No site is more revered in Myanmar than its holiest temple, the Shwedagon Pagoda, so you must get a souvenir photo here. The Shwedagon Pagoda is regarded as one of the oldest Buddhist stupas in the world—believed to be constructed 2,600 years ago—and also possibly the most ornate, as the main stupa alone is plated with 22,000 solid gold bars. 

To capture vivid colours in your photos, visit the pagoda either at dawn or dusk. This also ensures your feet’s cool comfort while exploring the premises, as you will have to remove your footwear before entering. Do note that the temple has a strict dress code.

Get directions to Shwedagon Pagoda (7-minute drive from PARKROYAL Yangon)

Sule Pagoda has been likened to Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, primarily because of its location at a traffic roundabout in the city centre. In recent times, Sule Pagoda has been a rallying point for political activism in the city. Historically, it is thought to be the site where former Myanmese king Okkalapa held meetings to discuss the construction of the Shwedagon Pagoda. For the best pictures here, visit after sundown to capture the temple’s atmospheric glow against the night sky.

Get directions to Sule Pagoda (13-minute walk from PARKROYAL Yangon)

Soothe your soul at Inya Lake, a tranquil hideout up north in Yangon. This is the city’s largest lake and a popular spot for locals seeking rest and relaxation. It’s also favoured by couples hoping for some private space to get to know each other better. You can simply watch the world go by here—and capture some people shots while you’re at it—or work on perfecting your reflection shots by the lake. 

Get directions to Inya Lake (17-minute drive from PARKROYAL Yangon)

If you plan to visit Shwedagon Pagoda in the evening, consider beginning your experience at the scenic Kandawgyi Lake, a mere five-minute drive away. You’ll catch a greenery-framed view of the Shwedagon Pagoda here, and as a bonus, the pagoda’s image reflected in the lake’s waters—all the elements needed for the perfect photo. 

Another shot you can capture is one featuring the golden Karaweik Palace, which is a replica of an ancient royal barge. Also in the area is a playground for kids, along with a smattering of cafes for grown-ups to rest their legs in. 

Get directions to Kandawgyi Lake (6-minute drive from PARKROYAL Yangon)

Wish to experience daily life in Yangon from a local’s perspective? Hop on the Yangon Circular Railway! This train network was built in 1954 by the British, for the purpose of linking Yangon’s rural areas to the city centre. A round trip is a three-hour ride that covers 39 stations over 45.9km. 

On the train, you’ll see young women applying their tanaka paste (an ancient Burmese beauty balm), Buddhist monks in saffron robes, children playing traditional games, and street vendors hawking their wares at station platforms—all interesting slice-of-life scenes. 

Have time to explore the rural neighbourhoods? Download the free Circular Train Guide for information on some interesting towns, and what you can do there. However, do note that stations may occasionally be closed for maintenance.

Get directions to Yangon Central Railway Station (6-minute walk from PARKROYAL Yangon)

To get your bearings around Yangon, join a walking tour. The Yangon Heritage Trust conducts 2.5-hour walking tours for a fee, and you’ll get to hear lively stories and anecdotes that will not only shed light on Yangon’s early days, but trace its dramatic transformation into a modern city. 

There are currently four tours to choose from: Western Downtown, Secretariat and Surrounds, Multicultural Yangon, and Yangon’s Chinatown. Tour proceeds are used to fund the Yangon Heritage Trust’s outreach and conservation efforts—providing a good reason to support them with your patronage.

Book a tour with Yangon Heritage Trust

Curious about where Yangon’s best street foods and market stalls are? Want to learn how to prepare Burmese salads, curries, or desserts from scratch? 

Sa Ba Street Food Tours runs walking food tours in the morning and evening, where you’ll wander along the streets in search of the city’s best local food vendors, while feasting your eyes on popular tourist attractions such as St. Mary’s Cathedral and The Secretariat. 

The company also offers cooking classes—you’ll visit a market to see the spread of fresh Myanmese ingredients, proceed to a local kitchen for your culinary class, and enjoy a sumptuous communal meal thereafter. (Fun fact: “Sa ba” means “eat, please” in Burmese!)

Book a tour with Sa Ba Street Food Tours

To pick up a Yangon gift for yourself or a loved one, head to Bogyoke Aung San Market—it’s been hailed as Myanmar’s “Covent Garden.” Considered to be one of the best places for shopping in Yangon, the market is a choice location for buying made-in-Myanmar products, especially beautiful longyis, a sarong-like garment worn by Burmese men and women. You’ll also find traditional lacquerware, wood carvings, and handwoven textiles produced in major Burmese cities such as Bagan and Mandalay.

Get directions to Bogyoke Aung San Market (9-minute walk from PARKROYAL Yangon)

“Shan” is a term for people of Tai ethnicity, who primarily reside in Myanmar. Their traditional fare shares some similarities with Chinese cuisine. For instance, just like Chinese noodles, Shan noodles are served either in a soup, or dry with a tomato-based sauce. 

A good place to try Shan Cuisine is the highly rated Aung Mingalar Shan Noodle Shop. Despite the name, it’s not the noodles that come most highly recommended—instead, patrons rave about the fried dumplings here.

Get directions to Aung Mingalar Shan Noodle Shop (5-minute walk from PARKROYAL Yangon)

Namechecked by the Myanmar Times as one of Yangon’s top 10 bakeries, the Shwe Pu Zun Bakery and Cafeteria House has branches all around Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw. Here, you can buy an assortment of scrumptious cakes, pastries, breads, and local desserts, baked with love from locally sourced ingredients.  

Get directions to Shwe Pu Zun Bakery (8-minute drive from PARKROYAL Yangon)

Gekko Restaurant is a Japanese-inspired yakitori grill and whisky bar located in the historic Sofaer Building, one of Yangon’s most important commercial buildings in the early 1900s. It’s said to be one of the city’s smartest dining spots, minus the stuffy vibes. 

Set over two floors, the restaurant features a mezzanine lounge and two private rooms that seat up to 12 people. The menu is centred around charcoal-fired yakitori, but also includes Korean and Vietnamese dishes. 

Get directions to Gekko Restaurant (8-minute drive from PARKROYAL Yangon)

Looking for things to do in Yangon at night? For music, BBQ, and drinks in a casual setting with a fun crowd, make your way to Yangon Chinatown’s 19th Street, which is favoured by locals looking to “shake off the drudgery of daily life.” Get comfortable at any of the open-air stalls, or head to Terminal 5 Bar & Grill, a hipster joint that attracts a young crowd as well as tourists.

Get directions to 19th Street, Chinatown (10-minute drive from PARKROYAL Yangon)

Need more travel suggestions? Read about the top drinking spots in Yangon, or find out about some alternative things to do in Yangon. If you’re a first-time visitor, do bookmark our Yangon Utility Guide!

For accommodation advice, view our room offers at PARKROYAL Yangon, or send us an enquiry today.