Yangon

Yangon, the capital city, is the main gateway to Myanmar. Evergreen and cool with lush tropical trees, shady parks and beautiful lakes, Yangon has earned the name of "The Garden City of the East". Yangon was founded by King Alaungpaya on the site of a small settlement called Dagon when he conquered Lower Myanmar in 1755. The name Yangon means "End of Strife" which was anglicized as Rangoon by the British. The name of this city has changed along the history: first Dagon, then Yangon, and Okalapa Aung Myae Yan Hnin, then finally back to Yangon. The present day Yangon covers 400 sq m and has a population of over 5 million.

Sightseeing in Yangon

Shwedagon Pagoda

The most notable building in Yangon is the Shwedagon Pagoda, a great cone-shaped Buddhist monument that crowns a hill about one mile north of the Cantonment. The pagoda itself is a solid brick stupa (Buddhist reliquary) that is completely covered with gold. It rises 326 feet (99 m) on a hill 168 feet (51 m) above the city.

Sule Pagoda

The Sule Pagoda is an excellent landmark. It is said to be over 2,000 years old. The pagoda is said to enshrine a hair of the Buddha: its Mon name, Kyaik Athok translates as "the pagoda where a Sacred Hair Relic is enshrined". The golden pagoda is unusual in that its octagonal shape continues right up to the bell and inverted bowl. It is surrounded by small shops and all the familiar non-religious services such as of astrologists, palmists, and so on. 

National Museum

The National Museum is located on Pyay Road in a splendid five-storey building constructed for the purpose in spacious and specially landscaped grounds. It is a treasure chest of priceless stone inscriptions, documents, carvings, paintings and a host of other artifacts that testify to the ancient culture and civilization of the Myanmar people. Anyone who has made a tour of the museum will come away with greater knowledge and understanding of Myanmar and its people.

Bogyoke Aung San Market

Bogyoke Aung San Market is situated in the heart of Yangon - on Bogyoke Aung San Road. The Bogyoke Aung San Market is the most popular market and a great tourist destination in Yangon. It is one of the precious colonial buildings you can find in Yangon. The market is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Close on gazette holidays. Even through it's opened at 9:00 am; 10:00 am would be the best time to visit, when the entire market is fully opened.

Botahtaung Pagoda

The Botahtaung Pagoda is located on the Botahtaung Paya Road, which was named after the Pagoda. It is situated way downtown beside the Yangon River. The Pagoda overlooked the pleasant water front of the river. The Botataung Pagoda was named after the thousand military leaders who escorted relics of the Buddha brought from India over two thousand years ago.

Chauk-Htat-Kyi Pagoda

The Chauk-Htat-Kyi Pagoda is famous for its huge image of Reclining Buddha. It measures 65 meters and is housed in an iron structure with corrugated iron sheets roof of six layers. Hence it is generally referred to as the six-tiered pagodas. The heavy cost of this construction was entirely donated by the people.

Kabar Aye Pagoda

Kabar Aye Pagoda is located on Kabar Aye Road. Built in 1954 in dedication to the 1954-56 Sixth Buddhist Council. This 111-feet-high pagoda measures 34 meters around the base. The pagoda was built in 1954. The Kabar Aye Pagoda compound is a large one intented to have peace and quiet environment for the monks (Sangas) and the devotees.

Karaweik Hall

Situated in the Kandawgyi Nature Park, the Karaweik Hall is a landmark of Yangon, locating in Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake. This modern architecture of a mythical creature Karaweik, has 3 floors and ceremonies are held in it. This whole building was gilded with gold about 20 years ago. The Karaweik Hall, including the ancient traditional Karaweik renovated in tasteful style, its beauty enhanced by the Kandawgyi which adds grandeur of Yangon, the Garden City, with added attractions such as showrooms of ten traditional arts, shops, amusement section for children and ample parking space.

Around Yangon

Bago (Pegu)

Bago(Pegu) is just 80 km(50 miles) north of Yangon. It is just about an hour drive from Yangon. Bago is accessible easily from Yangon, Mandalay, Pyay and other cities.

Bago is one of the richest archaeological sites in Myanmar. Apparently Mons were the first to settle at this site. Bago was made the capital of the Mon Kingdom and it came to be known as Hansavati (Hanthawaddy). It was also the seaport of ancient Mon kings. Then it became the Second Myanmar Empire founded by King Bayinnaung.

Accessible by car. Only about 2 hours drive from Yangon. There are also express buses carrying passengers everyday.

Shwe-tha-lyaung Reclining Buddha

Built by the Mon in 994 this big Buddha was restored several times but was overgrown by the jungle after the total destruction of Bago by the Burmans in 1757. The 55 meter long and 16 meter high reclining Buddha is well known in Bago. It was rediscovered in 1880 and restored again several times to bring it to this condition. This huge reclining Buddha with a sign on the platform in front of the image giving the measurements of each body part. It is reputed to be one of the most lifelike of all reclining Buddhas. The Myanmar people say that the image represents Buddha in a 'relaxing' mode.

Shwemawdaw Pagoda

The Shwemawdaw or 'Great Golden God Pagoda' of Bago has been growing for more than 1000 years. The Shwemawdaw Pagoda whose spire can be seen behind this impressive entrance portal, was originally built by the Mon to a height to 23 meters in the 8th century and was rebuilt higher several times until it finally reached its present 114 meter stature in 1954. Legends say that enshrined beneath the towering pagoda are the hairs and teeth of the Buddha. Because of these relics, Shwemawdaw is visited by throngs of Buddhist pilgrims during all hours of the day and night.

Kyaik Pun Buddha Images

Kyaik Pun Pagoda is in the form of four gigantic Buddha images all in sitting posture facing the four cardinal points of the compass. They are seated back to back against a massive brick pillar. This unusual and impressive pagoda is only a few hundred feet off the Yangon-Bago road. It was built by King Dhamma Zedi in 1476 A.D. They are kept in a fair state of preservation. Kyaik Pun pagoda is situated amidst the lush rugged countryside strewn with a large number of ancient ruins many of which are under repair.

Kanbawza Thadi Palace

Kanbawza Thadi, the famous palace of King Bayinnaung (1551-1581 A.D.) is being extensively excavated and some buildings are being rebuilt. King Bayinnaung was the founder of the Second Myanmar Empire, which stretched from the borders of India to parts of Thailand and Laos. In 1566 A.D. he built a new capital city called Hanthawadi on what is now Bago. To the south of the Shwe-Maw-Daw Pagoda he built a grand palace, which he named Kanbawza Thadi.

Pyay

Pyay is an important commercial center for trade between the Ayeyarwady Delta, Central and Upper Myanmar and the Rakhine (Arakan) State. Pyay (Prome) is only 161 km north of Yangon travelling along a well-maintained highway by car.

Interesting Places in Pyay are Shwesandaw Pagoda, Sehtetgyi Pagoda (the gigantic sitting buddha image), Baw Baw Gyi Pagoda, Be Be Gyi Pagoda and Payama Pagoda. Other interesting places around pyay are Ahkauktaung, Shwe Myatman Paya, Shwe Nat Taung Pagoda and Shwe Bonthar Muni.

Thanlyin and Kyauktan

Thanlyin is situated at the confluence of the Yangon and Pegu Rivers; to be exact, on the southern bank of the Pegu River. The colonial town of Syriam was built by the British for it's port and petroleum refinery plant. It is also a sub-urban town right a few miles away from Yangon, across 1.5 mile-long bridge.Interesting places to visit in Thanlyin are Kyaik Kauk Pagoda and Ye Le Paya.

Twan-te

The delta region outside Yangon is the town of Twante where the "Oh-Bo pottery" is located.The boat trip provides a view of life along the canal while Twante itself provides interest as a centre of pottery and hand-woven cotton cloth. The pottery town of Twante is famous for the 21-mile-long canal that runs between the Ayeyawady Delta and the Yangon River. Twante can be reached by land or river from Yangon. It is only 15 miles away from Yangon. The streets of Twante are littered with so many beautiful pots of different sizes & shapes.

<Top>