The best hotels in Yangon

The colonial downtown grid between Strand Road and Mahabandoola Road puts you within walking distance of Sule Pagoda, the old colonial courts, and the waterfront. It is the most atmospheric base for first-time visitors. The Golden Valley in Bahan is the choice for luxury and quiet, 10 minutes by taxi from downtown. Inya Lake is good for university area hotels and has the best mid-range value, around $105 to $160 per night at the Savoy.

The situation in Myanmar changed significantly after the 2021 military coup. As of 2025, Yangon is relatively stable compared to other parts of the country but travel advisories from the US, UK, EU, and Australia all recommend reconsidering travel to Myanmar. The downtown tourist areas, hotel districts, and major pagodas function normally for visitors. Avoid political demonstrations. Check your government's current advisory before booking.

Yangon Airport is 13 kilometers north of the downtown. Official airport taxis cost 8,000 to 12,000 kyat ($4 to $6) and are metered from the official taxi counter. The journey takes 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Grab operates in Yangon and is cheaper for those with data. There is a public bus but it is slow and complicated for first arrivals. Most hotels at the $100+ level will arrange airport pickup for $10 to $15.

Shwedagon Pagoda is non-negotiable, best visited at sunset or early morning. The 2,500-year-old pagoda on Singuttara Hill is the most sacred site in Myanmar. The colonial downtown walking tour from Sule Pagoda along Pansodan Street to The Strand takes 2 hours and passes the old High Court, the Strand Hotel bar, and the city hall. Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) on Bogyoke Aung San Road is the best place to buy lacquerware, gems, and textiles.

Myanmar kyat (MMK) is the main currency. US dollars are accepted at most hotels at the $100+ level. Since the 2021 coup, the official exchange rate is different from the market rate and importation of USD has become restricted. Most travelers use kyat for daily expenses and USD for hotels. ATMs dispense kyat. Crisp, undamaged US dollar bills get the best exchange rates at licensed money changers.

Budget guesthouses near Chinatown (Lanmadaw) run $45 to $70. Mid-range options in Hlaing and Dagon townships run $120 to $180. The Chatrium on Royal Lake costs $135 to $210. Belmond Governor's Residence starts at $280 and The Strand runs $320 to $500. Business-class options around the NH formula run $120 to $185. Yangon is generally good value for the quality you get at mid-range prices.

Grab (the Southeast Asian ride app) is the most reliable and transparent way to get around, with fixed fares before you confirm. Standard taxi meters are common but drivers sometimes quote flat rates for tourists. The Yangon Circular Train offers a 3-hour loop of the city on a single track for 200 kyat, more of an experience than a practical transport option. The downtown grid is walkable for the main colonial sites in a 2-kilometer radius of Sule Pagoda.

November to February is the best time: dry, cool (24 to 28 degrees), and the most comfortable for sightseeing. March and April are the hottest months, reaching 38 to 40 degrees, which makes extended outdoor walking difficult. The monsoon runs from May through October with heavy afternoon rains most days. Shwedagon Pagoda in the rain is atmospheric but the heat of the wet season and flooding in low-lying neighborhoods makes October through April preferable.

Yes, without question. Shwedagon is the most important Buddhist site in Myanmar and one of the most spectacular religious monuments in Southeast Asia. The gold-plated stupa rising 99 meters is covered in 27 metric tons of gold leaf and topped with 4,531 diamonds and other gems. Entry for foreigners costs 10,000 kyat. Arrive at sunset for the best light and the most devotees present. The pagoda is on Singuttara Hill, approximately 2.5 kilometers north of the downtown grid.

Mohinga (rice noodles in fish broth) is the national breakfast dish and best eaten at the 19th Street hawker stalls in Chinatown for 500 to 800 kyat. The Rangoon Tea House on Pansodan Street serves excellent tea shop food and traditional Burmese dishes in a refined setting. The Indian quarter around Pansodan Street has excellent biryani and curry houses. For upscale Burmese cuisine, the Belmond Governor's Residence restaurant is the benchmark.

Stick to the central districts for tourist activity. The North Okkalapa and Shwepyithar outer townships are residential and industrial with nothing of tourist interest and limited transport options. The Hlaingtharyar industrial zone to the west is similarly off the tourist map. Areas around the Theinbyu Road bus station can feel chaotic and overwhelming for first-time arrivals. After dark, avoid walking alone in unlit back streets in any township including the downtown.

Two full days covers the essential sites. Day 1: downtown colonial walking tour, Sule Pagoda, Strand riverfront, Bogyoke Market. Day 2: Shwedagon at sunset, Kandawgyi Lake walk, Karaweik Palace photo stop. A third day lets you take the Circular Train, visit the Scott Market's back section, and explore Chinatown at dusk when the night market on 19th Street is at its best.