يانغون

Drink

thumb|217x217px|Mandalay beer Nightlife in Yangon is split between local bars or "beer stations" as they are called which close early (around 21:00-00:00), but offer drinks at bargain prices (about 800 kyat for a pint glass of Myanmar Beer, local whiskies cost 2,000 kyat a glass). Expect to get a lot of attention when going to the local bars, since theses places are not frequented by foreigners. Drinking is not culturally acceptable for women in Burma, so don't expect to pick up any girls except in nightclubs and Western-style venues, local bars are places where men meet to talk and chew betel nut (very popular in Myanmar).

In stark contrast to local bars are the trendy cocktail bars and nightclubs that are springing up in the more modern areas of town, this is where you will find the expatiates and wealthy Westernized locals. Drinks are expensive and the DJs are unreliable- but expect a more or less Western experience, girls drink, most venues are LGBT friendly and all "the people" are there.

Sleep

thumb|Apartment building in Yangon The government requires all foreigners to register their passports at hotels. It is illegal to stay in a private residence without registering with the local Township authorities.

With the near-total collapse of tourist demand following the 2021 coup and subsequent civil war, accommodation in Yangon is now very cheap compared to the likes of Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City. Many international chains have pulled out of the Myanmar market, leaving their properties to either rebrand or cease operations altogether. Some of Yangon's largest and most luxurious hotels have been shuttered indefinitely, including the Pullman Centrepoint and Sule Shangri-La. Even the legendary Strand is only open for food and beverage, not accommodation, as of March 2025.

Rooms are abundant except at the height of the tourist season (Dec-Jan), and then only in the popular backpacker hotels. Reservations are almost never necessary. Tourists can still pay in US$ (bring only newer US$ banknotes in good condition), but the kyat is more commonly used now. Credit cards are increasingly accepted at hotels.

Budget hotels are mostly away from city centre. The upside is that the hotels are quieter, the city centre can be quite noisy, and you get a little more room for your money. You'll need a taxi to get to the main sight, the Shwedagon Pagoda anyway. The downside is that most restaurants are in the city centre, a long walk or taxi ride away and choices outside the centre are l…

Stay safe

Despite widespread poverty, Yangon is one of the safest big cities in the world. Most people, including single females, will not have any problems roaming the streets alone at night, and carrying large amounts of cash rarely poses a problem. Crimes against tourists are taken very seriously by the military government and punishment is often disproportionately severe. This, in addition to the strong Buddhist culture in the population, means that Yangon's crime rate is lower than the likes of Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Violent crime is especially rare. However, little crime does not mean no crime, and there have been isolated incidents involving tourists, so it is best to take normal big city precautions like avoiding lonely areas at night and always being aware of your valuables. As with everywhere else in the world, there is no substitute for common sense.

Prostitution and drug trafficking are both illegal in Myanmar. Drug trafficking in particular carries severe penalties, including the death penalty.

Stay healthy

Yangon can be extremely hot with intense sun; near-40°C weather and an UV index of 8-11 is common around noon. Wear long-sleeved, light-coloured clothing, bring an umbrella, drink plenty of water, and stay indoors during the noon hours. Yangon's tap water is not potable, and remains questionable even after boiling due to heavy metal contamination. Always buy bottled water or refill bottles at purified water jars. Temples supply free purified water (large steel tanks), and most shop keepers are happy to let you top up at their water jugs. Mosquitoes may carry dengue and malaria. Insist on using a mosquito net at night if it is available. Make sure there are no holes or gaps left in the net. Your second line of defense is mosquito coils and mosquito repellent. Street food is almost universally unsafe and can be a source of everything from diarrhea to typhoid and parasites. Stick to indoor restaurants and tea shops with non-dirt floors. Street dogs are occasionally rabid: pass them with caution, and be aware that can form aggressive packs. There are open sewers all over Yangon, usually under the footpaths. Be extremely wary during rainy season when many flood. You could accidentally find yourself standing chest deep in a sewer. Some sections of sewer are covered for ease of walking, others are not. During rainy season, be cautious of any cuts you may have on your feet as the flooded water in the streets is contaminated and can lead to infections. Drivers are reckless. If your ta…

Go next

thumb|Allied War Cemetery and Memorial, Taukkyan

Yangon International Airport - Taxi from the city centre to the airport is around 30,000 kyat, including baggage. Your hotel manager may well drive you to the airport. There is a beautiful 3-storey mural, a nice composition of Burmese countryside and lifestyle in the style of idyllic romanticism worth taking souvenir photo of as you go to immigration on the second floor departure area. Bago (Pegu) - an important city with pagodas and monasteries 60 km north of Yangon. An easy day trip. Mandalay - overnight buses, and expensive government trains, leave for Mandalay daily. Bus tickets can be booked at the number of travel agents just north of Yangon railway station. Mawlamyine - A pleasant seaside city with a few daytrip possibilities. 9 hr express train runs there each morning about 06:15 (and an 11 hr slow train at 07:00). Ordinary tickets (with no seat reservations) cost foreigners US$5, while upper class tickets are US$14. You get your own seat and it's slightly less crowded, but there isn't much difference between classes. Pathein (Bassein) - famous for its paper umbrellas and stunning religious architecture, and an overnight boat away (or 4 hours by rented car, more by bus) to the west. From Pathein it's only a few hours by bus or pick-up truck on to the beaches of Chaungtha and Ngwe Saung. Taukkyan - about an hour's drive (35 km) of central Yangon, and site of the Taukkyan War Cemetery. Thanlyin - once an important city o…