Yangon
Yangon formerly known Rangoon is the largest city in Burma and the center of economic activity. The city that is also known as Rangoon was the capital of the country until 1948 and Yangon remains as commercial city after new Administrative capital called Naypyidaw is built . Yangon is located in the Irrawaddy delta on the Gulf of Martaban, in the North Andaman Sea. It is the city where most foreign tourists arrive to Burma. Yangon is a city of about 5 million people that has grown very rapidly since the 1950’s. The city was founded at least a thousand years ago by the Mon people. According to local legend the city’s most famous landmark, the Shwedagon Pagoda was founded during the time of the Buddha and the city since then has been built around it. Yangon is not yet a modern city, it is a place where Buddhist monks walk the streets barefoot, men wear the traditional longyi clothing and superstition still plays an important role in everyday life. The city has a certain colonial charm with its buildings from the colonial era, when Yangon was under control of the British from 1852 until 1948. There are so many interesting landmarks which is rich in history that are worth visiting The city houses many beautiful and impressive Buddhist temples and pagodas, including Burma’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage site, the Shwedagon Pagoda, a huge complex with a 99 meters high gold plated pagoda set on a hill, visible from much of the city. Other sites include the Botataung Pagoda on the banks of the river, the Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda known for its enormous 66 meters long Reclining Buddha image, the Maha Wizaya Pagoda and the Sule Pagoda. The city houses some fine examples of colonial era buildings like the Yangon City Hall, the Supreme Court building, the Strand hotel and the central train station. To see some traditional Burmese entertainment, head for the Karaweik Palace Hall in the shape of a golden Royal Barge on Kandawgyi Lake. Just across the river from Yangon is the town of Thanlyin with its Kyaik Hmaw Wun Pagoda located on an island in the river. Bogyoke Aung San Market formerly known as Scott Market was built during the colonial era by the British,which is Yangon’s most famous market. This place built in colonial architectural style consists of a large number of streets, packed with countless small shops and stalls where a wide range of products is for sale including handicrafts, antiques, arts, jewelry, precious stones like rubies and jade, silk fabrics and clothing.It is located on Bogyoke Aung San road, just West of Yangon central railway station. Undoubtedly It is a good place to pick up some souvenirs and practice your bargaining skills. So as to experience an impression of Yangon daily life,you are to take a ride on the Yangon circular train. This train covers a distance of almost 50 kilometers in a loop around Yangon and its suburbs, a journey that takes around 3 hours to complete. Tickets at about 200 Kyat ( Local currency ) which can be bought at the main train station, a beautiful colonial era building in downtown Yangon. Although not the most comfortable ride, it is an experience in itself and a chance to see the city and its people For most foreign visitors traveling to Myanmar , Yangon is considered to be the first destination. From outside of country , the city can only be reached by air. From within the country, the city is connected by air, bus and train. Air One of the major destinations is Bangkok, which is served by among others Bangkok Airways, Air Asia and Thai Airways. A ride from the airport to downtown Yangon takes between 30 to 45 minutes and costs between US$ 8 to 10. Bus Destinations within Burma are served from two bus terminals. The Aung Mingular Highway Bus Center is located a little North East of the airport. Most major destinations are served from this bus station, including Mandalay, Bagan, Bago and Taunggyi (for Inle Lake). The Hlaing Thar Yar Bus terminal is located North West of downtown Yangon, on the other side of the river in Hlaing Thar Yar township. This station serves a number of beach destinations on the Bay of Bengal West of Yangon as well as Kyaikto (for the Golden Rock/Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda). Train The service from Yangon to Mandalay (via Bago) is fairly comfortable. The trip takes around 14 to 15 hours, sleeping cars are available. There is a daily direct service from Yangon to Bagan, which takes around 16 hours. There is no direct train connection between Yangon and Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake). To get there, take a train from Yangon to Mandalay and get off at Thazi. From Thazi, either take a bus (around 5 hours) or the slow train via Kalaw, which takes around 10 hours.Myanmar’s Largest City
Where to visit in Yangon ?
Buddhist Temples , Pagodas and Colonial Monuments
Bogyoke Aung San Market
Yangon Circle Train
How to get to Yangon
Most foreign tourists will arrive to Yangon as the point of entry to the country. Yangon international airport just North of the city is served by all Burmese airlines as well as a number of foreign airlines, most of which Asian. There is one terminal for domestic and another one for international flights.
There are no international connections by bus to Yangon, air travel is the only option.
There is no train connection between Thailand and Yangon. Domestic destinations are served from Yangon’s central railway station located in the Southern part of the city.
Discount Tours
Our Discount Tours deliver the same expert guiding and carefully planned itineraries as our regular departures — but at a better price. These special offers include last-minute openings, seasonal promotions, early-bird savings and occasional bundle deals for Myanmar photography trips. Whether you want a focused sunrise shoot in Bagan, a market and pagoda day in Yangon, a craft-and-monastery tour in Mandalay, or a dawn boat run on Inle Lake, our discounted departures give you full access to the best light and locations without compromising quality.
Every Discount Tour is led by a local photographer-guide who knows the light, local customs and the top vantage points. We keep groups small to preserve a hands-on coaching environment and to ensure portrait introductions, permit handling and smooth logistics. Tours follow our sunrise-first schedule whenever possible and include practical coaching on camera settings, composition and post-shoot workflow. Optional extras — such as hot-air balloon bookings in Bagan, private portrait sessions, or gear rental — remain available so you can tailor the day to your needs.
Discounts are limited by seat availability and season, and we publish them as early-bird or last-minute offers. If you’re flexible with dates or willing to travel off-peak, you can often secure exceptional value without sacrificing access or support. For current deals and exact inclusions, view our Discount Tours list or contact us directly — we’ll help match you to the best value departure for your photography goals.
Featured Collection
Our Myanmar Photo Tours Collections are the flagship photo journeys from Myanmar Photo Tour, designed for photographers who want a deep, image-focused experience. Each featured tour is carefully curated to place you in the best light at the best moments: sunrise-first schedules, golden-hour revisits and relaxed afternoons for detail and portrait work. We run small groups or private departures so you enjoy hands-on coaching and minimal crowding.
Every tour is led by an experienced local photographer-guide who knows secret vantage points, temple etiquette and where to arrange respectful portrait introductions. Multi-day itineraries pair the country’s classic icons — Bagan’s temple plain, Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, U Bein Bridge and Mandalay’s craft workshops, Inle Lake’s leg-rowers and Phaung Daw Oo boat processions — with quieter, off-the-beaten-path shoots that deliver portfolio-quality images. Optional extras include hot-air balloon flights in Bagan, private portrait sessions and festival access (Pyar Tho Pwe, Thadingyut) when available.
We also include practical support: permit handling, portrait releases, in-field camera coaching, and an end-of-tour image review to help you refine selects and editing. In short, our Featured Collection Tours blend local knowledge, careful timing and ethical access so you return with stronger work and lasting stories from Myanmar.
Myanmar Photo Day
A Myanmar Photo Day Tour gives you a focused, practical day of shooting in one of the country’s best photography locations. These one-day photo tours let you capture sunrise temples, market portraits, lake reflections and local life with an expert local photographer-guide. Each day tour is designed for photographers who have limited time but want maximum camera time and real results.