Yangon Old Town & Colonial District
Colonial Heritage in Fascinating Decay
Yangon boasts the largest collection of colonial architecture in all of Southeast Asia — more than Singapore, Phnom Penh, or Ho Chi Minh City. The British made the city (then Rangoon) the capital of British Burma and left behind a legacy of grand buildings in Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco styles. These buildings now stand in a state between grandiose splendor and poetic decay: facades with tropical plants sprouting from cracks, balconies where laundry dries, and entrance halls where teahouses have taken residence.
Highlights in the Colonial District
- Sule Pagoda: A pagoda over 2,000 years old in the middle of a roundabout in the city center, surrounded by colonial buildings, mosques, and Hindu temples. A perfect picture of Yangon's religious diversity. Entrance: 3,000 MMK (approx. 1 EUR).
- Strand Hotel: The legendary colonial hotel from 1901, where Rudyard Kipling and Somerset Maugham once stayed. Even if you're not staying here — a drink in the lobby (from 5 EUR) is a time travel to the era of the British Empire.
- Secretariat (former Ministry Building): The most imposing colonial building in Yangon, where Aung San was assassinated in 1947. Partially open to visitors after years of restoration. A place of enormous historical significance.
- City Hall: The neoclassical city hall at Mahabandoola Garden, opposite the Independence Monument. A photo motif par excellence with the Sule Pagoda in the background.
Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market)
The best market for souvenirs and handicrafts: jade jewelry, rubies, lacquerware from Bagan, longyi fabrics, puppets, and traditional paintings. Over 2,000 shops under one roof. Bargaining is a must — start at 50% of the quoted price. Closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Yangon Circular Railway
The circular railway circles Yangon in about 3 hours — and costs only 200 Kyat (0.06 EUR). A ride that no travel guide overestimates: You rattle through suburbs, past markets, through the real Yangon far from the tourist trails. Vendors get on and off, selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, and snacks. The section around the Insein Station is particularly lively — here, an entire market squeezes into the train. Slow, wobbly, loud, and wonderfully authentic.
