Here is the link to the walking tour map: https://embed.alpacamaps.com/journey/230c30a4-ba4d-11eb-96fe-067ec0c7e8f4/default

We started our tour off at Sule Pagoda (Stop #1). Sule Pagoda is said to be older than Shwedagan pagoda, and rumoured to be about 2600 years old. This golden stupa is one of the many gathering points for the protests in 2021 and was the gathering spot for the Saffron Revolution in 2001. This pagoda is where the first street was built in Yangon, and all streets branch out from it. You can go inside, but make sure to remove your shoes and dress appropriately.

Next up is the Yangon City Hall (Stop #2) , an impressive white building facing out towards the Independence park and monument. This building was built in 1926 and designed by a Burmese architect, U Tin. It is built in the syncertic Burmese Style. This building has been the site of many rallies and demonstrations. Connected to that fact, it has also been the site of many bombings through the 2000’s.

Next is Immanuel Baptist Church (Stop #3). This is the oldest baptist church in Yangon. This church was built in 1885 by a missionary, but was destroyed during world war two. It was rebuilt in the 50’s.

The next landmark is the High Court (Stop #4), built in the Indo-saracenic style and completed in 1911. The beautiful red brick and the large clock tower, set this building apart from the rest of the buildings in the square. You cannot enter this building, but you can get up pretty close to get a good look.

Take time to wander through the entire park that houses the Independence Monument (Stop #6). There are lots of places to stop and sit. There are notices up saying this is not a place to picnic however! The monument itself is smack dab in the middle of the park. The Monument was constructed in 1948, in commemoration of Myanmar’s Independence from Britain on January 4th of the same year. The monument replaced a statue of Queen Victoria.

Stop #7 and #8 are a bit more vague. All along Sule Pagoda road you will find colourful examples of Colonial era architecture. Here you will also find a lot of foreign embassies. When you reach the end of Sule Pagoda Road, turn left.

Stop #9 is the Yangon Custom House and Colonial Era Post Office. This building serves as both a custom house and post office to this day. The building was built by a Scottish architect in 1853, following the Second Anglo-Burmese War. Make sure to note the vintage bracketed clock, hanging from the facade! We stopped to buy postcards and stamps to send home to our family (because of COVID , which happened days after we left Myanmar, the cards took 11 months to reach home).

If you walk a bit further down the Strand road you will find a pedestrian bridge (Stop #10) that takes you towards the Yangon River. This pedestrian bridge is a great place for pictures of the chaotic driving in Yangon, and a safe way to make your way towards the market and ferry terminal.

On the way to the ferry terminal, you will walk through a wet market. Ladies perched up on wooden platforms peer down at you, and attempt to sell you all manner of goods.

The ferry terminal here will take you over the Yangon River to the village of Dala. If you want to see a different and more rural side of Yangon life, I recommend this journey. When we visited, there was a very friendly older man that spoke good English, he could help you to get the right ticket to cross (maybe for a bit of spare money). Be careful with your belongings here, as the scene is pretty busy!