Really quite like anything else in other cities of the world, the Circular Train Yangon is one of the best ways to not just travel around the city, but also to do a scenic tour.
What is the circular train Yangon?
It is quite literally exactly what it sounds like it is and that is a train in Yangon that pulls a full on circle around the whole city! In essence it is pretty much the Yangon version of a subway, but overground like a real train.
It was initially started in 1954 and has since pretty much ran on time from 6 am to 5 pm ever since, through democracy to communism, to military dictatorship, to democracy again and finally back to military junta rule.
It is now run by the Japanese, but this is clearly not affecting health and safety standards!
Where can you stop and what does it cost?
The journey starts at the beautiful colonial era Yangon Railway Station from where you head to platform 7. I learned this as when I went into the railway station a man with an AK 47 shouted “where you go” I replied “circular train”. He then got much more friendly, asked where I was from, before pretty much walking me to the train.
The cost was just 300 kiet, which is like 12.5 cents and that is for quite literally the whole circle.
There are 21 stops in total which includes useful stops like the airport, the university and of course Yangon Railways Station, whicb is conveniently located next to THOR.
What is there to do on the circular train Yangon?
Ideally you get on this train to go somewhere, or if you are a train geek like me you do the full circle! Doing this gives you stunning views of the Burmese countryside, as well as a real chance to mingle and interact with people.
You also get an epic old world train experience which includes open doors and pretty much being able to hang off of the train.
And lest we not forget that this is South-East Asia, so yo will also fed on the train, so long as you like Burmese street food. Options were far from eclectic, but includes quail eggs.
Sadly no has cottoned on to the fact you would make a killing selling drinks on the circular train, but this was not to be a problem as i’d had the foresight to bring my own beer.
And that is what it is like to take the circular train in Yangon, something I fully intend to include when I eventually run a tour here.