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11 Things to do during the trip in Yangon, Myanmar
Known as land of the golden Pagodas, with such a moniker like that, there is no doubt that Myanmar has gained ground in tourism in the recent years. There is not other city can better fit with this claim than Yangon, the main gateway of this country.
Some of the cool and cheap tours you could do in Yangon.
Myanmar’s high-rise residential, commercial and religious center and commercial buildings stand side by side with the city’s gilded Buddhist temples. For most tourists, Yangon serves only as the launch pad to other places in Myanmar, such as Bagan – to experience hot air balloons flight over its 2200 Buddhist temples – or the Inle Lake – to catch some wicked gravity-defying fishing tricks. But in fact, there are variety of places to go and things to do in Yangon.
Enjoy the local food is an integral part of any travel, but it can be a daunting task if you have no idea what it involves. In Yangon, the restaurant named Feel Myanmar Food is very popular among both locals and foreigners and will be the top-of-mind destination for taxi drivers who have clients looking for some local grub. There is the option to dine indoors or al fresco, where chairs and tables are set up along the sidewalk.
Meanwhile, ordering can be done at the counter where food is laid out in chafing dishes, or by using the menu. For your first Burmese food experience, I suggest order from the menu and see what they bring out.
2. Visit the National Museum
The National Museum of Yangon is near the Feel Myanmar Food. Make it your first stop and learn about Burmese culture and history. The museum includes 5 stories high, filled with artifacts from all the country, the museum’s main attraction is the enormous gilded Lion Throne which is 150-year-old. Unfortunately, taking photos is not allowed inside the museum.
3. Pour water at the solar stations at the Shwedagon Pagoda
The 326-feet gilded Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist Temple among all of Myanmar and is enormous enough to take all the credit of making the country a golden one. Enshrining the relics of four Buddhas who obtained enlightenment, it displays thousands of pilgrims yearly from all over Myanmar. On its platform, there are twelve astrological posts that represent the planets. Although this concept is of Hindu origin, Buddhist devotees would pour water over the post labeled with the day when they were born in order for a wish to be granted.
4. Watch the 76-carat diamond of the Shwedagon Pagoda changing colors
The best moment to check out the grandiose temple is around sunset. The 14-acre terrace surrounding the temple complex would be bathed with a golden glow, as the light from the setting sun and the lampposts would bounce off the surface of every golden pagoda. To top it all, the 76-carat diamond at the peak of the Shwedagon Pagoda looks like a twinkling star, changing color depending on the angle of the observer.
5. Have dinner at China Town
China Town is nightlife central in downtown Yangon, is where people hangout to meet friends and family to drink or just to have dinner. Restaurants show up along the streets and the most popular food is the sticks and sticks of barbeques of all types. Chicken, pork, seafood and even vegetables are skewered and then grilled. Pair them up with rice and you’d be having one of the best meals in Yangon.
6. Run around the Kandawgyi Lake
With a circumference of 8 kilometers, the locals make Kandawgyi Lake become a good venue for your morning walk or afternoon jog. Surrounded by the Kandawgyi Nature Park, the lake is a peaceful and fresh place in the mornings and afternoons. It is also a good place to chill in the evenings because there are plenty of restaurants, some even featuring shows of the local dances.
The Kandawgyi Lake in the afternoon with a section of the Karaweik, a replica of the royal barge
7. Have lunch at the Inya Lake
The Inya Lake is the beautiful man-made lake of Yangon. Similar to the Kandawgyi Lake, it has very clean and serene scenery, a good reprieve from the unforgiving heat of the sun. For the couple, It is also a very popular dating spot in the city (you will get this after reading the signs posted around the Inya Lake Park). Although most of the area surrounding the lake is surrounded by exclusive neighborhoods, public access is possible on one side of it where a row of restaurants and a bay walk for joggers are located.
8. Receive blessings from a monk
It is very common to see the monks while being in Yangon and it is not difficult to receive a blessing from one of them, especially while you are inside the temples. There is no problem even if you are not a Buddhist. The monks don’t mind; they would still bless you. Catch one at the Botataung Pagoda while touring the golden interiors of the temple.
9. Have a Burmese massage.
While experiencing Burmese massage, your body will be squeezed, slapped and pounded alternately. It can invigorate surprisingly and very effective in relieving the soreness of your feet after hours of walking barefoot around pagodas. An other good thing about this massage is its dry method, they do not use post-massage stickiness, and there is no need to go au naturel. The Burmese massage at the Sapel Traditional Burmese Foot Spa offers different affordable packages depend on your budget and needs.
10. Wear a Thanaka
Thanaka give the Burmese women a secret beauty. It is made up of the yellowish powder from the bark of several trees, and ground flour on a circular stone slab called the “kyauk pyin” and sprinkled with a few drops of water. It acts as a natural sunblock and it also dries pimples fast. Make it up plain like a circle on the cheek or get become more creative with your own designs.
11. Make friends with a local and treat them to a meal
As a budding tourist destination, some locals are very eager to learn and practice English. You will see the people here are so friendly that they are willing to hang out with you just for to chat. Be wary of course, but still try it; even if it’s just the taxi driver from your city tour, treat him to a meal and see what comes out of it.
