Top Things to do in Yangon (Rangoon)
What to do and see in Yangon (Rangoon), Yangon Region: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) is no longer the capital of Myanmar, but it has experienced a huge increase in tourism recently. Book early, as hotel rooms are sometimes hard to find! While you’re in town, the Shwedagon Pagoda, an immense, ancient Buddhist shrine, is a must-see—TripAdvisor travelers recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset.
Restaurants in Yangon (Rangoon)
1. Shwedagon Pagoda
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14,023 reviews
The city's biggest tourist attraction is this immense Buddhist shrine built approx. 2500 years ago.
Reviewed By patricklN1986UH
The Shwedagon pagoda is visible from everywhere in the city ... and it will draw you to it like moths to a flame ...Late afternoon and evenings is the best time as it can get too hot underfoot during the day ( bare feet at all Pagodas & temples throughout the country ) ... It is a vast complex and as the sun sets, the locals light up the candles all around the Pagoda and it makes for some wonderful photo and video opportunities .. Learn a bit about the history of the pagoda ( 2,600 years old ) and be respectful of the dress code ( nothing short or skimpy, especially women ) ... I wore denim jean shorts to my knees and had to "rent ' a llongi for $10 as i was deemed inappropriate ... Not going here while in Yangon is like not looking at the Eiffel tower in paris or the Opera house in Sydney .. it is simply THE thing to do in Yangon
2. Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 376 reviews
Dating from 1896, this is the only Jewish temple remaining in the city.
Reviewed By zauli1985
We got there about 11:00 AM ( note that the Syngagouge opens from 10:30 AM to 3:30 AM). It's so fascinating to know that Rangoon has some good number of Jewish back in the 1900s and interestingly Israel has a very good diplomatic relationship with Burma back then. Once in the downtown of Yangon this is a place where people should pay a visit! It's a great piece of history!
3. Kyaik-Khauk Paya
4. Taukkyan War Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 917 reviews
Taukkyan War Cemetery is in Taukkyan town in the township of Mingaladon, Yangon greater area, on the main highway No 1 Pyay Road. From the centre of the city of Yangon, it is 21 miles north and 11 miles from the international airport, 45 minutes drive from the centre of Rankgoon and 24 minutes from the International airport. Exact location of the cemetery is North (17º02'08.24") and East (96º07'55.28").
Reviewed By ladycommoner - India, null
Located on the outskirts of Yangon, it is beautifully maintained by Commonwealth War Graves Commission. You may read the website before visiting. Reach early in the morning to avoid tropical sun. I stood in front of many graves/lists of names in silence, completely bewildered that these men (and some women) came from different corners of the world to die in this nondescript land. Humanity could never ethically explain why a teenaged child travelled from Africa to Burma to fight for the British raj against Japanese troops. This is a place where you find names of more than 20,000 Indians who perished here, fighting for allied forces. There are three memorials within this compound: 1. Taukkyan memorial- almost 6500 graves became part of this memorial, retrieved from all parts of Burma. Unfortunately 867 graves remain unidentified. Tropical flowering shrubs accompany the graves, showering love and respect on untimely departed souls. A cross of sacrifice honours the christians who rest here. 2. Rangoon memorial- stands at the centre of the garden in memory of a whopping number of personnels (26,856) killed/untraced during WWII with no known graves. 3. Taukkyan cremation memorial- a commemorative wall inscribed with 1060 names who died in Burma during WWII and their mortal remains were cremated. One thing must immediately be stopped, that is local young couples throng here for finding some physical intimacy as the place is empty of people. Must have written this in visitor's book.
5. Baungdawgyoke Pagoda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By dnaleciz - Moreno Valley, United States
Arrived in Dalah via the ferry boat from Yangon. Boat trip is $2,00 one way. Upon arrival was met by a mob of motorcycle taxi drivers offering trips around Dalah and to Twante for a few hundred kyate. One driver offered to take me to see the snakes for 600 kyate. Able to convince him that the trip was only worth 400 kyate. We finally agreed on a price and off we went. The road leaves a lot to be desired and one is sure to have a very sore rear end when you arrive at the pagoda. The Baungdawgyoke Pagoda is about 5 miles east of the town of Twante. Upon arrival the Pagoda, it looks just like a million similar Pagoda found throughout Myanmar. The Pagoda is in the middle of a lake connected to the shore by 4 long wooden walkways. At this point, I figured I just been had. Upon entering the pagoda one is in for a huge surprise. The 6 female nuns who oversee the pagoda have a love for snakes. Not little one, but great big ones. There are 26 huge Burmese pythons (several measuring over 12 feet in length) crawling and slithering around the interior of the pagoda. One will see snakes crawling over the statues of Buddhas, hanging from windows and the ceiling. A very different experience from other temples and pagodas found throughout Yangon. If you want to see something different I highly recommend taking the time and effort to visit this unique Pagoda.
6. Swe Taw Myat Pagoda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
At Myanmar Private Holidays (MPH), the success and joy in our work is the satisfied smiles of you and your family with memorable moments that you experienced in Myanmar.
Reviewed By steveprez - San Diego, United States
This is an important temple with an actual Buddha relic (apparently). Beautiful architecture and worth a visit. It’s a bit to the north of the city center so will take awhile especially if there’s traffic.
7. Yayway Japanese Cemetery
8. The Rangoon War Cemetery
9. Tomb of Bahadur Shah Zafar
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 167 reviews
The final resting place of the exiled 18th-century Indian king.
Reviewed By Sundncr - Washington DC, United States
Located near the Shwedagon Pagoda, this mosque/shrine is an interesting part of Indian history. The building is well maintained and somber. There are three graves on the upper floor and the grave of Bahadur Shah on the bottom floor. It could be a quick visit on your tour of Rangoon. This grave is of the last Mughal emperor of India. Not much of territory when Bahadur Shah ruled, but he was the last of the Mughal rulers and it ended a chapter of Indian history. During the visit, the site sells some books on Bahadur Shah. Mr. Shah is also considered a poet and sufi philosopher besides being a monarch. So, this site is also considered holy. Be respectful on entry to the shrines and leave footwear at the steps. As empires are bound to crumble, this modest shrine is a metaphor of how one can fall from the heights of glory and nothing seems permanent in this world.
10. Botahtaung Pagoda
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,014 reviews
Reviewed By khinmaritime2006 - Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar
Buddha's hair relics are enshrined in botataung Pagoda and many Myanmar's go to worship there. But also you will see a different kind of devotion too. Many people come to pay respects to Botataung Bo Bo Gyi(Grandfather of Botataung) one of the Four deities that protect Yangon( Grandfather Sule, Grandfather Thanhlyin, Grandfather Hmawbi and Grandfather Botataung) . You will see his statue with his finger pointing at the pagoda, meaning, go and pray at the Pagoda first ! Many people come to offer, longgyis, scarfs, money, and pwe(coconut and bananas in a large bowl including flowers) as an offering to Botataung Bo Bo Gyi and many will also include their hopes and dreams on paper and add that to. Statues of many other well known deities will also be found at Botataung Pagoda. Just outside the Pagoda in an opposite building is the statue of Sister Mya Nan Nwe, adorned in beautiful clothes. Many come to offer pwe's or beautiful clothes or scarfs to the beautiful sister Mya Nan Nwe and also ask her to help their hopes and dreams come true. She is on of the chief spiritual custodian of the Pagoda and its treasures.
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