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Yangon (Rangoon)
Yangon was founded
by King Alaungpaya on the site of a small villiage called Dagon when he
conquered lower myanmar in 1755. And the name changed to Yangon means “end
of strife” which was anglicized to Rangoon. Yangon became the capital of
Myanmar in 1885, and is a thriving seaport and the main gateway of air and
sea travel. Yangon sits on a spit of land surrounded on three sides by
water Yangon has a unique charm with its old colonial building, tree lined
boulevards, vest bustling local markets and tranquil lakes.The present
days of Yangon covers over 350 sq km and has a population of over 5
million.Yangon, on a grid pattern around Sule Pagoda, an excellent
landmark in the downtown area. The area around it is a hive of local
activity, alive with numerous small shops and business. The city Hall is
one of the grandest, a massive stone structure with a traditional peacock
seal above the entrance, lending to it a distinctive Burmese flavour. The
supreme court, High court, and Railway station are also magnificent
remembrances of the bygone era. Just a few minutes drive from town centre,
you will find Kandawgyi (Royal Lake) and its surrounding gardens. It is
both a pleasant place to walk and watch the sunset. Sunset at Kandawgyi
lake looking towards Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the Yangon’s most
memorable experiences.
Shwedagon Pagoda :
Built on a small hill and is visible from many parts of the city.
Described by Rudyard Kipling as “a beautiful, winking wonder”, Shwedagon
Pagoda has to be one of the most magnificent monuments on earth. Its exact
time of origin is belived to have been built since 2500 years ago during
the Buddha lifetime. The stupa is plated with more than 8000 solid gold
slabs and its top is set with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and topaz. A
huge emerald in the middle of the stupa catches the first and last rays of
the sun. Around the golden stupa are more than 100 smaller stupas,
pavilions. Eight hairs of Buddha and other relics are enshrined in
Shwedagon Pagoda.
Bogyoke Aung San Market : The largest market in Yangon was built in 1926 by British time municipal commissioner. Mr. C. Scott and named it Scott market. Now the name change to Bogyoke Aung Sun (National Hero of Myanmar) market. One of the best places to hunt for souvenirs, wood carvings, lacquer ware and Jewelleries.
Botahtaung
Pagoda : Situated on the Yangon River front, Botahtaung Pagoda is one
of the most important in Yangon. A hair and other two relics of the Buddha
are enshrined in the pagoda over two thousand years ago. The inside of the
pagoda is lined with mirrors and glass display cabinets containing many of
the ancient relics and artefacts which were originally sealed inside the
stupa.Close by is Botahtaung Jetty, an excellent place to watch ferries
crossing the Yangon River.
Kaba Aye Pagoda : Kaba Aye, means world peace, was built to commemorate the sixth Buddhist Synod in 1954, which was held in Maha Pasana Cave located in the huge compound.
Other Attractions in Yangon
- China Town ( You can see real Chinese life style)
-
Chauk Htatgyi Pagoda ( 72 metre long Reclining Buddha)
- Gem Museum (
Display the world’s biggest jade stone)
- National Museum ( Well worth
a visit to look the wealth of the former Kings of
Myanmar).
Yangon's Surroundings
Thanlyin (Syriam) : Once a trading port occupied by the portuguese in early 17th Century. The 270 metre long bridge spanning the Bago River made possible the 45 minutes drive from Yangon. The old buildings still stand in edvidence of the days of Portuguese occupation. Kyaik Khauk Pagoda and Kyauktan Yele Pagoda in the creek are worth visiting.
Bago(Pegu)
Located 80km
north of Yangon, Bago was an ancient capatial of Myanmar in the reign of
King Bayingnaung during 16th century and of the Hanthawadi Kingdom for
many centuries under the Mon and Myanmar Kings.
Places of interest in Bago are : Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha, Shwemawdaw Pagoda, 28 metre high huge Buddha Image of Kyaikpun Pagoda, the palace of King Bayinnaung and Kalyani Sima, the famous sacred ordination hall built in the 15th century.
Pyay (Prome)
Pyay is located 285 km north west of Yangon. Close to Pyay are the ruins of the ancient Pyu capital of Thayekhittaya (Sri Ksetra) which date back to the 5th century. The Pyu architecture is very different from that of Bagan era.
Kyaikhtiyo (The Golden Rock)
Located
about 160km from Yangon. The magnificent “Golden Rock” is the most
incredably meditative and popular tourist attraction is Mon State. A small
stupa sits on top of a huge boulder covered in gold leaf, which balances
on the edge of a cliff at the top of Kyaikhtiyo hill, about 3600 feet
above sea level. Legend has it that the boulder balances on the cliff
thanks to a hair of the Buddha, which is preserved inside the stupa. A
spectacular view awaits at the top, especially at sunrise or sunset, on a
clear day you can see the Andaman Sea glistening in the distance far below
mountains.
Mawlamyine (Moulmein) & Thanbyuzayat
Mawlamyine was the adminstrative centre of British Burma from 1827 to 1852
and is today the fourth largest city in Myanmar. Many old colonial
building remain along the quiet streets, with traditional wooden buses
still used as the principle form of transportation. Continuing south from
Mawlamyine, the main road goes through Thanbyuzayat, where there is War
Cemetery containing more than 3500 graves of Allied Prisoners of War.
These prisoners died whilst building the infamous “Dead Railway” cross the
River Kwai in the Second World War, intended to provide a supply line from
Thailand through Myanmr to the Andaman Sea.
