The 7 Largest Tourist Attraction in Yangon

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Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a Southeast Asian country renowned for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and captivating history. The country boasts numerous tourist attractions that allure travelers from around the world. Here are the five largest tourist attractions in Myanmar:

  1. Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon:
  • Located in the heart of Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda is a towering golden stupa that is considered the most sacred Buddhist site in Myanmar.
  • It is believed to have been built around 2,500 years ago and is adorned with gold leaf, precious stones, and intricate carvings.
  • Visitors can ascend the pagoda’s terraces to enjoy panoramic views of the city and observe the intricate details of the stupa’s architecture.
  1. Bagan Archaeological Zone, Bagan:
  • Spread over a vast plain near the Irrawaddy River, the Bagan Archaeological Zone is home to thousands of ancient Buddhist temples, stupas, and monasteries.
  • Dating back to the 9th to 13th centuries, the ruins of Bagan offer a glimpse into Myanmar’s glorious past and the architectural marvels of the Pagan Kingdom.
  • Visitors can explore the site by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn cart, marveling at the intricate designs and well-preserved murals that adorn the temples.
  1. Inle Lake, Shan State:
  • Nestled amidst rolling hills and picturesque landscapes, Inle Lake is a tranquil freshwater lake in Shan State.
  • Known for its floating gardens and villages built on stilts, the lake offers a unique glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the Intha people.
  • Visitors can take a boat tour to explore the floating gardens, visit local villages, and witness traditional fishing techniques.
  1. Mandalay Palace, Mandalay:
  • Once the royal palace of the Konbaung dynasty, the Mandalay Palace is an opulent complex located in the city of Mandalay.
  • Built in the late 19th century, the palace showcases traditional Burmese architecture and features elaborate pavilions, throne halls, and gardens.
  • Visitors can tour the palace grounds, admire the intricate carvings and murals, and gain insights into Myanmar’s royal history.
  1. U Bein Bridge, Amarapura:
  • Spanning over 1.2 kilometers, the U Bein Bridge is the longest teakwood bridge in the world.
  • Located in the town of Amarapura, near Mandalay, the bridge crosses Taungthaman Lake and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
  • Visitors can stroll along the bridge, enjoying the serene atmosphere and observing the daily life of local villagers.
Maha Satkya Atulamanaung Ngarhtatgyi in Yangon
Maha Satkya Atulamanaung Ngarhtatgyi in Yangon

The 7 Biggest Tourist Attraction near Yangon

Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple

  • Address: R567+MFQ, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (2289)
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: Open 24 hours
    Tuesday: Open 24 hours
    Wednesday: Open 24 hours
    Thursday: Open 24 hours
    Friday: Open 24 hours
    Saturday: Open 24 hours
    Sunday: Open 24 hours
  • Reviews:
    Chiquita Maria✭✭✭✭
    4 months ago
    Very large resting Buddha, 65 m, about 210 ft., definitely a must see in Yangoon. We enjoyed it very much. Lots of youngsters that wanted to practice their foreign language skills. Mothers with their babies. Everyone was so friendly and the temple is very colorful and pretty.
    leo lobarbio✭✭✭✭✭
    7 months ago
    Worth visiting. Very peacefull. Didnt expect to be that big in person. Spend minutes admiring Buddha’s face and the way his manicured hand support his head. The bare metal frames and trusses adds the charm to the temple. One of the most memorable temples I visited around Southeast Asia
    Kitchet Nualsoot✭✭✭✭✭
    7 months ago
    A must visit large scale lounging Buddha if you are in Yangon. A very beautiful and serene place. Much bigger than I expected. I love this magnificent and peaceful place.
    Ngân Lê✭✭✭✭✭
    6 months ago
    I was late for my flight so I stayed in Yangon without planning ahead. Visiting this temple was not in my plan either. I got an uber and he became my tour guide. This is one of the places he took me to. The reclining Buddha image was impressive. At the time I did not understand the meaning of the image, but I was still overwhelmed. Now that I know the story of thus image, I hope I will have another chance to visit this temple ???

    The man statue is Sir Po Tha, a wealthy Burmese who sponsored this temple.

    A very worthy visit

    Bars Bars✭✭✭✭✭
    4 weeks ago
    The biggest Reclining Buddha in Myanmar with full length 66.95 m. and high 17.36 m. Its construction began more than 100 years ago and have finished only in 1970s with installing eyes. The the Buddha’s eyes are the most amazing thing – to make the class eyes lively the have tried many times. This Buddha is so famous so it’s easy to find this Temple.

Shwedagon Pagoda

  • Address: Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (17157)
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Tuesday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Wednesday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Thursday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Friday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Saturday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    Sunday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    Nattawan S✭✭✭✭✭
    a month ago
    Highly recommended! Stunning pagoda. Recommend to go in the evening it’s not so hot and you can spend time till night which is very beautiful the entrance fee is 20,000 kyat
    Rachel M✭✭✭✭✭
    2 months ago
    One of the most stunning landmarks I’ve ever visited in my entire life! Even if you’re not spiritual, I believe you can feel positive energy here. As of November 2023, the entrance fee for foreigners is 20,000 K. The whole place is quiet massive, and the floor can be too hot for bear feet during the day. Therefore, visiting as dusk is strongly recommended. Also, it’s magical! Prepare a bag to put your shoes in if you don’t plan to exit through the same gate you get in; it’ll save you a lot of time.
    Kay (KZW)✭✭✭✭✭
    4 months ago
    One of the most famous pagoda in Myanmar. It was built since 1362. It is considered to be one of the oldest Buddhist stupas in the world that enshrines Buddha’s hair strands in its core. You will be very peaceful by just sitting ‌at the square; hearing the sound of birds and the bell. You can feel that in the video.
    Y S✭✭✭✭✭
    4 months ago
    Great pagoda. One of largest and most important one in Myanmar. 10,000MMK for foreigners. It may take 45-60 min. walking inside of this property. There are few water fountain to drink, free of charge. Just be careful with stranger who is coming close to you and start guiding. Usually, they speak fluent English and explain history of this pagoda. If you want to pay for the guide fee, please let him take care of you. It was said 30,000MMK after the guide is done. He would use all of it to his students who are waiting foods and educational goods in northern part of Myanmar… it is totally up to you to believe it or not
    Vũ Hải Nam✭✭✭✭✭
    4 weeks ago
    Visiting Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda was an awe-inspiring experience, a profound encounter with Myanmar’s cultural and spiritual heritage. The pagoda’s golden stupa, adorned with intricate details, captivated me as I approached.

    Inside the pagoda, the atmosphere was serene, with devotees offering prayers and lighting candles. The main platform offered a breathtaking panoramic view of the city, framed by the pagoda’s resplendence. The pagoda’s historical significance, the enshrined relics, and the devotion of pilgrims all added depth to my exploration. The journey to this spiritual sanctuary was a journey into Myanmar’s soul, a testament to its rich traditions.

    Shwedagon Pagoda is more than just a tourist attraction; it’s a cultural and spiritual treasure, an essential pilgrimage for those seeking to immerse themselves in Myanmar’s heritage.

Sule Pagoda

  • Address: Junction of Sule Pagoda Road, Maha Bandula Road, Yangon 11141, Myanmar (Burma)
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.3 (5486)

Maha Satkya Atulamanaung Ngarhtatgyi

  • Address: R556+9XX, ရွှေဂုံတိုင်လမ်း, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.4 (582)

သာဓုကန်(Sandstone)

  • Address: X4P2+M84, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.3 (3)

Tourist Attraction Site

  • Address: Bandoola Park Bus Terminus, Maha Bandula Road, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (10)

Swe Taw Myat Pagoda

  • Address: V4GX+4QC, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (663)
Maha Satkya Atulamanaung Ngarhtatgyi in Yangon
Maha Satkya Atulamanaung Ngarhtatgyi in Yangon

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Top Tourist Attraction Alternatives in Yangon

Tourism in Myanmar (also known as Burma) is a developing sector. As at 2023, new tourist visa applications resume. Although Myanmar possesses tourist potential, much of the industry remains to be developed. The number of visitors to Burma is small compared to its neighbouring countries. This is primarily due to its political situation. However, after the junta transferred power to the civilian government, the tourism sector saw an increase in tourism arrivals, and in 2012, tourist arrivals surpassed the one million mark for the first time. In 2013, the Tourism Master Plan was created, targeting 7.5 million arrivals by 2020.Tourism has been developed mainly by Myanmar's government, which has encouraged tourism since 1992. Private enterprises also exist, catering to a wide range of tourists.
In 2010, 791,505 foreign tourists visited Myanmar, with 295,174 foreign tourists entering the country via Yangon International Airport. By 2012, more than 1 million foreign tourists visited Myanmar. In 2013, the number of foreign arrivals reached more than 2.04 million, counting both air and overland arrivals.Tourism has been promoted by advocacy groups as a method of providing economic benefit to Burmese civilians, and to avoid isolating the country from the rest of the world. Voices for Burma, a pro-democracy advocate group, states, "We believe that small-scale, responsible tourism can create more benefits than harm. So long as tourists are fully aware of the situation and take steps to maximise their positive impact and minimise the negatives, we feel their visit can be beneficial overall. Responsible tourists can help Burma primarily by bringing money to local communities and small businesses, and by raising awareness of the situation worldwide."A former Burmese tourism minister estimated that 12% of the government revenues are derived from tourism, with the tourism industry contributing US$182 million (2007) to the government's annual budget.Since March 2020, Myanmar has closed its borders to international tourists as a measure to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, following the tumultuous political events in February 2021, the country has become increasingly isolated. Large-scale protests and escalating acts of violence have inflicted significant damage upon Myanmar's economy, including the tourism sector, which has been pushed into a state of decline.The country reopened to international flights on April 17, 2022, given the decrease in infection cases and the reopening of neighboring countries. In a statement issued by the committee, the decision to reopen aims to boost the tourism sector and provide favorable conditions for visitors to come and explore Myanmar.

The Biggest Tourist Attraction in Myanmar (Burma)

Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, is a popular tourist destination that offers a mix of ancient traditions, colonial architecture, and bustling markets. While the city is most famous for its stunning Shwedagon Pagoda, there are several other attractions that are equally worth visiting. Here are the top three tourist attraction alternatives in Yangon:

  • Sule Pagoda: Located in the heart of Yangon, the Sule Pagoda is an important religious site and a symbol of the city. This 2,000-year-old pagoda is said to enshrine a hair relic of the Buddha and is surrounded by modern buildings that reflect the city’s evolving skyline. Visitors can explore the pagoda’s grounds, admire the beautiful architecture, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the surrounding area.
  • Bogyoke Aung San Market: Formerly known as Scott Market, Bogyoke Aung San Market is a must-visit destination for shoppers. This colonial-era market offers a wide range of Myanmar products, including traditional clothing (such as longyis and sarongs), gemstones, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Visitors can bargain with the friendly vendors and enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the market, making it the perfect place to shop for unique gifts or mementos of their trip.
  • Chinatown: Yangon’s vibrant Chinatown is a melting pot of cultures and a haven for foodies. Visitors can stroll through the narrow streets, lined with shops, food stalls, and colorful Chinese temples. This bustling neighborhood comes to life in the evening, with its street food stalls serving a wide variety of delicious Chinese, Burmese, and Indian dishes. Exploring the lively streets of Chinatown is a great way to get a taste of Yangon’s multicultural culinary scene.

If you’re looking to explore beyond the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, these three alternative attractions offer a glimpse into the diverse culture and vibrant atmosphere of Yangon. Whether you’re interested in religious sites, shopping, or sampling local cuisine, these attractions are sure to enhance your visit to this captivating city.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article. For more in-depth reviews and comprehensive ratings on the Tourist Attraction spots, please explore the recommended articles listed below.

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