Yangon (Rangoon)

The City of Yangon was once the cleanest city in Asia, some even exaggerated as the Queen of the Cities. Singapore, in fact, was designed after studying how Yangon was built. 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.

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 present day Yangon covers 400 sq I(m and has a population of over 4 million.

The main attraction of Yangon is the world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda. The Shwedagon, believed to have been built more than 2500 years ago, is a much-revered shrine whose cultural splendour never fails to enchant. Towering 100 metres above the green cityscape of Yangon, the Shwedagon is a landmark visible from afar. Other tourist attractions include: the 70-metre long Reclining Buddha of Chauk-tat-gyi Pagoda; KabaAye (World Peace) Pagoda and Maha Pasana Cave; giant Images of Buddha's Earlier Lives at Maila-mu Pagoda; Mahawizaya Pagoda; National Museum; Bogyoke Aung San Park and Kandawgyi Lake; Peoples' Square and Peoples' Park; and Zoological Garden.

Where to Visit in Yangon 

Shwe Dagon Pagoda

This great pagoda is towering more than 300 feet above the monsoon green city-scope of Yangon. It is the prominent landmark visible from miles around. Being one of the wonders of the world, The Shwe Dagon is believed to have been built approximately 2,500 years ago. It is the essence of Myanmar and a place that never falls to enchant. Two merchant brothers brought strands of Buddha in about 600 BC, and came to this sacred place. A golden slab was laid on the relics chamber, and a golden pagoda was built on top of it. Over that, a silver pagoda was built, then a tin pagoda, a copper pagoda, a lead pagoda, a marble pagoda, and finally an iron brick pagoda, which today brought up to this 326 feet height! For more detail, pls see Shwe Dagon Pagoda page. Open from 4am-10pm everyday.

 

National Museum

Located on the Pyay Road, right close-by the Foreign Ministry. This National Museum of the Union of Myanmar was founded in 1952. The National museum exhibits the Lion Throne of King Thibaw, the last Myanmar King, royal Regalia of 19th century, costumes, weapons, and armor of kings, queens, ministers, and generals, furniture of the Myanmar royal families, and many other artifacts of various artifacts from ages. Others are musical instruments and paintings. Several Millions worth of items are there. It's a must-visit place! Address: 66/74 Pyay Road, Dagon, Yangon. Size: 5-storeys, 380'x200'. Open: 10am-3:30pm. Closed: Mondays & holidays.

 

Sule Pagoda

Pronounced as 'soo-lay', this pagoda is recognized as the heart of Yangon, which is right beside the Myanmar Travels and Tour office and the City Hall. This also is an excellent landmark. It is said to be over 2000 years old too. Water encircles this pagoda until about 200 years ago. This pagoda is also said to enshrine a hair of Buddha: it's Mon name, Kyaik Athok means "the pagoda where a sacred hair relic is enshrined". Sule Pagoda is extraordinary in it's octagonal shape. It stands 152 feet (46 meters) high and is surrounded by small shops and all the familiar non-religious services such as astrologists, palmists, photographers, and so on. The huge City Hall building, right beside it, is the office of the Yangon Mayor. Touring is not allowed. But it's worth taking pictures for its grand architecture. Open 6am-8pm everyday.

 

Botahtaung Pagoda

Botahtaung stands for "a thousand military leaders". This pagoda was named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted relics of Buddha, brought from India over millenniums ago. The Botahtaung is hollow inside and you can walk through it. It is a sort of mirrored maze inside the pagoda with glass show-cases containing many ancient relics and artifacts which were sealed inside the earlier pagoda. Above this interesting interior, the golden pagoda spire rises to 132 feet (40 meters).

 

Hlawgar Wildlife Park

It is about 45 minutes drive from Yangon. This park covers 1650 acres and its big lake is the home to over 70 kinds of herbvorous animals and 90 species of birds. Flocks of migratory birds frequently visit the park It is an ideal place for picnickers, bird-watchers, naturalists, and botanists. Visitors can also have elephant rides, boating and fishing in the park.

 

Zoological Garden

It is located near Kandawgyi (Royal Lake) and is noted for a good collection of wild animals, flora and fauna which have been collected since its opening in 1906. It might be the oldest zoo in southeast asia. On weekends and holidays, dances and circus with elephants and snakes are performed. Open daily from 8am-6pm.

 

Kabar Aye Pagoda (World Peace Pagoda)

Built in 19502 in dedication to the 1954-56 Sixth Buddhist Council. This 111-feet-high pagoda measures 34 meters around the base. The Buddhist Art Museum and Maha Pasana Cave are also in the same compound.

 

Maha Pasana Cave

This great cave is 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.

 

Chauk Htat Kyee Buddha (6-Storey-High Buddha)

This reclining Buddha image is one of the largest images in Myanmar. The original image was built in 1907. But it was suffered damage due to climate over the years. In 1957 it was demolished and rebuilt to this structure in 1966. Similar ones are Ngar Htat Kyee Buddha (5-Storey-High Buddha) and Koe Htat Kyee Buddha (9-Storey-High Buddha).

 

May Lamu Pagoda (Miss Lamu Pagoda)

Known for it's wonderland of spired pagodas and sculptured figures located in a sub-urban town, North Okkalapa. It is famous for the giant images depicting Buddha's earlier lives.

 

Mahavijaya Pagoda

It's a symbolic memorial of the First Successful Congregation of the Sanghas of All Orders held in 1980. This elegant Mahavijaya Pagoda is a unique blend of traditional patterns and modern. The sanctuary contains the finely wrought Buddha images and the reliquary donated by the King of Nepal.

 

People's Park and Museum

This park occupies over 130 acres between Shwe Dagon Pagoda and the Parliament building. The museum exhibit life-size models of nationalities in their colorful dress and flora and fauna. The Restaurant serves Myanmar and European Food. Open 7am-7pm.

 

Allied War Memorial

If your grand-dad has died fighting in the Second World War with the Allied Forces, you would like to visit this memorial place. Located at Htauk Kyant, about 32 km from Yangon on the road to Bago. It is a memorial cemetery of Allied Soldiers who died in the "Burma Campaign of WW-II". It's the home of 27000 stone graves of Allied Soldiers.

 

Thanlyin (Syriam)

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. The tombs of 2 famous Myanmar poets Laureate of 16th century, an 18th century Portuguese Church, and a century-old Sacred Heart Church are there. Only 30 minutes' drive from Yangon, Thanlyin was a major port from the 14th to the century, until it was displaced by Yangon in 1755, and 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 Barnabite missionary in the 18th century can still be seen in Thanlyin. Kyaikkhauk Pagoda in Thanlyin and Yele' Pagoda at Kyauktan are some of the places of interest.

 

Twan-te

Twan-te, a small town on Twan-te Canal is two hours away by boat from Yangon. The boat trip provides a view of life along the canal while Twan-te itself provides interest as a centre of pottery and hand-woven cotton cloth.

Where to Shop in Yangon

Bogyoke Shopping Mall*****

The full name of this 70 year old shopping mall is "Bogyoke Aung San Market". There are some 2000 shops selling jewelries, luxury items, handicrafts, paintings, gifts, souvenirs, fashion and consumer goods. FMI-Shopping Center right beside it also is a good souvenir shopping place. Opened from 10am-6pm. Closed on Mondays and holidays.

Art Galleries***

 

New Bogyoke Market**

 

 

Mingalar Market

 

Thiri Mingalar Market

 

Bayinnaung Market

 

Chinatown*

About Yangon (Rangoon)

Replotting Yangon

After the Anglo-Burman War of 1852, Yangon falls into the hands of the British. British authorities plotted the urban part of Yangon with 500 acres targeted for the inhabitants of 36,000. English engineer Major Fraser designed the current city of Yangon in 1852-53. However when Yangon residents increased up to 60,000 in 1860, the original plotting of Yangon had to be expanded.

Marketplace

Markets are one of the most essential features of an urban city. Thane-gee Market (a) Surati Market has to be the oldest market in Yangon, as it was built together with Yangon itself when it was reploted in 1853. Thane-gee Market was known after the Kyitemae Thankaraw Pagoda and its Thane. It is known that Kyitemae Thankaraw Pagoda was destroyed to build this market. All these markets are owned and run by the government today.

Get your free map at:
165/167, Rm.4, 1st Flr., 35th Street, Kyauktada Tsp.,  Yangon, Myanmar. (Burma) Tel: (+95-1) 20 40 20, 20 40 92, 700 541, (+95-9) 99 25558    Internet: http://www.dpsmap.com
Last Modified : 23-3-05 (TSZW)