, empty it on the street and then pour yourself the cup of tea. Alternatively, use the provided tissue at the table as the locals do. There are many buffet-style street stalls where you point at the food to order.

Street vendors sell samosas, onion balls, and other Indian snacks around Anawratha St between Sule Paya Rd and Shwe Bontha St in central Yangon for under 200 kyat. Many restaurants and food stalls close as early as 20:00 or 21:00. It is best go around 19:00.

• 999 Shan Noodle Shop, 130 34th St. Tiny snack joint with very good noodle dishes. The staff will play harmless entertaining tricks on your table such as flipping the pepper bottle if you look friendly. Around 2,000 kyat.
• Aung Mingalar Shan Noodle Shop, Corner or Nawaday Street, Bo Yar Nyunt Road, +95 1 385 185. 09:00-22:00. A lively restaurant specializing in Shan cuisine. The price is hard to beat and the waitresses are friendly. 2,000-6,000 kyat.
• Family Thai & Chinese Restaurant. Around 1,000-1,500 kyat per meal..
• Feel, 124 Pyihtaungsu Ave. A wide variety of Burmese curry dishes displayed in the back. Salads and fries. ~2,000 kyat.
• Golden City Chetti. Offers Indian food at very reasonable prices and free top-ups on the veg thali.
• Kyet Shar Soon Biriani. Established in 1947, offers a dish of halal Burmese-accented biryani. 700 kyat.
• Hla Myanmar, 27 5th St (quite a walk from the northern entrance of the Shwedagon Pagoda. 10:00-19:00 daily. This is just a simple restaurant, but a good one for those on a budget. They specialise in Bamar (Burmese) curries, so this is a good opportunity to eat like the locals. You can just point at the curry you want and take a seat on one of the chairs. It is difficult to find, so ask the locals for directions. It is well-known among locals, because the famous actor Shwe Ba used to have his house in the area, and the restaurant is sometimes named after him. 2,500 kyat.
• New Delhi. Better and cheaper than Golden City. Small Indian place, well known to the locals and tourists. Great taste and value.
• Nilar Biryani, 216 Anawratha Rd, +95 1253131. Daily 08:00-20:00. A venerable, old Biryani restaurant serving chicken, mutton and vegetable biryani. Fast, delicious and cheap.
• Seven One One Restaurant, Anawratha Rd (From Motherland Inn 2, walk up Lower Pazundaung St to the first intersection, turn left onto Anawratha St and walk another 100-200 m (past the railway tracks) and it's on your right. A clean, well-lit street side restaurant very close to Motherland Inn 2. Serves Indianised Burmese cooking which is delicious. Any dish with their "hot & sour" sauce is excellent. 1,000-1,500 kyat.
• Shwe Pu Zun, 246-248 Anawratha Rd, +95 1 222305 or +95 1 211709. Ice cream and dessert shop known for its faluda a dessert of rose syrup, sweet basil, string of jelly, pure milk, ice-cream and warm custard.
• Soe Pyi Swar, 136 Latha St, +95 1385872. Vegetarian restaurant. Run by a delightful old couple and serving both vegetable and mock meat dishes. A few doors north on the same block is another veggie restaurant marked only by Chinese characters.
• YKKO, 286, Seikkanthar St (At the upper block. A well-established restaurant that is known for its kyae-oh, a Chinese type of noodle soup. With white noodles, minced pork, pig body parts such as pork brains, fresh water cress, it is then mixed with spicy red sauce in the bowl and eaten with a porcelain spoon.
• Barbecue food stalls, 19th street, China Town. This road becomes busy between 18:00-19:00 when plenty of food stalls open. Choose your fish, meat or veggies to be barbecued on the spot.

999 Shan Noodle Shop, 130 34th St. Tiny snack joint with very good noodle dishes. The staff will play harmless entertaining tricks on your table such as flipping the pepper bottle if you look friendly. Around 2,000 kyat.

Aung Mingalar Shan Noodle Shop, Corner or Nawaday Street, Bo Yar Nyunt Road, +95 1 385 185. 09:00-22:00. A lively restaurant specializing in Shan cuisine. The price is hard to beat and the waitresses are friendly. 2,000-6,000 kyat.

Family Thai & Chinese Restaurant. Around 1,000-1,500 kyat per meal..

Feel, 124 Pyihtaungsu Ave. A wide variety of Burmese curry dishes displayed in the back. Salads and fries. ~2,000 kyat.

Golden City Chetti. Offers Indian food at very reasonable prices and free top-ups on the veg thali.

Kyet Shar Soon Biriani. Established in 1947, offers a dish of halal Burmese-accented biryani. 700 kyat.

Hla Myanmar, 27 5th St (quite a walk from the northern entrance of the Shwedagon Pagoda. 10:00-19:00 daily. This is just a simple restaurant, but a good one for those on a budget. They specialise in Bamar (Burmese) curries, so this is a good opportunity to eat like the locals. You can just point at the curry you want and take a seat on one of the chairs. It is difficult to find, so ask the locals for directions. It is well-known among locals, because the famous actor Shwe Ba used to have his house in the area, and the restaurant is sometimes named after him. 2,500 kyat.

New Delhi. Better and cheaper than Golden City. Small Indian place, well known to the locals and tourists. Great taste and value.

Nilar Biryani, 216 Anawratha Rd, +95 1253131. Daily 08:00-20:00. A venerable, old Biryani restaurant serving chicken, mutton and vegetable biryani. Fast, delicious and cheap.

Seven One One Restaurant, Anawratha Rd (From Motherland Inn 2, walk up Lower Pazundaung St to the first intersection, turn left onto Anawratha St and walk another 100-200 m (past the railway tracks) and it's on your right. A clean, well-lit street side restaurant very close to Motherland Inn 2. Serves Indianised Burmese cooking which is delicious. Any dish with their "hot & sour" sauce is excellent. 1,000-1,500 kyat.

Shwe Pu Zun, 246-248 Anawratha Rd, +95 1 222305 or +95 1 211709. Ice cream and dessert shop known for its faluda a dessert of rose syrup, sweet basil, string of jelly, pure milk, ice-cream and warm custard.

Soe Pyi Swar, 136 Latha St, +95 1385872. Vegetarian restaurant. Run by a delightful old couple and serving both vegetable and mock meat dishes. A few doors north on the same block is another veggie restaurant marked only by Chinese characters.

YKKO, 286, Seikkanthar St (At the upper block. A well-established restaurant that is known for its kyae-oh, a Chinese type of noodle soup. With white noodles, minced pork, pig body parts such as pork brains, fresh water cress, it is then mixed with spicy red sauce in the bowl and eaten with a porcelain spoon.

Barbecue food stalls, 19th street, China Town. This road becomes busy between 18:00-19:00 when plenty of food stalls open. Choose your fish, meat or veggies to be barbecued on the spot.

• 50th Street, 50th St. The only stand-alone Western-style cafe, restaurant and bar in Yangon. Amazing architecture and ambiance. Free Wi-Fi, multiple sport TVs, pool table, and dart board.
• Cafe Aroma, Sule Pagoda Rd (Opposite Traders Hotel. Decent coffee by Burmese standards, excellent shakes and fries.
• Kaisu kitchen, (on Mahabandula Road, between 11th Street and Hledan Street, diagonally across from Lotteria) serving western style fried chicken, burgers and Singapore style food- 2500Kyat. better than Lotteria, cheaper than KFC, has Wifi.
• Karaweik Buffet Restaurant, Kan Pat St (On Kandawgyi Lake, +95 1 290546. A buffet restaurant inside the Karaweik, offers a wide selection of Asian dishes, and a 1-hr cultural show from 19:30 to 20:30. Costs 15,000 kyat/person.
• Fuji Coffee House, University Avenue Rd (Next to U.S. Embassy.
• Sabai Sabai, Dhammazedi Road. The best Thai restaurant in town. Expect to pay about 7,000 kyat/person for drinks, soup, starter, and main. Most main dishes are around 4,000 kyat. This clean and atmospheric place is a favourite among expats and business people. Closed between lunch and dinner time (15:00-17:00). Closes at 21:00. Most taxi drivers know of the place. It's in an area with plenty of other mid-range restaurants.

50th Street, 50th St. The only stand-alone Western-style cafe, restaurant and bar in Yangon. Amazing architecture and ambiance. Free Wi-Fi, multiple sport TVs, pool table, and dart board.

Cafe Aroma, Sule Pagoda Rd (Opposite Traders Hotel. Decent coffee by Burmese standards, excellent shakes and fries.

Kaisu kitchen, (on Mahabandula Road, between 11th Street and Hledan Street, diagonally across from Lotteria) serving western style fried chicken, burgers and Singapore style food- 2500Kyat. better than Lotteria, cheaper than KFC, has Wifi.

Karaweik Buffet Restaurant, Kan Pat St (On Kandawgyi Lake, +95 1 290546. A buffet restaurant inside the Karaweik, offers a wide selection of Asian dishes, and a 1-hr cultural show from 19:30 to 20:30. Costs 15,000 kyat/person.

Fuji Coffee House, University Avenue Rd (Next to U.S. Embassy.

Sabai Sabai, Dhammazedi Road. The best Thai restaurant in town. Expect to pay about 7,000 kyat/person for drinks, soup, starter, and main. Most main dishes are around 4,000 kyat. This clean and atmospheric place is a favourite among expats and business people. Closed between lunch and dinner time (15:00-17:00). Closes at 21:00. Most taxi drivers know of the place. It's in an area with plenty of other mid-range restaurants.

• Monsoon, 85-87 Thien Byu Rd. Burmese, Lao, and Thai cuisine. Restaurant and bar. Great ambiance and comfortable air conditioned surroundings with free Wi-Fi.
• L'Opera, C62, D, U Tun Nyein St, +95 1 665516. A fine Italian restaurant in Yangon.
• Le Planteur Restaurant and Bar, 22 Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd (Next to Golden Hill Tower, +95 1 541997. One of the best restaurants of Myanmar. It specialises in fine French cuisine with an Asian touch. The location of the restaurant (a former Australian Embassy) is spectacular and the service is impeccable.
• Signature Garden Restaurant. A fine dining restaurant.
• Strand Hotel, 92 Strand Rd. Yangon's luxury colonial hotel, founded by the legendary Sarkies brothers in 1901, who also founded Penang's Eastern and Oriental Hotel and Singapore's Raffles Hotel. An interesting experience is to have an elegant high tea. Served in the restaurant of one of the classic examples of the colonial hotel in SE Asia. One can choose from either Burmese or English afternoon tea. The English variety includes delicate sandwiches, scones, tiny cakes, and tarts, while the Burmese afternoon tea has small spring rolls and samosas, and traditional Burmese sweets. US$18.

Monsoon, 85-87 Thien Byu Rd. Burmese, Lao, and Thai cuisine. Restaurant and bar. Great ambiance and comfortable air conditioned surroundings with free Wi-Fi.

L'Opera, C62, D, U Tun Nyein St, +95 1 665516. A fine Italian restaurant in Yangon.

Le Planteur Restaurant and Bar, 22 Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd (Next to Golden Hill Tower, +95 1 541997. One of the best restaurants of Myanmar. It specialises in fine French cuisine with an Asian touch. The location of the restaurant (a former Australian Embassy) is spectacular and the service is impeccable.

Signature Garden Restaurant. A fine dining restaurant.

Strand Hotel, 92 Strand Rd. Yangon's luxury colonial hotel, founded by the legendary Sarkies brothers in 1901, who also founded Penang's Eastern and Oriental Hotel and Singapore's Raffles Hotel. An interesting experience is to have an elegant high tea. Served in the restaurant of one of the classic examples of the colonial hotel in SE Asia. One can choose from either Burmese or English afternoon tea. The English variety includes delicate sandwiches, scones, tiny cakes, and tarts, while the Burmese afternoon tea has small spring rolls and samosas, and traditional Burmese sweets. US$18.

Nightlife in Yangon is split between local bars or "beer stations" as they are called which close early (around 21:00-midnight), but offer drinks at bargain prices (about 800 kyat for a pint glass of Myanmar Beer, local whiskies cost 2,000 kyat a glass). Expect to get a lot of attention when going to the local bars, since theses places are not frequented by foreigners. Drinking is not culturally acceptable for women in Burma, so don't expect to pick up any girls except in nightclubs and Western-style venues, local bars are places where men meet to talk and chew betel nut (very popular in Myanmar).

In stark contrast to local bars are the trendy cocktail bars and nightclubs that are springing up in the more modern areas of town, this is where you will find the expatiates and wealthy Westernized locals. Drinks are expensive and the DJs are unreliable- but expect a more or less Western experience, girls drink, most venues are LGBT friendly and all "the people" are there.

• Asia (A5IA), nicely decorated, across from ko san
• ko san double happiness bar, cheap, friendly and on 19th street. you will be safe from prostitutes, beggars and the usual hassles of 19th street.
• Penthouse bar, probably the trendiest bars in the city, generally reserved for rich expats and even richer locals. Has a gay night.
• Port autonomy, very trendy and in a new location- but expensive by Yangon standards
• 7 Joint Bar. One of the first bars in the city and still popular, but many prostitutes will bother foreign men.

Nightclubs in Yangon are not world famous, the music is often bad and most up-market discos and some nightclubs are frequented by Burmese prostitutes who are eager to talk with foreigners.

• The Music Club (at the Park Royal Hotel (admission, US$6, hotel guests, free); Paddy O'Malley's (Sedona Hotel, admission, US$ 5, including one drink).
• Fuse nightclub
• Pioneer nightclub, mostly rich local kids but has reliable DJs, always popular. Go with four people and buy a 80k package that includes a liter of vodka. Security is tight.
• Level 2 nightclub, probably has the best DJs in the city, frequent events. Attached to the trendy Alchemy Bar.
• Pyrite, has a gay night (under repair as of 7 July 2019 but will re-open soon)
• BME1 and BME2 in the north of the city
• Safehouse

The Music Club (at the Park Royal Hotel (admission, US$6, hotel guests, free); Paddy O'Malley's (Sedona Hotel, admission, US$ 5, including one drink).

Fuse nightclub

Pioneer nightclub, mostly rich local kids but has reliable DJs, always popular. Go with four people and buy a 80k package that includes a liter of vodka. Security is tight.

Level 2 nightclub, probably has the best DJs in the city, frequent events. Attached to the trendy Alchemy Bar.

Pyrite, has a gay night (under repair as of 7 July 2019 but will re-open soon)

BME1 and BME2 in the north of the city

Safehouse

Asia (A5IA), nicely decorated, across from ko san

ko san double happiness bar, cheap, friendly and on 19th street. you will be safe from prostitutes, beggars and the usual hassles of 19th street.

Penthouse bar, probably the trendiest bars in the city, generally reserved for rich expats and even richer locals. Has a gay night.

Port autonomy, very trendy and in a new location- but expensive by Yangon standards

7 Joint Bar. One of the first bars in the city and still popular, but many prostitutes will bother foreign men.

• Institut Français de Birmanie, 340 Pyay Road (Maha Myaing Bus Stop. Has events again!
• National Library, Lay Daungkan Rd (East of the Kyaikkasan Grounds, Tamwe Railway Station E 0.6km.

Internet cafes have proliferated in recent years and Yangon has quite a few that provide access at a reasonable speed for a reasonable price. The government no longer blocks any web sites, but connections are not 100% reliable. Many hotels provide Internet services, but these tend to be more expensive than the public cafes. The cheapest rate is around 400 kyat per hour. There are plenty of places so shop around and save some cash.

• Cyber Cafe II. One of the best Internet providers in Burma. Reasonably fast access. 400 kyat/h.
• Tokyo Donuts, Anawratha Rd (Between Sule Pagoda Rd and Phayre St, on the south side of the road. 09:00-21:00. A donut shop with a dozen terminals inside. Accessible USB ports and seems popular with locals. Free Wi-Fi. 400 kyat/h.

Cyber Cafe II. One of the best Internet providers in Burma. Reasonably fast access. 400 kyat/h.

Tokyo Donuts, Anawratha Rd (Between Sule Pagoda Rd and Phayre St, on the south side of the road. 09:00-21:00. A donut shop with a dozen terminals inside. Accessible USB ports and seems popular with locals. Free Wi-Fi. 400 kyat/h.

• GPO, Strand Rd (Next to U.K. embassy.

GPO, Strand Rd (Next to U.K. embassy.

• Thein Win / Modern Camera shop, 179, 33rd St, middle block (from the corner with Anawratha Rd, 6th shop on the left hand side walking south, +95 9-250 650 364. Great place to repair all sorts of cameras. New and second-hand accessories and cameras for both analog and digital. The owner is an experienced and passionate photographer, who speaks good English. Can also recommend places for other photography-related needs.

Thein Win / Modern Camera shop, 179, 33rd St, middle block (from the corner with Anawratha Rd, 6th shop on the left hand side walking south, +95 9-250 650 364. Great place to repair all sorts of cameras. New and second-hand accessories and cameras for both analog and digital. The owner is an experienced and passionate photographer, who speaks good English. Can also recommend places for other photography-related needs.

Institut Français de Birmanie, 340 Pyay Road (Maha Myaing Bus Stop. Has events again!

National Library, Lay Daungkan Rd (East of the Kyaikkasan Grounds, Tamwe Railway Station E 0.6km.

Despite widespread poverty, Yangon is one of the safest big cities in the world. Most people, including single females, will not have any problems roaming the streets alone at night, and carrying large amounts of cash rarely poses a problem. Crimes against tourists are taken very seriously by the military government and punishment is often disproportionately severe. This, in addition to the strong Buddhist culture in the population, means that Yangon's crime rate is lower than the likes of Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Violent crime is especially rare. However, little crime does not mean no crime, and there have been isolated incidents involving tourists, so it is best to take normal big city precautions like avoiding lonely areas at night and always being aware of your valuables. As with everywhere else in the world, there is no substitute for common sense.

Prostitution and drug trafficking are illegal, though there are plenty of prostitutes in Yangon, often in bars owned by senior army officers. Drug trafficking is punishable by death.

A increasingly common scam involved an overly friendly local approaching a tourist (often near Sule Pagoda/ the park next to it, or outside Shwe Dagon pagoda) and offering to take them around the city. The tourist is then taken to an isolated area (often across the river) where a group of men appear and demand huge amounts of money and take the tourist to an ATM where they are forced to make a withdrawal.

It can be difficult to separate these men from the more common tour guide who will introduce himself and try to overcharge you for short tours.

Taxi drivers at the airport and au minglar bus station are known to badly overcharge people who have just arrived and may lie about the exchange rate of burmese kyat. Using grab taxi is safer and often cheaper for tourists.

The most common crime in Yangon is being short-changed by a money changer, so count your kyat carefully when you exchange money. Opt to exchange at the Bogyoke Market, where the rates may be slightly worse, but the jewellery shop owners won't rip you off. Do not fall for the "bad serial number" excuse, it's another attempt to con you (however, US dollars with "CB" serial numbers may be fakes). Be especially careful with the money changer around Sule Paya. They count the money in front of you, but will trick you while doing that (they have fast hands.) People are strongly advised not to change money there.

There are a multitude of fake monks along the street near Sule-Shangri La Hotel (formally Traders) and Bogyoke Market. Authentic monks do not hang around tourist attractions soliciting donations.

• Yangon can be extremely hot with intense sun. Shield yourself from the sun and heat by using an umbrella, drinking plenty of water, and staying inside during the noon hours.
• Yangon's tap water is not potable. Always buy bottled water or refill bottles at purified water jars. Temples supply free purified water (large steel tanks), and most shop keepers are happy to let you top up at their water jugs.
• Mosquitoes carry dengue and malaria. Insist on using a mosquito net at night if it is available. Make sure there are no holes or gaps left in the net. Your second line of defense is mosquito coils and mosquito repellent.
• Street food is almost universally unsafe and can be a source of everything from diarrhoea to typhoid and parasites. Stick to indoor restaurants and tea shops with non-dirt floors.
• Street dogs are occasionally rabid: Pass them with caution, and be aware that can form aggressive packs.
• There are open sewers all over Yangon. Be extremely wary during rainy season when many flood. You could accidentally find yourself standing chest deep in a sewer. The typical layout is shop-sewer ditch-pavement-street-pavement-sewer ditch-shop. Some sections of sewer are covered for walking ease, others are not. During rainy season, be cautious of any cuts you may have on your feet as the flooded water in the streets is contaminated and can lead to infections.
• Drivers are reckless. If your taxi driver is behaving recklessly tell them to slow down. Be insistent; traffic deaths are extremely common.
• Many drugs in pharmacies are fake. Golden Bell Pharmacy listed below is reputable.

Tuberculosis and AIDS (known as "A-I-D Five" among locals) afflict a disproportionately high percentage of the people. However, HIV infection is not at the epidemic level (infection rates are much less than 1%). There is a risk of dengue fever. Malaria is a risk in rural areas.

Medical care is limited, but is most expedient at private medical clinics. Most guest houses and hotels will be able to provide you with the address of a private doctor with experience in treating foreigners. Be sure to take the proper vaccinations before you leave for your trip. Carry a small first-aid kit with you containing at least painkillers, band-aid, ORS and a loperamide-like medicine. Anti-malarial pills and DEET are recommended. For more serious medical issues, you will probably need to travel to Bangkok or Singapore for treatment.

• SOS Clinic, Inya Lake Hotel complex (Tell the taxi driver to take you to the Inya Lake Hotel. Western trained doctors can provide you urgent care. Faster than going to Bangkok. Charges in US$, accepts cards. Price to see a doctor and get medicine for food poisoning 70$.
• Pun Hlaing Clinic, 4th Floor, 380, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, FMI Centre, Pabedan, Yangon (Tell the taxi driver "FMI Center Bo-joe Len" FMI Centre, next to Bogyoke market.. Good quality local doctors available in a range of specialities. Many of them studied or practiced in the West. Charges in Kyat.
• Golden Bell Pharmacy, NO.006 Yuzana Tower, Shwe Gone Dine (Tell the taxi driver Yuzana Tower. The only Pharmacy SOS Clinic trusts to sell genuine medicine.
• Yangon General Hospital, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, +95 1256112. Government hospitals are said to be unreliable and sometimes require bribes. Do not seek medical care here unless it is an emergency. It is said to be unsanitary and inefficient. However, clearly standards differ between Myanmar and Western Countries.

SOS Clinic, Inya Lake Hotel complex (Tell the taxi driver to take you to the Inya Lake Hotel. Western trained doctors can provide you urgent care. Faster than going to Bangkok. Charges in US$, accepts cards. Price to see a doctor and get medicine for food poisoning 70$.

Pun Hlaing Clinic, 4th Floor, 380, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, FMI Centre, Pabedan, Yangon (Tell the taxi driver "FMI Center Bo-joe Len" FMI Centre, next to Bogyoke market.. Good quality local doctors available in a range of specialities. Many of them studied or practiced in the West. Charges in Kyat.

Golden Bell Pharmacy, NO.006 Yuzana Tower, Shwe Gone Dine (Tell the taxi driver Yuzana Tower. The only Pharmacy SOS Clinic trusts to sell genuine medicine.

Yangon General Hospital, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, +95 1256112. Government hospitals are said to be unreliable and sometimes require bribes. Do not seek medical care here unless it is an emergency. It is said to be unsanitary and inefficient. However, clearly standards differ between Myanmar and Western Countries.

In the event of an emergency, always take the precaution of registering at your embassy. Many details can also be found here: https://www.embassypages.com/myanmar

• Australia Australia, 88, Strand Rd (Faces the Strand Hotel.
• BangladeshBangladesh, 11B Thanlwin Rd.
• CambodiaCambodia, 25 New University Ave Rd.
• CanadaCanada, The Australian Embassy provides assistance.
• ChinaChina, 1, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd, is a clearly visible building with red paint.
• FranceFrance, 1, 102 Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd, is near the outskirts of the city.
• Germany Germany, 32, Natmauk Rd (North of Kandawgyi Lake.
• India India, 545-547 Merchant St (Two blocks east from Maha Bandoola Garden.
• IndonesiaIndonesia, 100 Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd.
• Israel Israel, 15 Kabaung Rd (West of Inya Lake. Nearby: Ta Dar Phyu Bus Stop.
• ItalyItaly, 3 Inya Myaing Rd.
• Japan Japan, 100, Natmauk Rd (North of the Kandawgyi Lake.
• South KoreaKorea, 97 University Ave Rd.
• LaosLaos, A1 Diplomatic Quarters, Taw Win St.
• MalaysiaMalaysia, 82 Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd.
• NepalNepal, 16 Natmauk Rd.
• NetherlandsNetherlands, The German Embassy provides assistance.
• New ZealandNew Zealand, The UK Embassy provides assistance.
• PakistanPakistan, 4A Pyay Rd.
• PhilippinesPhilippines, 50 Sayasan St.
• RussiaRussia, 38 Sagawa Road
• Singapore Singapore, 238 Dharma Zedi St (East of Savoy Hotel.
• Sri LankaSri Lanka, 34 Taw Win St.
• SwedenSweden, The UK Embassy provides assistance.
• SwitzerlandSwitzerland, The German Embassy provides assistance.
• ThailandThailand, 94 Pyay St.
• United Kingdom United Kingdom, 80, Strand Rd (adjacent to the Australian embassy..
• United States United States, 110 University Avenue Rd.
• VietnamVietnam, 72 Thanlwin Rd.

Australia Australia, 88, Strand Rd (Faces the Strand Hotel.

BangladeshBangladesh, 11B Thanlwin Rd.

CambodiaCambodia, 25 New University Ave Rd.

CanadaCanada, The Australian Embassy provides assistance.

ChinaChina, 1, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd, is a clearly visible building with red paint.

FranceFrance, 1, 102 Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd, is near the outskirts of the city.

Germany Germany, 32, Natmauk Rd (North of Kandawgyi Lake.

India India, 545-547 Merchant St (Two blocks east from Maha Bandoola Garden.

IndonesiaIndonesia, 100 Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd.

Israel Israel, 15 Kabaung Rd (West of Inya Lake. Nearby: Ta Dar Phyu Bus Stop.

ItalyItaly, 3 Inya Myaing Rd.

Japan Japan, 100, Natmauk Rd (North of the Kandawgyi Lake.

South KoreaKorea, 97 University Ave Rd.

LaosLaos, A1 Diplomatic Quarters, Taw Win St.

MalaysiaMalaysia, 82 Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd.

NepalNepal, 16 Natmauk Rd.

NetherlandsNetherlands, The German Embassy provides assistance.

New ZealandNew Zealand, The UK Embassy provides assistance.

PakistanPakistan, 4A Pyay Rd.

PhilippinesPhilippines, 50 Sayasan St.

RussiaRussia, 38 Sagawa Road

Singapore Singapore, 238 Dharma Zedi St (East of Savoy Hotel.

Sri LankaSri Lanka, 34 Taw Win St.

SwedenSweden, The UK Embassy provides assistance.

SwitzerlandSwitzerland, The German Embassy provides assistance.

ThailandThailand, 94 Pyay St.

United Kingdom United Kingdom, 80, Strand Rd (adjacent to the Australian embassy..

United States United States, 110 University Avenue Rd.

VietnamVietnam, 72 Thanlwin Rd.

• Yangon International Airport - Taxi to airport is around 8,000 kyat including baggage. Your hotel manager may well drive you to the airport. There is a beautiful 3-storey mural, a nice composition of Burmese countryside and lifestyle in the style of idyllic romanticism worth taking souvenir photo of as you go to immigration on the second floor departure area.
• Bago (Pegu) - an important city with pagodas and monasteries 60 km north of Yangon. An easy day trip.
• Mandalay - overnight buses, and expensive government trains, leave for Mandalay daily. Bus tickets can be booked at the number of travel agents just north of Yangon railway station.
• Mawlamyine - A pleasant seaside city with a few daytrip possibilities. 9 hr express train runs there each morning about 06:15 (and an 11 hr slow train at 07:00). Ordinary tickets (with no seat reservations) cost foreigners US$5, while upper class tickets are US$14. You get your own seat and it's slightly less crowded, but there isn't much difference between classes.
• Pathein (Bassein) - famous for its paper umbrellas and stunning religious architecture, and an overnight boat away (or 4 hours by rented car, more by bus) to the west. From Pathein it's only a few hours by bus or pick-up truck on to the beaches of Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung.
• Taukkyan - about an hour's drive (35 km) of central Yangon, and site of the Taukkyan War Cemetery.
• Thanlyin - once an important city on the Irrawaddy Delta, and gateway to Kyauktan (Syriam), a small island in the Yangon River, which is the site of the 4th century Ye Le Paya.
• Twante - the most accessible delta town to Yangon, makes for a nice half- or full-day trip.

• Bagan - 18,000 kyat 13 hr
• Bago - 7,000 kyat, 2 hr every hour from 07:00
• Mandalay - standard 10,500 kyat, VIP 5,000 kyat 9 hr
• Mawlamyine - 10,000 kyat, VIP 7 hr, 21:00 & 08:30