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Walking tour around Yangon downtown

Yangon - We decided to do a walking tour around Yangon downtown.   Our first stop was Sule Pagoda; which was a short distance from Shangri-La hotel.

Sule Pagoda is situated in the center of Yangon and it is one of the its oldest landmarks.   The Pagoda was built about 2200 year ago.   The golden zedi is unusual in that its octagonal shape continues right up to the bell.

Sule Pagoda
We walked along Sule Pagoda Road to Sule Pagoda.  When we reach the Sule Pagoda, we did not enter the Pagoda and just took photos from the outside.   From here it was short walk to the Independence Monument situated in a park.

Independence Monument

High Court Building
There are many colonial buildings in Yangon and this is one of them High Court Building.   We walked down Merchant Road and passed by some interesting buildings.

Bank entrance
This bank building looks very old and dilapidated with dated plastic chairs.

2nd hand book store
Burmese pears at street hawkers
The weather was very humid and I was perspiring with sweat dripping down my face and my tees was soaked.   We had to find a nice cold place to cool off and found this doughnut shop.

Lesley ordering cold drinks and doughnuts

Rubbish strewn everywhere
I found lots of rubbish just strewn along the streets, the stench was unbearable.

Union bar and grill
Our second stop to cool off in this hot and humid day and it was nice with air-con.  We sat down for a while to cool off with drinks and french fries.   The waiter was very friendly and we had a good chat.   It was a short walk down Strand Road to the iconic Strand Hotel.   This is the only historical hotel with a rich colonial background.  Set on Yangon's riverside boulevard, it was opened by hoteliers du jour Aviet and Tigran Sarkies - Persian born Armenians, who were also behind the Eastern & Oriental in Penang and Singapore's Raffles.

Luxury 5-star The Strand Hotel
The Strand Hotel Lobby
We next walk down Strand Road to a Jewish Synagogue on 26th Street.   The people in Yangon are helpful and friendly, and most can speak either English, Malay or Mandarin - as we know all 3 it was quite easy to get around.   The Jewish Synagogue was closed.

Jewish Synagogue
Along 26th Street, you will come across a Muslim Mosque, a Jewish Synagogue, a Hindu Temple and a busy street market.  There were many people at this street wet market.

26th Street wet market
Pork, chicken and fish are not chilled but left in the open for customers to buy.

Fresh fish for sale
Pork left in the humid weather for sale
We cross a bridge overhead the Bogyoke Aung San Road to the iconic colonial Bogyoke Market.  This market was built by Mr C Scott and was called Scott market in 1920.  After 1947, the market was changed to Bogyoke Aung San Market.  There are hundreds of shops selling luxury items, handicrafts, food, clothing, jewellry, fashion and consumer goods.

From the overhead bridge, I could see Shangri-La hotel.

Sule Shangri-La in the distance
Bogyoke Market













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Location: Yangon, Republic of the Union of Myanmar

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