Yangon, Myanmar’s capital, is an exciting city to visit; an eclectic mix of Buddhist temples, shopping malls and timeworn colonial architecture.
Wake up early and you’ll see red-garbed monks going on their morning alms walk. Pick up a bowl of mohinga – noodles in a hearty fish broth topped with coriander and crispy shallots – from a local stall for breakfast.
Take a stroll through the downtown area, where you’ll see some examples of colonial architecture including the red-bricked Secretariat, the seat of power for colonial Burma. The city’s most iconic landmark is the Shwedagon Pagoda, with an impressive, gilded 99-metre high stupa.
For something a little more offbeat, head to the Yangon Drugs Elimination Museum. Housed in a brutalist building, it contains a series of solemn exhibits detailing the government’s efforts to stamp out drug use, as well as a surreal diorama detailing the dangers of substance abuse.
Yangon has the best dining scene in the country – as well as streets lined with snack stalls, you’ll also find upmarket restaurants serving Thai, Japanese and Indian cuisine. Come nightfall, head to Chinatown’s 19th Street, where you’ll find atmospheric outdoor restaurants serving beer, cocktails and barbecued skewers.
