YANGON & ENVIRONS
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.
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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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.
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.
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Sule Pagoda
Yangon downtown
Yangon downtown |
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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 |
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.
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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.
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Chaukhtatgyi
Pagoda |
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.
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Karaweik View |
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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.
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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.
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Kabar Aye Pagoda |
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.
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Mae La Mu Pagoda |
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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.
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National Races Village |
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. |
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 |
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 |
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. |
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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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