Yangon

Yangon was Myanmar's capital until 2006 and remains to this day the hub of economic activity in the country. Yet, compared to other Asian mega-cities, Yangon is undeveloped, with only a few high rises. Instead, Yangon is defined by its colonial-era architecture and its even older Buddhist monuments and temples.

Unlike many of south-east Asia's busier metropolises, Yangon is a pleasure to explore on foot. Wide tree-lined avenues are home to gracious colonial buildings interspersed with golden temples, highlighting the city's British colonial heritage as well as the intense spiritualism of the people. Elsewhere, small traditional houses are crammed together on bustling narrow streets. Lakes are dotted across the city giving it an open feel, while the city’s Chinatown bustles with activity from the early morning into the night. Bargain hunters can spend hours browsing the stalls in the old Scott market.

Although it is the country's largest city, Yangon is not a typical Asian mega-metropolis. It bears a closer resemblance to the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, than it does the busy capitals of Vietnam or Thailand. Its green spaces, particularly the parks around the city's two major lakes, Kandawgyi and Inya, and quiet roads (motorcycles are not allowed in the city), give Yangon an air of tranquillity.

Yangon is a good base for day trips and overnight excursions to small towns, the Allied War Cemetery and the Golden Rock. There is no longer any need to head to Thailand if you would like a few days on the beach at the end of a tour of Myanmar. Ngwe Saung, the nearest beach to Yangon, and Ngapali (a short flight away) both offer long stretches of white sand beach.

In and around Yangon and Central Myanmar
In Yangon, you can’t fail to notice the incredible Shwedagon Pagoda which dominates the city skyline, its gold leaf shimmering in the bright sun. As the country’s spiritual centre, the pagoda is always bustling with people, many just passing the time, others praying and making offerings. Less impressive than Shwedagon, Sule Pagoda, sits at the heart of the city, where it makes for an incongruous traffic island around which vehicles swirl at all hours of the day. At dusk take a stroll around Kandawgyi Lake, join the locals in a little exercise and check out the Karaweik Royal Barge floating on the water.

A fascinating overnight excursion from Yangon is to Kyaikhtiyo and the Golden Rock, an enormous boulder covered in gold leaf with a small pagoda on top. It is a major Buddhist site, and if you have the time, you can join the steady stream of pilgrims on the walk to the top (or take the easy option and drive up!)

Ngapali Beach and Ngwe Saung, located on the beautiful Bay of Bengal, are ‘get away from it all’ destinations with a few traditional-style resorts tucked away beneath coconut palms on wide beaches. Here you can enjoy water sports, watch the fishermen at work or have a round of golf.