Rain can change your plans in Yangon, but it does not have to mean spending the entire day inside your hotel room. From browsing covered markets to enjoying a long Burmese lunch, there are plenty of ways to experience the city while staying out of the downpour.
Browse a covered market
Bogyoke Aung San Market, also known as Scott Market, is a colonial-era market where crafts, fabrics and jewellery are sold under one roof. From the Kandawgyi Lake area, where Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon is based, it’s a short drive, and an hour or two of browsing passes quickly.
Spend a morning in a museum
Some of the best things to do in Yangon on a wet day are indoors. The National Museum of Myanmar holds royal treasures, including the Lion Throne of the last Burmese king, along with exhibits on the country’s many cultures.
Settle into a tea shop
Tea shops are a big part of daily life in Yangon. Order a cup of sweet milk tea, add a plate of snacks or a bowl of mohinga, the fish noodle soup many locals eat for breakfast, and watch the rain from a dry table.
Visit Shwedagon between showers
The pagoda is often quieter in wet weather, and the gold looks striking against grey skies. The marble floors get slippery, so wear shoes you can slip off easily and walk slowly.
Pack a light rain jacket, stay flexible, and let the weather set the pace.