Experience as downtown Yangon comes alive on this city walking tour that takes you through the city’s main market district.
First up, you’ll wander through the chaos of Shwe Bontha Street, crammed with locals selling secondhand (and third- and fourth-hand) items — anything and everything from electronics to footwear (shopaholics, you’ve been warned).
But if all the excitement of the market leaves you seeking serenity, you’ll get your dose of Zen as you pass by both Buddhist and Hindu temples on the way toward China Town, and plunge back into a world where streetside vendors dominate the landscape, selling everything from gold to vegetables.
As your Yangon city tour heads into China Town, you’ll stop for a refreshing drink and snack — maybe a green tea at a local tea shop or a freshly squeezed sugarcane juice at a roadside stall. Wherever your thirst guides you! Snap some photos at a nearby temple that’s adorned with hundreds of images depicting mythological scenes.
While this busy area is a shopping hotspot when evening comes, it’s still off the radar for most visitors. With blocks of little boutiques and antique shops tucked down alleyways, you could easily refurbish your house and obtain an entirely new wardrobe in one day (getting those purchases home in your luggage is another matter). And if you’re still hungry, your Yangon tour will make its way through roadside market stalls filled with fruit, vegetables, fresh seafood, and locally cooked delicacies.
Heading onto 19th Street, you’ll discover this small side street is filled vendor after vendor boasting charcoal grills, cooking up all sorts of meats, veggies, and marinades. This is the place to go for street food in Yangon, with lots of outdoor seating, bustling local life, and plenty of beer. Your guide will treat you to some of their favourite snacks and a beer to finish off this unique exploration of downtown Yangon.
Meeting/pick-up point: In front of Asia Plaza Hotel.
Duration: 2 hours.
Start/opening time: At 5pm.
End/closing time: At 7pm.
Drop-off location: 19th Street.
Languages: English.
Dress code: Dress in Burma (Myanmar) is conservative, so lightweight, long-sleeved clothing is appropriate. Skirts, dresses, and shorts should be knee-length or below. Wear comfortable walking shoes and check the weather before you leave, and come equipped with sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a raincoat if necessary.
Others: Includes some snacks, a beer at the end of the tour.