Yangon

Yangon, the capital city, is the gateway to Myanmar and is unlike any other Asian city today. Seemingly forgotten by the outside world for the last half a century, it has seen very little foreign investment. This has allowed the city to retain the charm and beauty of its colonial past whilst still providing a modern infrastructure of hotels and tourist facilities.

The cobbled streets, sleepy tree-lined avenues and crumbling, moss covered buildings hark back to a bygone era of Kipling and crumpets. Yet today, visitors can immerse themselves in the chaotic street-life, thriving markets, charming tea shops or just wander round the bustling capital, in what remains an incredibly safe city. At the very heart of Yangon lies the Shwedagon Pagoda. Rising above the city, this golden marvel is visible at almost every turn. Evergreen and cool with lush tropical tree-lined avenues, shady parks and beautiful lakes, it is no surprise that Yangon has earned the name of the "Garden City of the East".