Yangon One day trip - easy way to go around

                     
                    I was looking for a nice one day activities outside the town and after some research I decided to visit floating pagoda. This place was just about 25 miles from Yangon and there were a some good sightseeing spots near by. 
                    
                    My roughly schedule for a day trip was at below; 

                     8.30             Local guide pick up at meeting point

                     10.30           Kyauktan Yele Paya (Floating temple)

                     12.00           Local Market

                     13.00           Lunch

                     14.00           Kyaik Khauk pagoda

                     15.00           City Townhall

                     15.30           Sule Pagoda

                     17.00           Back to meeting point

5 dollar for boat and 2 dollar for entrance fee

                Yele Pagoda 
                  Kyauktan, Yangon 
                Entrance Fee

                2 USD
                Boat Transfer 
                5 USD

                Opening Hour

                06.00 - 20.00

                Parking FacilitiesAvailable and free (around the entrance) 

                  From the meeting point, we headed to our first destination which was Yele Pagoda in Kyauktan. This Yele pagoda or Floating Pagoda was about 12 miles from Yangon and it took around 1.30 hours to reach due to road work and high traffic period. 

Once I arrived to the main entrance, I went to a small counter to pay for long tail boat fee for crossing river to floating pagoda. As a foreigner, I required to pay for a bigger boat which came with life jacket and a plastic stool while the local took a smaller boat.

local wooden boat

                 Once I got on the boat, I was told to leave my shoes inside the boat and they would secure them for me. It was a mistake for me to wear a sport shoes in the day like this because I had to leave my shoes somewhere all the time.

Golden buddha 

                  My first impression with Yele Pagoda was ancient Mon-architectural designed which was similar to Shwedagon. The temples got impressive golden multi-tired rooftop and religion-related wall painting in the inner hall.

After visiting all the main halls, I went to pier for watching river. I bought two big bags of rice balls for feeding carps in the river. It was such a fun acivities for me.

         

Inside local market

Dry river Fish

                             I asked my tour guide to drop me at the market before the next stop. I saw dry fishes and fresh avocado on the way and I wanted to just buy them for dinner. This market was so large and there were a different zones such as fresh fishes near the dock side, dry fishes near street and some fruit and vegetable on the other parts.

Kyaikkhuak Pagoda

                Kyaikkhuak Pagoda 
                  Thanlyin, Yangon 
                Entrance Fee

                1000 Ks
                Lift Fee 
                200 Ks (at donation box)

                Opening Hour

                06.00 - 20.00

                Parking FacilitiesAvailable and free (around the entrance)                        

                       

                         Next sightseeing attraction was Kyaik Khuak Pagoda which was located on the small hill at Thanyelin (half way back from floating pagoda).   This place was so rich in history as it was built over 2000 years ago by King Sulathrima of Thaton.

                        Even though some parts of this pagoda were under renovation, there were very impressive architecture. The base of the pagoda is surrounded by many small golden mon style- stupas and there are a variety of Buddha statues. This place was so incredible and worth visiting.

Samosa Salad

Food Stall

Mohinga

I was planning to visit Rangoon tea house for the small break on this trip, but the tour guide had the better idea for showing me Myanmar food. He took me to one of the street market near Sule pagoda (Maha Bandula Park).

                  

                      The entire length of the park by Maha Bandula Park, city hall to Maha Bandoola road is the home of street food. I ordered one of my favorite dishes Mohinga, Samosa salad and Watermelon smoothies from one of the food stalls. Food stall over here seems to be clean and it had a very reasonable price.

Sule Pagoda

Myanmar doll

                Sule Pagoda 
                  Sule Pagoda Road and Mahabandoola Roag, Kyauktada, Yangon 
                Entrance Fee

                2 USD

                Opening Hour

                04.00 - 22.00

                Parking Facilities 
                not availiable, you can park near the park area 

                        Sule pagoda was my last stop in this trip. The pagoda located in the center of Yangon and It is one of the important religious sites. This pagoda has a typical golden dome shaped structure as the others.

One thing that I found interesting here was a Myanmar doll or "Pyit Taing Htaung". This doll was a round smiling face and it came on different sizes. The toy was meant to represent a person who has been knocked down by life, but who rises again, always with a smile on their face. 

                        In overall, I would say my 9 hours road trip was amazing. I have seen something difference from each place and I also learnt a lot on the history in one day. My total. expense for a day was about 70 dollar ( including Tour guide, transportation, entrance fee, meals etc.) which shall be cheaper if there are more people share the trip.