Colonial hotels, Buddhist monuments and bustling markets - and how to see it all, in the land where cash is king

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Published: 12:00am, 22 Sep 2010

Getting there: There are no direct flights from Hong Kong to Yangon, but visitors can go via Bangkok or Singapore on Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines, which operate daily connecting flights.

Where to stay: Going to Yangon and not visiting The Strand (pictured) would be like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. This imposing colonial building was built in 1901 and restored to glory in the early 1990s. With colonnaded entry, marble and teak floors, rattan furniture, potted palms and ceiling fans, it has a quiet elegance that contrasts with the hustle and bustle outside. Its 32 suites are spacious, and butlers are available for every room.

Even if you decide not to stay there, it's worth a visit for afternoon tea, or dinner at the imposing Strand Grill. Previous guests at the bar include Somerset Maugham, Noel Coward and Eric Blair - whose experiences as a policeman in the old Burma helped transform him into 'George Orwell'. Friday has 'Stranded' happy hours (5pm-11pm): drinks are half price. A three-night stay in a deluxe suite for two adults costs HK$1,877 per night. For details visit www.ghmhotels.com.

Other top hotels in the city include the five-star Chatrium, next to Kandawgyi Lake and a 15-minute walk from the Shwe Dagon Pagoda, which can be seen from some rooms and looks magnificent lit up at night. Here a deluxe room sets you back HK$1,707 a night. Visit www.chatrium.com.

Or there's the Traders Hotel in downtown Yangon, now part of Shangri-La, where they serve a mean Burmese pork curry with pickled mango. Rooms start from HK$621. Visit www.tradershotels.com for details.

Beware: all rates are subject to a 10 per cent service charge and a 10 per cent government tax. And check the state of play with regards to credit cards, which, due to an American embargo, are not widely accepted. Cash is king.

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