Once I arrived Yangon from Bangkok by Myanmar Airways Int’l, about noon, I passed all processes as well as exchanged the money to Myanmar Kyat (MMK) and bought the local simcard. Next, I used GRAB application to hail taxi to my booked hotel. This trip, I stayed at Hotel Balmi, near to Chinatown and heart of Yangon. The cost per night was only 25 USD/night with private bathroom and air-conditioned. The taxi took about 45 minutes from the airport to the hotel. After I checked-in, at 1.30PM, I did start my trip with no hesitation to explore Yangon.

Hopping around Yangon is easy. If the distance is in 2 km, walk is my best choice as I could see the local lives and immerse myself to the real atmosphere of Yangon. On the other hand, if the distance is further than 2 km, hailing the taxi is a good idea and affordable. The taxi can be found everywhere in Yangon. But there had no meter. The cost was depended on negotiation beforehand and you had to tell the driver very clear that where your destination is. The language barrier is a puzzle to solve 😅 This is the reason why I used GRAB application, because it could help me to avoid those problems.

Now, this game was in my hands. It was the time to explore Yangon on first day what I had about half-day. Let’s Go ! 🏃🏼

Note-1 : You can click on the name of place to see the location in Google map.
Note-2 : Visiting the religious place in Myanmar is highly strict. Visitor must pass the scanner and take-off shoes and socks (only bare feet allowed). It has locker or shoe-shelf at every temple or pagoda.

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FIRST DAY

Sule Pagoda (ဆူးလေဘုရား)

Sule Pagoda beckoned as my debut adventure, a mere 1.70 km stroll from my hotel. I chose the path through Chinatown’s bustling market, a lively tapestry that unveiled local life. By around 2 PM, I graced the grounds of Sule Pagoda, an ancient masterpiece dating back 2,600 years to Buddha’s time. Its architectural elegance spoke volumes in the language of Buddhist Stupa design. Beyond its aesthetics, this pagoda transcended time, embodying Burmese history and ideals. It earned its spot on Yangon’s heritage list and welcomed visitors daily from 4 AM to 11 PM, charging a modest 5,000 MMK/person (2.50 USD) for a foreigner’s glimpse into its treasures.

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The flowers and Worship set I purchased from the trader at the entrance – 5,000 MMK (2.50 USD)

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I spent around 30 minutes at Sule Pagoda – a mix of wandering, heartfelt prayers, and admiration for the Burmese Buddhist artistry. With my spirit enriched, I hailed a taxi nearby for the next leg of my journey.

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Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple (ခြောက်ထပ်ကြီးရွှေသာလျောင်းဘုရားကြီး)

Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple is in Bahan township, located a mere 5.5 km from the renowned Sule Pagoda. The 15-minute taxi ride whisked me away to this serene haven. The temple’s centerpiece was the astounding 66-meter-long reclining Buddha Image, affectionately termed the “Cute-eyes” Buddha. Crafted in 1899 by the affluent Burmese Buddhist Sir Po Tha, it radiated his unwavering devotion. The temple’s sanctity was tangible, and the reclining Buddha embodied a harmonious blend of faith and artistry. From 6 AM to 8 PM, the temple’s doors welcomed all, offering free admission. The tranquility within and the statue’s grandeur etched a profound memory, encapsulating the essence of history and spirituality on my voyage. 🛕

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I spent approximately 30 minutes exploring the temple and immersing myself in the serene atmosphere of the Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple. Around 3.30 PM, I bid farewell to the temple and proceeded to another renowned destination, equally famous and captivating. It is just opposite the road.

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Ngahtatgyi Buddha Temple (ငါးထပ်ကြီးဘုရား)

First of all, DON’T TRUST GOOGLE MAP. Walking from Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple to Ngahtatgyi Buddha Temple is just crossing the main road which is only 500 meter. But Google Map will lead you to walk around which is >1.50 km !.

Real Walking vs. Google Map 🙂

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The Ngahtatgyi Buddha Temple (Maha Satkya Atulamanaung Ngarhtatgyi) stands as a Buddhist sanctuary distinguished by a five-tiered pagoda that shelters an original 6.2-meter-tall Buddha image, gifted by Prince Minyedeippa in 1558. Adjacent rests a Buddha statue standing 13.9 meters atop a 9.1-meter pedestal, encompassing a width of 14 meters. Adorning one of the pavilion walls is a painting depicting the Buddha accompanied by a procession of followers adorned in red robes. This temple is an esteemed sacred site in Yangon, an unmissable gem for visitors. Operating hours are from 6 AM to 8 PM daily, offering free admission.

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This temple held a great deal of fascination for me, showcasing the enthralling story of Buddha through its intricate wall paintings. I dedicated approximately an hour to exploring its depths. As the clock approached 5PM, I waved goodbye to the Ngahtatgyi Buddha Temple, seeking refuge from an impending rainstorm by catching a taxi back to the hotel.

The journey from Ngahtatgyi Buddha Temple to the hotel extended to an hour due to the bustling rush hour traffic that characterizes Yangon. I finally reached the hotel by 6PM, and with dinner in mind, I began to explore nearby dining options. The vicinity boasted a multitude of choices, ranging from local restaurants to popular fast food chains like Lotteria, as well as convenient options like mini-marts and supermarkets such as City Express and City Mart.

It had been a lengthy day, starting with an early morning flight to Yangon and extending into a full afternoon of exploration in this vibrant city. Following dinner, I retraced my steps to the hotel, yearning for a refreshing shower and some well-deserved rest. I can confidently state that this initial day of my vacation was a joyful taste of freedom, as I delighted in uncovering the treasures of Yangon for the first time. Yet, with two more days of exploration ahead, my mission was far from complete. With the conclusion of this day, I’ll gracefully bid you farewell, reserving my energy for the days that await. Until then, goodnight. 💤💤💤

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SECOND DAY

Botahtaung Pagoda and Temple (ရောဟဏီဗိုလ်တ​ထောင်ဘိုးဘိုးကြီး)

I embarked on the second day by visiting one of the most renowned destinations familiar to many Thai people, the Botahtaung Pagoda and Temple. Positioned along the banks of the Yangon River, it sits 3.2 km from my hotel. I caught the taxi from the hotel at 9AM, and the journey took a mere 15 minutes. Originally constructed by the Mon people over 2,500 years ago, the pagoda contains a revered relic—believed to be a sacred hair of Gautama Buddha. Unfortunately, the pagoda suffered complete destruction during World War II due to a bombing raid. After Myanmar’s independence from the UK in 1948, it was painstakingly rebuilt.

What sets Botahtaung Pagoda apart is the unique opportunity to enter its hollow interior, marveling at the golden architectural beauty as well as beholding the sacred Buddha hair. An additional highlight is Phoe Phoe Gyi God, often referred to as the ‘Instant mercy god‘ by Thai people, owing to the belief that he bestows immediate luck upon prayer. I simply touched my forehead to his finger as I offered my prayers.

Adjacent to Botahtaung Pagoda, another temple stands—the abode of the ‘Gossip Goddess,’ renowned for her benevolence and luck-bestowing powers. Prayers to her are typically delivered through gentle conversation or gossip.

Botahtaung Pagoda and Temple opens daily from 6AM to 10PM. the admission fee for foreigners is 10,000 MMK/person (approximately 4.50 USD).

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Phone Phone Gyi God – The Instant Mercy God

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The Gossip Goddess

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This location boasts immense proportions, housing numerous distinct zones and a plethora of captivating attractions. I devoted approximately 3 hours to immersing myself in the profound faith of Burmese Buddhists. Around noon, I transitioned to my next destination, strolling through the vibrant heart of Yangon’s downtown.

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St. Mary’s Cathedral (စိန်မေရီကာသီဒြယ်​)

This downtown Catholic cathedral, situated just 2 km from Botahtaung Pagoda. It was a 30-minute walk away. Along the way, I glimpsed the colonial-era buildings that hint at Yangon’s past prosperity. This cathedral was built between 1895 and 1899. St. Mary’s Cathedral boasts a red brick exterior adorned with spires and a bell tower, showcasing the architectural finesse of Dutch architect Joseph Cuypers. While no longer affiliated with the Catholic Church, this cathedral remains Myanmar’s largest and offers a charming visit for tourists, capturing the essence of Yangon’s history and beauty. 💒

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I just spent 10-15 minutes to see the exterior of the cathedral as It did not open for public. Furthermore, it was about 1PM, I felt hungry and the heavy rain was coming. I hailed the taxi to find something to fill my hunger at the biggest shopping center in Yangon, Junction city which is 1.5 km away. It has food center (food streat) at 4th floor where I could enjoy Burmese food and had a rest during afternoon rain.

Rice with fried chicken and Burmese chili paste at Food Streat 🌾

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I stayed at Junction city for lunch, afternoon coffee and strolling to see the shopping center until 3.30PM. Next, after the rain had gone, I took the taxi to the highlight of this trip.

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Shwedagon Pagoda (ရွှေတိဂုံစေတီတော်)

I have two valuable tips for those planning to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda. Firstly, there are four main entrances, with the western entrance being the most stunning due to its adorned Lion statues. Secondly, the optimal timing for a visit is before sunset, staying until nightfall. Witnessing the pagoda’s golden radiance during sunset is nothing short of a miracle. As darkness descends, the carefully placed spotlights illuminate the pagoda, elevating its grandeur and elegance to a remarkable level.

I did arrived at Shwedadon Pagoda at 4PM (2 hours before sunset). It took sometime to pass the security screening, deposit shoes & socks and buy the ticket. Shwedogon pagoda is open daily, 4AM – 10PM. The admission fee for foerigner is 10,000 MMK/person (4.50 USD). This pagoda is Myanmar’s most sacred Buddhist site, enshrines relics of past Buddhas. Built over 2,500 years ago, it stands 112 meters tall at 170 meters above sea level (located on Singuttara Hill). Visible from afar, it defines Yangon’s skyline. The pagoda’s brick body is plated with gold; its crown gleams with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. An iconic national treasure, visiting Shwedagon is a must for anyone exploring Myanmar.

West Entrance of Shwedagon Pagoda with Lion Statues

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Shwedagon Pagoda in the afternoon

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Shwedagon Pagoda at Sunset

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Shwedagon Pagoda at Night

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I wandered the pagoda’s expanse, pausing often to appreciate the surrounding shrines, stupas, and Buddha images. Occasionally, I found myself sitting before a shrine’s Buddha, enveloped in tranquility and a sense of peace. As the sun set around 6 PM, the most captivating moment arrived. I savored the beauty until 7 PM before finally taking a taxi back to my hotel.

Even it was rainy day, but I could feel that it is the rain of pleasant as the day was fulfilled with the cultural adventure and exploration. I thought I make it right to visit Yangon during this time as it was no so crowded during low season. I could immerse myself at anywhere as long as I wish. It was one of magnificant day in my life. Tomorrow, before catching afternoon flight back to Bangkok, I still had morning time for shopping and finding the souvinirs. Let have a rest and fighting again tomorrow. 😴

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THIRD DAY

Bogyoke Aung San Market (ဗိုလ်ချုပ်အောင်ဆန်းဈေး)

It is also known as the “Scott Market.” This is central Yangon bazaar where is situated opposite Junction City, where I sought shelter from yesterday’s rain during lunchtime. Around 10 AM, I checked out of the hotel and hailed a taxi to the market, a short 15-minute ride. Its colonial-style architecture lends it an outstanding presence in the area. Established in 1926, the market boasts numerous stores offering local goods, souvenirs, food, garments, and jewelry. Notably, it’s a hub for jewelry trading, though my limited knowledge prevented me from confidently purchasing high-value items. Nevertheless, Bogyoke Aung San Market is brimming with captivating merchandise that offers a unique Myanmar experience.

Upon observation, it was evident that the prices of goods and souvenirs here were marginally lower compared to other places. However, the final cost heavily relied on negotiation prowess. Shopkeepers typically began with significantly inflated initial offers. Engaging in negotiations that lead to a reduction of 30-50% from the initial price would often result in a reasonable deal.

In front of Bogyoke Aung San Market

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I dedicated my time until 1 PM to leisurely exploring Bogyoke Aung San Market, discovering local merchandise and acquiring souvenirs. Afterward, I ventured across the street to Junction City for a satisfying lunch and a delightful cup of coffee. Subsequently, I secured a taxi to take me to the airport, mindful of my 5PM flight departure.

While on my way back to the airport and during the wait for my flight, I reflected on the exceptional three days I spent here. It was a truly wonderful time etched into memory. Initially, I achieved my long-held desire to visit Yangon for leisure, having previously visited on business trips. Moreover, this visit expanded my understanding of Burmese-style Buddhism and local life. I can confidently affirm that Yangon is a captivating city, blending captivating culture and architecture. For the adventurous explorer, Yangon certainly deserves a spot on your bucket list. 🇲🇲

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Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth

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