What to do and see in Yangon (Rangoon), Yangon Region: The Best Free Things to do

December 10, 2021 Venice Greaves

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. Kalasa Art Space

No. 131 1st Floor, 34 Street, Yangon (Rangoon) 11182 Myanmar +95 9 42115 6604 [email protected] http://www.kalasaart.com
Excellent
94%
Good
6%
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5.0 based on 16 reviews

Kalasa Art Space

Kalasa Art Space is not only art gallery in Yangon but also a welcoming home for all discerning art lovers and artists alike based in Yangon. We feature many contemporary artworks by some of Myanmar’s most talented artists. Kalasa Art Space not only arranges art exhibitions for artists but also rent space for those artists who like to arrange their own definitive exhibitions. We also organise art workshops to share and show contemporary art. As a gallery collection Kalasa Art Space mainly features the artwork of the famous internationally renowned artist Aung Myint in addition to displaying various artworks of promising Myanmar artists. Everyone is welcome at Kalasa Art Space to join in events with free entrance, coffee is provided as are books to browse and even free WiFi. Kalasa Art Space is, therefore, more than an art gallery. It is a space for art and the heart, a warm meeting place; a place for sharing; and a hearty welcome awaits both young and old in the name of art

Reviewed By zune2014 - Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

This is new and cool gallery in downtown, yangon. They showcase most establish artists works as well as emerging artist artworks. If you are art lovers who want to get inspirations or want to enjoy artworks of Myanmar artists , this place is one of must visit place!!!

2. Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue

No. 85 26th St., Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar +95 1 252 814 http://www.myanmarshalom.com/tour/jewish-heritage-tour/
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 376 reviews

Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue

Dating from 1896, this is the only Jewish temple remaining in the city.

Reviewed By zauli1985

We got there about 11:00 AM ( note that the Syngagouge opens from 10:30 AM to 3:30 AM). It's so fascinating to know that Rangoon has some good number of Jewish back in the 1900s and interestingly Israel has a very good diplomatic relationship with Burma back then. Once in the downtown of Yangon this is a place where people should pay a visit! It's a great piece of history!

3. Taukkyan War Cemetery

No 1 Pyay Road, Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar http://www.cwgc.co.uk
Excellent
51%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 917 reviews

Taukkyan War Cemetery

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.

4. Baungdawgyoke Pagoda

Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar
Excellent
52%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
14%
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4.5 based on 56 reviews

Baungdawgyoke Pagoda

Reviewed By dnaleciz - Moreno Valley, United States

Arrived in Dalah via the ferry boat from Yangon. Boat trip is $2,00 one way. Upon arrival was met by a mob of motorcycle taxi drivers offering trips around Dalah and to Twante for a few hundred kyate. One driver offered to take me to see the snakes for 600 kyate. Able to convince him that the trip was only worth 400 kyate. We finally agreed on a price and off we went. The road leaves a lot to be desired and one is sure to have a very sore rear end when you arrive at the pagoda. The Baungdawgyoke Pagoda is about 5 miles east of the town of Twante. Upon arrival the Pagoda, it looks just like a million similar Pagoda found throughout Myanmar. The Pagoda is in the middle of a lake connected to the shore by 4 long wooden walkways. At this point, I figured I just been had. Upon entering the pagoda one is in for a huge surprise. The 6 female nuns who oversee the pagoda have a love for snakes. Not little one, but great big ones. There are 26 huge Burmese pythons (several measuring over 12 feet in length) crawling and slithering around the interior of the pagoda. One will see snakes crawling over the statues of Buddhas, hanging from windows and the ceiling. A very different experience from other temples and pagodas found throughout Yangon. If you want to see something different I highly recommend taking the time and effort to visit this unique Pagoda.

5. The Rangoon War Cemetery

Pyay Road, Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar
Excellent
58%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
21%
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4.5 based on 19 reviews

The Rangoon War Cemetery

6. Tomb of Bahadur Shah Zafar

8 Zi Wa Ka Rd., Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar
Excellent
31%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
28%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
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4.0 based on 167 reviews

Tomb of Bahadur Shah Zafar

The final resting place of the exiled 18th-century Indian king.

Reviewed By Sundncr - Washington DC, United States

Located near the Shwedagon Pagoda, this mosque/shrine is an interesting part of Indian history. The building is well maintained and somber. There are three graves on the upper floor and the grave of Bahadur Shah on the bottom floor. It could be a quick visit on your tour of Rangoon. This grave is of the last Mughal emperor of India. Not much of territory when Bahadur Shah ruled, but he was the last of the Mughal rulers and it ended a chapter of Indian history. During the visit, the site sells some books on Bahadur Shah. Mr. Shah is also considered a poet and sufi philosopher besides being a monarch. So, this site is also considered holy. Be respectful on entry to the shrines and leave footwear at the steps. As empires are bound to crumble, this modest shrine is a metaphor of how one can fall from the heights of glory and nothing seems permanent in this world.

7. Maha Bandula Park

Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar
Excellent
23%
Good
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26%
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3%
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4.0 based on 350 reviews

Maha Bandula Park

Reviewed By garelphotography - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

great place to be at sunset , friendly many local there .. love yangon.. you have the view on the pagoda , city hall from very cute..

8. Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda

Shwe Gon Taing St., Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar
Excellent
34%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
16%
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4.0 based on 342 reviews

Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda

Reviewed By Sandy5259 - Vancouver, Canada

We walked to this pagoda from the Bogyoke Aun Sang Museum. Shoes and socks are not allowed as with other pagodas in the city. Towering statue of Buddha. Very few visitors here. Quiet, calm and peaceful. No fee. If you like this review and/or the photos, please consider giving me a Like. Please also see my reviews of other sites in Yangon, as well as in Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Vientiane, as well as cities in Spain, Portugal, South America, Australia and New Zealand.

9. Chaukhtatgyi Buddha

Shwegondine Road Bahan Township, Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar
Excellent
36%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
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4.0 based on 2,729 reviews

Chaukhtatgyi Buddha

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.

10. Holy Trinity Cathedral

446 Bogyoke Aung San Road, Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar
Excellent
32%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
1%
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4.0 based on 157 reviews

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Reviewed By MargotP445 - Korora, Australia

We visited because ancestors were married here in 19th Century! Well maintained, with regular services. There is a brochure which explains the history, especially the side chapel dedicated to the thousands of soldiers killed in World War 2 in Burma.

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