Shwedagon Pagoda
The 99-metre gilded stupa on Singuttara Hill is Myanmar's holiest Buddhist site and the focal point of the city, ringed by hundreds of shrines, prayer halls and planetary posts.
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About Yangon
Yangon, the former Rangoon, sits on the Yangon River in the delta region of southern Myanmar. Its skyline is anchored by the 99-metre gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, and its downtown holds one of Southeast Asia's most complete colonial street grids, with Sule Pagoda, City Hall, the Strand Hotel and bustling markets. Visitors spend their days in pagodas, tea shops and on the Circular Railway, and take day trips to Bago, Twante and the villages across the river at Dala. The country remains under military-led administration, and many governments advise against travel; visitors should check current advisories and travel with flexibility and insurance.
- Capital
- Naypyidaw (national capital); Yangon is the former capital
- Largest city
- Yangon
- Population
- About 5.4 million (city)
- Languages
- Burmese, English (limited)
- Currency
- Myanmar kyat
- Time zone
- MMT (UTC+6:30)
Explore Yangon by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Yangon
The 20 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Sule Pagoda
A roughly 2,000-year-old stupa that anchors the colonial downtown grid, said to enshrine a hair of the Buddha, with small shops and astrologers around its base.
Botahtaung Pagoda
A hollow gilded stupa rebuilt after wartime bombing whose mirrored inner corridor displays relics said to include hair of the Buddha, beside a quiet river-view terrace.
Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple
One of Yangon's largest reclining Buddha images, 65 metres long, in a hall beside a working monastery where visitors can watch monks at prayer.
Ngahtatgyi Pagoda
A five-storey seated Buddha with an ornate gilded wooden throne-frame, a short walk from Chaukhtatgyi and good for visitors who want fewer crowds than Shwedagon.
Kaba Aye Pagoda and Maha Pasana Guha
The 'World Peace Pagoda' built for the Sixth Buddhist Council in 1952-54, with the man-made Maha Pasana Guha cave hall where the council convened.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Yangon Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Yangon, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Yangon
- Days 1-2Yangon city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Yangon
- Days 1-3Yangon comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Yangon, departure
Where to stay in Yangon
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget US$20-35 (86,000-150,000 MMK)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range US$100-190 (430,000-817,000 MMK)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury US$300-800+ (1,290,000-3,440,000 MMK)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
The Strand Hotel
A 1901 Sarkies-family colonial hotel on the river, the city's grandest address, with high ceilings, a historic bar and a walkable downtown location.
Check rates on Booking.comLotte Hotel Yangon
A modern five-star tower beside Inya Lake with large rooms, a pool and a spa, convenient for the airport road and Pyay Road offices.
Check rates on Booking.comChatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon
A lakeside five-star on Kandawgyi Lake with views toward Shwedagon and a short taxi ride to the main sights.
Check rates on Booking.comMelia Yangon
A Spanish-brand hotel within the Myanmar Plaza complex, handy for shopping and the Kaba Aye Pagoda Road corridor.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Yangon
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Rangoon Tea House
A stylish colonial-building tea house serving the classic dishes of Burmese tea-shop culture alongside curries and cakes.
Monsoon Restaurant
A long-running restaurant in a colonial villa serving Burmese, Thai and Vietnamese dishes to a mixed local and visitor crowd.
Feel Myanmar Food
A popular local-style restaurant where rice is served with a spread of curries, soups and side dishes in the traditional Burmese manner.
Padonmar Restaurant
A long-standing restaurant in a converted house known for Burmese curries, salads and fresh vegetable sides.
Aung Thukha
A well-regarded Burmese restaurant near Shwedagon and Kandawgyi Lake, serving traditional curries and salads in a garden setting.
Yangon Bakehouse
A bakery-cafe and hospitality-training project serving sandwiches, pastries and coffee in a bright, air-conditioned setting.
Getting around Yangon
Yangon's main transport options are taxis and ride-hailing, YBS city buses, the Circular Railway and the Dala ferry. Traffic is heavy and rush hours are slow.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in MMK, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | US$8-20 | US$60-110 | US$180-500 |
| Food (per day) | US$4-8 | US$15-35 | US$50-120 |
| Transportation | US$1-3 | US$8-20 | US$30-80 |
| Activities | US$2-5 | US$10-25 | US$40-100 |
| Daily total | US$20-35 (86,000-150,000 MMK) | US$100-190 (430,000-817,000 MMK) | US$300-800+ (1,290,000-3,440,000 MMK) |
Best time to visit Yangon
Weather through the year in Yangon
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Yangon.
Visit November-February for dry, cooler weather; shoulder months are October and March.
Dry-season visits give the clearest skies; April is hottest, and the monsoon brings daily downpours and some flooding.
Essential travel tips
- Confirm your government's current advisory and your insurance cover before booking.
- Bring clean, crisp US dollars for exchange and carry small kyat notes.
- Remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees at all pagodas.
- Visit November-February for dry, cooler weather.
- Use taxis or ride-hailing; agree fares before riding.
- Drink only bottled or filtered water.
Safety information
Check your government's current travel advisory and the status of flights, curfews and checkpoints immediately before and during your trip.
Register with your embassy's traveller programme and keep emergency contacts to hand.
Avoid protests, military and police installations and large crowds; do not photograph soldiers, checkpoints or government buildings.
Do not travel outside Yangon to conflict-affected states and regions; stay on well-travelled routes and major highways in daylight.
Carry a photocopy of your passport and e-visa; keep the original in the hotel safe unless asked for ID.
Keep phones and social-media content neutral: do not post political content, and be aware that devices may be inspected.
Use bottled or boiled water; eat at busy places and wash hands before eating.
Keep valuables out of sight on the Circular Railway, in crowded markets and at ATMs.
Cross roads carefully; traffic is dense and pedestrian crossings are rare.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Yangon?
Most visitors need a Myanmar tourist e-Visa applied for online at evisa.moip.gov.mm before travel (about US$50, up to 28 days). Rules can change, so confirm with the embassy or your airline.
Is Yangon safe for tourists?
Yangon is calmer than conflict zones, but Myanmar remains under military-led administration and many governments advise against travel. Check your government's advisory, buy insurance that covers Myanmar and stay flexible.
What is the best time to visit Yangon?
November to February is dry and cooler, with the best weather; April is very hot and June-September is monsoon.
How much does Shwedagon Pagoda cost?
About 10,000 MMK (~$2.30) for foreigners, payable in kyat; confirm on arrival.
What currency should I bring?
Bring clean, crisp US dollar notes for exchange and carry small kyat notes; cards work only at hotels and malls.
Explore Yangon by city
The cities below have their own guides — hotels, attractions and where to eat, in depth.