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Yangon
and Environs |
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YANGON:
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| 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. |
Kandawgyi Lake
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Sule Pagoda:
The landmark at the Yangon City center and symbol
of downtown Yangon is situated right at the heart
of the city. The Sule Pagoda is said to be over
2,000 years old, enshrining a hair relics of the
Buddha. The golden pagoda is unusual in that its
octagonal shape continues right up to the top
terrace. It stands 46 meters (152 feet) high and
is surrounded by small shops of all the familiar
non-religious services such as astrologers,
palmists, photo studios and watch repair. From
there, you may observe the atmosphere of the
Yangon center with crowed people from all walks of
life in various trades, and busy traffic.
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Sule Pagoda
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Downtown:
On a city tour to downtown and Yangon's
riverfront you will see many of the remarkable
sites of the colonial and religious past of this
garden city. Old Rangoon was Dr William
Montgomerie’s design. He was the army
superintendent surgeon and learnt his city
planning skills from Sir Stanford Raffles in
Singapore. Buildings of heritage in Yangon are now
listed for protection. The period architecture of
the old city center, among others, includes:
The City Hall, designed by U Tin in 1925,
incorporates Myanmar themes into its facade,
including floral motifs and mythical creatures.
The High Court, a red brick extravaganza by
the architect John Ransome built in 1911. The
impressive building sports a clock tower whose
four faces are lighted at night, and can be seen
floating above the city centre.
The Strand Hotel built in 1896, once
described as the "leading hotel of the
East". The Strand has long been recognized as
a national landmark, a model of auspicious,
colonial repose. The hotel’s Victorian influence
is visible even from the colonnaded entranceway.
The Customs House was built of red brick in
1902.
The Township Judicial Offices building, a
long grey structure with high pillars, finished in
1920 was once headquarter of the Burma Socialist
Program Party. |
Yangon downtown
Yangon downtown
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The towered Myanmar Port
Authority, on the corner of Strand Road and
Pansodan Street.
The office of the Ministry of Information,
built in 1918, is a four-story structure with
austere pillars that originally served as a bank,
then as the National Museum and has now been
returned to its original duty as a bank.
The Yangon Division Court House built in
1912, in the Queen Anne architectural style.
The Rander House, at the corner of Pansodan
Street and Merchant Street.
The adjacent Government Telegraph Office
was erected the same year as the High Court -
though a fresh coat of paint ensures that it looks
as striking as architect John Begg intended.
The compound of the Secretariat along
Mahabandoola Street and Bo Aung Kyaw Street.
Construction began in 1980 and was finished 1905,
resulting a massive red brick building with four
wings radiating out from a central dome. It was
here in 1947 that General Aung San and five
members of his cabinet were assassinated during a
meeting.
The Yangon General Hospital, impressively
designed with expansive arches and towering
turrets was, upon its completion in 1911, the
first public building in Myanmar constructed of
reinforced concrete.
The Railway Station, ornamented with
Traditional Myanmar motifs.
Pansodan Jetty:
The jetty is situated in front of the famous
Strand Hotel. From there, you may observe the
daily lives of people who came across the river
from the other side of the city for working or
selling their local products. You can cross the
river by ferry boat, which takes about 10 minutes
to return.
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Yangon Sunset Cruise:
The RV Mahaythi has daily (guarantee minimum 2
persons departure) Yangon Sunset Cruises.
Departure from Botataung Jetty at 16:30 P.M. and
arrival at War-tan Jetty is at 18:30 P.M.
The City Circular Train:
If you wish to drive through rural areas, stopping
at numerous stations watching cigarette sellers,
betelnut sellers, fortune tellers, and, and,
and... - then just buy a ticket for the 2 1/2 hour
ride.
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RV Mahaythi
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Botataung Pagoda:
The Botataung Pagoda was a famous Land-mark on
Rangoon's waterfront. Situated just below the long
lines of jetties that serve this busy port whence
rice, petroleum, timber and mineral are shipped to
the whole world.
Bogyoke Aung San Market:
Formerly known as Scott Market, it is the most
famous place for shopping in Yangon. Myanmar arts
and handicrafts are best souvenirs available there
at reasonable prices. Lacquerware, wood and ivory
carvings, tapestries, silverware, brassware, silk
and cotton fabrics, and shoulder bags as well as
jewelry are some of the most favorite items it has
to offer.
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Botataung Pagoda
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Shwedagon Pagoda:
The most significant and the pride of Myanmar, the
ancient stupa towers almost 100 meters above the
green cityscape of Yangon. The great golden
Shwedagon Pagoda is the prominent landmark visible
from miles around, where the holy hair relics of
the Buddha were enshrined more than 2,500 years
ago. It is one of the wonders of the world and the
most venerable pagoda in Southeast Asia. It is the
essence of Myanmar and a cultural splendor that
never fails to enchant. A visit to Yangon would be
incomplete without a call at the Shwedagon. There
you may observe not only the wealth of ancient
Myanmar architecture and artistic craftsmanship as
it has developed throughout the ages, but also the
deeds of Buddhist rituals such as offering water,
candles, incense sticks and flowers to the Buddha. |
Shwedagon Pagoda
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National Museum:
Located on Pyay Road, about a few minutes away
from downtown, the newly built five-storied museum
will let you know the glory of Myanmar. It
exhibits the Lion Throne of the last Myanmar king,
royal regalia of 19th century Myanmar kingdom,
artifacts of various ancient periods, articles of
cultural heritage and archaeological value, art
and craft articles, weaponry, musical instruments
and paintings.
Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda:
Located 10 minutes away from downtown, and 5
minutes from the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the 72
meters long reclining Buddha image is the biggest
colossal reclining Buddha image in Myanmar.
Originally built in 1907, it has suffered damage
due to climate over the years. In 1957, it was
demolished and rebuilt to this structure and
completed in 1966. The uniqueness of the image is
the glass mosaic on the sole of its feet
representing the 108 special characteristics of
the Buddha.
Bogyoke Aung San Park:
A scenic park composed of numerous hills and shady
green trees, surrounding the beautiful lake of
Kandawgyi, one of two major lakes in Yangon, is
located 5 minutes away from downtown. The Park is
a nearest retreat and popular recreation center
where city-dwellers can relax and enjoy their
leisure time in peace and tranquility. The
playgrounds and picnic areas are favorite spots
for children and teenagers.
Zoological Garden:
Located near the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, the
Yangon Zoo is noted for its collection of wild
animals from around the world, rare species, flora
and fauna, which have been collected over the
years since it was opened in 1906. On weekends and
public holidays, snake dance and elephant circus
are performed for visitors. The Zoological Garden
Amusement Park is also a well-known spot for
children and teenagers.
Natural History Museum
Situated near the Kandawgyi Lake, the Natural
History Museum has a notable collection of
Myanmar's geographical, biological and
archaeological diversity including flora and
fauna, forest products, minerals and rocks.
People's Square and People's
Park
People's Square and People's Park occupy over 130
acres of land between Shwedagon Pagoda and Pyithu
Hluttaw (the Parliament). There is a museum
housing life-size models of nationalities in their
colorful dress. A restaurant in the Park serves
Myanmar, Chinese and European cuisine.
Myanmar Gems Museum:
Of the 100 counters in the building 30 on the
ground floor, 34 each on the first and second
floors are privately owned, whereas the remaining
two counters on the ground floor are run by the
Myanmar Gems Enterprise and Myanmar VES Joint
Venture Co., Ltd. These three floors of the Gems
Mart present the whole range of Myanmar ruby,
sapphire, period and a variety of assorted colored
stones, jade, pearls in lots or embedded in
exquisite jewelry, gold ware, silverware and jade
figurines. These are sold in Myanmar Kyats, US$ or
foreign exchange certificates (FEC). The Myanmar
Gems Enterprise (MGE) under the Ministry of Mines
annually holds an auction at the Emporium.
In the gems museum, you will find ruby, jade,
pearl and the jewelry counters.
Kabar Aye Pagoda (World
Peace Pagoda):
Built in 1954 in dedication to the 1954-56 Sixth
Buddhist Council. This 111-feet-high pagoda
measures 34 meters around the base.
Buddhist Art Museum:
The Buddhist Art Museum at the Kabar Aye Pagoda
has a wide collection of religious paraphernalia
and Buddhist texts.
Maha Pasana Cave:
This great cave is a man-made cave built for the
Sixth Buddhist Council, which was held to coincide
with the 2500th anniversary of the Buddha's
enlightenment. The participants recited, edited,
and approved the entire Buddhist scriptures known
as the Three Pitakat. The cavern measures 455 by
370 feet.
Mae La Mu Pagoda:
Mae La Mu Pagoda located in the suburb of Yangon
is a wonderland of sculptured figures and famous
for the giant images depicting Buddha's earlier
lives.
White Elephants:
Within the walking distance from Minn Dhamma Hill,
there is an Elephant house where the three white
elephants are kept. In many Asian countries
including Myanmar, white elephant is regarded as a
supreme royal ornament.
National Races Village:
National races village is situated in Tharketa
Township, on the left of Yangon-Thanlyin Bridge.
You will not only enjoy fresh breeze blowing
across Bago River but also get the sense of Union
Spirit from the village of national brethren,
Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine
and Shan. You can see buildings with significant
symbols denoting various national races residing
in the country.
ENVIRONS:
Hlawga Wildlife Park:
The Hlawga Wildlife Park is about 45 minutes'
drive from downtown. The park, which covers 1,650
acres of land and lake is home for over 70 kinds
of herbivorous animals and 90 species of birds. It
has a museum of the replica of Myanmar traditional
buildings and a small zoo with rock garden. Flocks
of migratory birds frequently visit the park. It
is an ideal place for picnickers, naturalists,
botanists and bird-watchers. Visitor can also
enjoy elephant rides, boating and fishing in the
park.
Htaukkyant World War II
Cemetery:
Located at Htaukkyant, about 32 km from Yangon on
the road to Bago, there is a memorial cemetery of
Allied soldiers who died in the Burma Campaign
during World War II. The cemetery's beautifully
kept compound has 27,000 tombstones of fallen
Common Wealth and Allied soldiers.
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Bago (Pegu):
The ancient capital of the Mon Kings from the 14th
through 16th century and that of the Second
Myanmar Empire founded by King Bayinnaung, Bago is
situated only 80 km from Yangon. Places of
interest in Bago are Shwemawdaw Pagoda, the
highest pagoda in Myanmar with the elevation of
117 meters, built over 2,000 years ago by two
merchants; the famous Kalyani Thein (Ordination
Hall); Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha, which was
built during 9th century and one of the most
elegant reclining Buddha images, stretching 55
meters; four huge Buddha images of Kyaikpun
Pagoda; and the Bago Market. |
View from Hinthakone Pagoda
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Thanlyin (Syriam):
Only 45 minutes by ferry across the Bago River or
about 30 minutes' drive from Yangon lies Thanlyin.
It was a major port and important trading centre
from the 14th through the 18th century until it
was displaced by Yangon in 1755. It was briefly
controlled by the Portuguese adventurer, de Brito,
at the beginning of the 17th century. The ruins of
a Catholic church built by an Italian missionary
in the 18th century can still be seen in Thanlyin.
Kyeik-khauk Pagoda in Thanlyin and Yele Pagoda (a
pagoda on a small island) at Kyauktan are worth
visiting. You may also observe the local ways of
making ceramic products at Bogyoke Village. |
Yele Pagoda
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Twante:
A small town on Twante Canal, it is 24 km from
Yangon and takes about two hours by boat along the
canal. The boat trip provides a view of the life
along the canal while Twante itself provides
interest as a center of pottery and hand-woven
cotton cloth.
The RV Mahaythi has daily (guarantee
minimum 2 persons departure) river cruises to
Twante. Pick-up from your hotel is at 07:00 and
you will be back in Yangon at appr. 15:00 P.M. For
more information, please kindly check our river
cruises.
Letkokone Beach:
It is the nearest beach from Yangon, a distance of
just under three hours drive, after ferry-crossing
the Hlaing i.e., Yangon river. Letkokon village
and Ywa Thit Kone village just a kilometer further
away are small fishing villages. Fresh and
delicious seafood and juicy tropical fruit of the
season can be enjoyed to your contentment. A
Sunbath under the shady coconut groves sipping
tender coconut milk under the sunny sky would be a
pleasant time to pass. The one and only hotel, the
"Letkokon Beach Hotel" with a number of
Chalet type bungalows is located at the end of the
driveway leading from the beach. Poor road,
electricity supply, telecoms, accommodation, fresh
clean water, modern conveniences and other
facilities are limited. Over a century old
monastery of teak logs and planks and another
about half a century old are in the vicinity of
Ywa Thit Kone. The Ayeyarwady River, which
branches into several rivulets in the Delta Region
before entering into the sea deposits fertile silt
to form the Delta, where nutrient and fragrant
rice cultivation, thrives on the rich soil. During
the monsoon and high waters the sea is rather
muddy. The Chaung Tha Beach further west, the Kan
Thar Yar Beach and the Ngapali Beach in the
north-west on the Rakhine Coast where the sea
water is clear for swimming and surfing.
Facilities are better.
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