Jaka
Top Local Tour Guide Alternatives in Yangon
![Myanmar (Burmese: မြန်မာ; MLCTS: Mranma, pronounced [mjəmà]), officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, also known as Burma (the official name until 1989), is a country in Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has a population of about 55 million. It is bordered by Bangladesh and India to its northwest, China to its northeast, Laos and Thailand to its east and southeast, and the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to its south and southwest. The country's capital city is Naypyidaw, and its largest city is Yangon (formerly Rangoon).Early civilisations in the area included the Tibeto-Burman-speaking Pyu city-states in Upper Myanmar and the Mon kingdoms in Lower Myanmar. In the 9th century, the Bamar people entered the upper Irrawaddy valley, and following the establishment of the Pagan Kingdom in the 1050s, the Burmese language, culture, and Theravada Buddhism slowly became dominant in the country. The Pagan Kingdom fell to Mongol invasions, and several warring states emerged. In the 16th century, reunified by the Taungoo dynasty, the country became the largest empire in the history of Southeast Asia for a short period. The early 19th-century Konbaung dynasty ruled over an area that included modern Myanmar and briefly controlled Manipur and Assam as well. The British East India Company seized control of the administration of Myanmar after three Anglo-Burmese Wars in the 19th century, and the country became a British colony. After a brief Japanese occupation, Myanmar was reconquered by the Allies. On 4 January 1948, Myanmar declared independence under the terms of the Burma Independence Act 1947.
Myanmar's post-independence history has continued to be checkered by unrest and conflict. The coup d'état in 1962 resulted in a military dictatorship under the Burma Socialist Programme Party. On 8 August 1988, the 8888 Uprising then resulted in a nominal transition to a multi-party system two years later, but the country's post-uprising military council refused to cede power, and has continued to rule the country through to the present. The country remains riven by ethnic strife among its myriad ethnic groups and has one of the world's longest-running ongoing civil wars. The United Nations and several other organisations have reported consistent and systemic human rights violations in the country. In 2011, the military junta was officially dissolved following a 2010 general election, and a nominally civilian government was installed. Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners were released and the 2015 Myanmar general election was held, leading to improved foreign relations and eased economic sanctions, although the country's treatment of its ethnic minorities, particularly in connection with the Rohingya conflict, continued to be a source of international tension and consternation. Following the 2020 Myanmar general election, in which Aung San Suu Kyi's party won a clear majority in both houses, the Burmese military (Tatmadaw) again seized power in a coup d'état. The coup, which was widely condemned by the international community, led to continuous ongoing widespread protests in Myanmar and has been marked by violent political repression by the military, as well as a larger outbreak of the civil war. The military also arrested Aung San Suu Kyi in order to remove her from public life, and charged her with crimes ranging from corruption to the violation of COVID-19 protocols; all of the charges against her are "politically motivated" according to independent observers.Myanmar is a member of the East Asia Summit, Non-Aligned Movement, ASEAN, and BIMSTEC, but it is not a member of the Commonwealth of Nations despite once being part of the British Empire. Myanmar is a Dialogue Partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The country is very rich in natural resources, such as jade, gems, oil, natural gas, teak and other minerals, as well as also endowed with renewable energy, having the highest solar power potential compared to other countries of the Great Mekong Subregion. However, Myanmar has long suffered from instability, factional violence, corruption, poor infrastructure, as well as a long history of colonial exploitation with little regard to human development. In 2013, its GDP (nominal) stood at US$56.7 billion and its GDP (PPP) at US$221.5 billion. The income gap in Myanmar is among the widest in the world, as a large proportion of the economy is controlled by cronies of the military junta. Myanmar is one of the least developed countries; as of 2020, according to the Human Development Index, it ranks 147 out of 189 countries in terms of human development, the lowest in Southeast Asia. Since 2021, more than 600,000 people were displaced across Myanmar due to the surge in violence post-coup, with more than 3 million people in dire need of humanitarian assistance.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Flag_of_Myanmar.svg)
The Biggest Local Tour Guide in Myanmar (Burma)
The three top local tour guide alternatives that are very popular in Yangon are:
- Digital Tour Guides
- Self-Guided Walking Tours
- Local Travel Apps
1. Digital Tour Guides: With the advancement of technology, many tourists now prefer using digital tour guides instead of hiring local tour guides. These digital guides come in the form of mobile applications that provide comprehensive information about the city, including attractions, historical sites, restaurants, and transportation options. They often include offline maps, audio guides, and suggested itineraries, allowing visitors to explore Yangon at their own pace and convenience. Some popular digital tour guides for Yangon include “Myanmar Tours & Guides” and “Yangon Travel Guide”. These apps provide a wealth of information and can be easily accessed on smartphones.
2. Self-Guided Walking Tours: Yangon is a city that can be explored on foot, and self-guided walking tours are a great alternative to hiring a local tour guide. There are several self-guided walking tour routes available online and in travel guidebooks that take visitors to the city’s main attractions, such as the Shwedagon Pagoda, Sule Pagoda, and the colonial buildings in downtown Yangon. These tours often include detailed maps, historical information, and suggested stops along the way. The advantage of self-guided walking tours is that they offer flexibility, allowing visitors to spend more time at places of interest and explore at their own pace.
3. Local Travel Apps: Another popular alternative to local tour guides in Yangon are local travel apps. These apps, such as “Go Yangon” and “Yangon Bus Ticket”, provide practical information about transportation, accommodation, dining, and attractions in the city. They offer real-time information on bus routes, taxi fares, and even local events happening in Yangon. These apps are especially useful for independent travelers who prefer to plan their own itineraries and explore the city on their own. They provide valuable insights and recommendations from locals and fellow travelers, helping visitors make the most of their time in Yangon.
Thank you for taking the time to read our article. For more in-depth reviews and comprehensive ratings on the Local Tour Guide spots, please explore the recommended articles listed below.
- Discover the Biggest Water Park in Mandalay
Top Water Park Alternatives in Mandalay The Biggest Water Park in Myanmar (Burma) While Mandalay may not have traditional water..
- The 7 Biggest Water Park in Yangon
Thank you for taking the time to read our article. For more in-depth reviews and comprehensive ratings on the Water..
- The 4 Biggest Water Park in Naypyidaw
2. Shwe Kyar Pin Water Park: Located near Thapye Chaung Village, Shwe Kyar Pin Water Park is known for its..
- The 7 Biggest Phone Store in Mandalay
Thank you for taking the time to read our article. For more in-depth reviews and comprehensive ratings on the Phone..