The former capital city of Myanmar, founded by King Alaungpaya in 1755, spreads over 350 sq km in area with a population of about 5 million. Yangon is also known as the “Garden City of the East”, owing to the tree-lined streets, shaded parks and two lakes Kandawgyi (Royal Lake) and Inya Lake that fill the city. Considered one of the most picturesque cities in the Orient, Yangon is exceptionally laid out with perfectly straight streets and roads that intersect at right angles. Set in a tropical woodland, Yangon exudes a charm all of its own.

Where to stay in Yangon?

A wide choice of accommodation is available, ranging from deluxe hotels to standard class hotels. We highlight below our recommended hotels for your stay in Yangon.

Colonial Style Hotels

If it is your first time to Yangon and you are purely visiting the city for leisure, colonial style hotels are a good choice. Besides offering high service standards, these hotels provide a nostalgic window to the olden times gone by in the former British colonial city. One of our top favorites, the Strand Hotel is Yangon’s landmark heritage hotel with an opulent décor reflecting the 1920s and 1930s epoch. Its central location makes it a good choice for both the leisure or business traveler. Another recommendation will be the Governor’s Residence Hotel, an elegant boutique hotel housed in an imposing teak mansion. It is also a short walk away from the embassies and the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda.

City Hotels

In town, the Traders Hotel tops our list. An outstanding business hotel located right in the city centre, it features modern facilities and comforts. As one of the tallest hotels in Yangon, it affords splendid panoramas of the city.

What to see in Yangon?

To complement the modern travelers' love affair with the unusual and experiential travel, Exotissimo offers a range of new and interesting tours in Burma that take you off the well worn tourist trails and focus on the wonders of Burmese culture. First time visitors should not miss the Shwedagon Pagoda, a magnificent gold-crusted pagoda that has come to be the country’s icon. Other temple sites not to be missed are the Sule Paya with an octagonal-shaped dome, the Botataung Pagoda with the sacred hair of Lord Buddha enshrined, and the Chaukhtetgyi Pagoda with a 70-metres reclining Buddha statue.  Finally, there is the Kaba Aye Pagoda within which is the Buddhist Art Museum and Maha Pasana Cave. For aspiring yogis and meditation devotees, it is worthwhile to check out Mahasi Meditation Centre and International Meditation Centre, both of which offer full-time meditation amenities.

To seek out intriguing shopping finds, Bogyoke Aung San Market is an excellent choice. Constructed in 1926, the market is best known for its colonial architecture, inner cobblestone streets and wide selection of souvenirs. Head to Yangon’s Chinatown, a series of colorful streets filled with roadside stalls, market vendors and jewelry stores. Named after the sacred mythological bird, the Karaweik Hall is an imposing royal barge floating in the Kandawgyi Royal Lake. It makes a good spot to catch traditional Burmese arts performances as well as a beautiful view of the Shwedagon Pagoda.  

Situated at the confluence of the Pazundaung Creek and Bago River, the Yangon River is an interesting spot to seize out the local lifestyles. At the Yangon Nanthida Jetty, one can enjoy the panoramic scenery and magnificent sunset over the river. If you have time to spare, we highly recommend crossing the river to Dhala on the opposite bank for a glimpse into countryside lives in Myanmar, or Kyimyindaing where stone Buddha sculptures and the dyeing of monks’ yellow robes can be observed.

For history and culture buffs, the National Museum of Myanmar has an extensive collection of ancient artifacts, art works and historic memorabilia on display in 14 halls in a splendid five-storey building. A visit to the National Races Village is a tour of Myanmar in a nutshell, where visitors can stroll through and view the 8 villages of Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Chin, Mon, Myanmar, Rakhine and Shan across the 117-acres compound. Unknown even to most Yangon natives, the Yangon War Cemetery is nestled deep in the city. A burial ground for the allied soldiers who died during World War II, the cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Just a 45 minutes drive from the city, the Hlawga Wildlife Park is home to over 70 kinds of herbivorous animals and 90 bird species, definitely an ideal place for picnickers, naturalists, botanists and bird watchers.

Where to dine in Yangon?

For a taste of authentic Myanmar cuisine, we recommend Padonmar Restaurant which features both traditional Myanmar and Thai cuisine with indoor and alfresco dining options. The Green Elephant Restaurant is another favorite of ours with a good selection of traditional Burmese and international dishes served in a garden setting. The Monsoon Restaurant & Bar, housed in a spacious colonial style building, is a good spot to savor Myanmar and Indochinese specialties.

There is no lack of restaurants serving international food in Yangon. Le’ Planteur Restaurant has established a formidable standing in serving French cuisine tops with Burmese hospitality, while the Manis Restaurant & Bar features contemporary Western and oriental cuisines. Tokyo Restaurant & Bar remains a perennial eating hunt for its delicious and fresh Japanese selections. Sabai Sabai whips up a fiery concoction of Thai food. The handful of Chinese restaurants, such as Western Park and White Rice, carry a wide array of dishes. 

Coffee shops have mushroomed across Yangon in recent years. For aromatic coffee brews with a panoramic view of downtown Yangon, head to Thiripyitsaya Sky Bistro on the 20th floor of Sakura Tower. Another A-lister café is Mr Guitar, popular for its live bands and frequented by locals and expatriates alike.

Off the beaten path in Yangon

How about sightseeing in style in Yangon? Exotissimo Myanmar can arrange a city tour on the Elephant Coach, an elegant air-conditioned vintage vehicle decorated in rich Burmese ironwood, comfortable leather chairs and a retro-style exterior. A Yangon River sunset cruise is a great opportunity to catch the magnificent scenery while indulging in cocktails and canapés.

The Yangon circular train is not only a ‘sight’ by itself, but also offers an enjoyable way to sightsee the city and the surrounding outskirts. Disembark in Insein village and pay a visit to the colonial locomotive workshop and colorful local market.

For advocates of traditional healing techniques, try the Exotissimo tour that includes a visit to a plantation grown with indigenous medicinal herbs, a walking tour of ‘Kon Zay Dan’ street that sells Burmese herbs and plants and a meeting with Mr Shein, a renowned traditional medicine practitioner famous for his ‘gold ash’ techniques. For Buddhists, we can arrange for Buddhist teachings, dharma talks and meditation sessions with venerable monks and meditation instructors.