Tradition and culture in Yangon

General information

Destination
Yangon, Myanmar

Program details

Ready to see what all the fuss is about? Burma (Myanmar) has a truly fascinating history, tradition, and culture, and this Yangon city tour will give you the opportunity to explore some of the city’s icons and better understand local life here. Meet your local, English-speaking guide, jump in our van, and head to the Aung San Museum, situated in the 1920s colonial house that was the last residence of General Aung San, founder of Burma until his assassination in 1947. Also the home where his daughter, Nobel Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi grew up, the museum is dedicated to the General’s adult life and features exhibits, family photos, handwritten notes, personal mementos, famous speeches, as well as his car.


After a short, yet fascinating, visit to the museum, your cultural tour of Yangon will continue with a walk through the local residential area, through Kandawgyi Park. Along the way, your guide will share local stories and anecdotes, as well as answer the many questions you likely have about local life in the city. We’ll pause for a tea break and people watching before heading into the Shwedagon Pagoda. Inside the eastern entrance of the Pagoda you’ll find a very different type of local market, which will give you an idea of how significant Buddhism is in daily life here in Burma.


After enjoying the market for a bit, we’ll climb a long, stair-filled corridor up to the Pagoda platform, accompanied by your guide’s explanation of locals’ unique Buddhist beliefs. The magnificent golden dome of the Pagoda rises an impressive 98 metres above its base and is said to have been covered with tons and tons of pure gold, along with numerous precious stones such as jade, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. Humbling in its beauty, the Pagoda dome is one of the city’s most iconic places, and is the perfect spot in which to cap off a Yangon city tour of tradition and culture.


After sufficient time exploring the Pagoda and its dome, we’ll meet our van and head back to the meeting point, about a thirty-minute drive away. Should you wish to remain at the Pagoda, you are welcome to do so, however you will be responsible for your own transportation back into the centre of town.


Meeting/pick-up point: In front of Asia Plaza Hotel. 277 Bog Yoke Aung San Road, corner of 38th Street. Downtown Yangon.

Duration: Between four and five hours.

Start/opening time: At 2pm.

End/closing time: Between 6pm and 7pm.

Languages: English.

Others: Shoes must be removed when entering the Aung San Musuem. Photography is not permitted in the interior of the Aung San Museum.