Where to Stay in Yangon: Best neighborhoods

Yangon is no longer the capital, but it reflects modern Myanmar more than anywhere else in the country. As Myanmar's largest city, its history spans British invasion in the 1800s, Japanese occupation during World War II, and a recent influx of international influences as tourists have started to pour in. Hotels have gone up throughout the city, but its neighborhoods have lost none of their appeal. At the center is the mesmerizing Shwedagon Paya, where Buddhist monks and travelers mingle at the shrines. Elsewhere, visitors will find one of the best markets in Southeast Asia, faded colonial-era architecture, and an ever-growing range of affordable places to stay.

Top Places to Stay for Temples

The Shwedagon Paya is Myanmar's most famous Buddhist site and well worth a visit, but Yangon has other shrines as well. Staying nearby in Dagon Township puts many religious sites in easy reach, including the adjacent People's Park and nearby Alanpya Pagoda. Also worth a visit is the Maha Wizaya Pagoda, completed more recently in 1980. The gilded Sule Pagoda is at the heart of Yangon downtown, closer to a much wider range of places to stay, including fancy additions from five-star global chains. For easy visits in early mornings to the city's famous Chauk Htat Kyi Pagoda, home to an enormous reclining Buddha, stay in Bahan to the northeast.

Yangon Downtown

Yangon Downtown is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Junction City and Bogyoke Market.

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Bahan

Unique features of Bahan include the lake views and gardens. Make a stop by Shwedagon Pagoda or Kandawgyi Lake while you're exploring the area.

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Great Neighborhoods for Shopping

Stay in the district of Pabedan in Yangon downtown to be near Myanmar's major shopping destination: Bogyoke Aung San Market. Originally built by the British, it's now the top spot to pick up souvenirs of lacquerbware, traditional longyis, wooden bowls, and precious stones. With a little searching find artisan-made fair trade crafts. Pomelo, also downtown, is a good place to shop. For a modern mall-style experience, explore Junction City just to the north. Those who want to stay a little farther from the center of the city in Mayangone will find street food and souvenir stalls around Thiri Mingala Kabar Aye Pagoda.

Yangon Downtown

Yangon Downtown is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Junction City and Bogyoke Market.

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Mayangone

You'll enjoy the bars and live music in Mayangone. You might want to make time for a stop at Myanmar Golf Club or Kaba Aye Pagoda.

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Where to Stay for Dining

It's hard to keep pace with the number of new restaurants opening in Yangon. Staying in the Kandawgyi Lake Area is a good choice for scenic dining options overlooking the lake. Look for Asian dishes including Chinese dim sum. The food scene also thrives in Yangon downtown, where traditional spots serve authentic Burmese dishes alongside restaurants merging high-end farm-to-table concepts with local ingredients. Try mohinga for breakfast. Staying and eating here is a good way to sample regional dishes, such as Shan noodles, before heading off to explore the rest of the country. More local neighborhoods such as North Dagon Township are also seeing new openings including the Pinlon Hawker Centre, run by the same team behind the upscale downtown Rangoon Tea House.

Kandawgyi Lake Area

Kandawgyi Lake Area is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Kandawgyi Lake or Yangon Zoological Gardens.

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