Known as the capital city of Myanmar, Yangon today is growing to be a busy metropolitan city and becomes favorite destinations of both domestic and international tourists. All tourists from neighboring countries in Southeast Asia or all over the world can easily immerse themselves in beautiful natural landscapes, experience a wide array of cultural landmarks, admire incredible historical sites, and enjoy the specialties of Yangon cuisine. Here we would like to introduce 5 most attractive places to visit in Yangon Myanmar.
Shwedagon Pagoda – One of the most magnificent places to visit in Yangon Myanmar
Known as an important religious site in Yangon and all of Myanmar, Shwedagon Pagoda is popular not only as the symbol of Myanmar’s capital city but also the pride of indigenous people.
The ancient Shwedagon Pagoda is located on the western side of Royal Lake. It takes about 30 minutes by taxi from Yangon Airport or by walking from downtown of Yangon to Shwedagon. It is now 2500 years old and according to legend, the Pagoda started being built before Buddha Shakyamuni died. Called the Golden Pagoda, Shwedagon Pagoda now includes the main tower and hundreds of surrounding temples. This mysterious sanctuary is 112.17m high and all gilded. The top of the main tower is attached up to 4531 diamonds, the largest diamond is 72 carat, extremely precious and sacred.
Coming to Shwedagon Pagoda, you can not ignore the following famous places: First is the top of the main tower. The main tower peak of 112.17m is the most prominent image here. The entire tower is gold plated with lots of brilliant diamonds on the top.
The next area that you should visit is where the golden Buddha statues are worshiped. It is also a place for prayer and worship of monks, Buddhists and tourists. After praying at the Buddha statue area, you can walk around to discover the mystery and unique architecture of this historical sites. Shwedagon Pagoda is really spacious and has 4 main entrances, located in 4 directions of the pagoda, each entrance has 2 guardian lions. The most noteworthy point here is the eight statues that look out for the eight directions symbolizing the seven days of the week: tiger for Monday, lion for Tuesday, tusked elephant for Wednesday morning, the tuskless elephant for Wednesday afternoons, mouse for Thursday, guinea pig for Friday, naga for Saturday and Garuda for Sunday.
As a dignified religious site, the Shwedagon Pagoda only welcomes visitors who wear polite and confidential attire. You should also prepare yourself with comfortable shoes and a small bag to put in shoes when entering the temple.
Discover local fresh market
One of the most interesting things to do in Yangon which we suggest for people to do is to start with a free walking tour. Exploring Yangon on foot can give you the opportunity to stop and watch something interesting, or to notice the details of what’s happening here and there.
And if you have chosen Yangon for this summer vacation, you can not ignore a walking tour to the local fresh market here. Sweet flavor of fresh fruit, colorful exotic spices piled in high pyramids, and a variety of vendors making an array of enticing street foods here can steal the hearts of many travelers. Exploring Yangon local fresh market, you will have a feeling of immersing in a magnificent fruits world with sweet lychee fruit, rambutan piled high in pyramids, the yummy pyramid of goodness topped with coconut,…
In addition, local vendors also provide a lot of colorful textiles for making clothes, hand-sewn purses, tribal jewelry,…You can try drawing Thanaka, wearing colorful longyi, chatting with friends while discovering famous street food here such as E Kya Kway, steamed yellow beans, Roti, sea fruit noodle, Samosa salad,…This is an exactly ideal option for your wonderful summer holiday after a hard time working or an arduous school timetable,…
Another unique feature of this market in Yangon is that, despite the bustle of the local fresh market with full of vendors and customers in the middle of the road, small delivery transport can still pass through. When a delivery transport comes here, all vendors will quickly move their products aside, but the low laying baskets of food will remain, and the transport can drive right over them. With all these unique features, local fresh markets can become one of your favorite places to visit in Yangon Myanmar.
Visit the huge Buddha statue at Chauk Htat Gyi Temple
Being a Buddhist country, it is not difficult to find religious places to visit in Yangon Myanmar. Chauk Htat Gyi is also one of the most famous temples in this city. Located in the Tamwe township of central Yangon, it can be found about 3 kilometers North-East of the Shwedagon pagoda.
Built in 1907, this mysterious sanctuary has the height of a six-story building. The most special feature of the Chauk Htat Gyi Temple is an enormous 65 meters long Reclining Buddha statue. Turning east and south, Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha statue is wearing a golden robe, his right arm is supporting the back of the head. This famous religious symbol is decorated with very expressive colors, white face, red lips, blue eyeshadow and red fingernails.
Buddhist people pay their respect to the Reclining Buddha by incense sticks and colorful flowers. Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha statue is surrounded by a range of temples, one for each day of the week in Asian astrology. Local people pray to the sanctuary belonging to the day of their birth.
Bogyoke Aung San Market
One of the most popular entertainment centers in Yangon is Bogyoke Aung San Market. Famous as the largest traditional market in Yangon, it was built in 1926 with British architecture. This market is always bustle, and customers in this market are mostly foreigners.
Bogyoke Aung San is considered as a miniature Myanmar because you can find all unique items of myanmar culture here. Visitors to the Bogyoke Aung San market cannot miss the shopping of handicrafts, and especially the exquisitely designed jewelry here. This place sells almost everything of the people of Myanmar. Arts and crafts, jewelry, souvenirs or even longyi skirts are popular items attracting both domestic and international visitors.
Try wearing a colorful longyi and walking around the market, enjoying the sophisticated crafts and chatting with indigenous people who are extremely hospitable. This is definitely an unforgettable experience in which you will always remember Bogyoke Aung San Market as one of the places to visit in Yangon Myanmar.
Chinatown Yangon – One of the most popular places to visit in Yangon Myanmar
Without a doubt, Chinatown Yangon is one of the most favorite places to visit in Yangon Myanmar. Located in the west of the Sule Pagoda in downtown Yangon, Chinatown is one of the busiest and most action-packed areas of the town.
Coming to China Town Yangon, visitors will be immersed in the shopping paradise with a variety of goods such as clothing, electronics, souvenirs, antiques, musical instruments … But the most special features in China Town Yangon is the food alley which is always bustled with guests, all night and day. Here you can enjoy lots of specialties of Myanmar such as cake, coconut milk quail eggs, Shan noodles,… Or enjoy the tropical fruits such as watermelon, durian, mango,…which are fresh and delicious.
In the evening, when all the lights are brilliant, Chinatown becomes one of the most bustling neighborhoods. With gourmet food outlets, the tourists walking everywhere on streets, coming to drink and hang out, it should be your final ideal place to visit in Yangon Myanmar. Especially, the 19th street here is extremely famous as a relaxing night-life destination for both domestic and international tourists. Why don’t you take part in the crowded crowd, enjoy a barbecue party, drink a cup of beer and chat with friends. All of that will make you feel like a true Myanmarese citizen.
Analysising this list of attractions, you can choose your favorite places to visit in Yangon Myanmar. We hope you will have a memorable Yangon holiday which is suitable for your demand and your budget. As you only live once, you should enjoy and experience everything you dream whenever you want.
