The British-built Circle Line began operations in 1959 and currently serves over 20,000 passengers each day.



The sometimes achingly slow three-hour train ride passes through 39 stations, connecting satellite towns and suburban areas to the city of Yangon.


Objectively, the Circle Line train cars are far from comfortable with unaccommodating chairs, bad suspension, and open-air compartments that expose riders to rain, insects, and sometimes sweltering heat.


However, despite all these apparent discomforts, the Circle Line Train is a fantastic way to connect in close quarters with the exceptionally friendly and open Burmese people -- always ready to offer their seat to a stranger in need -- a large sign is mounted in every car proclaiming: "Warmly welcome and take care of tourists."

To ride the Circle Line is to experience the quotidien intimacies of Yangon's people as they journey together, sharing food and conversation with a greater ease and conviviality than is likely to be found on any Western train.




And because the Circle Line train offers the region's cheapest daily commuting option, it offers even the lowest level of Burmese wage earners affordable transportation to their jobs in Yangon.