How to Spend Your Weekend in Yangon – Experiencing an Enthralling City

The charming nation of Myanmar will always be an interesting country to experience. Naturally, its most popular destination would be Yangon, the commercial capital and foremost city. You will see that this is a captivating destination, featuring old yet still picturesque colonial buildings and narrow lanes filled with quaint teashops and the trishaws of vendors. If you have a weekend to spend in Yangon, you will have the opportunity to experience its major attractions, as described below.

Thar Lun Naing, Yangon downtown at night, CC BY-SA 4.0

Visit Shwedagon Pagoda and 19^th Street

On Friday evening, you could take the chance to visit Shwedagon Pagoda which happens to be the focal point for the Buddhists of Myanmar. Shwedagon always looks impressive, but you will find that up close it presents a mystical and alluring sight. The fragrance of incense wafting through the air and the sound of prayers will also add to the spiritual atmosphere. You will see the local devotees lighting candles, pouring water over religious icons and murmuring prayers while sitting cross-legged. To truly experience the attractions of Yangon you should undertake a longer stay in the city. In this regard, a hotel near Shwedagon Pagoda to consider from which you could easily visit this attraction would be Pan Pacific Yangon. For a hearty dinner, make your way to 19^th Street in the city’s Chinatown and enjoy some barbecued meats washed down with local beer.

Experience Seikgyi Island

You could commence Saturday morning with a tasty breakfast at the well-reputed Pansuriya restaurant, a stylish and tasteful venue where you could enjoy some fine Burmese dishes. Your destination for the day would be Seikgyi Island which you could reach by catching a boat at Wadan jetty. When you reach this scenic island, you will immediately notice that there are dirt tracks rather than roads filled with traffic, and small farmsteads instead of modern office towers. You will also have the chance to hire a bicycle and explore this island on your own.

Enjoy a fine cocktail and delicious dinner

After your cycling exertions, you will probably be in the mood for a relaxed sunset cocktail at a pleasant bar. There could hardly be a better place for this than the appealing Yangon Yangon which you will find at Sakura Tower. From here, you will be able to enjoy striking views over the city as well.

For a memorable dinner, make your way to House of Memories. This distinctive establishment happens to be housed in the building that was once the headquarters of Bogyoke Aung San, the well-known Burmese nationalist leader. Between the courses of your meal, you could visit the leader’s office too.

Undertake a street food tour and train ride

On Sunday, your breakfast, as well as lunch, would be covered if you take the opportunity to join a Sa Ba Street Food Tour. On one of these tours, you could experience the history and diversity of the culinary establishments of Yangon as you make stops at charming teahouses and vibrant markets.

Another not-to-be-missed experience would be riding the Yangon circle train. This train ride will take you to many interesting places across the city, providing you with the chance to gain a genuine insight into the way of life of the locals.

Admire Kandawgyi Lake and dine at Pansodan

From the train station, you could easily visit the picturesque Kandawgyi Lake, which may be regarded as one of Myanmar’s most romantic locations. During an early evening stroll in this park, you will notice canoodling couples and other city residents strolling along the boardwalks.

You could round off your unforgettable weekend in Yangon by enjoying a delightful dinner at Pansodan which may be counted among the city’s most admired restaurants. You will find that this fine brasserie serves unpretentious fusion dishes including Burmese, Chinese and Indian fare.