Your Guide to 24 Hours in Yangon Myanmar

See below video clips on snippets to experience some of what Yangon has to offer and immerse yourself in a new culture:

Your Guide to 24 Hours in Yangon Myanmar – Things to Note 

• Yangon has a new international airport with about 30 airlines flying into it daily such as Emirates and their flagship carrier Myanmar Airways International (funny way to spell it as one would assume it should be Myanmar International Airways) which stands for MAI. You can see a review of the economy class from Bangkok to Yangon here.
• The city used to be called Rangoon and has a population of 5 million people and till date is the largest and most populous city in the country. It is known for its colonial architecture, remnants of a British past mixed with Chinese and Indian influences.
• The official currency is the Myanmar Kyat and it is best to keep cash on you as most places do not take credit cards. Thai bhat and US dollars are also widely accepted but not at the best exchange rates.

Your Guide to 24 Hours in Yangon Myanmar – Where to Eat and Drink

• The Strand Hotel for breakfast or lunch is situated opposite to the old port in the city center. The hotel is in an old colonial building that has been fully restored with vintage fittings. To soak in the early 1900’s visit the cafe on the ground floor for a light snack or coffee. A famous tradition is to have afternoon tea at the hotel which you can opt for either English or Burmese variety.
• Lunch or drinks the following day at the Governor’s Residence, which is another hotel, but located outside the city in a lush neighborhood. The residence is another example of a fully renovated colonial mansion though this was built in a more livable fashion. It is close to the Shwedagon Pagoda and managed by Belmond hotel group which is part of LVMH so you know you are in for a treat.
• A great spot for dinner is Ram Rau which is a hip Burmese Vietnamese restaurant in the old town. The team behind it used to work around the world and came back to Myanmar to set up their own restaurant operation. Excellent vibes with a small bar when you enter with friendly welcoming staff. A full review can be found here.
• There are lots of street restaurants and stalls to choose from as the restaurant scene in Yangon is still emerging.

Your Guide to 24 Hours in Yangon Myanmar – Things to See and Do

• Number one on the list is the Shwedagon Pagoda and for good reason, the temple is absolutely stunning. It is best viewed early morning at sunrise, so wake up and make the trek over. Bear in mind it will take a good 20 minutes from when you get your ticket to traverse up to the top of the temple. Also note that as is customary all visitors must remove their shoes and socks as a sign of respect. The entrance fee is 10 USD and it is best to get a guide for another 5 USD.
• The old town and port of Yangon are fascinating glimpse into how the city used to look under British rule. Most of the buildings are run down from the exterior but next to the Strand and General Post Office one can imagine how they will look when restored to their former glory. Best way to explore is on foot to walk around and take in the old town.
• This next one is a easier said than done, as you have to find out how and where to buy your tickets and which station to get on: heading to the central train station and catching a ride on the Yangon Circular Train to get a feeling for the people, culture and orient yourself around the city. It is super interesting to see what people get up to on the train and how people live in Myanmar. The cost is 200 Kyat and they do not take US dollars, so you need to bring local currency.
• A must visit is a Buddhist monastery and since over 90% of the population are Buddhist you can find a way quite easily. We did it with our driver, he took us to the monastery where he grew up. In Myanmar instead of school, children study in monasteries and then can decide if they want to stay or go study in college or high school. Monasteries are very peaceful to walk around and we were lucky enough to visit during lunch time and witness it.
• There are a few large open markets in Yangon where you can find local merchandise such as mother of pearl in all shapes and sizes, as art and decorative pieces or as utensils. You can also find other handicraft such as hats to go with your new colonial feel as you explore the city. See pictures below.

Your Guide to 24 Hours in Yangon Myanmar – Where to Stay

• If you want to splurge and enjoy the finest Yangon has to offer the two aforementioned hotels would be your best bet. Both the Strand Hotel and the Governor’s Residence offer luxury and the highest levels of comfort.
• For a more affordable option you can opt for the Melia Hotel in Yangon, which is located closer to the Shwedagon Pagoda. The hotel is modern and new with rates varying around 85 USD. A full review can be found here.

Your Guide to 24 Hours in Yangon Myanmar – Photos

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Review of Myanmar Airways Economy Class – Details

Tel: +951 967 0007 
Website: Myanmar Airways International

Review of Myanmar Airways Economy Class – Highlights

• Myanmar Airways is not an airline you hear about everyday and thats what makes this flight so much more exciting. The airline boasts a stellar safety record and operates a fleet of just 9 aircraft (as of 2021).
• The airline flys to China, India Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and also operates domestic flights within Myanmar between the capital Mandalay and Yangon.
• The meal onboard (pictured below) was generous and delicious for a flight that is only 1 hour long. We were offered a sandwich, which was a croissant with cheese and vegetables as well as a cake and soft beverage.
• The business class was more than 50% filled with Buddhist monks and they seemed to travel in groups. It is important to note that over 90% of the country practices Buddhism predominantly the Theravada tradition and is the most religious country in terms of adherence in the world so therefore apt that they treat their monks to upgrades.
• On arrival in Yangon, you immediately notice how modern the new airport is – and notice the presence of large international airlines such as Singapore Airlines and Emirates parked at the gates as well.

Review of Myanmar Airways Economy Class – Things to Note

• MAI has its own frequent flyer program called Sky Smile Privilege Program which is not affiliated with any other earn or burn programs. You will therefore most likely not be able to accrue miles with your typical international programs. Unless you travel to Myanmar frequently.
• When we purchased our tickets the payment gateway on the airlines website was not working. So we had to purchase our tickets in person at the airlines office in Bangkok Thailand. Buying tickets in person at an agency was also part of the adventure as we got all the typical flight documents from yesteryear such as physical printed tickets with itinerary and printed receipts. We also had to pay cash for the tickets at the office as they did not accept credit cards.
• The seats are quite hard and smaller than what one might be used to as the company uses older aircraft.

Review of Myanmar Airways Economy Class – Tips

• Try to get a window seat so you can enjoy the views on landing and take off in Myanmar. The country is very green and lush!
• Make sure you fill out your immigration card, which is passed out during the flight, before you land to save time on arrival.
• English might be a barrier so have your itinerary and information translated or assistance at the airport and transportation arranged ahead of time.
• For a full guide on how best to spend 24 hours in Yangon click here.

Review of Myanmar Airways Economy Class – Photos

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Review of Melia Yangon – Details

Address: 192, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Township 11201, Myanmar (Burma) (Google pin)
Tel: +951 934 5002
Website: Melia Hotel Yangon

Review of Melia Yangon – Video Tour

For a full video walk through of a premium lake view room at the Melia Hotel Yangon please see the video below:

Review of Melia Hotel Yangon – Highlights

• The hotel is located in a modern development opposite Inya lake and is situated in between the airport and the port and old city center of Yangon. A great choice for both business and leisure travelers looking for western comforts in the middle of Burma.
• There are 3 restaurants at the hotel, the all day dining ‘the market’, a Mediterranean restaurant called Olia and a Vietnamese restaurant called The Lantern. Along with two bars on site one in the lobby as well as Garbo Bar. The breakfast selection is large and varied offering both local Asian options and western cuisine.
• As fitting a 5 star property the hotel has a full suite of services and facilities on site such as a business center, laundry service, car service swimming pool, meeting rooms and event banqueting spaces.
• Most rooms have gorgeous views of the lake which are unobstructed as the hotel itself is the tallest building in the area, so you can see quite far from the room which gives an impressive grasp of the city and the lush greenery surrounding the city.
• The staff and service at the hotel are excellent with gracious attitude and genuine care and pride in making sure guests feel at home.

Review of Melia Yangon – Things to Note

• Some street noise can be heard at times in the room at night.
• If you are a non smoker make sure to book a non smoking room as the hotel does have dedicated smoking rooms and floors so based on your preference make sure to make your booking accordingly to avoid rooms being unavailable on check in.

Review of Melia Yangon – Tips

• Join Melia Rewards the hotel’s own loyalty program when staying at the hotel to earn rewards against future stays. The program comes with standard features like room upgrades but also perks unique such as mid stay surprises and rewards.
• The hotel also features an executive lounge for rewards members and if eligible you can even check in directly at the hotel lounge with an arrival drink.

Review of Melia Yangon – Photos

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Ram Rau Review

This standalone restaurant and bar offer a fun night out with great food at reasonable prices. The menu at Ram Rau features local and regional classics with modern twists. The full menu below:

For a full guide on how best to spend 24 hours in Yangon click here.

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