One Day in Yangon, Myanmar: The City Formerly Known as Rangoon

Yangon is the largest city in Myanmar, also known as Burma, and the typical entry point for most visitors to Myanmar. It offers amazing experiences and sights throughout the city and you should definitely enjoy a day in Yangon before moving on.

Let’s take a look at some of the basics you need to know to get the most out of Yangon in 24 hours.

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Table of Contents

Getting from Yangon Airport to the City Center

Myanmar has been rapidly developing over the past few years so it is difficult to find up-to-date information prior to arrival. One important thing to note is to check your visa requirements. These are rapidly changing and you need to make sure you’re up-to-date on the process.

When I went in 2016, US citizens required a visa which can be applied for online taking only four days to process and costing $50. Print out the approval letter in addition to your onward travel ticket as that is also a requirement to enter the country. Upon arrival, you will find a number of money exchanges and ATMs at the airport – this is a recent development.

Previously you had to bring the necessary money for your trip with you in USD. After getting some money, proceed to the taxi desk to take a taxi into town. It costs 10,000 kyat ($7.73) for the half hour to hour ride to get to central Yangon or if you’re lucky to find someone to share it with, less.

I was able to share it with a Canadian couple who were world travelers and were here for a two-week tour with a company. They were fascinating, and I really enjoyed the taxi ride. We both paid 7,000.

Visit the Main Sights in Yangon

With just one day in Yangon, you’re going to have to prioritize the sights in the city. Perhaps more fun than even visiting the sights, is taking part in the daily life of Yangon. Here’s what you must fit into your 24 hours in Yangon!

1. Admire Shwedagon Pagoda

First thing in the morning, head to the main attraction – Shwedagon Pagoda. From the Chinatown area it is a 45 minute walk but more if you stop at pagodas along the way like me! There is a fabulous one just across the street at the corner of Shwedagon Pagoda Road and U Htaung Bo Road which is free to explore.

Just remember to remove your shoes prior to entering any pagoda! You can either carry them around with you, leave them sitting outside, or at busier ones they have a shoe check for a nominal fee. Just always remove your shoes!

Yangon, Myanmar — Pagoda across the road

Upon arriving at Shwedagon Pagoda, remove your shoes and proceed up the never-ending staircases through security and pay the entrance fee of 8,000 kyat for foreigners. You will receive a map and small descriptions of notable areas and statues within the complex, but if this isn’t enough for you, hire a guide.

The Pagoda is not only stunning but is also huge. In many ways it reminded me of the Royal Palace in Bangkok with many intricate buildings, nooks, and cranies all guilded in gold. I spent quite a bit of time exploring, reading their animated story of Buddha (It’s like a giant comic strip!), and people watching. It’s very impressive and can not be missed!

2. Meander through Kandawgyi Lake

From there it was off to Kandawgyi Lake. This large lake has a wooden walkway built over it, some fountains and parks, and a giant gold boat sitting on it. It’s a great place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s also extremely picturesque. Make sure to snap a picture or two!

Gold boat on a lake in Yangon, Myanmar — Kandawgyi Lake

3. Take the Circular Train

Next, head to the Central Railway station to catch the Circular Train. The Circular Train is just that, a train that goes in a 45.9 kilometer (28.7 mile) circle around Yangon. Built in 1954 during the British colonial times, it takes three hours and makes 39 stops throughout small towns and the countryside. It is also well-known for the vendors that come on it selling all kinds of food.

I had researched it a bit and read it was a great insight into local life which was confirmed by my hostel’s suggestion to take it. I bought my ticket for 200 kyat – well under a dollar – and boarded to enjoy a ride around town with the locals.

A Burmese woman cutting up pineapple on the train — Circular Train Vendor

Turns out, a number of tourists must have heard the same thing as there were probably 15 – 20 tourists in addition to the hundred or so locals. Apparently, about 150,000 locals use the train each day. While it was highly fascinating to travel through the countryside and see the locals load and unload the fruits of their farming, I was truly appalled by some of the tourists on the train.

In particular there was a group of about six all with giant cameras around their necks who would get up into people’s faces snapping away without asking for permission first. I was most disgusted when they did this to a monk who boarded. They have taken a simple part of local life and turned it into a zoo.

The first hour was fascinating, the next two were less so as the warm cars were slowly rocking me to sleep and the number of vendors and passengers on the train decreased the further we got from the city. By the end I was ready to be off the train and ready for a nap.

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4. Explore Sule Pagoda and Yangon City Hall

Seeing Yangon in 1 day means continuing to move! Head to Sule Pagoda and the surrounding area with Yangon City Hall and Bandoola Park. Sule Pagoda is 4,000 kyat for foreigners and 500 kyat for the shoe check. (They wouldn’t let me carry them despite locals carrying them.)

Overall, I felt this pagoda was completely overrated. Granted, while I was there, the central pagoda was covered for some kind of renovation and the whole complex was small, cramped, and crowded with locals praying. It seemed more like a local place they slapped an entrance fee on and opened to the public.

A few elderly ladies not so accidentally brushed by me to touch my glowing white skin as well in the two to three minutes I was in there. Overall, I could have done without this pagoda having seen far more beautiful ones earlier on and already being exhausted, but if it’s no longer under renovations – go in!

5. Wander through the Bogyoke Market

One last stop on my way back to my hostel, Bogyoke Market. It’s the best known market around but honestly in the afternoon/early evening all of the streets in Yangon had come alive with vendors and food stalls.

It’s hard to keep track of how many fish or fruit stalls you pass on one street let alone throughout one mile of walking. Your senses are overwhelmed with all of the sights, scents, and sounds. It’s truly remarkable and at the same time requires lots of patience to wade your way through it all looking for what you want.

It’s actually pretty interesting as there are more food stalls or makeshift “restaurants” than restaurants set into buildings like in most places. I managed to find dinner, including an avocado, (I haven’t had avocado in a long time!) before making my way back for an early evening recouping from the thrills of the day.

Yangon is an incredible city, whether you have one day in Yangon or a full week to enjoy its sights and experiences.

Continue Exploring Myanmar

Myanmar offers a lot of amazing experiences and visiting Yangon for 24 hours is just scratching the surface. Here are some other parts of Myanmar to explore.

One Day in Yangon, Myanmar: The City Formerly Known as Rangoon

Getting from Yangon Airport to the City Center