A Guide to Explore Yangon in One Day

Yangon is well-known as the largest city and regarded as the cultural melting pot of Burmese, Indian, British and Chinese influences in every corner of Yangon. To travel around this large city in one day, what we should do is to make use of this precious time. Let's follow us to discover Yangon with our recommended one-day itinerary.

1. Best time to visit Yangon

Most of Myanmar is influenced by a tropical climate with 3 typical seasons: the dry season (March-May), rainy season (June – October), and cool season (November – February). The ideal time to explore Myanmar, especially Yangon, is from mid-December to mid-April with a sunny sky and barely raining.

You can read more: Best Time to Visit Yangon for Great Weather

Best time to visit Yangon in 1 day

2. Best things to see Yangon in 1 day

• Maha Bandula Park

Lied in the heart of Yangon, Maha Bandula Park is the Independence Monument regarded as the commemoration of Burmese independence from the British in 1948. The highest white marble statue in the middle of the square is the gift from a wealthy Armenian firm in Rangoon for their nationalist sentiment to the country. This place definitely earns your heart as a large area to get away from the bustling city of Yangon. 

Read more detail about Maha Bandula Park

An aerial view of Maha Bandula Park

• Botataung Pagoda

Botataung has a life span of over 2500 years - one of the city’s most sacred temples where enshrined divine hair relic of the Buddha. You can see the most unique feature of the Botataung monastery is the main stupa. Day by day in the pagoda, hundreds of devotees come to donate and ask for the blessing of Ahmagyi Mya Nan Nwe angel known to be the guardian of the pagoda.

Discover the detail of Botataung Pagoda

Botataung Pagoda

• Chaukhtatgyi (Reclining Buddha) Pagoda 

Coming to Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, you will be overwhelmed by the very impressive 65 meters long and 16 meters high Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha statue. It shows up the image of Buddha lying on one side and the back of the head is supported by the right arm. The Buddha wears a golden robe; every facial image is decorated vividly in impressive colors, with a white face, red lips, blue eye shadow, golden robe, and red fingernails.

Read more: Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda

Reclining Buddha in Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda

• Karaweik Hall & Kandawgyi Lake

Heading to Kandawgyi Lake, you can contemplate the shape of mythological Karaweik birds in the image of Karaweik Palace drifting on Royal Lake. The Karaweik Hall a very long time ago was designated to Burmese Kings to travel around the Kingdom. Nowadays, this hall is served to preserve the Burmese cultural values including traditional food, exhibitions of Burmese arts, handicrafts, traditional costumes, and a variety of local Burmese entertainment like a puppet show, a traditional dance.

Find out detail: Karaweik Hall & Handawgyi Lake

Stop at the Royal Lake and admire the view of the Karaweik Hall overlooking the scenic lake

• Shwedagon Pagoda

Set on the top hill with a height of 99 meters, the Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most famous and the oldest pagodas in the world. Regarded as the crown of Burmese with 7000 diamonds, rubies, topaz, and sapphires placed on the main gold-plated dom, it was created to keep the last rays of the setting sun. That's the reason why watching sunrise and sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda is phenomenal.

Shwedagon Pagoda is the main highlight of one day trip in Yangon

You may also like: Best of Yangon - Spiritual Shwedagon Half day

• Bogyoke Aung San Market

Bogyoke Aung San Market is a large market located in the town of Pabedan in central Yangon, Myanmar. This market was built in 1926 under British colonial architecture. Please kindly mind that it only opens from 10 am - 5 pm. A large range of unique Burmese handicrafts, exquisite and lovely decorations, or traditional Lungi of Burmese boys and girls in hundreds of little stalls will make you feel like getting lost in the maze.

Bogyoke Aung San Market

• Yangon’s Chinatown

Yangon's Chinatown is located to the west of Sule Pagoda, right in the city center. It starts from 18th Street extending to 24th Street, and you will feel the colorful space including transportation, pedestrians, shops, and markets. Roadside restaurants serve light meals to both local and tourist guests. Along with that are jewelry shops, gold and silver shops, internet cafes, fruit and temple counters, etc. Following the narrow streets to the main road, there are also craft stalls and boutiques, flower shops, or souvenir shops for tourists.

Join our excursion of Shwedagon Sunset & China Town

3. Best dishes to try in Yangon 1 day

Taste in every trip is imperative to create perfect blends in your wonderful trips. Here is a list of must-try dishes for first-time travelers to Yangon.

• Falooda (Yangon Chinatown)
• Mohinga
• Paratha at Style one Food Court, Insein Road Yangon
• Banana Fritters and Spring Rolls (Yangon Chinatown)
• Mandalay Beer
• Mandalay Salad
• Shan Food at Downtown Yangon

Last but not least, don’t be put off by the long list we share, but find yourself the most interesting places to discover to make your day special. Follow our hot deals of a full-day Yangon tour to enjoy the best itinerary and sightseeing in Yangon.

You may also like: The 5 Best Things to Do in Yangon

Hera Tran

(Images source: Internet)