Yangon is Myanmar's largest city and former capital, a humid river port where the golden Shwedagon Pagoda rises above a downtown of colonial buildings, tea shops, markets and Buddhist temples.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Remove shoes and socks before entering any pagoda, monastery or temple, and carry them in a bag if the shoe counter is distant.
Dress modestly in religious sites: cover shoulders and knees; avoid shorts, sleeveless tops and tight clothing.
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a person; sit with feet tucked to one side in prayer halls.
The head is sacred; do not touch another person's head, including children.
Use both hands (or the right hand supported by the left) when giving or receiving items, especially to elders and monks.
Women should not touch monks or hand objects directly; place items on a table or cloth.
Do not climb Buddha images or pose disrespectfully for photos; no selfies with your back to a Buddha image.
Avoid public discussion of politics and the military; speak quietly and avoid criticising the authorities in public.
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet people with a smile and 'Mingalaba' (hello)
- Remove shoes at temples and homes
- Stand and bow slightly to monks and elders
- Accept tea or snacks when offered
- Carry small kyat notes for donations
- Dress conservatively away from beaches
- Learn a few Burmese phrases
- Ask permission before photographing people
Don't
- Don't touch monks (women) or Buddha statues
- Don't show the soles of your feet
- Don't wear shoes in religious sites
- Don't criticise Buddhism or the monastic order
- Don't discuss politics openly
- Don't use drones without a permit
- Don't sunbathe in revealing clothing at pagodas
- Don't hand items with the left hand to elders
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- 'Mingalaba' with a slight bow and the palms together; handshakes are common in business. Address older men 'U' and older women 'Daw' before their names.
- Dining
- Share dishes; eat with a spoon in the right hand and a fork in the left; wait for elders to start; leave a bite of food as a sign of satisfaction.
- Dress
- Longyi are common for men and women; visitors may wear long trousers or skirts and covered shoulders at religious sites.
- Gifts
- Small gifts of tea, snacks or fruit are welcome; avoid leather or alcohol as gifts to monks; give and receive with both hands.
- Business
- Meetings may start late; relationships and patience are valued; dress neatly and avoid raising your voice.
- Tipping
- Optional; small amounts for porters, guides and drivers are appreciated.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Mingalaba
Hello
min-ga-la-ba
Kyay zu tin ba deh
Thank you
chay-zu-tin-ba-deh
Hote-keh
Yes
hote-keh
Ma-hote-bu
No
ma-hote-bu
Be-lau-leh?
How much?
beh-lau-leh
A-ya-tha shi deh
Delicious
a-ya-tha-shee-deh
Ein-tha be-hma leh?
Where is the toilet?
ine-tha-beh-hma-leh
Taw-ban-ba-deh
Sorry / excuse me
taw-ban-ba-deh
Yay
Water
yay
Kyay zu pyu-ba
Please
chay-zu-pyu-ba
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Yangon.
Main: About 88 percent of Myanmar is Theravada Buddhist; Yangon also has Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities.
Sites: Shwedagon, Sule, Botahtaung and Chaukhtatgyi (Buddhist); Sri Kali and Sri Devi temples (Hindu); Surti Sunni Jamah Mosque (Muslim); Holy Trinity and Saint Mary's Cathedrals (Christian); Musmeah Yeshua (Jewish).
Holy Days: Full-moon days (uposatha) and Thadingyut (October), Tazaungmone (November) and Thingyan (water festival in April) are major festivals.
Conversations: Religion is a respected topic; avoid criticising Buddhism or monks and listen respectfully to personal beliefs.