Yangon (Former Rangoon) in Myanmar (Former Burma) holds a compelling attraction for visitors not only because it is the largest city and the commercial hub of the nation but also due to its scenic appeal being surrounded on three sides by water, lovely tree-lined paths, stunning beaches along the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal and the ornate Buddhist Temples dotted around making it the spiritual heart of this predominantly Buddhist Nation among many other unique features to intrigue visitors.

Kandawgyi Lake, Myanmar | Image via wallpaperflare.com

Endowed with a beautiful canvas of graceful rivers, enchanting lakes, and stunning beaches, complementing the breathtaking landscapes of mighty hills and amazing valleys, Yangon offers a treat for discerning visitors who appreciate nature and beauty. Here are some of the outstanding ones you can discover.

Rivers and Lakes – The charm of the Yangon River is unmistakable, and this great body of water has continued to provide life and preserved the culture of scores of people of Myanmar over the years going about their work and doing trade on ferries down this river.

Kandawgyi Lake is situated at the heart of Yangon close to the famous Shwedagon Pagoda offering a great opportunity to witness the majesty of a sunset. Although a man-made lake during the British Rule of Myanmar this beautiful lake is bordered by the Royal Nature Park beckoning visitors from 5-star hotels in Yangon to embrace the beauty and enjoy the sunset.

Beaches – Uncover the utterly gorgeous beaches of Yangon such as Nagapali Beach with white sand fanned by swaying palms offering spectacular snorkeling experiences and Ngwe Saung a dreamy beach for a day by the sea among many other beaches.

Hills and Valleys – There are many trekking options to discover the beauty of the hills and valleys of Yangon during your visit.

Myanmar’s rich culture and heritage are another important aspect visitors love to explore. With a blend of Buddhism encompassing the ornamental temples, numerous shrines, monasteries and spiritual relics, and colonialism as depicted by the architecture of an ancient era all of which can be seen as you explore different parts of this great city.

Shwedagon Pagoda – A magnificent gold-plated pagoda (Stupa) at 99 m height is an iconic landmark showcasing the rich Buddhist Culture. This is venerated by the Buddhists as the most important pilgrim site in Yangon. Viewing this at night when it is lit by spotlights is an experience enjoyed by many a visitor from hotels such as Pan Pacific Yangon, whilst many other shrines draw their interest too.

Colonial Buildings – Depicting old-world charm and expertise in architecture and design are Yangon City Hall, the Secretariat, the High Court, and undoubtedly a famous one amongst them is the Strand Hotel created in 1901 and remains one of the outstanding luxury hotels in Southeast Asia.

Yangon offers a range of dishes to spoil vegetarians and vegans and is an Ideal destination in terms of food for those calorie counters.

Composed of plant-based ingredients the range is never boring or unexciting. Unique creations with aubergine, banana flowers, tofu, peas, carrots, butternut, mango, etc. are turned out by their expert chefs. The list is endless, and the combinations are mouthwatering. For those pescatarians, the Yangon spicy fish soup Mohinga with their rice noodles is an alluring combination.

With about 6 m people living in Yangon, you can experience their charm in the modest way they dress and their friendly and hospitable manner. Most locals understand and can speak a fair amount of English, while Burmese is their national language.

They may stare at visitors but will not harass or try to rob them. On the other hand, they are extremely helpful to give you directions and being visitor-friendly.