Yangon (formerly Rangoon) is the largest city and main economic hub of Myanmar. It is located at the convergence of the Yangon and Bago Rivers. It is a cosmopolitan city which still maintains its colonial charm with wide tree lined avenues, tranquil lakes, and gracious turn of the century architecture.
The magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda dominates the city skyline, while at street level Yangon is a paradise for hunting out a variety of exotic arts and crafts. Among the many attractions and sites in Yangon are the Sule Pagoda, People's Park and a trip on the Circular Train. At night time Chinatown comes alive with its pungent aromas and delicious street food.
Things to See & Do
* Shwedagon Paya - Pagoda
* Sule Pagoda
* People’s Park
* The Circular Train
* The Dallah Ferry – village across the river from Yangon
General information
Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – kyat (K) (MMK)
Language – Burmese
Population – 4,350,000 approx
Land Area – 231.2 km²
Electricity – 2 vertical square pins and one perpendicular below British style
Time - GMT plus six and a half hours
International Country Telephone Code – +95
Port Location – The port is located on the right (western) bank of the Irrawaddy River, across and just south of Allanmyo, between Pyay (Prome) and Magway.
Travel Links – Yangon International Airport (Mingladon) (RGN) is located approximately 30 minutes north of the city centre. Currently undergoing a major upgrade and renovation of existing facilities, it contains both international and domestic terminals. There are direct flights to RGN from Bangkok, Chiang Mai,Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Gaya, Kolkata, Kunming, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Taipei.
There are several train lines that connect Yangon to the rest of Burma. Several trains daily connect Yangon to Mandalay via Bago with connections to Bagan and the Inle Lake area at Thazi.
Most buses (for destinations as Bagan, Kalaw, Mondalay, Taunggyi for Inle Lake, Bago, Hpa-An, Mwlamyiane, Pyay) depart from the Aung Mingalar Bus Terminal (also known as Highway Bus Station), a bit out of the city and beyond the airport, on the Pyay Road. Buses for the Irrawaddy delta region (Pathein, Chaungtha Beach, Ngwe Saung Beach), however, depart from the Hlaing Thar Yar Bus Terminal across the Bayintnaung Bridge.
Yangon's four main passenger jetties, all located on or near downtown waterfront, mainly serve local ferries across the river to Dala and Thanlyin, and regional ferries to the Irrawaddy delta.