If you’re planning on travelling in Myanmar the chances are that you will start your adventure around the country in its largest city, and former capital, Yangon.
When I travelled solo around Southeast Asia I added Myanmar to my route at the last minute. Due to my onward travel plans, I only had 10 days to explore Myanmar which meant that my journey around the country went at a faster pace than I’m used to.
Usually, I try to stay for one month at the very least in each country; travelling slowly, exploring more local places, and not planning too much. Oh, and of course, keeping on top of my freelance work at the same time.
But as I only had a couple of days in each Burmese destination I needed to think more strategically to ensure I saw the places that had the most interest to me.
Whilst house-sitting in Singapore I threw myself into some research to help determine a Yangon two day itinerary that would maximise my time in the city. There is so much to see in this sprawl of pagodas, markets, parks and heritage buildings.
Based on my own couple of days in the city, this is my suggested Yangon two day itinerary for anyone headed to magical Myanmar.
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What’s Yangon like?
Originally known as Rangoon, Yangon is the original capital of Myanmar. Although the capital has since shifted over Naypyidaw, Yangon remains the economic epicentre of Myanmar and is more popular with tourists and expats than Naypyidaw.
Yangon is an assault on the senses. It’s loud, it’s energetic, it’s utterly huge. The city has more of a dilapidated feel to it than other Southeast Asian cities such as shiny Bangkok and glossy Kuala Lumpur. Despite the chaos (which Yangon has a lot of) I found it totally charming and I loved getting to know the city.
A myriad of streets swarms with food stalls conjuring up enigmatic dishes unique to Myanmar which add a curious scent to the air.
Men wander the streets chewing on tea leaves whilst women beam behind thanaka-painted faces. Both wear longyi – a traditional ankle-length skirt worn by both genders in Myanmar.
The spoken language is as exotic as the written script is beautiful.
As a deeply Buddhist nation, there is a pagoda on practically every corner. My Yangon two day itinerary covers a couple of the most interesting ones to visit.
One unusual thing about Yangon is that it has the densest concentration of colonial-era buildings in Southeast Asia. However you decide to spend your Yangon two day itinerary I recommend dedicating some time to wandering the streets to savour the rich architectural heritage.
But there is something missing in Yangon…
If you’ve travelled around other Asian cities – especially those in Vietnam and Indonesia – you’ll notice this immediately.
Motorbikes.
In most parts of central Yangon, motorbikes are banned with the exception of police officers. So sadly it isn’t possible to spend your Yangon two day itinerary zipping around the city by motorbike.
How many days do you need in Yangon?
There’s plenty of things to do in Yangon. You could easily fill a whole week exploring and getting to know the secret corners of this city.
I stayed in the city for a couple of days right at the start of my 10 days travelling in Myanmar. This is long enough to scratch the surface of the city and take in the sites covered in my Yangon two day itinerary.
When planning your visit, bear in mind that the best way to get around Myanmar is via night bus. This means that you can squeeze out as many daylight hours as possible into exploring Yangon and other major Burmese destinations before settling in for a night in transit.
A Yangon Two Day Itinerary
If you are planning on visiting Yangon, these are my recommendations for your perfect Yangon two day itinerary.
My itinerary is written with first-time visitors in mind and includes some of the most popular attractions in the city.
If you are planning to stay longer or don’t fancy any of the places I’ve suggested – I’ve recommended a few extra ideas for your Yangon two day itinerary and beyond.
Day One in Yangon
Grab a bowl of the national dish, mohinga, for breakfast. This is a noodle soup made with fish and rice noodles. Because why not start your day with fish?
After that, you can spend the rest of the morning exploring Yangon’s star attraction, the Shwedagon Pagoda before dipping into a park for a stroll.
Wear comfy shoes today!
Shwedagon Pagoda
Keeping watch over the city from Singuttara Hill, Shwedagon Pagoda (Paya) is Myanmar’s most sacred Buddhist monument.
Spanning 144 acres, the complex is massive. A 99-metre tall golden stupa (zedi) stands at the heart of the pagoda – encrusted with all kinds of precious stones that sparkle under the midday sunshine.
This central stupa is flanked by 4 cardinal stupas and 60+ smaller stupas. Forming a ring around the main stupa are eight shrines, each displaying a different image of Buddha. The shrines represent the seven days of the week, with Wednesday being split into two shrines: morning and evening.
There are four entrances that lead to the main terrace, each guarded by Burmese chinthes.
Besides tourists from all around the world, you will see Burmese monks, families, couples and individuals who visit the pagoda daily to pray.
As you pad around the pagoda, you’ll attract the attention of friendly Burmese locals especially if you’re there alone. Many worshippers (and monks) may ask you to help them practise their English. Others just might politely ask you for a selfie.
A couple of guides might approach you and offer to show you around and tell you more about the complex. This is a great way to understand the relics and support local tourism. But first, check that they are an official guide and do agree on the rate beforehand so there are no surprises.
Tips for visiting Shwedagon Pagoda
You must dress conservatively with your knees and shoulders covered. You can pick up your own longyi from one of the stalls near the complex.
On arrival at the pagoda, you will need to remove your shoes and explore the complex barefoot. You can carry them in your rucksack or leave them by the entrance for a small fee.
There are several entrances you can use to enter the pagoda. I used the South entrance which was easy to navigate once my Grab driver dropped me off. Apparently, the North entrance is the most impressive.
Visit Shwedagon as early in the day as possible or expect to attract a few stares as you bound across the scorching marble under the midday sun.
Shwedagon Pagoda is open 4 am – 10 pm. It is busiest with local worshippers at sunrise and sunset.
The entrance fee for foreigners is 10,000 kyat and must be paid in cash.
I recommend spending two hours at the very least at Shwedagon Pagoda. I lost track of time when I visited but it was at least three hours and I felt like I could have stayed for longer.
Kandawgyi Lake (Bogyoke Park)
After spending the morning experiencing Shwedagon I recommend heading to one of Yangon’s lovely green parks to reflect and stretch your legs.
Kandawgyi Lake is located a 15-minute walk away from to the east of Shwedagon and is surrounded by several little gardens and open green space.
On the northern banks, you can enjoy statues and Shwedagon Pagoda views from Bogyoke Aung San Park.
To the east, you can wander through the Kantawgyi Garden and peek at the pagoda through the foliage.
You’ll notice a huge floating dragon boat, Karaweik Palace, which is home to a restaurant and hosts cultural performances in the evenings.
In the southwest part of the park, beyond the zoo, there is an abandoned fairground which it is sometimes possible to explore.
On a clear day, take the elevator up to the top of the Utopia Tower for a great view of the city. Down in the basement of the building, there is a massive karaoke bar which is popular with the Yangon residents.
Once you’ve had your fill of lakes, grass, and statues, you could head back to Shwedagon Pagoda for the sunset.
At the time I visited Yangon, it was possible to reuse the same ticket to return on the same day. However, I’ve since heard some mixed messages that suggest the multiple-entry is no more. I would recommend asking your guesthouse what the latest situation is.
If you cannot re-enter and don’t wish to purchase a second ticket – you can always take a nighttime stroll past the exterior to see it glisten under the stars.
The Strand Night Market
When in Asia, street food is king so head to The Strand Night Market for dinner on the first night of your Yangon two day itinerary.
Slurp on Burmese speciality Shan noodles – meat cooked with tomatoes and turmeric. Chew on a pickled tea leaf salad and unleash your taste buds on the various fried snacks.
Burmese food is totally unlike food in neighbouring countries. Whilst most dishes are based around rice and noodles, the herbs and spices used felt more intense in comparison to the likes of Thailand and Vietnam where flavours are fairly sweet and softly spicy.
Eating in Yangon is part of the adventure for that reason.
When I bought street food from places around my hostel, I literally had no idea what I was eating and would let my nose guide me. Generally, the vendors would let me try little bites to decide what I wanted. But at the Strand Night Market, you’re more likely to find English-speaking sellers.
The market is located close to the Yangon River so you can walk off all the food afterwards!
Day Two in Yangon
For the second of your Yangon two day itinerary, you’ve got three hours of sitting down to look forward to.
And then, some more walking…
Yangon Circular Train
One of the most unique things to do with your Yangon two day itinerary is to ride the Circular Train. This is a commuter network that spans the entire metropolitan area of Yangon and connects the city to the suburbs.
The train bounds along at a snail’s pace, which gives you plenty of chance to admire the greenery of outer Yangon and glimpse into suburban life.
You’ll see farmers at work and monks riding motorbikes. Yes, this is where all the motorbikes are! They’re allowed once you get out of the inner city. There are grocers and other vendors selling their wares beside the railway tracks. Some hop on and off to sell snacks if you’re feeling peckish.
Fellow passengers on the train might include mothers with beaming kids, monks, and locals picking up their groceries.
Whilst it’s becoming fairly popular with travellers in Yangon as tourism develops, you probably won’t see many others on the train. Your Burmese companions might tap you on the shoulder for a chat and a selfie.
Tips for riding the Yangon Circular Railway
The ticket only costs 200 MMK (around 10 pence!) and lets you ride the entire 45.9 kilometres of the track.
You can buy a ticket and board at any of the stations. Again, it’s worth starting early if you want to ride the Circular Train during your Yangon two day itinerary – the complete loop takes about three hours.
There are 15 departures a day which go clockwise and anti-clockwise. You can board at Yangon Central Railway or whichever stop is closest to your accommodation.
If that’s too long, just alight when you’ve had enough and hail a Grab. Or, alight somewhere random and go for a walk!
National Museum
If you want to brush up on Burmese history before you continue your travels around Myanmar, head to the National Museum. The collections span traditional Burmese arts and crafts, natural history and the huge Lion Throne.
One of the highlights is the collection of costumes that represent the various ethnic communities across Myanmar.
This is a very large museum, so if you really love your history and browsing artefacts – allow a few hours at the museum. Consider skipping one of the next two items on my Yangon two day itinerary if time is tight.
To access the museum, you can alight from the Circular Railway at Pyay Road station and walk 5 minutes.
Entrance is 5,000 MMK for foreigners.
Opening hours are 10 am to 4 pm, 7 days a week excluding Burmese national holidays.
Bogyoke Aung San Market
Yangon’s major shopping destination, the Bogyoke Aung San Market is a thirty-minute walk from the National Museum. Alternatively, you can hop back on the Yangon Circular Train if the schedule aligns!
The Bogyoke Aung San Market is a whopping bazaar where you can buy, well pretty much anything. Shop for handcrafted Burmese souvenirs for your loved ones, a longyi to wear later at Bagan or Mandalay and pick up some food whilst you browse.
There are almost 2,000 shops in the market.
Opening times are 9 am until 5 pm, 7 days a week.
Sule Pagoda
My final suggestion to squeeze into your Yangon two day itinerary is another of the city’s magnificent pagodas.
The Sule Pagoda is slightly smaller than Shwedagon Pagoda, but a tad older.
Its golden dome registers a lofty height of 48 metres, so, whilst it’s not quite as visually commanding as Shwedagon, it still makes a statement on the city skyline.
Explore the site for 5,000 MMK or simply admire it from outside – it’s magical by night. As with Shwedagon, the Sule Pagoda welcomes tourists and worshippers between 4 am and 10 pm. So you could always have dinner nearby and return here in the evening to experience the pagoda by night.
Conclude your time in the city with a cheeky cocktail on a swanky rooftop bar. The Yangon Yangon Rooftop is just up the road from the Sule Pagoda and gives a great view of Shwedagon Pagoda in the distance.
Staying in Yangon for longer than two days?
In that case, you might need a few ideas to fill your days.
Or, if you don’t want to visit some of the recommendations in my Yangon two day itinerary – perhaps some of these might float your boat instead.
Pansoden Street
Take a stroll down Pansoden Street with your camera for some of the most impressive colonial architecture in Yangon.
The street is sprinkled with bookshops, art galleries and hipster tea houses too. This is a great place to chill during a Yangon two day itinerary or a longer stay.
Pansoden Street is within walking distance of Sule Pagoda.
People’s Park
Yangon is blessed with several fabulous parks which are a great escape from the frantic city streets.
The People’s Park is located on the western side of the Shwedagon Pagoda and is another nice place for a stroll between pagoda-hopping.
Maha Bandula Park
Yes – another park! Tucked away between Sule Pagoda and Pansoden Streets sits the Maha Bandula Park with its towering obelisk.
This was erected to commemorate the independence of Myanmar (Burma, back then) from the British in 1948. It replaced a statue of Queen Victoria, which was shipped politely back to England.
As a Brit, this story was of interest to me.
Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple
This temple houses a 66-metre long reclining Buddha – one of the largest representations of Buddha in the country. I’m particularly impressed by the intricate carving on the feet.
This is slightly further afield so you may want to hail a Grab – or have a go at navigating the Yangon public bus system.
Inya Lake
Inya Lake is the largest lake in Yangon and is beautiful for a peaceful stroll – hail a Grab and go there for sunset.
Is Yangon safe?
I travelled around Myanmar solo and independently without encountering any safety concerns and that includes Yangon.
The locals were exceptionally warm, hospitable and trustworthy. To put it in perspective, when I attempted to pay 50,000 MMK (around £28) for the public bus ride after misunderstanding the price, the conductor didn’t hesitate to wave the money back and take the 500 MMK he actually asked for!
Funnily enough, the exact same thing happened when I arrived in Hanoi…
Tourism is still emerging in Yangon so you might feel more conspicuous and attract some attention. But – it’s friendly attention and the locals will go out of their way to make you fall in love with their city.
As with all Asian countries, you can expect to be offered a taxi every hundred yards or so and to be approached by locals who will offer you tours. But, these are just nice people who are doing their job and looking for business. They’ll understand if you don’t want to use their services, but they might appreciate five minutes of your time for a natter so they can practise their English.
How to get around Yangon
Whilst Yangon is a massive and chaotic city it’s surprisingly walkable with wide pedestrian footpaths. Unlike in other major Southeast Asian cities you don’t need to worry about sharing these with motorbikes.
I would recommend trying to walk around town as much as possible so that you can see the architecture and get a sense of the city.
Yangon is well-served by a network of public buses. However, these are tricky to make sense of as the destinations are written in Burmese and the timetables take a bit of deciphering. On your Yangon two day itinerary I would say buses would chew up valuable exploring time so I would recommend figuring them out if you intend to stay more than a few days.
For getting around the city on your Yangon two day itinerary, Grab is your best bet. This is the Asian equivalent to Uber so you won’t need to have awkward discussions about the fares. Pick up a Myanmar SIM card and download the Grab app so you can hail a car as and when you need.
Where to stay in Yangon
Yangon has plenty of beds available.
This is quite funny – the humble backpackers that I stayed in has since had a major facelift and become the prestigious-sounding Draper Startup House for Entrepreneurs.
This was a great hostel with spacious, curtained dorm beds, free breakfast and a lovely reception team who helped me arrange my onward travel. I much prefer the original name which had a more fairytale vibe, Once in Yangon, I think it was.
Later in my Myanmar travels I heard a couple of recommendations for the Cloud 10 Boutique Hotel which is popular with couples and travellers who want to be out of the hustle and bustle.
Alternatively, you could book an AirBnB for your Yangon two day itinerary if you want more space after a long flight.
Mingalaba, Yangon!
Friendly, hip and fascinating, with a special culture of its own – that’s Yangon!
Yangon is the gateway to a region which will astonish you with Buddhist pagodas, breathtaking natural scenery, charming people and deliciously mysterious delicacies. After Yangon, I continued my travels in Myanmar by heading to Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake – so watch this space for more tales and tips.
I hope my Yangon two day itinerary helps you make the most of your visit.
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Featured image courtesy of Simone Fischer on Unsplash.
What a cool place! I love the architecture and intricacies of the monument and boats (are thy dragon boats?). What a beautiful place
It’s really different, you just want to look at EVERYTHING in Yangon! They’re just shaped like dragons, and they’re huge – I don’t think they ever sail though 🙂
Wow, Yangon looks wonderful! I have to be honest, Myanmar is a country I know very little about and I’d never heard of Yangon but what an incredible place! The architecture of Shwedagon Pagoda is stunning and the lake looks beautiful. I also can’t get over the fact they the circular train ride costs 10p! What a great way to see the wider area. Thanks for the wonderful guide, I’m definitely putting Myanmar on my bucket list!
It’s amazing – especially when it’s three hours of travel! Myanmar is so interesting to explore especially after visiting a few of the more well-known countries, I hope you make it there at some point. I was pretty in the dark about it too before I went – wish I’d read more in advance actually.
I haven’t heard of Yangon before, but it sounds like it’s an interesting area to stay at for sure!
It’s a great city, it’s pretty full-on but culturally and architecturally it’s a real treat! 🙂
I visited Myanmar back in 2013 and only had one full day in Yangon so our main focus was Shwedagon. I’d love to go back now and see how things have changed – the train sounds like a fab way to get insight into the local culture!
It’s so easy to spend a whole day at Shwedagon! If you do go back I totally recommend the train, it was a real highlight for me. The parks are really nice too. Hahaha now I’m reminiscing I want to go back so badly!
Ahhh, I visited Yangon in 2017 and like you only had 10 days in the country. My favourite thing was riding the train, so I am so glad you included it in this guide. I enjoyed seeing the everyday life and found the whole experience so relaxing! I’d love to go back though, as you mention so many things that I didn’t get to see!
Me too – I loved the train so much. I hope you get to go back, I’d love to go back for a longer stay in Myanmar too.