Myanmar

Cost of living

What a month costs

Yangon is genuinely cheap in dollar terms, but the kyat is volatile and the economy runs on cash. Frequent power cuts push families toward pricier serviced apartments with backup generators.

The scores

How it rates for a moving family

See and do

Top 10 in Yangon

1. Shwedagon PagodaThe gold-plated stupa that crowns the city and ranks among the most sacred sites in the Buddhist world.
2. Sule PagodaA 2,000-year-old golden stupa sitting in the middle of a downtown traffic circle, the old heart of the city grid.
3. Botataung PagodaA riverside stupa you can walk inside, its hollow core lined with mirrored gold.
4. Chaukhtatgyi Buddha TempleA serene 65-metre reclining Buddha with beautifully painted soles.
5. Kandawgyi LakeA calm lake ringed by a boardwalk, with Shwedagon reflected in the water at dusk.
6. Karaweik PalaceAn ornate golden barge on Kandawgyi Lake, modelled on a royal ceremonial boat.
7. Bogyoke Aung San MarketA colonial-era covered market packed with jade, gems, textiles and handicrafts, also called Scott Market.
8. National Museum of MyanmarFive floors of royal regalia and history, anchored by the eight-metre Lion Throne.
9. Downtown colonial quarterThe grand crumbling facades along Pansodan and Strand Road, among the finest colonial streetscapes in Asia.
10. Maha Bandula ParkA downtown green square by City Hall with the Independence Monument at its centre.

Where to go

Weekend escapes

1. BagoOld royal capital about two hours northeast, home to the towering Shwemawdaw Pagoda and a giant reclining Buddha.
2. Kyaiktiyo Golden RockA gilded boulder balanced on a cliff edge in Mon State, one of the country's holiest pilgrimage sites.
3. Ngwe Saung BeachA long, quiet stretch of white sand on the Bay of Bengal, roughly five hours west by road.
4. TwanteA pottery town just across the river, reached by a short ferry, good for a slow half-day escape from the city.
5. BaganThe famous plain of thousands of ancient temples, best reached by a short domestic flight for a longer weekend.

Coffee

Best cafes

1. Rangoon Tea HouseA stylish modern take on the Burmese tea shop, famous for its milk tea and mohinga on Pansodan Street.
2. Genius CoffeeA local specialty roaster serving Myanmar-grown beans, a favourite of the city's coffee crowd.
3. Bar BoonA relaxed Dutch-style cafe pouring proper espresso and easy all-day plates.

Restaurants

Where to eat

1. Le PlanteurLong-running fine dining near Inya Lake, the city's go-to for a special occasion.
2. Sharky'sPioneering farm-to-table deli and restaurant on Dhammazedi Road, known for its cheeses, breads and organic produce.
3. Feel Myanmar FoodA local institution serving a huge spread of home-style Burmese curries, always busy at lunch.
4. Union Bar & GrillA handsome downtown gastropub on Strand Road with cocktails and Western plates.
5. House of MemoriesBurmese cuisine in a colonial villa once linked to independence hero Aung San.
6. 999 Shan Noodle ShopA tiny, beloved spot near Sule Pagoda dishing up Shan noodles all day.
7. Monsoon Restaurant & BarPan-Southeast Asian cooking in a restored colonial building on Theinbyu Road.

Morning

Best breakfast

1. Rangoon Tea HouseThe easiest introduction to a Yangon breakfast, with mohinga, tea leaf salad and sweet milk tea.
2. Lucky Seven Tea ShopA bustling local tea-shop chain where the city starts its day over noodles and strong tea.
3. 999 Shan Noodle ShopOrder a bowl of Shan noodles first thing, the way many locals do.
4. Genius CoffeeA quieter option for a flat white and a light bite before the heat sets in.