OK, so my wife and I spending four nights in Rangoon at the conclusion of our Pandaw cruise along the Upper Irrawaddy.

What shouldn't we miss (markets, interesting sites etc)?

And what are the "must do" eateries?

Four days is a lot of time to spend in Yangon. You might consider taking one of the day trips offered by the local travel agencies or even a quick hop up to Bagan if you have not been there.

Must-see sites in Yangon include the four major temples: Shwedagon, Botataung, Chak-Htat-Gyi and Sule.

The major market is Scott's - my wife was not impressed by it. There are a few shops and galleries around that might be worthwhile to visit. Rather than go into the details on this thread, you can read my report here - we were in Yangon at the beginning and the end of our trip:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34957632

We had a great meal at Monsoon Restaurant.

Have a great trip. Burma is unique.

Thanks, Craig!

we spent 5 nites in yangon and one day outside of the town.....it was perfect for us....while scott's market could not compare to other markets elsewhere, we did find it worth a stroll around...

i have a fabulous driver in yangon if you need him, let me know and i will forward his contact info...

i have an amazing tour guide if you need. does work also for national geographic .

Thanks everyone. Guide details would be appreciated. Simply email me!

his name is tun. he can be reached at [email protected]. let me know how you make out.....

Oh Mitch - it's easy AND fascinating. Just walk around.
Scott Market just sells rubbish, generally - but, my friend, what is rubbish to me might be pure bliss for you - AND vice versa. But, having seen pics of your house, I think you and the missus might just find one or two objects d'art to suit you. Buy black lacquer goods - but not just one - get several. They'd suit your aesthetic, grouped together.

As you've ignored my excellent advice about staying at the best hotel in town [The Strand] at least check out their afternoon tea - and gift shop. Vastly overpriced - but it's the best selection in town. That'll give you an idea of what to look for.

Go UPSTAIRS at Scott Market. Walk around the shops there. You'll find two or three secret shops selling excellent stuff. [Go up from the overpass - walk along the main street verandah and then take a right at the end] Downstairs is much more difficult to find good things.

Have fun. I'm in BKK now, just back from the Assam Bengal Hoogli cruises.

Thanks Dogster.

Yeah. We're staying at the Savoy. There's no pool at The Strand, apparently, and I like relaxing by the water *grins*.

I have two articles appearing in travel magazines re my ABN cruise last year. "Get Up and Go", and "Cruise Passenger". They should appear in the Spring issues, all things going well.

Oh, I forgot to say, Shwedagon Pagoda before, during and after sunset is a knock-out. Don't, for one minute, let your idiot guide rush you through. He/she will have you out of there well before the good bit.

Go there with a guide if you want but send them off [tip-less] at the end and hang around. Grab a taxi from outside... and don't let the cab driver rip you off - they'll certainly try.

And another thing - those kindly monks hanging around inside in picturesque groups just waiting to chat - aren't.

They are ex-monks who, in their ex-monkly fashion have decided there is more money in tourism than religion. Proper monks tend not to take guided tours... same goes for other temples in Yangon.

And, despite what your guide will tell you on the cruise, you don't need to tip every rickshaw driver, bus driver et al every time you get off the boat.

As I rather doubt you've paid for your trip, I assume you'll gush endlessly on return. Which is O.K. by me. I won't tell.

*Gasp gasp....ROTFL* OK.

Lol. Never pat a rabid dog.

By the way, I realise that, if you take a right at the end of the first floor 'verandah' at Scott Market, you'll fall off and into the road below.

Take a left.