A weekend getaway in the up and coming destination

Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is Myanmar's largest metropolis and a poster child for the country's state of flux after its recent liberalisation. Still a relatively undiscovered destination in Asia, the city is caught between its Colonial heritage with boulevards of once-glorious, decaying architecture, a crop of new entrepreneurs and artists trying to push it into the 21st century, and the local Shwe people just trying to eke out a livelihood.

There's certainy more than enough to keep you occupied for a weekend. 

Read more: 48 Hours of Khmer Cuisine And Temple Hopping In Siem Reap

Friday

11.30pm: Touchdown and check in

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Photo: Courtesy of Belmond Governor's Residence

The Friday Dragonair flight is the best option to fly into Yangon from Hong Kong. After landing at 11:30pm, head straight to your hotel to rest and reset for the weekend ahead.

Belmond Governor’s Residence is rarely disputed as the best luxury hotel in Yangon. The elegant, 1920s Colonial mansion is a haven that takes you to another time and place, and the lush, serene grounds feel like a true home with the exceptional staff anticipating your every need. Rooms are beautifully appointed with teak wood flooring and carved furniture, and dining options in the open air verandas are excellent. Their Governor's Getaway package is perfect for weekend trips.

While the choice of luxury accomodations in Yangon is still quite limited, The Strand and Savoy are both good alternative options. The Strand is an iconic landmark built in 1901, while Savoy Hotel is a little more off the beaten path. An intimate 30-room mansion full of old-world charm, the boutique Savoy is conveniently located just a short walk from Shwedagon Pagoda. 

Belmond Governor's Residence, 35 Taw Win Road, Dagon Township, Yangon, +95 1 229 860, belmond.com
Savoy Hotel Yangon, 129 Dhammazedi Road, Yangon, +95 1 526 289, savoy-myanmar.com
The Strand Hotel, 92 Strand Road, Yangon, +95 1 243 377, hotelthestrand.com

Saturday

9am: Mohinga breakfast

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Photo: Courtesy of Belmond Governor's Residence

Start the day with a bowl of mohinga, Burma’s favourite breakfast and what many consider to be its national dish. The rice noodles in thick fish soup, eaten with a mix of condiments that include garlic, onions, lemongrass, ginger and fish sauce, are delicious and filling. You'll find them at any streetside vendor or local café—but if your stomach isn’t quite up for an adventure yet, most hotel buffets serve it as well.

 10am: Downtown heritage walk

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The Secretariat (Photo: Grace Chee/Hong Kong Tatler)

Head downtown and take a nostalgic walk back in time to the 19th century, amongst the crumbling Colonial-era mansions and moss-covered brick buildings that line Pansodan Street and Strand Road.

Don’t miss the Accountant General’s Office, the Former Myanmar Railway Headquarters and the gated Secretariat (General Aung San, father of Burmese democracy, was assassinated here in 1947), all patiently awaiting restoration in their decaying grandeur.

12pm: Ferry across to Dalla

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Photo: Grace Chee/Hong Kong Tatler 

Pansodan Ferry Terminal is right next to Strand Road. A ten-minute ride on the crowded public ferry will take you to Dalla, a tiny provincial township just across the bustling Yangon River. Take a 30-minute trishaw tour around the local villages for an eye-opening experience of life for the average Burmese. While the short excursion is definitely doable on your own, we suggest hiring a tour guide to ensure a safe and smooth experience. 

1pm: Tea leaf salad and coconut noodles

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Tea leaf salad (Photo: Courtesy of Rangoon Tea House)

For lunch, stop by hipster favourite Rangoon Tea House, popular with both the expat crowd and young, well-to-do Burmese.The lower level is a light-filled café, while the upper floor Toddy Bar has a moodier vibe. This is a great place to try traditional Burmese recipes and street snacks, which are known for their strong flavours—we recommend the coconut noodles and the tea leaf salad, a unique local dish of pickled tea leaves and crispy nuts quite unlike anything we've tasted.

Rangoon Tea House, 77-79 Pansodan Road, Yangon, +95 9 979 078681, facebook.com/RangoonTeaHouse

2pm: Gallery hopping

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Myanm/art gallery space (Photo: Courtesy of Myanm/art)

In the afternoon, explore the blossoming local art scene downtown. Still in its infancy on the international market, Burmese contemporary art has many undervalued treasures amongst the emotive reflections of the country’s political and social turmoil.

River Gallery is a pioneer and mainstay in the Rangoon art community. Opened in 2005 by New Zealander Gill Pattison, the gallery was originally located in Strand Hotel but has since moved just around the corner to the Chindwin Chambers. The sizable space carries paintings, sculptures and installations from some of Myanmar’s best artists, including Aung Ko, Aung Myint and Htein Lin.

 Nathalie Johnston’s labour of love Myanm/art is also a must-visit. Representing young, emerging artists using alternative mediums, the gallery provides a free exhibition space that helps them gain international exposure and access to buyers. Afterwards, catch your breath at Pansuriya café downstairs with a cup of lah phet yay, then head next door for a look at Ivan Pun’s newly opened furniture showroom-slash-eatery Paribawga.  

River Gallery, Chindwin Chambers, 37th and 38th Street, Yangon, +95 1 378 617, rivergallerymyanmar.com
Myanm/art, 3/F, 98 Bo Galay Zay Street, Yangon, +95 9 421 161755, myanmartevolution.com

6pm: Dinner and drinks at the Strand

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Sarkies Bar (Photo: Courtesy of Strand Hotel)

End the day with dinner and drinks at the recently (and beautifully) renovated Strand Hotel, a historic landmark from the Colonial era on the riverfront Strand boulevard. Sip on a Strand Sour at Sarkies Bar, where the likes of Rudyard Kipling or Orson Welles once sated their thirst, before a mediterranean feast at The Strand Restaurant.

The Strand Restaurant & Sarkies Bar, Strand Hotel, 92 Strand Road, Yangon, +95 1 243 377, hotelthestrand.com

Sunday

10am: A ride on the circle train

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Take a cab to the Yangon central station and get on board the Circular train alongside Burmese commuters for a taste of local life. The entire loop winds through the city and into the countryside, taking about three hours, but you can get off whenever you want. We suggest alighting at Hledan station for a walk around the morning market.

12pm: Lunch al-fresco

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Photo: Courtesy of Kipling’s Restaurant

The charming Kipling’s Restaurant offers delicious pan-Asian cuisine (think sea bass curry with coconut cream, lemongrass chicken and teriyaki beef brisket) in elegant surroundings. If the weather isn't too hot, ask for a table on the shaded wooden terrace for an al-fresco lunch.

Kipling’s Restaurant, Savoy Hotel Yangon, 129 Dhammazedi Road, Yangon, +95 1 526 289, savoy-myanmar.com

2pm: Shopping for ethnic textiles

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Photo: Courtesy of Yoyamay

Spend a few hours wandering through the Bogyoke Aung San Market (formerly known as the Scott Market), a warren of little stores hawking jewellery, textiles, rattan crafts and more. Stock up on longyis (the Burmese sarong) and thanaka paste (the ubiquitous white 'paint' you see on Burmese faces) to bring home for souvenirs, then head upstairs to Yoyamay, a slickly run boutique with exquisite, collector-quality ethnic Chin textiles.   

Yoyamay, #20, 2/F Main Building, Bogyoke Market, Bogyoke Aung San Road, 11143 Yangon, +95 9 450 029481, yoyamay.com

6pm: Sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda 

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Photo: Thinkstock

We’ve saved the best for the last. Sunset at the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon’s most emblematic landmark and Myanmar’s most sacred Buddhist pagoda, is a magnificent way to remember the country. Take a seat next to the pilgrims and admire the sixth century stupa as it transforms from a bright, shimmering gold into a gentle, subdued glimmer against the dusky blue sky.

8pm: Dinner at Le Planteur

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Photo: Courtesy of Le Planteur

End the trip with a candlelit French dinner at the elegant Le Planteur. Located next to the picturesque Inya Lake, it’s one of Yangon’s best fine-dining restaurants. Have one last glass of wine at the bar, before catching the red-eye back to Hong Kong.

Le Planteur, 80 University Avenue, Bahan Township, Yangon, +95 1 514 230, leplanteur.net


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