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.
Yangon has a tropical monsoon climate with three seasons: hot (March-May), rainy (May/June-October) and cool-dry (November-February). Most of the roughly 2,700 mm annual rain falls from June to September. The best months for sightseeing are November-February; April is the hottest, with temperatures above 36C.
Best time to visit
Best: November to February
Peak Season: December-January
Avoid: June-September (heavy monsoon) and April (extreme heat)
Notes: Dry-season visits give the clearest skies; April is hottest, and the monsoon brings daily downpours and some flooding.
Summary: Visit November-February for dry, cooler weather; shoulder months are October and March.
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
25C/77F
Cool and dry, the best sightseeing weather
February
27C/81F
Warm and dry with clear skies
March
29C/84F
Hot and dry, rising humidity
April
31C/88F
Hottest month; Thingyan water festival mid-April
May
29C/84F
Pre-monsoon heat and humidity; rains begin
June
27C/81F
Monsoon: heavy rain and flooding risk
July
27C/81F
Peak monsoon: heavy downpours
August
27C/81F
Monsoon: frequent heavy rain
September
27C/81F
Late monsoon: showers continue
October
28C/82F
Rains retreat, humid; Thadingyut lights
November
27C/81F
Dry, comfortable and clear
December
25C/77F
Cool and dry; start of peak tourism
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Winter
Months: Nov-Feb
Dry and sunny with cooler mornings (19-32C); the best time to visit.
Summer
Months: Mar-May
Hot and humid, peaking in April at 36-37C.
Monsoon
Months: Jun-Oct
Heavy rain with flooding in low streets; fewer tourists and lower prices.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- Nov-Feb (dry, cool; peak December-January)
- Shoulder Season
- Mar and Oct (hot or lightly wet)
- Low Season
- Jun-Sep (monsoon; lowest prices)
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Thingyan (Water Festival)
Burmese New Year with water-throwing and street pandals; many businesses close.
Thadingyut Festival of Lights
End of Buddhist Lent with lanterns and candles.
Tazaungmone
Festival of lights and offerings at pagodas.
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival
Pilgrimage festival at Shwedagon.
Independence Day
National holiday marking independence in 1948.