Is it Rangoon or Yangon the right name of the former Burmese capital? No matter, Yangon is only a more modern pronunciation for the city’s name.

Downtown rangoon with modern skyscrapers

Downtown rangoon with modern skyscrapers

Despite the fact that Rangoon is no longer the capital city, it remains the most populous and most important city of Burma ( or Myanmar, if you wish). It counts 4 millions inhabitants, and suffers in some of its neighborhoods of its poor infrastructure (no rubbish collection, no permanent electricity). But Rangoon, and the all Burma are really fascinating, despite or due to the military dictatorship. Here comes the key question: doest it worth visiting Burma? Thus shall we support the military  junta, or the simply poor people ? Fact is, that most of the hotels are under the rule of the junta, but I still am  for visiting this country. Thus even the simply people could get contacts and even earn something. The chamber maid, the taxi driver, the street vendor will surely take a profit of your visit, and this is very good for the country.

Colonial buildings in Rangoon give the city a familiar flair

Colonial buildings in Rangoon give the city a familiar flair

You will find in Myanmar important minorities as Chinese, Indians and Anglo Burmese and the corresponding restaurants with cheap and delicious dishes. You will also find very many Buddha statues and many pakas (or pagodas). It is amazing, I think that here the Buddhism is much stronger and deeper than in India itself! Anyway, don’t miss in Rangoon the Shwedadon Pagoda, which is a remarkable city landmark. Admire in Rangoon the colonial buildings, which are very well preserved and still in use for different purposes. Don’t ask anything about Nagis, the typhoon which caused 1 year ago 100 000 victims in Burma, as the country is recovering and the military junta stopped the international help. There were no victims in Rangoon, despite its low altitude in the Delta of the River Irrawaddy, but the damages were huge.

Shwedadon Pagoda in Rangoon is a renowned city landmark

Shwedadon Pagoda in Rangoon is a renowned city landmark

The best season to visit Burma is the dry one, from November to March, so you can hurry up. During this dry season are held the religious pagodas festival.  The most important of them is the Shwedadon Pala Festival, held in March and attracting many pilgrims from all the country.

Accommodations is very cheap in Rangoon, and the same does the food. Search the Biryany restaurants, which serve the delicious Biryani, a local specialty based of course on rice with meat.

Another must do thing in Rangoon is taking The Circular Train. For 1 US$ you can have a 3 hours journey through the many villages surrounding Rangoon. Most of the railway stations are made in the good old Victorian style, looking almost familiar for an European. The landscape changes unexpected from urban to rural, with children, ponds and passing cows. It is an event for sure.
Another interesting experience is taking a ferry. Which is aparently no more a ferry, but a floating market! Sliced melons and other dishes, as also many other non edible things are to find on the deck, offering an unbeatable local show.

I am deeply convinced that Rangoon is one of the best destination for this month, October 2009.

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