Planning a trip to Yangon, Myanmar? Let this Yangon Travel Guide Blog with sample DIY itinerary for first-timers in Myanmar help you plan your trip to the "Garden City of the East!"
Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) is the largest and the most populated city in Myanmar (Burma). For decades, Myanmar is closed to outsiders and just started welcoming visitors around 2012. Since Myanmar is already open to visit, why not plan a trip to Myanmar and start your adventure in Yangon?! In this Yangon Travel Guide Blog I will help you plan your trip. Here are some of the top things you can do when in Yangon, as well as useful information on visa requirements, how to get there, where to stay, DIY itinerary, tours and activities, travel tips, and more!
FIRST-TIMER'S TRAVEL GUIDE TO YANGON MYANMAR 2024
Are you ready to explore Yangon? Okay, let's start planning your trip!
VISA REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER MYANMAR
Philippine passport holders visiting Yangon for tourism do not need a visa to enter Myanmar. As part of ASEAN, Filipinos are given visa-free stay in Myanmar for up to 14 days.
To avoid any inconvenience, always make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months, you have a booked return ticket back home or to your next destination, proof of financial capacity to cover your entire stay in Myanmar, proof of booked hotel accommodation and tours/attraction tickets that you have pre-booked online. In some instances, the immigration officer might ask for any of these. So, always be ready with your documents.
For other nationalities that might need a visa to enter Myanmar, you may visit their official government website to apply for Myanmar eVisa.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIP: Getting a travel insurance is highly-recommended when traveling abroad. Travel with confidence anytime, anywhere you go! Get a travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage for your peace of mind!
HOW TO GET TO YANGON FROM THE PHILIPPINES?
Yangon is the former capital city of Myanmar and is considered as the main gateway for travelers visiting this fascinating country. Currently, there are no direct flights from anywhere in the Philippines to Yangon, Myanmar. What we did is we took a flight to Bangkok and then took another flight to Yangon. Travel time from Manila to Bangkok is around 3.5 to 4 hours. From Bangkok to Yangon, travel time is around 1.5 hours by plane. This route is the easiest and most convenient way to get to Yangon from Manila, Philippines.
HOW TO GET TO YANGON FROM OTHER CITIES IN MYANMAR?
If you're coming from other key cities in Myanmar, you can get to Yangon by land. Buses are available from major cities such as Bagan, Mandalay, Naypyitaw and from Inle Lake (Nyaung Shwe). Check out the different transportation options to Yangon from anywhere in Myanmar.
HOW TO GET OUT OF YANGON AIRPORT?
To get to your hotel in Yangon City Center, you could simply book a Grab Car. For ease and convenience, you can also avail a convenient Private Yangon International Airport Transfers. The city center is around 30-40 minutes away from the airport, depending on the traffic condition which can be worse during rush hours. So be sure to plan your trip well.
HOW TO GET AROUND YANGON?
During our trip, we just took a Grab Car to get to the tourist spots and destinations around the city that we want to visit. You could also take a taxi, but we prefer to just book a Grab Car so it will be easier to tell the driver where we want to go. If you're traveling in a group, let's say you're a family with kids or senior citizens, getting a Private Car Charter is a better option. This way, you can go to anywhere you want to go in Yangon with the service of a private car and a driver. It's very cheap and affordable! It only costs around 1,100 pesos for a half day charter for a car that could fit 1-4 persons. For a whole day car charter, it's 1,800 pesos for a car also good for 1-4 persons.
WHERE TO EXCHANGE CURRENCY IN YANGON?
The currency in Myanmar is called Myanmar Kyats (abbreviated as MMK or K or Ks), and you will be needing this for your expenses while in Yangon. Exchange rate is around 100 MMK = 3.41 PHP or 0.065 USD. You can find money changers at the Yangon International Airport, at the city center or at your hotel. Bring US dollars and exchange it to Myanmar Kyats. Alternatively, you can also withdraw money from the ATMs. As I always recommend, be sure to inform your bank before leaving the Philippines that you will be withdrawing money from ATMs abroad to avoid any inconvenience. Sometimes, they might deactivate your card if they notice an "unusual activity" in your account. So, it's better to advise them before your travel. Depending on your bank, there's a service charge of around 200 pesos for every transaction.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT YANGON?
Like other countries in Southeast Asia, Myanmar experiences tropical climate and remains relatively warm throughout the year. Yangon's summer is from March to May, the cooler months is from November to January and the wet season is from June to October. Weather-wise, the best time to visit Yangon is during the cold months of November to January because the weather is comfortable and there are less chances of rains.
HOW MANY DAYS TO SPEND IN YANGON?
It will depend on your travel style, what are the activities you want to do, and the tourist spots in Yangon you want to visit. For first timers, I would recommend 4 days and 3 nights itinerary in Yangon. If your visit is part of your trip to Bagan, 3 days and 2 nights itinerary is also ideal. You may check out my sample 3D2N Yangon Itinerary below.
INTERNET CONNECTION IN YANGON, MYANMAR?
To stay connected to the internet while in Myanmar, be sure to buy a Myanmar Prepaid 4G SIM Card. We bought from Klook an unlimited 4G data SIM card that is valid for 8 days for 560 pesos and picked it up upon arrival in Bangkok. The best thing about this sim card is that you can also use it in Laos and in Thailand as long as the sim card is still active. So, if you're going on an Indochina trip - let's say you're visiting Bagan, Luang Prabang, Yangon and Bangkok, this sim card is the the ideal sim card to use.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN YANGON, TOURIST SPOTS AND ATTRACTIONS
1. Admire the beauty of the Shwedagon Pagoda
The Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most famous pagodas in the world. It is also considered as the main attraction of Yangon, the capital city of Myanmar. Also known as the "Great Dagon Pagoda" and "the Golden Pagoda" this pagoda is 99 meters high and it is located at the top of a hill. The Shwedagon Pagoda has a golden roof which makes it shine day or night and can be seen from most places in Yangon. Shwedagon is known as "The crown of Burma" because its gold-plated dome has a stupa with over 7,000 diamonds, topaz, rubies, and sapphires. If there is one tourist attraction in Yangon you should not miss, that’s definitely the Shwedagon Pagoda.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is open seven days a week from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Last admission is 9:45 p.m. Entrance fee is 10,000 Kyats. Proper dress code must be observed when entering Shwedagon Pagoda.
2. Walk around Sule Pagoda
The Sule Pagoda is a Burmese stupa that is located in the heart of Yangon. It is very accessible; in fact, it is surrounded by colonial-era buildings, busy streets, market, and other small shops. It is also near the Yangon City Hall and Yangon Supreme Court Building. Sule Pagoda is 44-meters high painted in gold, making it a highlight in the busy Yangon city center area.
Sule Pagoda is located at the junction of Sule Pagoda Road and Maha Bandula Road, Yangon, Myanmar. It is open daily from 4:00 am to 10:00 pm.
3. Shop at Bogyoke Aung San Market
If you are looking for the best place to shop in Yangon where you can have the largest selection of local souvenirs and Myanmar handicrafts, you should definitely go to Bogyoke Aung San Market. It is a covered market where you will find more than 2000 different shops and stalls inside. Bogyoke is also known to have the best tailors in the city. Don’t miss to visit Bogyoke Aung San Market when traveling to Yangon.
Bogyoke Aung San Market is located at East D, Bogyoke AungSan Market, 11141, Pabedan, Township, Yangon 11141, Myanmar. It is open daily from 8:00 am to 05:00 pm.
4. Stroll at Maha Bandula Park
If you want to mingle and engage with the people when traveling, then you should probably go to a park. When in Yangon, one park that you should not miss to visit is Maha Bandula Park. There are plenty of outdoor activities that you can do here especially if you have kids such as biking, picnic, walking, and jogging. There are food stalls nearby too if you want to try local street food and delicacies.
5. Enjoy Myanmar’s local flavors
Visiting one country is never complete without trying their local dishes. Myanmar's cuisine is rich in flavor, has a dominant savory taste, and mostly salty. Some of their best-tasting foods are Tea leaf salad, Shan-style rice, Burmese curry, Shan-style 'tofu' noodles, Nangyi thoke, and Mohinga.
6. Walk around Yangon
Yangon is a small town but has plenty of places waiting for you to discover. What I like about Yangon is that it is a tourist friendly place, the locals are even recommending you to walk around the town. You'll see different pagodas and temples, witness old infrastructure, buy at the local shops, and mingle with the friendly locals.
7. Look around for Colonial Buildings
If you are a fan of heritage, then you should write Pansodan Street on your to-visit list when in Yangon. It has historical colonial buildings, a long street of old bookshops that sells secondhand books, relics of beautiful architecture, and of course a variety of street foods, coffee shops, and restaurants.
8. Take a stroll around Inya Lake
Inya Lake, formerly known as Lake Victoria, is the largest lake in Yangon. If you want to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the toxic city life, then a walk along Inya Lake is what you needed. It has a picturesque view of the calm lake that you will surely enjoy. The best time to visit is early morning and during the late afternoon. It’s also a favorite hangout place of the locals.
YANGON BEST FOOD, MUST-EATS AND FOOD TRIPS
Photo from Klook.com
Street Snack Tour
Meet your English speaking guide and start your culinary adventure in Yangon. This 2-hour tour will take you to best street food in Yangon. Try exotic delicacies, and sample on 10 different snacks such as Burmese pancakes, fried meat tempura and Nan Gyi Thote local chicken noodles. Be ready to experience the city's best food stalls and explore the city, as well as visit the Chinatown where you'll experience the unique blend of Chinese and Burmese cuisines.
Photo from Klook.com
Yangon's Streets by Night Guided Tour
On this guided tour, you'll be exploring Yangon at night by trying out local dishes and delicacies. It will also take you past Buddhist and Hindu temples on the way towards Chinatown. Sample local treats from market stalls and shops that line narrow alleyways inaccessible to tour buses. This private tour package includes a local English speaking guide, hotel pick up and drop off, snacks and bottled water.
Photo from Klook.com
Yangon Food Tour
This 3-hour guided tour will let you discover Burmese culture, cuisine and traditions. You could choose between several exciting options: an early breakfast with visits to the local markets, a delicious lunch with a trip to the famous Bogyoke Market or a 3 hour dinner tour. The tour package includes an English speaking guide, all meals during the tour and non-alcoholic beverages.
Photo from Klook.com
Social Business Food Tour
Visit five food companies that promote positive change by creating jobs and training for Burmese residents and small businesses that are initiating social and financial change in the city, including women's issues, fair trade, child labor and more. By joining this tour, you'll get to contribute to Yangon's community by supporting key local businesses in the city. Enjoy delicious food and drinks at Sai's Tacos, Genius Coffee, LinkAge Restaurant and more. This join-in tour includes the assistance of an English speaking guide, 5 stops along the tour to taste locally made products and food including coffee and pastries.
WHERE TO STAY: HOTELS IN YANGON
During our visit to Yangon, we stayed for 3 days and 2 nights at the luxurious Sedona Hotel Yangon.
Sedona Hotel Yangon is a luxury property with upscale services, lush gardens, huge swimming pool, and comfortable and elegant room accommodations. Being so close to a lot of restaurants, nightspots, shopping mall, and famous landmarks, Sedona Hotel Yangon is an ideal place to stay whether you're on business or leisure trip in Yangon, Myanmar. It's in the heart of the city where you could easily get around places of interests such as Shwedagon Pagoda, Bogyoke Aung San Market, Inya Lake, and Sule Pagoda, among many other tourist spots and attractions in Yangon. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
For more information and inquiries, you may contact:
Sedona Hotel Yangon
Address: No. 1 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Yankin Township, Yangon, Myanmar
Contact Numbers: +95 1 860 5377 / 5353 / 5355
Email: reservation@sedonamyanmar.com
Facebook: Sedona Hotel Yangon
Book here: See room rates and availability
OTHER TOP-RATED HOTELS IN YANGON
I made a quick search on Agoda.com and found the other top-rated hotels in Yangon with excellent to exceptional reviews from guests. You may click on the link on each hotel to see hotel info, photos, and to check the room availability and room rates.
- Jasmine Palace Hotel
- The Link Yangon Boutique Hotel
- Clover Suites Royal Lake Yangon
- Wyndham Grand Hotel Yangon
- Mercure Yangon Kaba Aye
- Hotel Parami Yangon
- Melia Yangon
- Lotte Hotel Yangon
- Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon
- Novotel Yangon Max
YANGON SAMPLE DIY ITINERARY FOR 3 DAYS & 2 NIGHTS
YANGON DAY 1
- Flight from Manila to Bangkok
- Flight from Bangkok to Yangon
- Arrive in Yagon
- Travel to your hotel, check-in
- Lunch
- Go to Shwedagon Pagoda
- Back at the hotel
- Dinner
YANGON DAY 2
- Breakfast
- Walk around Yangon City Center
- Look around Colonial Buildings
- Walk around Sule Pagoda
- Stroll at Maha Bandula Park
- Enjoy Myanmar’s local flavors
- Go to Bogyoke Aung San Market (shopping!)
- Take a stroll around Inya Lake
YANGON DAY 3
- Prepare to check-out
- Check-out of the hotel
- Proceed to the airport
- Flight from Yangon to Bangkok
- Flight from Bangkok to Manila
You may freely adjust this DIY itinerary depending on the things you want to do, and on the tourist spots and attractions you want to visit in Yangon. If you plan to also visit Bagan, you may add 3 or more days in this itinerary. You can get to Bagan from Yangon by bus or plane. Please refer to my Bagan Travel Guide with DIY Itinerary for more details.
YANGON PRIVATE GUIDED TOURS
If you have more time and want to experience more of what Yangon and its surrounding areas offer, I recommend that you book any of these guided private tours.
Photo from Klook.com
Colonial Yangon Sightseeing Private Half Day Tour
"Discover Yangon's colonial and spiritual heritage on a private half day tour around some of the most iconic landmarks downtown. A shuttle will pick you up from your hotel bright and early and you'll be off to explore a old capital that boasts of a rich mix of British architecture, high rise buildings, and Buddhist temples scattered around the city. Throughout your sightseeing discovery, you'll learn about the roles of the different buildings in the prime and get to know the purpose they serve to this day." - Klook.com
BOOK THIS TOUR!
Photo from Klook.com
Yangon Highlights Private Tour
"Explore Yangon away from the trails most tourists follow - yet see all the attractions the city is known for. Your Yangon Highlights Private Tour kicks off with a convenient hotel pick up and then you'll start your visit to the city's most impressive monuments and sites. You will get to visit the Sule Pagoda located right in the heart of downtown Yangon as well as the Maha Bandula Park, famous for its rose gardens and great views of City Hall and other colonial buildings. Then, make your way along the downtown river to the Botataung Pagoda which houses a variety of ancient relics and artifacts, and take a short shopping trip at the Bogyoke Aung San Market where you can find almost anything in the stalls of the friendly locals. At noon, stop for lunch at your own expense and get ready for the exciting stops ahead. The journey continues with a visit to the Chauktatgyi Pagoda, Kandawgyi Lake and the Shwedagon Pagoda before arriving at Yangon's Chinatown - a bustling commercial and cultural center." - Klook.com
BOOK THIS TOUR!
Photo from Klook.com
Tradition and Culture in Yangon Half Day Tour
"Ready to see what all the fuss is about? Burma (Myanmar) has a truly fascinating history, tradition, and culture, and this Yangon city tour will give you the opportunity to explore some of the city’s icons and better understand local life here. Meet up with your English speaking guide and head to Chaukhtetkyi Pagoda, home to a reclining Buddha that's one of the most honoured in the country and one of the largest in all of Myanmar. After the visit to the Pagoda, your cultural tour of Yangon will continue with a walk through the local residential area, through Kandawgyi Park. Along the way, your guide will share local stories and anecdotes, as well as answer the many questions you likely have about local life in the city. We'll pause for a tea break and people watching before heading into the Shwedagon Pagoda, the real highlight of the tour. Its magnificent gold dome rises for a staggering 98 meters and is decorated with precious stones." - Klook.com
BOOK THIS TOUR!
Photo from Klook.com
Yangon and Beyond Private Day Tour
"Discover Yangon on an immersive 10-hour adventure that will let you dive deep into the city's spirit and culture. After an early morning meet up, beat the rush of tourists to Sule Pagoda and the Mahanbandula Park. These two scenic attractions won't leave anyone unimpressed, so make sure you have your camera and lots of storage space ready. Close to lunch time you will already be in downtown Yangon, marveling at the architecture of City Hall before indulging in a delicious lunch. The journey takes you further to Pansodan Jetty to take a ferry to the small town of Dala, where you can take a relaxing trishaw ride through the area." - Klook.com
BOOK THIS TOUR!
Photo from Klook.com
Private Day Trip to Bago
"Bago (or Pegu) is the ancient capital of Burma known today as Myanmar. Just 80 kilometers to the northeast of Yangon, this beautiful city is settled right by the Bago River. The town is bathed in legends. According to one of them, Buddha himself had predicted that a Buddhist country would prosper in the place where Bago now stands. Your eleven hour tour of Bago will be rich in culture and history with your English speaking guide always ready to answer questions. Visit the Taukkyan War Cemetery and the Shwemawdaw Pagoga before stopping for lunch at your own expense. As the tour continues, you'll get to visit the Shwethalyaung Buddha, a 55 meter reclining Buddha to the west of the city, as well as the Kyaik Pun Pagoda and the extravagant Kanbawzathadi Palace, consisting of 76 apartments and halls and explore the city's royal past." - Klook.com
BOOK THIS TOUR!
YANGON TRAVEL TIPS AND REMINDERS
- Take off your shoes (including socks) or slippers before entering the temples and pagodas. When exploring, best if you just wear slippers so it would be easy to take it off when entering the temples.
- When visiting a temple, the basic rule is to cover your shoulders and knees. This applies for both men and women. For us, we bought a longyi (a sheet of cloth worn around the waist) and we just wear it when entering a temple.
- Always abide by the rules in the temples/pagodas and places of worship you're visiting.
- The heavy traffic condition is Yangon is quite a problem especially during rush hours. Always take this in consideration when exploring the city. Also, consider walking as when going to the different tourist spots that are close to each other.
- To save on travel expenses, I highly recommend booking discounted tours, bus tickets, and car rentals in Yangon. You can also join group tours, take public transportation, walk if you can, stay in hostels or budget hotels, and take advantage of flight seat sales and promos. Joining group tours, is also a good way to meet new friends and fellow travelers from around the world.
I hope this Yangon Myanmar Travel Guide Blog 2020 for first-timers help you in planning an unforgettable and exciting Myanmar adventure! Enjoy and have fun in Myanmar!
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