Top Things to do in Yangon (Rangoon)
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10 Things to do in Yangon (Rangoon) That You Shouldn't Miss
Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) is no longer the capital of Myanmar, but it has experienced a huge increase in tourism recently. Book early, as hotel rooms are sometimes hard to find! While you’re in town, the Shwedagon Pagoda, an immense, ancient Buddhist shrine, is a must-see—TripAdvisor travelers recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset.
Restaurants in Yangon (Rangoon)
1. Shwedagon Pagoda
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14,023 reviews
The city's biggest tourist attraction is this immense Buddhist shrine built approx. 2500 years ago.
Reviewed By patricklN1986UH
The Shwedagon pagoda is visible from everywhere in the city ... and it will draw you to it like moths to a flame ...Late afternoon and evenings is the best time as it can get too hot underfoot during the day ( bare feet at all Pagodas & temples throughout the country ) ... It is a vast complex and as the sun sets, the locals light up the candles all around the Pagoda and it makes for some wonderful photo and video opportunities .. Learn a bit about the history of the pagoda ( 2,600 years old ) and be respectful of the dress code ( nothing short or skimpy, especially women ) ... I wore denim jean shorts to my knees and had to "rent ' a llongi for $10 as i was deemed inappropriate ... Not going here while in Yangon is like not looking at the Eiffel tower in paris or the Opera house in Sydney .. it is simply THE thing to do in Yangon
2. Taukkyan War Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 917 reviews
Taukkyan War Cemetery is in Taukkyan town in the township of Mingaladon, Yangon greater area, on the main highway No 1 Pyay Road. From the centre of the city of Yangon, it is 21 miles north and 11 miles from the international airport, 45 minutes drive from the centre of Rankgoon and 24 minutes from the International airport. Exact location of the cemetery is North (17º02'08.24") and East (96º07'55.28").
Reviewed By ladycommoner - India, null
Located on the outskirts of Yangon, it is beautifully maintained by Commonwealth War Graves Commission. You may read the website before visiting. Reach early in the morning to avoid tropical sun. I stood in front of many graves/lists of names in silence, completely bewildered that these men (and some women) came from different corners of the world to die in this nondescript land. Humanity could never ethically explain why a teenaged child travelled from Africa to Burma to fight for the British raj against Japanese troops. This is a place where you find names of more than 20,000 Indians who perished here, fighting for allied forces. There are three memorials within this compound: 1. Taukkyan memorial- almost 6500 graves became part of this memorial, retrieved from all parts of Burma. Unfortunately 867 graves remain unidentified. Tropical flowering shrubs accompany the graves, showering love and respect on untimely departed souls. A cross of sacrifice honours the christians who rest here. 2. Rangoon memorial- stands at the centre of the garden in memory of a whopping number of personnels (26,856) killed/untraced during WWII with no known graves. 3. Taukkyan cremation memorial- a commemorative wall inscribed with 1060 names who died in Burma during WWII and their mortal remains were cremated. One thing must immediately be stopped, that is local young couples throng here for finding some physical intimacy as the place is empty of people. Must have written this in visitor's book.
3. U Thant House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
U Thant House is a place to remember the life and work of former United Nations Secretary-General U Thant and to discuss national and global challenges. There is a permanent exhibition featuring dozens of photographs and film footage tracing U Thant's life from the modest beginnings in the Irrawaddy delta town of Pantanaw to his time as the world's premier diplomat. Visitors can also take a guided tour performed by our knowledgeable museum facilitators. Please notice we are open only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm. Visits outside these open hours can be arranged.
Reviewed By Sandy5259 - Vancouver, Canada
We had a wonderful visit at this museum. You make a donation of 10,000 at the outside of the building. The docent will invite you to first review the artifacts, photographs and descriptions that are on the second level. There is also a 10 minute video on the second floor. Then you come downstairs and ask for a quick tour of the main floor which basically explains who is in each of the photographs along with U Thant. The docent was quite knowledgeable. You can purchase a guide to the museum, for $3, although they were sold out of English guides when we were there. U Thant a great man. He carefully navigated through several world crises. I believe he would be very disappointed in the current state of the United Nations. The General Assembly seems to be dominated by the 23 Arab and other Muslim countries and their supporters. The Security Council is dominated by the veto power of Russia and China. How sad. If you like this review and or the photographs, please feel free to give me a thumbs up. You may also wish to check out my reviews of other tourist sites in the city as well as in Singapore, Bangkok, Taiwan, cities in Cambodia and Vietnam as well as in Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, and South America.
4. Botahtaung Pagoda
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,014 reviews
Reviewed By khinmaritime2006 - Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar
Buddha's hair relics are enshrined in botataung Pagoda and many Myanmar's go to worship there. But also you will see a different kind of devotion too. Many people come to pay respects to Botataung Bo Bo Gyi(Grandfather of Botataung) one of the Four deities that protect Yangon( Grandfather Sule, Grandfather Thanhlyin, Grandfather Hmawbi and Grandfather Botataung) . You will see his statue with his finger pointing at the pagoda, meaning, go and pray at the Pagoda first ! Many people come to offer, longgyis, scarfs, money, and pwe(coconut and bananas in a large bowl including flowers) as an offering to Botataung Bo Bo Gyi and many will also include their hopes and dreams on paper and add that to. Statues of many other well known deities will also be found at Botataung Pagoda. Just outside the Pagoda in an opposite building is the statue of Sister Mya Nan Nwe, adorned in beautiful clothes. Many come to offer pwe's or beautiful clothes or scarfs to the beautiful sister Mya Nan Nwe and also ask her to help their hopes and dreams come true. She is on of the chief spiritual custodian of the Pagoda and its treasures.
5. Chaukhtatgyi Buddha
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,729 reviews
Reviewed By Ian_B_Wolfe - Hong Kong, China
Not a typical place for worship, this large temple houses a lying buddha covered under a large canopy built of structural steel (British Steel !). The covered area is large which enables touring groups to visit at the same time without much crowding. The eyes of this buddha was said to be made of special pieces of glass donated by a local entrepreneur, interesting to get close and scrutinize for a while. The soles of the buddha are decorated with lots of interesting 'icons', as this is a special feature for visitors to take photos, a 2 meter high staging was erected permanently for visitors to go up and take photos at the best location. In the covered area there are cats around, friendly and they won't get scared when taking photos with them. A place worth walking around for 45 minutes.
6. Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 635 reviews
Reviewed By jpmac43 - Cairns, Australia
A large Cathedral with very interesting architecture & beautiful stained glass windows & religious statues. Well worth a visit to something you would not have expected to have survived over the centuries
7. The Secretariat
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 103 reviews
The Secretariat is Yangon’s most intriguing and beautiful historic architectural landmark. The Victorian-colonial masterpiece that sits on almost 16 acres in the heart of Yangon was once the seat of British administration in Burma. Today The Secretariat Yangon is nearing the end of a multi-year renovation that will allow everyone the opportunity to explore this elegant “grande dame.” The Secretariat Yangon’s more than 400,000 square feet of space is once again coming alive with a vibrant mix of tenants that will include museum and art exhibit spaces, cultural and private event spaces, guided tours, as well as retail shops, restaurants and commercial office space - all nestled in a treasure of Victorian architecture and surrounded by flowering gardens. Currently the East Wing and North Wing are open to the public.
Reviewed By terrytun93 - Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar
Must visiting place of stunning architectural marvel with history making of Myanmar. My friends and I stayed the whole day for guided tour with photo taking plus coffee break under the beautiful ambience.
8. Junction City
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By Leonhkny - Hong Kong, China
Junction City is a new shopping mall in downtown Yangon. Opposite to the famous Aung San Market, it includes the well-known international brands and restaurants. Look for bargains!
9. National Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 1,119 reviews
This museum exhibits the treasures of the last king of Myanmar.
Reviewed By azingazang
Very comprehensive and rather elaborate collection of artefacts, art, paintings, costumes and of course, the Lion Throne. Suggest to have a guide as most of the exhibits have little to no English captions. I enjoyed looking at the Burmese paintings very much, especially Ba Nyan's. My plus one was very impressed with the paintings too so if you are into that, definitely check this out
10. Yangon Circular Train
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,032 reviews
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