Travel To Yangon Myanmar

Yangon Myanmar Travel Guide: Shwedagon Pagoda

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Yangon, formerly called Rangoon, used to be the capital of Myanmar (Burma). Although it is no longer the capital, Yangon still remains the trade capital of Myanmar. Yangon is the only port of entry in Myanmar, and because there are many historical places in Yangon, it is worth visiting this former capital a few days before traveling up country.

Yangon was established by King Alaungphaya in 1755. Formerly known as Dagon, a small town at the end of Hlaing River (Yangon River), the town rapidly established itself into a booming port town under Burmese kings. Because of its strategic location, British forces invaded Myanmar (Kingdom of Ava) by amphibious assault through Rangoon, in both first and second Anglo-Burma Wars. After the second Anglo-Burma War, British took control of the lower Burma and established the capital in Rangoon. Since then, Rangoon become the most important City in Myanmar (Burma).

Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the must see places in Yangon, and maybe even in the world. Myanmar (Burmese) people believe Shwedagon to be the original pagoda to be built on earth, although many historians express doubt on the claim. (Archaeologists believe Shwedagon was built somewhere around 6 and 10 century AD by Mons). However, Shwedagon is undoubtedly the most famous pagoda on earth. Built on the highest hill in Yangon and around, the pagoda can be seen from up to 50 miles away. Indeed, it is the most prominent landmark in Yangon. Base of the pagoda is 1420 feet while the height is 326 feet from the base, and is plated with approximately 30 tonnes of gold. History claimed that a number of Burmese kings and queens donated gold equal to their body weight. The umbrella of the pagoda is ornamented with hundreds of jewels. Hundreds of lesser pagodas and stupas surround Shwedagon. There are a few things you should pay attention to, when you pay a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda. The most important thing is to pay proper attention to the dress you wear. You are not allowed to wear any shorts or skirts or any revealing dress. Pagoda for Myanmar (Burmese) people is a sacred place and every one pay proper attention to proper dress code. You should also avoid behavior considered rude by Myanmar people. Such behavior include, but not limited to, shouting, chatting loudly, speaking rude words or swearing, holding or kissing between opposite sexes and pointing your feet towards the pagoda or Buddha image. You must also remove your shoes as well as socks. There is an entrance fees of US$ 5 per foreign visitor.

Just across the Shwedagon Pagoda is Maha Wizaya Stupa. This pagoda was built recently, and does not attract many devotees. However, there is one thing extraordinary about the architecture of this pagoda. There is a hole in the roof through which the sun will shine on top of the Buddha images in the middle of the pagoda. This day is the Myanmar New Year Day.

Myanmar Hotel

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Myanmar hotels range from budget 3 star hotels to extravagant 5 star hotels. Also, if you're considering the location of the hotel as a factor, some hotels are closer or in the center of downtown Yangon and some are further away. The area around Sule Pagoda is considered the downtown vicinity. Hotels that are closer to the center of the city allows for more convenience of walking around. All hotels include complimentary breakfast, which can be a combination of Western dishes and local Myanmar dishes.

Here is a list of recommended hotels in Yangon, Myanmar:

Trader: located in downtown, 5-star hotel, this is a hotel for businessmen and NGO's.
Central: located in downtown, 3-star hotel, this is a good, clean budget hotel. You can get a quality room for $20 per night.
Park Royal: located in downtown, 5-star hotel, upscale rooms and hotel amenities.
Strand: known for its history since the British colonial times, expensive and overpriced. It's listed as a 5-star, but eecommended to spend your money elsewhere to get your money's worth.
Kandawgyi Palace: located near Kandawgyi lake, 5-star, which is a few miles away from downtown.
Micasa: Apartment like rooms with a kitchen, 5-star hotel, located further away from downtown.
Grand Mee Ya Hta: located in downtown and across from Central, 4-star hotel, every room has a kitchen.
Sedona: located further away from downtown, 4-star hotel
Summit Parkview: located about 5 miles away from down, known for its staff and quality service, 4-star hotel.
Yuzana: located about 5 miles away from downtown, large 3-star hotel.
Inya Lake: located on Inya Lake, 5-star hotel.

I have personally stayed or visited most of the hotels above. Depending on your budget and where you would like to stay, there are a wide variety of selections for hotels in Yangon when you travel to Yangon.

Where and What to Eat in Yangon

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Burgers and Fries: Jump Restaurant inside the City Mart Supermarket located in Mayangone. A cheeseburger and costs 1,800 kyats ($1.80), fries cost 900 kyats ($0.90), and this the only place that provides real tomato ketchup for your fries.
Hot Pot: 7 UP Hot Pot (No. 24, Sayar San Road, Bahan Township, Yangon.
Ph: 542710, 541416), Suki Express (Franchise: one at Eastpoint Supermarket, 2nd Flr, one at City Mart Supermarket in Mayangone)
Myanmar Food: Daw Saw Yi, depending on the number of dishes you order costs 2,000 – 4,500 kyats.
Roasted Duck: Golden Duck (Shwe Be) Restaurant, there’s a ‘junior’ Golden Duck located on , which is a smaller restaurant version of the one located on Kawdaywgi Lake.
Palata: Anawarta Road , sugar palata (Daja Palata) costs 200 kyats ($0.20) with sugar and condensed milk, minced beef with egg palata (Kema Palata) costs 800 kyats ($0.80), Hire a bicycle rickshaw (Sai Ka), eat and enjoy your freshly cooked palata over a short 5-minute ride.
Black Canyon Coffee: coffee, lattes, frappecinos, sandwiches, salads, and pastas
Singaporean Food: Singapore Kitchen on Alone Road, great Singaporean food, ask for Jackson, he’s the owner and tell him Lloyd referred you.
Noodles Soup: YKKO
Donuts and Coffee: J Donuts, a donut is around 600 kyats ($0.60).
Thirst-Quencher: 100 Plus, a carbonated electrolyte drink, costs 500 kyats for a can ($0.50).
Breakfast Buffets: Trader’s Hotel, quality food, a mixture of Myanmar and Western dishes.
Fish-cake salad: Lan Thayt San in front of the Dagon Shopping Center, costs 400 kyats ($0.40).
Mohinga:
Roasted Chicken and Rice: Sule Pagoda Road, 1,500 kyats ($1.50), right across from Traders
Boo Thi Kyaw: Thain Phyu Lan, fried vegetable tempura with hot sauce, for 500 kyats ($0.50).
Coffee Circles: the ambience and décor is worth visiting, you’ll feel like you’re not in Yangon.
Samosas: Pansoadan, huge samosas for 200 kyats a piece ($0.20).

Taxis In Yangon

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Taxis are one of the major means of transportation in Yangon. To flag a taxi, just make any hand gesticulation, and it will pull up to you. The taxi driver (‘ka saya’) will ask you where you want to go, you respond with your destination, the ka saya will do a quick mental calculation of the taxi fare and tell you his asking price, and then you can negotiate back on the proposed taxi fare. Half of the taxi drivers will propose a fare that is 500 kyats higher than the eventual agreed upon price, so if you want to negotiate, respond back with a fare that is 500 kyats lower than the ka saya’s price. From personal experience, the taxi fares and the corresponding distance are listed below:

• 1,000 kyats for 0.1 – 1.5 miles,
• 1,500 kyats for 1.6 – 3.0 miles,
• 2,000 kyats for 3.1 miles – 4.0 miles,
• 2,500 kyats for 4.1 miles to 5.0 miles,
• 3,000 kyats for 5.1 miles – 6.0 miles,
• To the airport, 4,000 kyats, which is about 10 miles from downtown

Expect the taxi driver (and also, expect to pay this increase) to add an additional 500 kyats when it is raining or when it gets later at night (i.e. 11:00pm and later).

Now speaking of safety, most taxi’s have seatbelts in the front seats, only. Taxi drivers drive erratically (or defensively or offensively, however you want to view it), but, rest assured it seems like they know what they’re doing on the road. 99% of the taxi drivers are male; I caught a ride with a female taxi driver, which is a really rare sighting. Taxi drivers do not turn on the air conditioner, in order to save gas. Most taxi’s in Yangon have manual windows and almost all of them have at least one window that has the window opener handle missing or it’s detached. If it’s detached, you might find it in the arm rest on the door, or ask the taxi driver for the handle. Despite all the oddities with Yangon taxi's, they are a cheap and an efficient way to get around in Yangon. So, take a taxi the next time you're hungry and asking yourself, "Where to eat in Yangon?"

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