Page 89 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

TRAVEL AGENTS AND TOUR OPERATORS • ACTIVITIES Yangon and around 87
WALKING TOURS IN DOWNTOWN YANGON 1
The pioneering Yangon Heritage Trust (YHT; T01 240544, Wyangonheritagetrust.org) runs
pricey but excellent walking tours of downtown ($30 per person, with proceeds going to
support YHT’s invaluable conservation work). There are three different walks (morning and
afternoon every Wed, Sat & Sun), each lasting around 2hr 30min and departing from the YHT
office on the 1st floor of 22–24 Pansodan St.
Alternatively, the handy little iDiscover Yangon City Walks phone app features a series of
informative self-guided walks exploring assorted areas of Downtown Yangon, picking out
dozens of absorbing off-the-beaten-track historic buildings and other attractions along the way
($1.99 per walk to download, with all profits going to support the local Hla Day social
enterprise). You may also be able to pick up free printed copies of the walking maps from the
Hla Day shop (see p.97) – although they lack the background information included in the app.

TraVEL agEnTS and Tour oPEraTorS
There are plenty of travel agents around town, and many guesthouses can also arrange bus and plane tickets, as well as
taxis and simple sightseeing tours.
AIR TICKETS Myanmar Delta 33rd St (next door to Beautyland II
Most travel agents can arrange plane tickets, although the Hotel) T01 386938.
two following places are particularly well set up for
organizing air travel. TOUR OPERATORS
Danna Moe Air Ticket Centre Bogyoke Rd (next Most of the tour operators listed below are located in
to Central Hotel) T01 383655, Emyanmardanamoe suburbs away from the centre, but you can book tours via
@gmail.com. their websites or on the phone.
May Flower Travels and Tours 240 Pansodan Rd Good News Travels T09 595 116 256,
T01 377495, Wmayflower-travels.com. Wmyanmargoodnewstravel.com
Myanmar Delight T01 651833, Wmyanmar
BUS AND OTHER TRAVEL delight.com
ARRANGEMENTS Myanmar Shalom T01 252814, Wmyanmar
Global Myanmar Glory 256/257 Mahabandoola shalom.com
Garden St (next door to Chan Myaye Guesthouse) Pegu Travels T09 5137 1937, Wpegutravels.com
T09 797 211 264. Santa Maria Travels & Tours T01 537191,
MS Myanmar Travels & Tours Botataung Pagoda Wmyanmartravels.net
Rd (just south of the Hninn Si guesthouse) Seven Diamond Express T01 500712,
T01 397880. Wsevendiamondtravels.com
aCTIVITIES
Golf Around 15km northwest of the centre, the Pun Hlaing Swimming Some of the city’s larger hotels sometimes
Golf Club (T01 684020, Wpunhlainggolfestate.com) is open their pools to non-guests depending on occupancy
probably the best course in Myanmar, with eighteen levels, usually for a charge of $15–20. Places worth trying
immaculate holes laid out to a Gary Player design. include the Parkroyal (see p.90), the Inya Lake Hotel (see
Meditation The well-regarded Mahasi Meditation p.91), the Sedona Hotel (Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd; T01 860
Centre, 16 Thathana Yeiktha Rd (T01 549290, 5377, Wsedonahotels.com.sg/yangon) and the fine, palm-
Wmahasi.org.mm) runs courses in Vipassana meditation studded pool at the Chatrium Hotel (40 Nat Mauk Rd, north
for committed meditators. At least two weeks’ advance side of Kandawgyi Lake; T01 544 500, Wchatrium.com).
notice is required, and there’s a minimum ten-day stay The pools at the city-centre Sule Shangri-La (see p.90) and
(although for full benefit the centre recommends at the beautiful colonial Savoy (see p.91) and Governor’s
courses lasting six to twelve weeks). Alternatively, the Residence (see p.90) hotels are usually shut to outsiders,
Dahmma Joti Vipassana Centre, near the Chauk Htat Gyi but you could always try your luck, especially during low
Pagoda on Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda Rd (T01 549290, Wjoti season. For something cheaper, try the attractive colonial-
.dhamma.org; donation), offers ten-day courses. era Kokine Swimming Club (up near Inya Lake at 23 Sayar
Courses at both centres are free, although donations San Rd, Bahan; T01 542749; K10,000), with two 30m
towards costs are welcomed. outdoor pools set among peaceful gardens.

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