Where to stay in Yangon

See

Relatively untouched by development compared of other major Southeast Asian cities, the city centre of Yangon is full of historical sights. Yangon is perhaps the best-preserved example of a European colonial capital in Southeast Asia.

• Shwedagon Paya
• Guides
• Food
• Disabled visitors
• Dress code
• Shoes
• Plan
• Walkways to the Pagoda
• The Pagoda Platform
• Day Shrines
• Statue of Wa Thon Da Ray
• The Arakanese Prayer Pavilion

Do

• Bogyoke Aung San Stadium
• Dallah Ferry
• Ferris Wheel
• Kokkine Swimming Club
• Kyaikkasan Grounds
• Market Tour and Cooking Demonstration
• National Swimming Pool
• National Theatre
• Thamada Cinema
• Thein Byu Sport Ground
• Thuwana National Stadium
• Hlawga National Park

Eat

Yangon has seen an explosion of restaurants in the last ten years and a wide selection of international cuisines is available: French, Italian, Japanese, Thai and Korean. Local cuisine reflects the multi-ethnic nature of the city and the country. Along with Bamar food, there are a large number of Indian and Chinese restaurants as well as a few places specializing in ethnic Shan food. Fast food restaurants (usually with table service) serving burgers and pizza, and a few cafes complete the scene. The cost of food ranges considerably. Restaurants and cafes in hotels and the airport charge prices that are normal in Western countries, yet at a streetside stall a whole meal costs 500–2,000 kyat.

Drink

Nightlife in Yangon is split between local bars or "beer stations" as they are called which close early (around 21:00-00:00), but offer drinks at bargain prices (about 800 kyat for a pint glass of Myanmar Beer, local whiskies cost 2,000 kyat a glass). Expect to get a lot of attention when going to the local bars, since theses places are not frequented by foreigners. Drinking is not culturally acceptable for women in Burma, so don't expect to pick up any girls except in nightclubs and Western-style venues, local bars are places where men meet to talk and chew betel nut (very popular in Myanmar).

Stay safe

Despite widespread poverty, Yangon is one of the safest big cities in the world. Most people, including single females, will not have any problems roaming the streets alone at night, and carrying large amounts of cash rarely poses a problem. Crimes against tourists are taken very seriously by the military government and punishment is often disproportionately severe. This, in addition to the strong Buddhist culture in the population, means that Yangon's crime rate is lower than the likes of Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Violent crime is especially rare.