Yangon was Myanmar’s capital city up to 2005 when the government abruptly relocated the capital to Naypyidaw. With its wide, tree-lined, streets, parks and lakes Yangon has the sleepy charm of a provincial town. Crumbling British colonial mansions stand beside glittering pagodas, including one of the most remarkable religious shrines in all of Asia – the golden Shwedagon Pagoda. Much of Yangon’s allure stems from its colorful street life: peddlers hawk stones on the sidewalk in the gem market; ricksaw drivers in striped longyis (sarongs) peddle lazily through tree-lined streets; and people drink endless cups of sweet, milky tea at roadside tea stalls.