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Yangon
Yangon is the capital and main gate way to Myanmar by air, sea and land. Formerly it was a village called Dagon in the vicinity of Dala, a Mon town over 2000 years ago. King Ponolayeik ruler of Bago (Pegu) established Dagon as town in 704 AD. Later King Alaung Phaya founder of third Myanmar Dynasty controlled all Mon towns and made Dagon as residence of Myanmar Kings and changed the name as Yangon, in 1755 AD. Yangon means “End of strike,” which was Anglicized to Rangoon, after the British annexed, 1885 AD. It covers about 500 sq km and has a population of about of 5 mile.
Yangon is evergreen and cool with lush tropical trees, shady parks, and beautiful lakes and thus known as the Garden City of the East. It is the home to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most magnificent monuments on earth. Yangon has a unique charm with its glistening Pagodas tree lined streets bustling local market and tranquil lakes. Many of the old buildings like City Hall, High court, General Post office, Strand Hotel, Port Authority Building, Custom House and Railway Administrative Buildings are grand and impressive. The city has a special charm which will be preserved in spite of changing market oriented trade policy with international investments on construction, transportation and participation of private sector in state economy.
The gateway to Yangon is Yangon International Airport with regular flights from Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. There are regular domestic flights between Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Thandwe, Heho, Kyaington, and other tourist destinations. Railway, bus and taxi services are available all weather to and from Yangon.
There are plenty hotels from 5-star deluxe to superior class and motels for accommodation. For transportation there are taxis and several transport service companies which hire saloon and mini-buses cars available in the airport hotels and also in downtown.
Major attractive places in Yangon are:
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 Shwedagon Pagoda
Shwedagon Pagoda is a Golden monument towering about 100 meters above the Green City scope of Yangon. It is believed to have been built over 2500 years ago with four relics of four Buddha’s enshrined in it. The Pagoda was reconstructed by successive Kings over centuries and Queen Shin Saw Pu raised to its present height. It is covered with 60 tons of pure gold and its Umbrella is set with diamonds, rubies sapphires and emeralds. The huge diamond bud at the top is said to catch the first and last rays of the sun. Shwedagon Pagoda is the landmark of Myanmar, visible from miles around and is one of the wonders of the world.
It is not just one main stupa but complex of many stupas, temples, shrines, prayer halls, pavilions religious images and statues. There are four main lengthy staircases on East, West, North and South of the Pagoda with lines of stalls selling religious articles, silver wares, brassware, souvenirs, lacquer wares, handicrafts and umbrellas. Best time to visit Shwedagon Pagoda is at sun-set when its glided stupa is bathed in the fading rays of the sun and takes on a magical glow. Without visiting Shwedagon Pagoda, the tour is incomplete for a tourist either foreign or local.
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 Sule Pagoda
Sule Pagoda is situated right in the centre of Yangon City, besides Maha Bandoola Park, Independence Monument, Supreme Court and City Hall. Sule Pagoda is unusual for its octagonal shape a strange Architecture, built over 2000 years ago, enshrined a hair of Buddha. It is 50 meters (152) feet high and surrounded by small shops of religious goods and others likes astrologists and palmists. Sule Pagoda being at the centre of Yangon, it serves as landmark of the city. |
Kaba Aye Pagoda
Built in 1952 and dedicated to “World Peace” which is the meaning of Kaba Aye. Significance of this Pagoda is the Sixth World Buddhist Synod held in 1954 at the artificial concrete cave “Mahapasana” located close to the Pagoda. The International Buddhist Centre and the Buddhist Art Museum are located within the compound of Kaba Aye Pagoda.
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Royal Kandawgyi Lake
It is situated in the east of Shwedagon Pagoda and a nice spot for relaxation, with shady trees, Plants and flowers Karaweik floating restaurant is on the eastern part of the lake. The Glisten Shwedagon Pagoda reflects in the restful water of the lake.
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Hlawga Wildlife Park
It is about 45 minutes drive from Yangon, and covers 1650 acres of lands. There are 70 kinds of herbivorous animals and 90 species of birds. It is an ideal place for picknics, naturalists, botanists and bird lovers.
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Allied War Memorial Cemetery
It is about 32 km from Yangon, at Htaukkyan on the way to Bago. There are 27000 tomb stones of Allied forces Soldiers, who lost their lives in Myanmar, during the Second World War. The cemetery is well maintained by the missionary of International Veteran Organization.
Other tourist attraction sites in Yangon are Mai-lamu Pagoda Botataung Pagoda, Chauk-Htat-Gyi Pagoda, Maha-Wizaya Pagoda Tooth Relic Pagoda (Swedaw), Lawka Chantha Abhaya Laba Muni Buddha Image, Bogyoke Aung San Park, Mahabandoola Garden, Natural History Museum, Zoological Garden Peoples Square and Peoples Park, National Museum, Meditation Centers, Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) and many more.
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Thanlyin (Syria)
It is a small town, once occupied by Portuguese in early 17th century is about 45 min drives from Yangon passing over the 1822 meter bridge across the Yangon or Bago or Hlaing River. In 16th to 18th centuries, it was an active port where the ships embarked before going up to Bago, till 1756 AD, when it was conquered by Myanmar Kings. There are still some vestiges of Portuguese presence there ruins of church stones, grave etc.
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Kyaik Khauk
Kyaik Khauk a golden Pagoda situated on small hill about four km from Thanlyin. It is built in Myanmar classic style as the Shwedagon Pagoda and enshrined the hair of Buddha and some relics offered by King Ashoka of India.
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Kayak Tan (Yele-Phaya)
It is situated on a small island closed to the confluent of two rivers Yangon and Bago, accessible by boat only. Over 2000 years ago it was 3m high and embedded to present height of 16m in 1940. Two distinct characters of Kyauk-tan Pagoda are this island never flooded by water and the presence of big cat-fishes waiting for food offered by the pilgrims.
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Twantay
It is a small town 24km from Yangon in Ayeyawaddy delta on the Twantay cannel which rallies the delta and Yangon. To reach Twantay Yangon River is crossed by ferry then by road to an hour and half through the paddy fields. It is famous for potteries bamboo mats, traditional hand weaving and synthetic diamond cutting and polishing Shwe-san-taw Pagoda of 76m height is remarkable site and it is said to have sealed-up two hair of Buddha.
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