Experience in Yangon, Burma by Rikky Swe

What is it like to live in Yangon? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

City of Yangon now-a-day is very busy and very rapidly growing commercial city. It has a charm of colonial buildings, and many temples as well as pagodas. The city also has its charm with the greenery all around the city.

Since it is a port city which is located next to the Yangon river, you can also enjoy nice breeze in the evening at Botataung jetty or a few other jetty spots. You will have many pagodas to visits as well as monasteries if you like to have some peace of mind.

If you like to get into the greens, there is a few huge recreation parks such as Kantawgyi park and People's park. You can do your exercise work outs and there are various restaurants in the park as well.

Transportation in Yangon now-a-day is quite a nightmare due to influx of imported cars in this small city with no car parking space available and not enough road. So you really need to have your mind prepared for this.

People are really nice and kind. But the all goes vicious when they sit behind the wheels. Be very carefully when you cross the roads here.

What is the student lifestyle like in Yangon?

Local students lifestyle is, school, tuition, guide tuition, homework, bed. Sounds pretty depressing. Not much life. Not much real life activities.

How much does it cost to live in Yangon?

Basically you would be spending around 2,000-3,000kyats which is around $2-$3 USD per meal (one dish), and this is if you are eating out in a very basic food places. If you eat in a middle range restaurants, you'd be spending about $5-$6 for a meal (one dish). There are also cheaper street food stalls which you could spend about $1-$1.5 local food, but you really need to take a risk for food poison if your stomach is not strong enough.

Transportation, if you can take the bus will save quite a dime. But its a bit of a hassle. Taxi would start from 2000 to 3000 ($2-$3) anywhere in the town. But if you are a foreigner, some crazy taxi drivers could charge you from 4000 to 8000 ($4 - $8)if you don't bargain.

If you go out at a bar (which is barely a decent bar with good music in here) you could be spending around 10000 - 30000 kyats ($10-$30) easily. But there are various beer stations (cheaper food places with beer)

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Yangon? Is there any advice you can give?

It is quite a mission to find a right accommodation in Yangon, with the sky high rental fees per month, but you need to pay at least 6 month to 12 months up front, plus an extra month fee for the agent. Normal room would cost you $400 to $600 per month.

Search on Yangon Life face book page or more face book pages about accommodations, to find a share room which will make your life easier.

Be prepared for electricity black out during summer time and heavy rain period in the rain seasons.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Food in Yangon is pretty good for a start, then everything taste almost the same when you stay here for quite a while. But don't get me wrong, some of the local dishes has a beautiful taste.

Be prepared to get a heavy MSG in foods. 99% of food here are filled with MSG anywhere, street, mid, fancy, they all use it. You need to insist NOT to put the MSG in your food, if you are not up for it.

Now they have many Thai food places from cheaper ones to really fancy places. A few Italian restaurants, French, many Chinese food places. You should not miss out 19th street for many bbq in beer stations in there. China town is super exciting for various Chinese food.

But, if you are going to do a long stay in here, be prepared to cook for yourself. Bring your favorite recipes and ingredients. You can find most of them here if you are willing to pay a bit of over price.

Mon Hin Khar (fish soup with rice noodle) the best one is in Golden Vally, Bahan Township, Opposite Mandalay Airways office, Open from 5am till 8 or 9 am.

What places would you recommend visiting in Yangon?

I'm sure you all know all the usual touristy places, Do them all.

Is it good to eat out in Yangon? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Man Cherry: La Thar Street middle block, near 19th street in China town. Good Indian food, crispy roti with mutton kebab is my favorite.

Khine Khine Kyaw (Myanmar Food): On Pyay Road, in the same street with ThuKha Gabar Hospital. Next to KBZ Bank. It's on the right once you get off the Hledan bridge.

Min Lan Rakhine Monte & Seafood: Waizeyadar Street. Very nice and super fresh seafood. Heavy on MSG, and Rakhine foods are super spicy.

Most of the foreigner like FEEL in Pyitaungsu Yike Thar street. But its not for me, way over price and not authentic anymore, more for those who cannot take the authentic taste.

Parami Pizza known for the best pizza in town. google it for the location.

Jane Paw Myay: San Chaung street. The best Kachin restaurant in Yangon. Local rice wine is really good. And of course, all the Kachin food are beautiful. Oh some dishes are super spicy also.

Is the nightlife good in Yangon? Where is good to go?

There is no decent nightlife in Yangon.
Many disco and bar and some once in a while parties here and there. But Music is $#!+ everywhere.

Mojo on corner of Dhamazedi Road and Inya Myaing road, opposite Savoy hotel, seems to be the most happening place in town. With the entrance fee of 7000 kyats or $7. Some night is good dj and good music, most of the time is the usual hmmm.

Many new bars and pubs poping up everywhere but still, where is the good music is still on the hunt.

GTR and Cafe Liberal is the most happening club for the dancing with mainstream techno and electric house. But they all play the same tracks everywhere. hmmm... where is the music?

What advice would you give future students heading to Yangon?

Be prepared, be excited, get ready for so much fun, bring all your tunes, enjoy.