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Destination in Myanmar
Interesting places in Yangon
Yangon, the capital city, is the main gate way 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 is a place full of places to visit. The city
has a variety of interesting sectors such as ancient pagodas,
beautiful parks, stunning images and museums.The present day
Yangon covers over 350sq.km and has a population of over 5
million. There are also attractive places around Yangon, where
people can tour a day-trip. The followings are some of the most
visited place in Yangon and around.
Shwedagon Pagoda , Karaweik Hall , Kabar Aye Pagoda , Sule
Pagoda , Kandawgyi Garden , Htauk Kyant War Cemetery ,
Botahtaung Pagoda , Myanmar Gems Museum , Zoological Garden ,
National Museum , Nga Htat Gyi Buddha Image , Bogyoke Aung San
Museum , Bogyoke Aung San Market , Chauk Htat Gyi Reclining
Buddha Image , Koe Hta Gyi Budha Image , Kyauktawgyi Buddha
Image , Maelamu Pagoda , National Races Village , Maha Wizaya
Pagoda , People's square & park , Chinatown
Shwedagon Pagoda
 For
every visitor, local as well as foreign visitor, there is a
place that makes one's visit incomplete if he or she misses to
visit. The site is no other than the Shwedagon Pagoda. You may
have a vision of the Shwedagon Pagoda (Shwedagon Paya) as a tiny
shinning golden spot through your window of your plane before
landing to the Yangon Airport. According to a legend this
massive bell-shaped some 328 feet (100 metre) high stupa was
enshrined with eight hairs of the last Buddha, as well as relics
of three previous Buddhas. The Pagoda platform occupies an area
of 14 acres (5.6 hectares), covered with religious buildings of
all shapes and sizes. Some are built at the base of the stupa,
others at the outer rim. Shwedagon stands on top of Singuttara
Hill, 1.8 mile (3km) north of the city centre, dominating Yangon
as a single structure. For every Myanmar Buddhist it is a dream
to visit and pay obeisance to the great pagoda in person. For
foreigners it is an amazing architectural work of Myanmar
people. Surrounding smaller stupas and images as well as
stairways, approaching the pagoda from four cardinal directions,
feature works of traditional Myanmar art. Stalls along the
stairways are selling local souvenirs including toys and
carvings; and flowers and incense for Buddhist to offer Buddha.
Books on Buddhism are available as well. You have to take off
your shoes and socks before climbing the stairway. Elevators
escalators are available; however you have to remove your
footwear. Dawn or dusk is the best time to visit the Shwedagon.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is the holiest place of worship to
Buddhists all over the world and the whole complex is
practically a work of art. Most of the buildings around the
Pagoda are decorated with the best specimens of Myanmar painting
and sculpture. It is not only worship for devout Buddhists but a
magnificent monument that never fails to amaze visitors of any
creed or belief. Shwedagon is the essence of Myanmar and the
most sacred of all Buddhist site in this country. Just cross a
street and you will reach the Mahavijaya Pagoda, a symbolic
memorial of the First Successful Congregation of the Sangha of
All Orders held in 1980, This elegant Mahavijaya Pagoda is a
unique blend of traditional patterns and the modern styles.
North of the Shwedagon Pagoda the Martyrs' Mausoleum lies. The
bodies of General Aung San and his six Cabinet colleagues, who
were assassinated on 19th July 1947, lie buried at this place.
This new monument is one of the architectural landmarks of
present era.
Botahtaung Pagoda
 The
Botataung Pagoda was named after the thousand military leaders
who escorted relics of the Buddha brought from India over two
thousand years ago. It is situated way downtown beside the
Yangon River. The Botataung Pagoda was a famous Land-mark on
Yangon's waterfront. This pagoda is stands about 0.6 mile (1km)
from the Strand Hotel, on Kanna Road. Normally the heart of a
pagoda is solid. However this pagoda's unusual structure let you
can go inside the stupa. You climp some steps from the entrance
and find yourself in a maze of little chambers with walls of
mirror mosaics. As you walk through the cells you will pass
glass showcase containing a vast collection of gold, silver,
broze and terracotta images. the golden pagoda spire rises to
132 feet (40 metres).
Sule Pagoda
 A
pagoda standing right at the heart of Yangon is the Sule
Pagoda.The Sule Pagoda is said to be over 2,000 years old,
enshrining a hair relic of the Buddha. The golden pagod is
unusual in that its octagonal shape continues right up to the
terrace. It is surrounded by small shop of all the familiar
services such as astrologers, palmists, photo studios and watch
replair. From there, you may observe the atmosphere of the
Yangon center with crowded people from all ways of life in
various trades, and busy traffic.The 158 feet (48 metre)-high
pagoda is close to the City Hall, and Independence Monument as
well. It is used as a Milestone from which locations are
measured towards north. The City Hall itself is a remarkable
landmark of the nation. The construction began in April 1934 and
inaugurated on 15 June 1936 under the British rule, it is a
design of Myanmar architect Sithu U Tin with pure Myanmar style.
Moreover it is a historic building for its role in the
Independence Struggle. The Independence Mkonument, a stone
piller, stands in Maha Bandoola Garden, named after a Myanmar
general of the First Anglo-Myanmar War(1824-1826) near the Sule
Pagoda facing the City Hall. The monument is a 155 feet
(47-metre) obelisk surrounded by five smaller 30 feet(9-metre)
pillers.The foundation of themonument was laid by Myanmar first
Prime Minister U Nu on the day Myanmar got Independece:4 January
1948, and opened in 1950.
National Museum
 The
National Museum of Myanmar was founded in 1952 with its premises
at what was once the Jubilee Hall. In 1970 the museum was moved
to a more spacious building on Pansodan Street. But these
premises were not originally constructed to house a museum. The
present National Museum is located on Pyay Road in a splendid
five-storey building constructed for the purpose in spacious and
specially landscaped grounds.The most remarkable single piece of
exhibits in the museum is the magnificent Thihathana Throne (
Lion Throne), a vast giled wooden structure inlaid with lacquer
work.King Thibaw, the last Myanmar monarch, sat on this throne
when it was housed in the Royal Palace in Mandalay, The nation's
present third city in Upper Myanmar. Priceless ancient
artefacts, works of art and historic memorabilia are on display
in 14 halls on four storeys. Three halls on the ground floor
hold exhibits on the evolution the Myanmar script and alphabet,
The royal Regalia of 19th century Myanmar kingdom and Ratanapon
Period pieces.
Bogyoke Aung San Market
 The
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. It is
known for its colonial architecture and inner cobblestone
streets. It has the largest selection of Myanmar souvenirs you
can find under one roof. You can buy a variety of interesting
Myanmar lacquerware, gems and jewellery at this market.
Kyauktawgyi Pagoda
 Kyauktawgyi
Pagoda is also known as Lawka Chanthar Abaya Labamuni Pagoda,
meaning World Peace and Prosperity. This Sitting Buddha Image is
curved out from a single marble stone in year 2000 CE. The giant
stone was found in the Sakyin region, Medaya Township in
Mandalay Division. It took a year to cut the enormous piece of
marble from the mountain. The roughly carved image was moved to
Yangon on 24 July 2000. This marble with the hardness of 7
(Diamond's hardness=10) can be found only in Myanmar. It was
curved to becomke the world's largest marble image of Buddha.
The religious inauguration was held on 27 February 2002. The
colouss Budha image is situated on Min Damma Hillock, which is
an old religious premise.
Karaweik Hall
 The
floating Karaweik Restaurant on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake is one of
the landmarks of Yangon. This modern architecture of a mythical
creature Karaweik Hall was constructed in 1972. It is a huge
concrete replica of the old Royal Barges used by Myanmar kings,
and an mistakeable landmark of Yangon.This whole building was
gilded with gold about 20 years ago. Karaweik Hall will serve
lunch and dinner with Myanmar, Chinese, Eastern and Western
cuisine at moderate prices. It is also an excellent idea to
examine the beauty of this royal barge and the stunning view of
the Shwedagon. Traditional dance performances are normally held
here in the evenings.
Kandawgyi Garden
Kandawgyi Garden is a popular recreation centre of the
capital of Yangon. The area of the Garden is 110 acres, water
areas is 150 acres, which makes it a total of 260 acres. You can
find a variety of beautiful flowers, the natural scene of the
lake water and large shady trees. There are also an orchid
garden, the children play-ground, the souvenir shops and many
restaurants. The playgrounds and picnic areas are favourite
spots for children and teenagers. The beauty of Karaweik Hall
also shows a unique work of art to be explored in the heart of
Kandawgyi Lake. Kandawgyi meaning "the great lake" in Myanmar is
a well-known place in Yangon.
Myanmar Gems Museum
The four-storeied building is situated at No.66, Kaba Aye
Pagoda Road, Mayangon Township and very close to the Kaba Aye
Pagoda. The jewellery shops are located on the first and second
floors, while the museum is on the third floor.it was opened in
1995. Significant among the exhibits are the worlds biggest
sapphire,pearl and the SLORC ruby and other precious stone.The
gems fair and auction held twice a year in March and October.
Many jewel dealers from all over the world come here at that
time. 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).
Zoological Garden
Built in 1901 with the contribution of the public, the Yangon
Zoological Gardens was inaugurated in December 1906. Therefore,
it will turn its centenary by 2006. It is the biggest one in
Myanmar and has an area of 69.25 acres. The animals comprise of
over 60 species of mammals, 70 species of birds and 20 species
of reptiles. Animal performance shows are staged on public
holidays in the zoo. Visitors can take an around-the-zoo trip
riding an elephant or a horse. Restaurants are open in the zoo
for the convenience of the visitors. The Natural History Museum
is also located in the same compound.
Bogyoke Aung San Museum
Bogyoke Aung San meaning General Aung San, the hero who
fought for the Independence of Myanmar. He was assassinated on
1947 July 19 by Galone U Saw and his companions. After his
death, Bogyoke's Home place became the museum for the public, to
go and see the memorial days. The museum was established in
1962, at No.15, Bogyoke Museum Lane, Bahan Township, Yangon,
Myanmar. It is a two storey building built during the colonial
time. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Monday
for maintenance.
National Races Village
National Races Village is situated in Thaketa and you can see
amazing national races' traditional houses, lifestyle, memorial
things, costume design and ways of life.
China Town in Yangon
 The
Chinatown of Yangon lies west of the Sule Pagoda which is
located in the centre of downtown Yangon. Proceeding west along
the Sule Pagoda Road, the 24th, 23rd, 22nd, 20th, 19th and 18th
Streets and Bo Ywe, Latha and Sint Oh Dan Roads steaming with
traffic are the busiest quarters of the city as it is in
Chinatowns in other parts of the world. Theses roads fall under
the Latha Township. A variety of restaurants, gold and jewelery
stores, network game centers, cyber café, clothing shops and
mini-markets display their wares while roadside food stalls
dispense steaming dishes and snacks. Fruit vendors offer fruit
in season which include mangoes, durians, mangos teens, pomelos,
apples, tangerines, grapes, pears, avocados, lichees,
pineapples, rambutan, plums and all kinds of banana, all the
year round. The Guang Dong Kwan Yin Temple, established about
170 years ago is located between the busy Latha and 20th
Streets. Although the exact date of its construction is not
known, it was known to be in existence by the year 1824 and that
it was rebuilt in 1868 after being destroyed in a fire. Most of
the Chinese live in this part of the city as which forms a town
of their own. Business is blooming in this area and it has
become a place as a tourist attraction too. During the Chinese
New Year holiday, this part of the city is most crowded and red
decorations can be seen everywhere. Walking through the
Chinatown can give one an amazing experience.
Buildings of the past
A walk along the Kanna (Strand) Road towards the East
starting from the Strand Hotel will reveal a wealth of buildings
to wonder at including the old General Post Office and British
Embassy. The Strand Hotel (1901) is perhaps Yangon's most famous
colonial era building. Built by the inimitable Sarkies Brothers
it was one of string-up market hotels across Asia that included
Singapore's Raffles Hotel, and Penang's E&O (Eastern and
Oriental) Hotel. During WWII it was folrced to close, only to
open again in1948 under the auspies of London's Steel Brother
Co. Turn right (from Kanna road) to Pansodan Street and you will
see the imposing Myanma Port Authority building (1920) and walk
further to have a look at the High Court (1911) and the Post and
Telegraph Office both of which were built in 1911. Just a few
minutes' walk from Sule Pagoda towards the south you will see
myanma Economic Bank No.3 building built in1914. Styled in the
distinctive Edwardian look are the Superme Court, The General
Hospital (1911) and the imposing Secretariat (Now Ministers'
office).Construction of the Secretariat began in 1890 and
finished only 15 years later in 1905. Not far from the General
Hospital and standing next to the Bogyoke Aung San Market is the
St.Mary's Cathedral. It is the largest and most attractive
Catholic Church in Myanmar. The cornerstone of white marble was
solemnly blessed and laid by Bishop Cardot on Sunday,19 November
1894.Work was srarted in 1895 and after many trials and
tribulations was concluded in1899. It is said that Yangon and
Myanmar have more colonial era buildings left in good conditions
than any other city in Asia. |
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