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Yangon Travel Blogs

Background: Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. Despite multiparty legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the ruling junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and is currently under house arrest. In December 2004, the junta announced it was extending her detention for at least an additional year. Her supporters, as well as all those who promote democracy and improved human rights, are routinely harassed or jailed.

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By Team A2
December 5th 2009

Day 52: Merry Christmas Buddha? Asia » Burma » Yangon

It looks like Father Christmas threw up in the lobby of the ParkRoyal Hotel. The lobby is decorated in a garish red/green/gold theme. Several huge Christmas trees, covered in long loops of sparkling lights and glittering ornaments, are located just inside the entry. Christmas carols are blaring on the hotel's speaker system. The Christmas decorations don't stop at the lobby....the exterior of the hotel is also exploding with colored lights and decorations. Large signs plastered with images of Mickey, Minny, Goofy and friends in festive attire invite guests to enjoy a "Very Disney [View Full Entry]

By Team A2
November 28th 2009

Day 45: Burma or Myanmar? Asia » Burma » Yangon

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What do you think of when you hear the word "Burma"? British men (wearing linen suits) sipping gin and tonics while resting in wicker chairs being cooled by ceiling fans? Stunning ancient temples and abundant natural resources? A horrible and oppressive military regime? Cyclone Nargis in 2008 and the government's initial refusal to accept foreign aid? Democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi's ongoing house arrest? It's all of the above. Here's what we know about Burma based on information contained in our guidebook and other sources: Burma/Myanmar is one of the poorest countries in A [View Full Entry]

By lanegra
September 5th 2009

The Old Capital of Myanmar Asia » Burma » Yangon

Welcome!

Myanmar, Burma..... whichever you call it, it's definitely worth a visit to if you can figure out how to get here. I think BKK and SIN are two sure shot ways. There's also the Visa you need to apply for (can't get it on arrival), and bring fresh/clean/pristine 100$ usd only. There are no ATMs, travellers cheques are not accepted, nor are credit cards. Fun right, well actually that's the fun part. You can change money in most hotels or in the Boyoke Market in Yangon for anywhere btw 1025-1100k per dollar. The money is kyat (pronouced chot) and the largest [View Full Entry]

By The Doc moves to Thailand
June 30th 2009

Our Burma experience, traversing a country less travelled Asia » Burma » Yangon

Shwedagon Paya

To go or not to go to Burma? This is the question that plays on most people’s minds about travelling to a country where the military government’s human rights record is abominable and by visiting you put money into their pockets through tourism revenue received in taxes and various charges. It is particularly a difficult decision to make when you have been working with refugees from Burma and are exposed to the kinds of atrocities they have fled from and survived under the junta. Aung San Su Kyi asks foreigners to boycott travel to Burma but in another interview sugge [View Full Entry]

By Asienneuburg
June 22nd 2009

Myanmar Asia » Burma » Yangon

Pagoden und wir

Myanmar. Yangon. Gleich den ersten Tag verbrachten wir uns auf die bequeme Tour. Mit einem Guide. Andrew nannte er sich nachdem er unsere Aussprache von seinem wahren Namen Aung Mya als Beleidigung empfand. Zuerst ins Hotel, das einzige während der ganzen Reise mit warmen Wasser, aber das wussten wir eben damals noch nicht. Sonst haetten wir eine Thermosflasche mit handgeschoepften yangoner Hochquellwasser für die Reise mitgenommen. Den Tag verbrachten wir vor und in der groesten Pagode, Shwedagon (keine Sorge wird keine Prüfungsfrage) Buddas wohin das Auge blickt, dazwischen Mönche und No [View Full Entry]

By Jack Kerouac
May 31st 2009

Around Rangoon Asia » Burma » Yangon

Neugierige Kids im Dorf

Trotz regnerischer Witterung bin ich zusammen mit Min Thu, der mich schon durch Rangun gefuehrt hat, zu einem Dorf ausserhalb von Rangun in Richtung Ayerwadi-Delta gefahren. Dazu bedarf es einer Erlaubnis des Office of Tourism, die jedoch innerhalb von fuenf Minuten kostenlos erledigt war. Mit der Faehre ging es ueber den Yangon River, fuer Einheimische kostet die Ueberfahrt 100 Kyat, fuer Touris 1000 Kyat. Allgemein gelten sehr oft verschiedene Preise fuer Touris und Einheimische, vor allem bei oeffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln und Eintrittsgeldern. Dann gings weiter mit einem Share-Taxi u [View Full Entry]

Alle lauschen gespannt meinen Erzaehlungen

By Jack Kerouac
May 27th 2009

Rangun Asia » Burma » Yangon

Shwedagon Pagoda

Nachdem ich nun seit Jahren mit dem Gedanken spiele, bin ich nun endlich in Myanmar angekommen. Vor vier Tagen nahm ich morgens den AirAsia Flug nach Rangun. Dieses Land ist mal eine neue Herausforderung, was Reisen angeht. Ohne Visum geht gar nix, und die Menschen in der Festungs-aehnlichen Botschaft in Bangkok sind extrem unfreundlich. Meine Antragsformulare habe ich von der Website der Botschaft Myanmars in Deutschland ausgedruckt. Da sie aber die falsche Kopfzeile hatten, musste ich die identischen Formulare in Bangkok nochmal ausfuellen. 20 Euro kostet das Visum, "Express-Fee" fuer ein [View Full Entry]

By geoffandmazi
May 25th 2009

Shwedagon Paya Asia » Burma » Yangon

Shwedagon Paya

When I hear the name Shwedagon Paya I think of a massive temple with lavish decor. Large diamonds (the biggest one is the size of my fist) and rubies crown the tip of the really high gold pagoda. Many people come to pray, pay respect to the Buddha or just to get away from the stress in their lives. There are many monks who relax and meditate. Even some monks can't resist taking pictures of the grand display of gold leafed pagodas and buddhas. We went to the Paya (temple) twice, once in the afternoon and again at night to see [View Full Entry]

By Bamarlay
April 9th 2009

Complete Shwedagon Pagoda Guide Asia » Burma » Yangon

Myanmar2day has published the most complete and up to date guide to Shwedagon Pagoda on their blog. The Shwedagon Pagoda Guide is run in a series of detailed articles starting from the history of Shwedagon Pagoda, detailed description of each structures and largely unknown "Wonders of Shwedagon". This is currently the most complete guide to Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar. [View Full Entry]

By joe5710
February 20th 2009

my friends and i in yangon Asia » Burma » Yangon

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I really like yangon.i go to the different townships and check out the nice neighbourhoods.i sponsor a fmily and with them it gets me into peoples homes, where i can get some photos.when in yangon i stay at motherland2.it is in a quiet neighbourhood and it was 7$ a night single which includes breakfast and airport pick up and drop off.my friend..pic 66...took me to a palm farm about 2 hours outside of yangon and his friends enjoyed fried rat which i did not partake in. [View Full Entry]

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