Yangon
Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, is one of the main gateways 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". Relatively simple city without skyscrapers neon-lit
clamor, crowded squalor and the pace of modern life, Yangon is
attractive in its own special way. Yangon was founded by King 'Alaungpaya'
on the site of a small settlement called Dagon after the conquer of
lower Myanmar in 1755 AD. The name Yangon means "End of Strive",
which was Anglicized to "Rangoon" after the British annexed Myanmar
in 1885 AD. At present, Yangon covers about 500 sq.km and has a
population of about five million.
PLACE OF INTEREST IN YANGON AREA
Shwedagon Pagoda
Most visitors say "One will never complete it's visit in Myanmar without going
to Great Shwedagon Pagoda. The historic Shwedagon Pagoda, which towers almost
100 meters above the green city-scrape of Yangon, never falls to enchant
visitors. The shimmering main stupa soars high above the capital and is visible
for miles away.
Shwe-dagon Pagoda, one of the wonders of the world, is believed to have been
built more than 2500 years ago. The Pagoda was renovated many times over the
centauries by successive Myanmar Kings.
There are many pagodas in Myanmar but few were come closer to it in scale or
beauty. It is not just one main stupa but complex of many stupas. All around the
stupa is cluster of smaller stupas, temples, shrines, prayer halls, pavilions,
religious images and statues. Lengthy staircases lined with stalls selling
religious articles, Silverwares, Bras-wares, Souvenirs, Lacquer-wares,
handicrafts, flowers and ceremonial umbrellas.
The best time to visit Shwe-dagon pagoda is at sunset when its gilded stupa is
bathed in the fading rays of the sun and takes on a magical glow. A visit to
Myanmar is incomplete without a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda.
Entrance Fee - US$ 5
Video Camera Fee - US$ 3
Sule Pagoda
This strange Architectural monument is situated right in the center of Yangon,
just beside the Myanmar Travels and Tours office, Maha Bandoola Park and
Independence Monument, Town Hall and Supreme Court. Sule Pagoda is said to have
been built over 2,000 years old and enshrined a hair of Buddha. It has own
original "Mon" name "Kyaik-Athok" translates as "the pagoda where a Sacred Hair
Relic is enshrined". The golden pagoda is unusual for its octagonal shape
continues right up to the bell and inverted bowl. It stands 50 meters (152 feet)
high and is surrounded by small shops and all the familiar non- religious
services such as of astrologists, palmists, and so on.
This pagoda is located at the right centre of Yangon which can be served as the
evident land mark of the City. Therefore one will never get lost to his path
whenever one try to come back to that pagoda.
Kaba Aye Pagoda
The name "Kaba Aye" in Myanmar means "World Peace" to which this pagoda is
dedicated. Built in 1952 by former prime minister U-Nu, this pagoda is
significant because of the Sixth World Buddhist Synod which was held in 1954 at
the artificial concrete grotto "Mahapasana" which located in its precinct. The
Buddhist Art Museum, and newly built Wizaya Mingalar Dhamathabin Hall are also
located in the same precinct too. The International Buddhist Learning Centre is
also situated there for all Buddhist-scholars around the world . It is also a
good place to learn the different mudras and gesture of Buddha Images.
Chauk-htat-kyi Pagoda
This colossal (70 meters long) reclining Buddha, located on Shwe-gon-dine Road,
is one of the largest Buddha images in Myanmar. The original image was built in
1907 built by the Wealthy merchant named Sir-Phoe Tha. But it has been suffered
damages due to climate over the years. In 1957, it was demolished and rebuilt to
this structure, and completed in 1966. It is a good place to learn the 108
significant symbols of Buddha's footprints. This gigantic Buddha Image is
located in the big compound of Monasteries, and there are over 600 Buddhist
monks who are studying Buddhist literature.
Mai-Lamu Pagoda
A wonder land of spire pagodas and sculptured figures located in North Okkalapa,
a satellite town about 20 minutes' drive from the city center. Mai-Lamu Pagoda
is famous for the giant images depicting Buddha's earlier lives.
Maha- vijaya Pagoda
The Pagoda was built for the commemoration of the First Successful congregation
of the Sangha of All Orders held in 1980. This elegant Maha- vijaya Pagoda is a
unique blend of traditional patterns and the modern styles. The sanctuary
contains the finely wrought Buddha image and the reliquary donated by the King
and Queen of Nepal.
Bo-tahtaung Pagoda
"Bo" means "Military Leader" and "Tahtaung" means one thousand" the " Botahtaung"
Pagoda was named after the thousand military leaders who escorted the relics of
the " Buddha" brought from India over 2,000 years ago. It is hollow inside and
one can walk through it and a sort of mirrored maze inside the pagoda with glass
show-cases containing many of the ancient relics and artifacts which were sealed
inside the earlier pagoda. Above this interesting interior, the golden pagoda
spire rises to 40 meters (132feet).
National Museum
The national museum is located on Pyay road near the Diplomatic quarter of
Foreign Embassies. The present location is the third move of the museum since
its creation in 1952. Rich collections of various interesting objects are
exposed in four floors of a big building.
At the ground floor, the first room is consecrated to the epigraphy and to the
calligraphy. It exposes the "Pyu" writing on the gold leaves and on plaques of
terracotta; the sacred writing in "pali" and the Burmese writing of different
times on the manuscripts and "Parabeiks" to the religious or royal topic.
In the second room is exposed the famous lion brought back to Burma by lord
Mount-Batten at the time of the independence. It makes part to 9 kinds of throne
in the different apartments of the Palace and intended only for the sovereigns
for the different occations. The king and the chief queen sat on the lion throne
when they presided an audience or a protocol. The pedestal made of sculpted teak
is decorated of lion statuary to which the throne owes its name.
In the following room, is exposed a miniature of the palace before its
destruction, the photos of its pavilions, the furnitures and the dresses of the
court of Mandalay.
At the first floor, the first room is dedicated to the prehistoric culture of
Myanmar (the one of anyathia, the one of padalin cave) and to the cultural
discoveries of different "Pyus" principality (Hanlin, Beikthanoe, Sriksetra).
The diffusion of the Buddhism of "Pyu" period testified by the unearthed
religious objects is interesting.
The second room illustrates the Burmese art development through the different
kingdom (Bagan, Pinya, Ava, Taungoo, Nyaungyan, and Konbaung) .
In the third room, the treasures of the kings of Mandalay are exposed. The royal
attributes and the daily objects of use of the palace worth to study.
The second floor contains two rooms that consist the objects of popular arts and
handicraft, the musical instruments and the performing art (the dances, the
strings puppets etc...).
The third floor is dedicated to the widely-known Burmese painters' paintings.
The last floor is interesting. It exposes the models of all ethnic minorities
with their completed colorful traditional costumes and the distinguish
utilitarian objects of every ethnic group.
It opens from 10am to 3 pm except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
Entrance Fee -US $ 5.
Royal Kandawgyi Lake
"Kandawgyi" royal lake is situated in the east of Shwedagon Pagoda. It was
created by the British and a good spot for relax with well shady trees and
plants. The Glisten Shwedagon pagoda reflects in the restful waters of the lake.
There is full of interesting places around the lake.
On the eastern part of Royal Lake is the Karaweik floating restaurant made of
concrete fully decorated with pilaster work. It is the replica of Royal Barge
with two mythical birds at fore-front which has been used by King Alongsithu of
Bagan dynasty(12 Century AD).
Natural History Museum
Situated on Lu-O-Yon Street, the Natural History Museum has a notable collection
of Myanmar natural resources including flora and fauna, forest products,
minerals and rocks.
Entrance Fee -US$ 4
Bogyoke Aung San Park
A scenic park with a lovely view of Kandawgyi Lake is located on Natmauk road
and closed to the pagodas of Shwedagon Pagoda and Mahavijaya Pagoda. This Park
is a popular recreation center where city-dwellers relax and enjoy their leisure
in peaceful tranquility. The playground and picnic areas are favorite spots for
children and teenagers. It is also a place to learn the different species of
traditional medicinal plants as well as a nursery for decorative plants and
flower. One can also buy the fresh fruits, vegetables, antecedes and fertilizer
for small plantations.
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 (Parliament). There is a museum housing
life-size models of nationalities in their colorful dress and flora and fauna.
The restaurant serves Myanmar, Chinese and European cuisines.
Opening Hour - 07:00 to 19:00 hours
Entrance Fee - US $ 3
Camera Fee - US $ 3
Video Camera Fee - US $ 6
Zoological Garden
Located near Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, the Zoo noted for its collection of wild
animals, flora and fauna, which have been collected over the years since it was
opened in 1906. On weekend and public holidays, snake dance and elephant circus
are performed for visitors. It is open daily from 08:00 hours.
Entrance Fee Ks. 10 ( Adults ) - Nationalities
* Ks. 5 ( Children) - Nationalities.
* US$ 5 - Foreigners
* US$ 2 - Resident Foreigners
Camera Fee Ks. 25
Video( Family) Ks. 300
Hlawga Wildlife Park
The Hlawger Wildlife Park is about 45 minute's drive from Yangon. The Park,
which covers 1650 acres of land and lake, is home to over 70 kinds of
herbivorous animals and 90 species of birds. Flock of migratory birds frequently
visits the park. It is an ideal place for picnickers, naturalists, botanists and
bird-watchers.
Meditation Centers
There are some main Meditation Centers in Yangon- the Mahasi Meditation Center
at 16, Thathana Yeiktha Road, Bahan Township (phone: 95-1-550392), the
International Meditation center at 31-A, Inya Myaing Road, Bahan Township
(phone: 95-1-5331549), Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Center at 55/A. Kaba Aye
Pagoda Road, Mayangon Township (phone: 95-1-661479), Panditarama Meditation
Center at 80/A ,Thanlwin Road, Bahan Township (phone: 95-1-5331448) and Society
for Propagation of Vipassana Mogoke Sayadaw's Way at 82, Natmauk Road. Bahan
Townships (Phone: 95-1-550184) have facilities for full- time meditation.
Aspiring Yogis from abroad should write to the said main centers for detailed
information. There are many Meditation Centers not only in Yangon Area but also
all over the Country.
Allied War Memorial Cemetery
Located at Htaukkyant, about 32 km from Yangon on the road to Bago (Pegu), is a
memorial cemetery of Allied Forces Soldiers who scarified their life in the
Myanmar during the World War ll. The Cemetery's beautifully kept under the
missionary of international veteran organization ground has 27, 000 stone-graves
of Commonwealth and allied Forces Soldiers.
Shopping
Myanmar arts and crafts, mostly pure hand-made, are best souvenirs and prices
are very reasonable. Lacquer-wares, silk and cotton fabrics, bags (especially
Shan shoulder bags), Burmese cigars and Burmese cheroots, pure silks, various
national costumes, and T-shirts with Myanmar alphabet writings are some of the
favorite items. For jewelry, there are Myanmar rubies (the world famous pigeon
blood color), sapphires, jades, silver-wares and pearls available at the
authorized Myanmar gems shops which will provide the official approval document
for the custom of the Yangon International airport.
