Photo essay: Experiencing true local culture on Yangon’s Circular Railway

In operation since 1954, Yangon's iconic Circular Railway is a great introduction to the city and its people

Story By Dylan Goldby

Photographs By Dylan Goldby

2 min read

Published On May 1, 2020
Updated On August 27, 2021

Yangon Circular Railway feature — The Yangon Circular Railway is currently undergoing a major renovation project, which started in mid-2018 and is slated to be completed in 2022. Upon completion, one loop of the city will take about 110 minutes, cutting travel time by about an hour.

Yangon Circular Railway feature — Hustle and bustle at the main Circular Railway platform, Yangon Central Station. Operated by Myanmar Railways, the circular journey spans 39 stations across 45.9km. The price for one ticket is about K200 (S$0.18).

Yangon Circular Railway feature — A train repairman at the garage near Mingaladon, close to Yangon International Airport.

Yangon Circular Railway feature — The doors always remain firmly open on the train, and passengers often stand at the entrances to enjoy a little breeze.

Yangon Circular Railway feature — Each time the train stops, vendors get on and off the train, selling fresh fruit, tea or bags of snacks. According to the Circular Railway’s Transportation Department, an estimated 2,000 vendors make a living on the line.

Yangon Circular Railway feature — Trains parked at the yard in Yangon Central Station. Many are overgrown with vines and trees, as though they’ve been there for years.

Yangon Circular Railway feature — Passengers take the shortcut across the rails to get to their final destination.

Yangon Circular Railway feature — An exhausted mother and her young children take the Circular Railway home in the late afternoon.

Yangon Circular Railway feature — The Circular Railway currently serves about 90,000 commuters daily and after the upgrade, it’s expected to accommodate up to 300,000 passengers daily by 2022.

SilkAir flies daily between Singapore and Yangon. To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com

SEE ALSO: An insider’s guide to Yangon, Myanmar

This article was originally published in the February 2020 issue of Silkwinds magazine

Book flights now