Yangon

Yangon(Rangoon) is the former capital city of Myanmar and gateway to Myanmar by sea and by air. There are many places to visit among which the following places many draw their interest:
(a) Cultural Museum where the regalia of the last Myanmar king and the imperial throne is placed.
(b) Gems Museum where priceless gems of Myanmar such as ruby, jade and pearl are isplayed among many interesting gems. There are many jewellery shops offering a wide range of Myanmar made jewellery to meet one''s taste and budget.
(c) Defence Services Museum where many interesting displays of Myanmar''s military might during the Myanmar kings was retraced up to the contemporary period.
(d) Zoological Gardens, which display a large variety of species, found in Myanmar and many from other habitat.

The Inya Lake, the scenic stretch of water is located near the University of Yangon campus, ideal for yachting and cross-the -lake swimming.

History

In 1755, King Alaungpaya(the founder of Kon-Baung Dynasty) accomplished his military campaign to reunite the whole of Myanmar, following his conquest of Dagon. At that time, Dagon was no more than a village or a small town. The king realized that the conquest of Dagon implied a total victory over Lower Myanmar because of its strategic location.

Accordingly, he renamed the town Yangon that literally means end of strife. Afterwards, the town went by the name of Yangon for nearly a century. In 1851, however, the British annexation of Yangon resulted in getting the town refounded. And the name also was changed to Rangoon. Since then, the city has been designated as the capital of Myanmar and known of the world as Rangoon. The new city was modeled and constructed by Lieutenant Fraser, a British Officer of the Engineering Corps who, it was believed, also designed and constructed Singapore. The city was laid out on a chessboard pattern with wide roads running North to South and East to West.

On the right of the pagoda is the Town Hall. In the distance can be seen the Shwe Dagon Pagoda. Until the 1980s old Rangoon was swampy and tidal creeks flooded that area around the Sula Pagoda at high tide. The Mosque in Mogul Street(now Shwe Bon Tha St.), Yangon 1890.

Sule Pagoda

Situated right in the centre of Yangon -- right beside the Myanmar Travel and Tours office --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 stands 46 metres (152 feet) high and is surrounded by small shops and all the familiar non-religious services such as of astrologists, palmists, and so on.

KabaAye Pagoda

The name KabaAye in Myanmar means "world peace" to which this pagoda is dedicated. This pagoda was built in 1952 for the 1954-56 Sixth Buddhist Synod. The 34 metre (111 feet) high pagoda also measures 34 metres around its base. It stands about 11 km north of the city, a little beyond the Inya lake Hotel. The Buddhist Art Museum and Maha Pasana Cave are also located in the same compound.

National Museum

The National Museum of Myanmar is located at No. 66/74, Pyay Road, Dagon Township, Yangon, Myanmar. It exhibits the Lion Throne of King Thibaw, the last Myanmar King, Royal Regalia of 19th century, and artifacts of various ancient periods, musical instruments and paintings. It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 15:00 p.m. except Saturday and Sunday.

Zoological Garden

Located near Kandawgyi Hotel, the Zoo is noted for its collection of wild animals, flora and fauna, which have been collected over the years since it was opened in 1906. On weekend and public holidays Snake Dance and Elephant Circus are performed for visitors.

Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bogyoke Aung San Park (Kan Daw Gyi Park)

A scenic park with a lovely view of Kandawgyi Lake is located on Natmauk Road. The Park is a popular recreation centre where city-dwellers relax and enjoy their leisure in peaceful tranquility. The playgrounds and picnic areas are favorite spots for children and teenagers.

Bogyoke Aung San Market

This market was first built and inaugurated on the present premises in 1926. It was named Scott Market after Mr. C. Scott, the then Municipal Commissioner. Nowadays, it is called Bogyoke Aung San Market in honor of our national leader General Aung San who was assassinated in 1947. Bogyoke Aung San Market is situated in the heart of Yangon -- on Bogyoke Aung San Road. There are 1,641 shops selling luxury items, handicrafts, food stuffs, clothing, jewellery, fashion and consumer goods. The market is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM except on Sundays and gazetted holidays. Even though it''s opened at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM would be the best time to visit, when the entire market is fully opened.

Yangon Photo Slideshow

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Yangon Map

Yangon Location: +16° 49'' 36.39", +96° 10'' 31.76"

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Shwedagon

The magnificent golden Shwedagon is the first sacred monument, which the visitor to Myanmar can see from air or by sea, one of the wonders of the world. To Buddhists the Golden Shwedagon most sacred place of worship because it enshrined the sacred relics of the three earlier Buddhas and Eight Hair Relics of Gautama Buddhas the Supreme Self- Enlightened. One who attained Buddha hood 2540 years ago.

To non-Buddhists, it is marvelous work of architecture conical in structure, a massive edifice towering 99.4 m with the perimeter measuring 432.8 m, glittering in gold and studded on the pinnacle with priceless gems. The golden umbrella (Hti) was recently replaced by a new one on 4 April 1999, and enriched with gold bells, and jewellery spontaneously donated on the spot by the devotees. The Shwedagon is located in Yangon(Rangoon) the capital metropolis of Myanmar(Burma).

The photo of the south entrance of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda is shown below that was taken in 1887. The old entrance with guardian demons, constructed by King Tharawaddy (1837-46) cannot be seen now aday. On each side of the road are pilgrim''s rest houses. Carriages in Yangon(Rangoon) were own by Indians.

Other well-frequented pagodas in Yangon are Sule Pagoda located in the heart of Yangon, Botataung Pagoda, Kaba Aye Pagoda among the many.

Photo Slideshow

Shwedagon Photo Slide show

                                                                                                                                   

Video

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Shwedagon Map