Largest city in Myanmar, formerly Burma, Rangoon lies in the south of the country, on the coast of Andaman sea. It lies at the mouth of its namesake river, east of the Irrawaddy Delta, also an important port. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants (2006), amounting to 4 million when considering its metropolitan area.
Rangoon is the economic center of the country, the city that does most of the imports and exports, especially through the Rangoon River. It is also one city where it performs quite foreign investment. Yangon International Airport serves the city and receives all international flights.
WHY GO
One of the lesser known exotic destinations of Southeast Asia
Excellent beaches within a few hours drive
The gateway to the exotic Burma
HOW TO GET THERE
Yangon International Airport (Mingladon) (RGN) is located about 30 minutes north of the city center. Recently had a major upgrade and renovation of existing facilities, which contains the international and domestic terminals. There is no accommodation in the vicinity of the airport. The easiest way to get to and from the airport to the city is by taxi (official rate of U.S. $ 10 or 8,000 kyats from the airport to the city and vice versa.
There are direct flights to Rangom from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Gaya, Kolkata, Kunming, Guangzhou, Nanning, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Seoul, Taipei and Doha. Airlines internationacionais include Thai Airways, Bangkok Air, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Dragonair, Korean Airlines, Silk Air, Vietnam Airlines and Air India.
WHEN TO GO
The climate is monsoonal, with three distinct seasons: the rainy season from June to October, a "winter" cold and dry from November to February, and a hot dry season, from March to May. The winter season from November to January is markedly less humid and cooler than other months, and therefore sees the highest number of visitors. However, major festivals occur throughout the year, notably Thingyan (the water festival, equivalent to the Thai festival Songkran), in April. (Festivals are introduced with the lunar cycle, especially for the full moon days of each lunar month, and therefore, fall on different days each year than Western-based solar calendar. Nevertheless, the first day of Thingyan festival occurred on April 12 because it is based on the stellar cycle and the number of days of the festival are different each year according to the traditional astrological calculation).
MOVING
Bus
Rangom has two main bus stations. The Bus Terminal (Aung Mingalar Bus Terminal) serves the most destinations, while the Hlaing Thar Yar Bus Terminal (Hwy No 5, Yangon-Pathein Rd) serves the Delta region.
The Bus Terminal is a confusing place, full of bus companies competing in a dusty lot, southwest of Yangon.
The Hlaing Thar Yar Bus Terminal is 45 minutes west of downtown, just across the Hlaing River.
Larger firms, with offices opposite the Central Railway Station include Kyaw Express (242 473), Sun Moon Express (642 903) and Transnational Express (249671).
Several buses to Pathein (K3000, three to four hours), Chaungtha Beach (K5000 to K6000, six to seven hours) and Ngwesaung Beach (K5000 to K6000, five hours) leave from Terminal Hlaing Thar Yar from early morning until about 13 o'clock. The better are the ones leaving earlier.
Train
The journey of 716 miles from Yangon to Mandalay is the train trip that most visitors consider making, but still not very recommended. The express trains are much more comfortable than the average Burmese train. Book sleepers (ie, anything containing cots for sleeping, including some trains day) several days in advance. There is currently no night train to Mandalay, only one match at 12:45.
Boat
There are four main passenger docks in Yangon River, which winds around southern Yangon. Long-distance ferries sail to Pathein in the Delta or along the Ayeyarwady River to Pyay, Bagan and Mandalay.
When buying a ticket to a special ferry IWT state (284 055) on the back Lanthit St pier, be sure to check from that boat leaves the pier.
Taxi
Licensed taxis to transport tourists t | on red plates, although it is often difficult to distinguish a taxi from any other vehicle in Yangon. The more expensive the car, taxis, old Japanese cars. Faults are not exactly unknown. Rates are highly negotiable; trips around the central area cost about K1000 K1500. Sule Paya Shwedagon Paya runs in about K2000. During the night, the rate goes up a little more. A taxi for the whole day costs about $ 20 to U.S. $ 30.
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