Formerly known as Rangoon, Yangon is the biggest city in Burma. It was the capital city of the country until 2005, although visitors would be forgiven for thinking that it still remains the capital today. 



Yangon is an exciting city with a rich fusion of cultures. You will see influences from the times of British colonial rule, as well as Chinese, Indian, and, of course, Burmese. The city also manages to blend a sense of history with a modern outlook.

Wandering around the large city you will see many British style buildings, many of which are in a sad state of disrepair. Nevertheless, it is easy to imagine how grand the city must have looked during the height of colonialism. You will also spot signs of the country’s deep-rooted traditions – both men and women clad in the skirt-like longyi, people with red stained teeth chewing betel nut, busy little street carts, and many monks wearing maroon also roaming the streets.

Yangon really does encapsulate the essence of an exotic Asian city. 
There are many things to do and see in the exciting city, with the dazzling Shwedagon Pagoda often featuring high on the list of must-sees for many visitors. Other key sights include Inya Lake, the Sule Pagoda, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, People’s Park, and Kandawgyi Lake with its replica of a grand and opulent royal boat. For the most interesting Yangon City Tour, museums should be included into the itinerary. They are perfect places where you can learn about the country’s history, people, and fight for democracy, and you can also visit Aung San's House, which is almost as it was during the period that he lived there. Kids will like the zoo. 

The city is well connected by road to the rest of the country, and the main sights within Yangon can easily be reached by foot. There are also numerous taxis waiting to take you wherever you want to go. There are great options for eating and drinking, and accommodation ranges from world class luxurious hotels through to basic backpacker style digs. Night life can be fairly raucous, although you may find it difficult to find at first. Look hard enough though and you will discover a great many beer bars and a handful of clubs throughout the city.