Lately, I get a lot of questions from colleagues who have plans to Myanmar, especially Yangon, but only have a few days and some even only use this city as a transit point before continuing their trip to Bagan, in Myanmar there are various kinds of hotels, most famous is Mercure Yangon Kaba Aye, Mercure Yangon Kaba Aye is one of the best Hotel in Yangon
The following 11 tourist attractions that can be visited
1. Shwedagon Pagoda
This pagoda is a landmark of the City of Yangon and even the State of Myanmar which is located right in the heart of Yangon City which can be accessed from 4 gates available from the west, east, north and south. From the hotel, the journey can be traveled by car which takes 20 minutes. The pagoda is said to be founded around 2600 years ago and is the oldest Buddhist pagoda in the world that can be accessed from the U Wisara Road where there is also a People Park usually crowded by people on Saturdays and Sundays. For tourists/foreigners, there will be a fee of 8000 kyats or approximately $ 1. It should be noted that Shwedagon is a place of worship so there are a few things to consider when visiting here, especially dress procedures where you are not permitted to use shorts, tank tops and shoes or socks. The best time to visit this place is morning or evening before dusk because this place is open from 5 am to 9 pm. Visiting above 9 am is not recommended because the pagoda floor is quite hot and uncomfortable going around the pagoda when the sun is intense.
2. Inya Lake
Tourist attractions that are also an icon of Myanmar, especially the city of Yangon is Lake Inya or Inya Lake. It takes 15 minutes to get to the hotel from the hotel. The artificial lake created by the British government in 1882 – 1883 was originally for water storage, but now it functions more as a place of recreation and water sports. The lake, which is located 10 km north of Yangon, can be accessed from 4 main roads in Yangon, namely Inya Road, Pyay Road, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road and University Avenue. This place is the most fitting to visit when you will see a sunrise that can be seen from the direction of Pyay Road and see the sunset from the direction of the Kaba Aye Pagoda Road. There is no fee or ticket to enter this area because Inya Lake is a public area that is usually used for sports, especially jogging in the morning and evening and the place most visited by people who are dating. Don’t be surprised if you visit here, you will see a lot of umbrellas scattered everywhere, but the person is invisible. Actually there are no opening and closing hours for this location because this is indeed a public area, but usually, at 12 pm, some security officers will ask visitors to leave the place, especially for those who are dating.
3. Sule Pagoda
This place is also a landmark of Yangon City and is located at an intersection between Sule Pagoda Road and Maha Bandoola Road. This place is often used as an ‘area’ for demonstrations or even a meeting point for demonstrators. You need 25 minutes to get to this place. In the vicinity of Sule Pagoda, it can also be said to be a backpacker or tourist area where many shops sell daily necessities. To enter into it, tourists or foreigners are also required to pay $ 3 or 3000 Kyats and again it should be noted that this place is a place of worship so it must still maintain the courtesy of manners in dressing and acting.
4. Maha Bandoola Park / Garden
The name of this park is taken from the name of General Maha Bandula, who was killed while fighting against the British imperialists in 1824-1826. This park is a favorite of locals and tourists to spend time with family or just take photos. The park is adjacent to the Sule Pagoda so if you go to the Sule Pagoda, it won’t be complete if you don’t go to this park. There are no tickets or prices to pay to enter this park. Many things that can be seen or even photographed in this park include the Myanmar independence monument, the old City Hall building, and the High Court which is a very beautiful old building in the heart of Yangon. It is recommended to visit here at dawn or at sunset. The park will be closed at 6 pm marked by security officers who go around ringing the whistle which means all visitors must leave the park area.
5. Kandawgyi Nature Park
This place is also in the heart of Yangon, not far from Shwedagon Pagoda. This park is also a favorite place for local residents in Yangon to spend the weekend even though on weekdays this place is still always crowded because there are many restaurants and rides to play. In addition to seeing Kandwgyi Lake which has greenish water, in this park, there is also a karaweik hall that is used to perform. For those who like photography, this place will be the most interesting photo hunting spot because it can get photos with watery shadows including a photo of the Shwedagon Pagoda and some fountains in the middle of the lake. The best time to visit this place is in the morning and evening. Even if you visit before 8 am there will be no payment because at that time the wooden bridge area inside the park is used by local residents for sports. But after 8 am, tourists will be charged 2000 kyats if they want to visit or even just cross a long wooden bridge and circle the lake
6. Sunset on the Yangon River
Watching the sunset on the Yangon River can also be an option when visiting Yangon. Entering from the Botahtaung Pagoda, visitors do not need to pay anything and can go directly to the pier on the edge of the Yangon river. Some activities of local residents can be witnessed from the dock, especially residents who crossed towards Dalla. Accompanied by thousands of pigeons and crows will make the twilight atmosphere wrapped in golden yellow light will be very beautiful. If you have more budget, you can also do a sunset cruise prepared by several cruise providers on the dock. By paying $ 25 on weekdays and $ 30 on holidays or weekends, you can sail for 2 hours along the Yangon River from 5 pm to 7 pm. A buffet dinner will be prepared for all passengers.
7. Drive around Yangon by train
This is one alternative that is very interesting tourism. By doing this activity, you will really see the ‘pulse’ of the original Myanmar. By paying 1000 kyats to tourists, you will get around the city of Yangon for almost 3 hours if you are only on the train while traveling. But passengers can just get off and spend time walking in the area around the train station that is traversed or stopped and will ride on the next train without needing to buy tickets again and just show the ticket discount that has been purchased at the central railway station.
8. Aung San Suu Kyi’s house
Passing Aung San Suu Kyi’s house, located on University Avenue Road, is also quite interesting. Imagine, in that house the democracy fighter who is the daughter of Bogyoke (General) Aung San spent 21 years under house arrest. Although from the outside you will only see a high fenced house but at least you can take pictures from the direction of the highway without a guard.
9. Pazundaung Street
On this street, you will find lots of old buildings left by British imperialists. Some of the old buildings are still used, among others, for the post office, immigration and other government buildings. It appears that the old building is poorly maintained but still leaves traces of its former glory, for those of you lovers of photography, visiting in the morning is the most appropriate time because at that time there were still not too many vehicles milling about on the side of the road. In addition to being an office area, this area is also a business area where electronic shops and ports are located not far away where there are many container cars which are quite annoying for taking a photograph. Sailing to the Dalla region by ferry to look into the lives of local residents can also be an alternative. By paying $ 4 to go home, you can cross by taking a ferry which only takes about 10 minutes one way. In the morning and evening, there will be a lot of Dalla residents who work downtown who will take part in sailing which will certainly be a very interesting photo object.
10. Sakura Building
Cafe located on the 20th floor of this building is the best place to see the city of Yangon from a height. From above you can clearly see Shwedagon and Sule Pagoda, Bogyoke Market, Aung San Stadium and Yangon city landscape. To get to this place you have to take 30 minutes and is located not far from Sule Pagoda and Bogyoke Market, this place is one of the favorite places for locals and tourists to spend the evening. Only when visiting here, visitors must buy food from the café which costs a little more expensive than the average price. The best time to come here is around dusk and the café provides a special happy hour for alcoholic drinks where visitors will get ‘buy 1 get 1’. No wonder if near dusk, many tourists who like to stop by this place.
11. Bogyoke Market
This place is the place most sought after by tourists if they are in Yangon. From this Mercury Yangon Kaba Aye Hotel, you need almost 35 minutes to be able to shop for your needs. The market located on the Bogyoke Aung San road is indeed the most ideal place to get Myanmar’s unique souvenirs, ranging from key chains, t-shirts to jade stones which are the mainstay commodities of this golden land country in this market. It should be noted that the Bogyoke market does not operate on Monday so please check the calendar first before visiting here.