Slow Ride in Myanmar! On the Circular Train in Yangon
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ก.ย. 2024
- TIMESTAMPS: 05:55-Yangon Central Railway Station; 08:31-Route Map of Circular Train; 10:22-Buying My Ticket; 13:37-Waiting on the Platform; 18:17-My Train Arrives at the Platform; 28:35-Halfway - at Insein Station; 30:52-Train Back to Yangon; 36:44 Journey's End; 39:13-Conclusion
I'd heard about the circular train in Yangon from a number of people, and it seemed like something that was right up my alley - a chance to just sit back on a 3-hour train ride to nowhere and watch the world pass by. That it was in Yangon, Myanmar, made it even better.
Much of the information I had about the train seemed to be out of date but in a good way. In fact, it was much easier to buy a ticket for the train than I expected. And since I had no particular destination in mind (the train was supposed to just go in a loop, after all), it was a somewhat stress-free trip. And an interesting one.
Cheers,
Douglas (AKA The Cycling Canadian)
MESSAGE FROM THE CYCLING CANADIAN:
Thanks for checking out this video. I am the Cycling Canadian (AKA Douglas), and I'm making videos about my experiences traveling around the world both on and off a touring bike. I travel on a low budget, so don't expect luxury and guided tours. This is independent long-term travel.
UPLOAD SCHEDULE
I upload videos every week - sometimes two or three times a week. I'll be going to lots of interesting countries in the future, so if you subscribe to my channel, you won't miss any of these adventures.
WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? THANKS!! JUST CLICK HERE
www.youtube.co...
MY TH-cam CHANNEL HOME PAGE
I started making these videos on a recent 50-day trip to Bangladesh, and I enjoyed it so much that I kept exploring and making videos while I was in Kuala Lumpur. I'm currently in Myanmar. I'll be here for one or two months before returning to Malaysia. You can see all of my videos on my main TH-cam channel right here: / thecyclingcanadian
CONVENIENT PLAYLISTS
Playlists are a great way to make sure you don't miss any of my videos. I put all of my travel vlogs into playlists. If you use them, you can see all of the videos from each country in order:
Malaysia Travel Vlogs Playlist: • Malaysia Travel Vlogs
Bangladesh Travel Vlogs Playlist: • Bangladesh Travel Vlogs
THE CYCLING CANADIAN WEBSITE/BLOG
I don't just make videos. I also write about my trips and take pictures. I have some detailed written journals from previous trips on my website. The website is also called The Cycling Canadian, and this link will take you there: www.thecyclingc...
LINKS TO MY SOCIAL MEDIA:
► INSTAGRAM ►►► / thecyclingcanadian
► FACEBOOK ►►► / the-cycling-canadian-1...
► PICTURES ►►►www.thecyclingc...
► MORE PICTURES ►►►thecyclingcana...
GEAR LIST
Panasonic G85 (mirrorless micro four thirds camera)
GoPro Hero 7 Black
Sirui 3T-35K tripod
Joby Gorillapod
All editing done with Windows Movie Maker and Windows Paint. (My poor little computer doesn't have the power to run anything else.)
TIMESTAMPS: 05:55-Yangon Central Railway Station; 08:31-Route Map of Circular Train; 10:22-Buying My Ticket; 13:37-Waiting on the Platform; 18:17-My Train Arrives at the Platform; 28:35-Halfway - at Insein Station; 30:52-Train Back to Yangon; 36:44 Journey's End; 39:13-Conclusion
give me ur number..i like to talk about Yangon
Remembering my childhood days,,sir thanks for the post. Best wishes...that time Yangon was Rangoon and now Myanmar was Burma. I love Myanmar and lashio ..Shan state...being my birth place....last I went there in the year 2016 Jan.
Glad to have some news of you. It must be good to see how many people are thinking about you and have asked about you. I thought you might be unwell or have gone to some very remote area where you couldn’t get internet access.
It isn’t fun being alone in a foreign land and be ill. Get back to strength very soon and we await eagerly your interesting and very down-to-earth vlog. Best wishes.
Love the relaxed way you travel. Great Chanel to me. Thanks
I'm really proud of you. In a very hot weather you still travel around Rangoon with an informative even though it's little boring to watch fully. I really admire your walkouts. And pray for you that'll do something changes in our country hopefully.
I really like your video...even i said so many times but still wanna repeat again...cause its so detail and informative....I dun mind a long video..even up to 1 hr....when Im watching it i feel like myself is there...thats how unique you are...keep it going....
Have a nice travel in mayanmar.... Train journey most pleasures for me... Excellent blog....
Love your vids, detailed, genuine and honest. Takes me back to the atmosphere when I was there 3 years ago. Keep it up!
I was there a month ago, I didn't get to the train station lobby at all, I just got down from the bridge and ended up right by the train platform, there's a ticket booth,and I just got ticket right there, 200 kyat. Unfortunately that day there was no circular route, I only rided for 7, or 9 stops and came back, it was already 3 hours long ride. It was enough to be honest, it was so hot and can't imagine if I would stay for the complete route. Thanks for sharing your video.
Fine video! The livelihoods of the people on the train are rather interesting to watch. Some good sales promotions techniques displayed by the trade vendors. It’s like life in the 1960s and 70s of Malaysia where one could witness vendors hopped in and out of trains. I remember when the train was going full circle, there were more to see especially at some stops by the side of agriculture trade center.
I got the feeling (based on articles that I read) that there was a lot more to see if the train had gone the entire way around the loop. I enjoyed the train ride just for the experience of going to the train station, riding on an older-model train, and seeing all the passengers and vendors on board. But there really wasn't much to see out the train windows that I can't see just by walking down any street in Yangon. I think there must be more of a rural setting with some markets on the other side of the train loop. And my train didn't go to that other side.
I was wondering if it was possible to even ride on a train going counterclockwise to the other side. It was impossible for me to get any information from anyone at the station, but it seemed like the train to Insein that I took was the only option. I never did see any trains or any schedules for trains heading east up the other side of the loop. Who knows? Maybe this half-trip is only temporary and in the future, the trains will do the full circle again. That would be a better - though longer - experience.
Down to earth video, not much make up, just like travelling by myself. Thanks for sharing with us.
You're welcome. 😃
@@PlanetDoug Oh you are still alive :P Take car
Nice video. Cheers
I'm from myanmar.I have seen all of video on youtube that's are very good and ur very love to go interesting places so i really want to go you around myanmar such place Bagan,Kyaikhteeyoe,Mandalay etc in this place you will find the world unseen creature and architectch of Bagan.The main important thing is that every foreigner in myanmar they always go to Bagan becasue u can find many of interesting places and many of buddha temple and beautiful Bagan King architech.If u want to go bagan donr go with airplane becoz you will not see the beaut of country around myanmar so just take only Train.Our myanmar train have 3 class choose what u like.So sorry for bad at my english i'm still learning at english.And i really want to see u the beauty of Bangan but this time myanmar is very hot season so the trip will not be much interresting because of hot weather.if u want to go bagan in cold weather just come to myanmar at December so can travel Every place of myanmar.U have to note Bagan,Mandalay,Kyaik Htee Yoe,Pyin Oo Lwin That's places are very fun and interesting places for foreigner.And if u have tour guide u can find more of myanmar places.
Thanks for the advice. It would definitely be better to visit Myanmar in December when it is cooler. But I am here now in the hot season. I just have to try to adjust and deal with it.
I do plan to visit Mandalay and Bagan, and I hope to go there by train. 🙂
The Cycling Canadian I suggest u to take bus which is more comfortable than train in this hot season..
Thankyou for your adventurous journey! Nice videos.
Aww you didn't try any of the snacks... An interesting train ride. My husband used to sell nasi lemak after school. He would carry a basket around his village and call out 'nasi lemak!' Those were the days long gone where children were free to wander around without having to worry about them getting kidnapped or harmed.
No, I didn't try any snacks. I've actually been pretty sick since I got here, so I haven't been that interested in food. I have a notoriously weak stomach. You just have to tell it that I'm going to a new country, and I get sick before I even get there. 😥 I've been surviving on the light breakfast that the hostels provide and then with somewhat safe food like chicken biryani. I recently moved to a new part of Yangon, and I had a full meal at a new restaurant, and I've been trapped in my hostel room almost ever since. I can't stray far from a bathroom unfortunately... My weak stomach is the bane of my existence. 😄
I always enjoy the vendors that you find on trains in places like Myanmar - even if I don't actually sample very many of their snacks and drinks. I don't even know if that way of life ever existed in Canada. It certainly doesn't today. Anyone who tried to get on a train in Canada to sell snacks from seat to seat would soon find themselves kicked off the train with the police waiting for them at the next station.
Your videos are great. I would like to travel like you do. looks like a lot of fun
Dear Doug, are you alright over there? Haven't heard from you for almost two weeks now. I hope whatever your predicament is currently, it will all turn out alright. Take care mate.
I love train adventure videos. TH-cam's Brave Dave travelled across Canada like a hobo. The video was epic. He tried to come to Canada a few years later only to discover Canadian customs had banned him coming back into Canada again. So his actual adventure ended up being flying from UK to CA and back again. By the way, I too also did a boxcar trip of only 6 hours and the scenery was amazing.
I hadn't heard about Brave Dave until you mentioned him. I just started watching a couple of his videos now. He definitely deserves his name for trying to ride the freight trains in Canada. I can't imagine that it would be easy or that Canadian officials would be in any way happy with him for doing it. They would NOT have a sense of humor about it, I'm sure.
I've crossed Canada a number of times - by bus, by car, by train, and by bicycle - but I've never hopped a freight. I didn't even know people did that anymore. 😃
I've seen some hobos regularly in Thunder Bay switch yard...it isn't very secure in that city.
I have hopped a train once for a 5 hour journey. I was nervous about getting caught the whole time. However I loved the coastline scenery of Lake Superior.
The second time I needed a ride, I asked. I was allowed to relax in the slave engine! I had been riding a bike and was stuck between destinations with a broken chain. Great Engineer Dave saved me.
There are a few trains I'd love to ride once: Thailand Tour, a Bullet train...any one, a classic soviet sleeper Trans-Siberian Railway, Orient Express (Paris to Istanbul), and a train that runs in a tunnel under the ocean. So a couple rides for nostalgia because of all those European train movies, a bullet train just to say I did, an underwater ride just for bragging rights, and Thailand for the tropical beauty.
I had the good fortune to travel across Canada by train when I was 3 or 4 years of age. I still remember the rocky mountain pass clearly.
Yea, we asked the ticket booth for so many times too to make sure the right train, and the route is right .....lol. We used Google translation, and got into a wrong train, and luckily the guy inside the train knows English and told us we were in a wrong train, so we jumped off immediately before too late ....such a hassle , but a super fun experience. You are right, 6, 7 both go to West, we have the same problem..... Lol. We didn't get off the train, it was the same train going back to Yangon.
great stuff
Yes, classic train more attractive for tourist
long time no upload?? are u ok??
I'm okay now. I was sick for a while. And then when I got better, I got sick again. I was unlucky with the food I ate, I guess. 🙁. So I had to spend a lot of time just in my hotel room. I couldn't go outside very much or go traveling. But I'm feeling better now. My life should get back to normal. 🙂
@@PlanetDoug becarefull what you eat bro.. hope u gets speedy recovery.. come back to malaysia and celebrate ramadan with us ☺
Sorry to hear you have been unwell. Hope you make a full recovery soon.
You should come back to KL and experience the holy month of Ramadhan which leads to Eid celebrations at the end. In the evenings they have street-long food markets where you can find all sorts of delicacies (now you must upgrade to 10 snack challenge a day!). Of course this happens only once a year so it's well worth the wait.
Congratulation on 2K subscribers, Cikgu. High time to monitized your channel. Or even join Patreon.
New subscriber here .. your vlogs are interesting 👍
Thanks. I appreciate the compliment. 🙂
Hope everything is ok with you, haven't heard from you in a while? Take care.
Yeah I hope he's alright..I miss his videos 😥
Yes, I hope you’re ok, Doug. We are quite worried.
I'm okay now. I was pretty sick for a while, and I wasn't able to do very much. That happens a lot with me when I go to a new country. I get sick to my stomach from something I eat or drink. And this time, I got sick twice. I got better the first time, and then I went out into Yangon, but I got sick again. 🙁 So I had bad luck, and it took a long time to get better. But I'm feeling better now. 🙂👍
The train tracks were built around late 1870s
So they are older than I thought. Thanks for the info. I wasn't sure about the dates from what I read. It wasn't clear to me if they were talking about the tracks, different trains, the actual circular train line or what. 🙂
Thanks you are ok 👌. Now my heart beats are normal.
Hi Doug, Hope all is well with you. I'm back from my trip to the Baltics and have a lot of your vids to catch up with among other things.
Good to see you in Myanmar at last and it seems you've been really busy. Hope it has been all very enjoyable and insightful to a new culture and people. Will you do a vid on your observations and insights one day? Any chance of visitiing other places in the country? Hope to follow in your footsteps one day. All the best
I hope your trip to the Baltics went well.
I've made a few videos since I've been here in Yangon, but I haven't really been that busy. Maybe it just looks that way on the videos. 😃 The water festival accounted for a big chunk of time here - the festival itself and the days before and after it. And I've been a bit ill, which has cut into my time.
I'd like to see more of the country, of course. I'm just figuring out some future plans right now - assuming that I start to feel a bit better soon.
I will go this December do you think it’s still a good idea?
Unfortunately, I don't really know about the situation in Myanmar right now. I haven't watched any recent videos from TH-camrs that go there, so I don't know what the conditions are like or how easy/difficult it is to get a tourist visa and travel around. And I haven't been there myself, of course.
My guess is that it would be fine to go there. You'd probably run into some restrictions - maybe curfews and parts of the country you can't visit. And my guess is that a lot of the hotels won't be open anymore. The combination of the pandemic and the military coup devastated the tourism industry, so a lot of places probably went out of business. But the result could be a very interesting trip. You might feel like you have the whole country to yourself.
@@PlanetDoug Thanks Doug, I just noticed that prices jumped ahead and many hotels won’t take foreigners
Sorry that you missed circular train . Actually , the ticket teller lady just don’t tell you that there is a circular train but not Clockwise but Counter ClockWise , and she seems she did not get your intention , and most people of Yangon do not ride Counter Clockwise Circular Train , they prefer Clockwise circular train
Thank you for clearing that up. I usually have no idea what is going on when I try to do things like buy a train ticket. I just do my best and try to figure out what is happening. I often wonder later on what I misunderstood about the situation. 😃
If I'd known there was a train going counter clockwise around the full loop, I would have taken that train. But it didn't seem to be a possibility. I was happy with the trip that I did take, though. I got to ride on an older model train (from Hungary?) first, and it was quite empty. And then I rode on the more modern train and it was much busier with a lot more people and activity. So it all worked out.
I wana to ride this train ! must be a good experience right ?
It was a good experience for me, but I enjoy simple things like this where I can get a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of regular people. If you are looking for comfort or a "WOW!" kind of experience, this probably isn't it. But I enjoyed it very much.
I also got the feeling that there was more to see in the way of local markets, tea shops, and other things if the train had gone all the way around the full loop. I'm guessing that the eastern half of the loop is more rural and has more markets. The section of track that my train went down (the western half) was fairly ordinary in terms of what you see outside the window. But it was an enjoyable view of perhaps what life was like decades ago in other countries around southeast Asia. 🙂
Douglas, the expressions of the faces of the people on-board the train, they seem to be puzzled and wondering, "What is this western man doing on this train and holding a strange black (Go-pro) plastic thing"....
I have to admit that my camera rig was a little bit unusual, and that might account for some of the longer looks. I had my GoPro mounted on the hotshoe of my Panasonic G85. So it was essentially a camera on top of a camera. They might have been staring at my set-up trying to figure out what was going on. 😄
But even so, people did seem puzzled and unsure of what to make of me. That actually surprised me because I thought most of these people would have seen a foreigner on this train before. A bunch of foreigners ride this train every day now that it has become a well-known feature of Yangon. I even saw a group of four foreigners getting on the train with a guide.
Myanmar people are not that uncivilized bro..They know what things are. But they have this stupid behaviour which is they stares at you for a long time as if you were an alien or what.Not only foreigners but also people like me get stared on the streets too
Hope u recovering well.
Thank you. Yes, I am feeling better now. It took a long time because I got sick two times in a row. I have no idea why. I think I had bad luck trying some different food. 🙂
U can buy Smecta rehyrating powder which is good and also get some carbon tablets for your travel
22:05 Wait...Didn't that guy jumped out of the train when it was departing? How did he get to the front of the car? 😅
You're absolutely right! I never noticed that. It's the same guy. There's no mistaking that T-shirt and his voice. It's quite distinct.
The only explanation is that he must have jumped right back on again as the train was moving past. He jumped out of the second last car, so he must have jumped back in as the last car was passing. The train was going slowly enough that it would have been possible.
Either that or he's the Flash and somehow raced down the tracks and got ahead of us. 😄
Hello mr nice guy .. we are worried about you , please give us a sign that you are ok
Hi doug. Are you back in KL
WICH GAUGE ???
No 5 snacks challenge ? : )
How's communication with the people ? Given that their language don't use the A,B,C alphabets.
Unfortunately, no 5-Snack Challenge. Things just haven't worked out that way, I guess, with first the water festival and then the heat wave. It's enough of a challenge just walking around let alone snacking at streetside stalls. And I got sick. I've been sick for most of my time here, and I just haven't been able to eat very much. I've had a light breakfast that the hostel provides, and after that, I've often eating nothing for the entire day. When I did eat, I'd return to a "safe" restaurant like the one that makes a simple biryani and chicken. 😄
Communication has been kind of odd. When it comes to the important logistical stuff - renting a room, ordering food and drinks, etc. - I always seem to find someone that speaks enough English to get the job done. But if I try to stray beyond that and try to talk about anything else, I hit a brick wall. Then no one seems to understand what I'm asking or saying.
And there is enough English lettering on signs that it doesn't really matter that they don't use the same letters as the English alphabet. There is usually both English and the Myanmar script on street signs, for example. And the restaurants that I've gone into have taken the time to make English menus for the occasional foreign tourist that drops by. That's been a big help.
You missing train because the first train go yangon to insein.First train you ride is not circular train.Sorry for Myanamar peoples because they don't know english skill.
Hi, nice man ; what's wrong with you ! We are eagerly awaiting for your next video, here anybody else , who can help us to know about his health in present update.
Sorry to leave you hanging. 🙂I got sick here in Yangon for a while, and I couldn't do very much. Something I ate or drank, I guess. I just had to rest until I got over it. Nothing serious. Just the usual stomach trouble from bad street food, I think. I'm starting to feel better, so my life should get back to normal soonish.
@@PlanetDougOh dear. Have a speedy recovery.
Speedy recovery...and take care...drink plenty of bottled water...
Good to hear from you. Get well soon! Looking forward to your new videos.
i knew you must be feeling sick for not doing the vlog for so long now.. i ve been waiting for your update too.. but speedy recovery okey.. and avoid eating street food.
No ticket collectors?
To my experience, there are no ticket collectors on circular trains.I guess they thought that was unneccesary
Where are you Doug???
Anybody know?
15:55 are you going Insein? (insane) pun intended
The train that I rided was very old, great experience, and I was sitting at the back, there was this guy who waves the red flag in every stop. Did you see a sign saying "no kissing in the train? " it was so funny for me.
23:41
Ah shit,here we go again
I took the train ride while I was there last week. It was brutal, I couldn't make it pass the halfway point. Train ride from hell.
So, in your case, the train was going around the full loop? Do you remember which direction you went in? Did you go to the west and up towards Insein (like my train)? Or did it go the other way? I tried to get info about why the train was only going partway, but I couldn't understand what people told me. 😃
What time of day did you take the train? I think that might make a big difference. The first train I took was practically empty, so it was quite comfortable, and I could walk the entire length of the train and sit anywhere I wanted. The train back was much more crowded and uncomfortable, and that was around noon. I can imagine that during rush hours, the trains would be jammed, and that could be a bit much.
@@PlanetDoug yeah if you start at the main central railway station it will be full loop. It's the one near that giant intersection area where the mingalar cinema is.
@@PlanetDoug started west to go east I think
That's actually where I started my train trip from - the Yangon Central Railway Station. But I guess I misunderstood the situation. It seemed like my only option was to take the train to Insein going west (clockwise) and then return on a different train. But it sounds like there are still trains doing the full loop going counter clockwise. I just wasn't able to figure out how to buy a ticket for that train. Maybe I was at the wrong ticket office. 🙂 That wouldn't surprise me.
I am also sick since 05-05-2019 due to a small bone of a big carp fish, fish bone paused in my throat; it's a painful , I can't explain a lot what a terrible pain this is ? That night I never sleep at all, Doctor have seen my conditions and relief me from that conditions, and he suggested me to take five items of medicines, He also said me ; you will forget all the terrible things soon ; which has happened with you !
First like.
Burma looks a lot like Tamil Nadu in terms of vibes but with lighter skinned people.
U uploaded good Videos, but don't cross time 10 minutes max for one video, more information low comment
Ok I see the ticket collector
I don't think they are very serious about checking tickets. The ticket price of 200 kyats wouldn't even come close to covering the operating cost of this train. It operates at a huge loss from what I've read. So I don't think it matters whether they collect the 200 kyats per passenger or not.
I only saw that ticket collector that one time. And I saw people constantly getting on and getting off the train at different stations, and I never saw anyone have their ticket checked except that one time when he checked mine. The city buses were equally casual. People simply stuffed their money into a small box on their way in and nobody was checking to see if they really paid or not. The bus driver wasn't paying attention and there was no one else on board to check up on it. It's a very trusting system.
they have no air cond in the train..that's sucks
You have to put into perspective. The trains run at a loss & require subsidy to keep it running
Are you alright ! I think either you're having illness or you go back to the Canada ; that's the reason you have no response.
He was sick, maybe still is. But going back to Canada? 😲 I don't think it's crossed his mind.
Yes, I got sick in Yangon from something I ate or something I drank. It usually takes me a week or so to recover when that happens, but this time it took longer. I don't know why, but after I got better, I got sick again. I couldn't really go outside very much, and I couldn't do any traveling. In the middle of all that, my visa expired, so I had to leave Myanmar. I stayed in Bangkok for a few days resting until I felt better.
I'm back in Yangon now. Yesterday was my first day back. It's still hot here, but not quite as hot as before. And I feel much better. Things should be okay now. 🙂
@@PlanetDoug You purposely went to Bangkok for visa run? I read somewhere you could extend visa while still in Myanmar
I see fans, but not working?
Yes, there were fans, but none of them were working that I saw. It didn't matter while we were moving. With all the open windows and doors there was enough of a breeze to stay comfortable. But it soon got very hot if we stopped at a station for any length of time. Luckily, that didn't happen often.
The return train - the more crowded one - was quite a bit hotter. But I never reached the normal Yangon stage of sweat just pouring down my face. 🙂
Train station ...rubbish everywhere ...oh my god
I guess I've been around places like this for so long that I don't even notice things like that anymore. I just accept it as normal and don't even see it. 🙂
I find that, in general, it's much more of a habit in some countries to just throw garbage on the ground. In fact, it would be very difficult to find a public garbage container anyway. They just don't exist. But at the same time, there are often armies of paid street sweepers who go around cleaning up. Plus, the way the economies work, it is possible for people to make a living by picking up recyclable trash and bringing it to large depots for cash.
I've noticed that these recycling depots are often right beside train tracks. And I passed lots of people on this train who were bringing large bags of recycled plastic to these places. But I guess a fair amount of garbage gets missed and piles up here and there.
i think you should cut short you video to < 20 mins. When i see it > 40 mins, i skipped it for first few times