"Yangon - capital and great introduction... " a Rangoon Travel Page by planxty

I've been lucky enough to have travelled round a fair bit of Southeast Asia, inluding some capital cities, and the thing that struck me about Yangon (Rangoon) is that it is very different.

I know it sounds like a ridiculous thing to mention, but one of the first things you notice about the city is the complete absence of scooters, so prevalent everywhere else in the region, and the equal absence of car horns, normally an integral part of Asian driving. I was told that it's because there are so many Government bigwigs about, they don't like the noise of the horns and think scooters make the place look cheap. I don't know how true all that is.

Yangon also has a very marked mix of cultures and religions. A look at the faces will indicate a Chinese influence mixed with local Bamar and all the various tribes that now make up Myanmar, along with influences from the West (Indian and Bangladeshi). This is also reflected in the places of worship, with mosques, churches and temples co-existing quite happily with the predominant Buddhist temples.

I also found the city fairly accessible with most of the main attractions within fairly easy walking distance of each other. And what attractions they are. From the simply magnificent Shwedagon, Sule Paya and the Botataung, to old colonial architecture, the bustle of Chinatown and a fascinating riverscape.

And so to food, one of my greatest delights whilst travelling. Yangon certainly has far and away the best selection of eating options in the country, as you might expect. There is everything ranging from great streetside stalls to restaurants that would not be out of place anywhere in the world.

People looking for a wild nightlife will, however, be disappointed. Most restaurants close at about 2130 and there is virtually nothing open after 2300 (except a few nightclubs which I didn't bother with). Best get to bed early ready for the next days sightseeing.

The vast majority of visitors to Myanmar will start or end their trip here, or probably both. It's a great introduction to the country.