Things to do in Yangon, Myanmar: A three-minute guide

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This was published 8 years ago

Things to do in Yangon, Myanmar: A three-minute guide

By Angie Kelly
Shwedagon pagoda the heart of Yangon, Myanmar.

Shwedagon pagoda the heart of Yangon, Myanmar.Credit: Boy_Anupong

WHY: Yangon remains one of the world's best examples of a 19th-century British colonial capital, with over 100 grand public buildings lining the wide avenues of the capital once known as Rangoon. Equally famed for one of south-east Asia's most astonishingly beautiful pagodas, daily life is heavily informed by Buddhist rituals. Quiet lines of monks in red and nuns in pink walk the city to receive alms daily. An intriguing place in the process of renewal and rapid modernisation, Yangon has finally been opened up to tourism and guided holidays after a generation under closed military rule. (trafalgar.com.au)

VISIT: Bogyoke Market (also known by its former British name, Scott Market) is a major tourist destination where you can haggle for gold-leafed ceramics, precious stones and antiques.In central Yangon and with 1600 shops, best take it on with a friend or in a group, lest you get lost in the labyrinth. Housed in a 1926 heritage building, a visit here is an opportunity to speak with shop keepers (it's unusually hawker-free), pick up affordable souvenirs and see a colourful array of handicrafts the artisans of Myanmar are famous for. (Bo Gyoke Road)

EAT: The chic Rangoon Tea House (77 Pansodan Road) is an upscale take on the Burmese tradition of taking tea, set in an elegant colonial space. With their own blend of leaves, cocktails, local menu – and rarely found Wi-Fi – the Tea House is popular with tourists and fashionable locals.

Women at fabric stall at Bogyoke Aung San Market.

Women at fabric stall at Bogyoke Aung San Market.Credit: Richard I'Anson

Part shop, part outdoor restaurant, Sharky's is a foodie's delight serving and selling house-made cheese, ice cream, yoghurt and gelato as well as bread, pastries, and pizzas. (117 Dhama Zedi Road, Bahan)

LOOK: A walking tour is a fascinating chance to see how evolution from British rule, to independence, to military dictatorship and finally to fledgling democracy has influenced the cityscape.

Take pictures in the People's Park, a verdant respite from busy streets as well as a spot to get a great view of many famous colonial grand dames – left to crumble during decades of military dictatorship and now being restored.

Stop in for a drink amid the splendour of the Strand Hotel, built by the Sarkies brothers of Raffles Singapore fame.

MUST: Yangon is revered across Asia as the home of what is believed to be the oldest pagoda on earth. At 99 metres high, the splendid gilded Shwedagon Pagoda with its diamond encrusted stupa casts a golden glow across the city from Singuttara Hill.

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Legend has it Shwedagon is over 2000 years old with worshippers flocking to take part in sunrise offerings, evening candle ceremonies and rituals dating back centuries. Being there at sunrise or sunset will be a highlight of a trip to this mystical, beautiful part of the world.(swedagonpagoda.com)

SLEEP: Since 2013 visitor numbers in Myanmar have doubled to 2 million annually, meaning the number of new hotels is galloping at a pace too. As part of our Trafalgar guided holiday we stayed at the Kandawgyi Palace, an exotically styled hotel, set right on the banks of the Royal Lake with a magnificent golden view of Shwedagon from its waterfront fine-dining restaurant. (kandawgyipalace-hotel.com)

TIP: Power outages occur from time to time and pack a flashlight and mosquito repellent. Buddhist culture dictates removing your shoes before entering pagodas. Apply for a visa online at evisa.moip.gov.mm/index.aspx

Trafalgar's new 11-day itinerary Secrets of Myanmar begins in March. trafalgar.com/aus/tours/secrets-of-myanmar/summer-2016

Angie Kelly was a guest of Trafalgar.

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