Places to visit Yangon
Yangon is the capital city and gateway to Myanmar by sea and by air. There are many places to visit among which the following places many draw their interest:
(a) Cultural Museum where the regalia of the last Myanmar king and the imperial throne is placed.
(b) Gems Museum where priceless gems of Myanmar such as ruby, jade and pearl are isplayed among many interesting gems. There are many jewellery shops offering a wide range of Myanmar made jewellery to meet one's taste and budget.
(c) Defence Services Museum where many interesting displays of Myanmar's military might during the Myanmar kings was retraced up to the contemporary period.
(d) Zoological Gardens, which display a large variety of species, found in Myanmar and many from other habitat.
The Inya Lake, the scenic stretch of water is located near the University of Yangon campus, ideal for yachting and cross-the -lake swimming.
History
In 1755, King Alaungpaya(the founder of Kon-Baung Dynasty) accomplished his military campaign to reunite the whole of Myanmar, following his conquest of Dagon. At that time, Dagon was no more than a village or a small town. The king realized that the conquest of Dagon implied a total victory over Lower Myanmar because of its strategic location.
Accordingly, he renamed the town Yangon that literally means end of strife. Afterwards, the town went by the name of Yangon for nearly a century. In 1851, however, the British annexation of Yangon resulted in getting the town refounded. And the name also was changed to Rangoon. Since then, the city has been designated as the capital of Myanmar and known of the world as Rangoon. The new city was modeled and constructed by Lieutenant Fraser, a British Officer of the Engineering Corps who, it was believed, also designed and constructed Singapore. The city was laid out on a chessboard pattern with wide roads running North to South and East to West.
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On the right of the pagoda is the Town Hall. In the distance can be seen the Shwe Dagon Pagoda. Until the 1980s old Rangoon was swampy and tidal creeks flooded that area around the Sula Pagoda at high tide.
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The Mosque in Mogul Street(now Shwe Bon Tha St.), Yangon 1890 |
Shwedagon Pagoda
The magnificent golden Shwedagon is the first sacred monument, which the visitor to Myanmar can see from air or by sea, one of the wonders of the world. To Buddhists the Golden Shwedagon most sacred place of worship because it enshrined the sacred relics of the three earlier Buddhas and Eight Hair Relics of Gautama Buddhas the Supreme Self- Enlightened. One who attained Buddha hood 2540 years ago.
To non-Buddhists, it is marvelous work of architecture conical in structure, a massive edifice towering 99.4 meters (326 feet) with the perimeter measuring 432.8 meters(1420 ft), glittering in gold and studded on the pinnacle with priceless gems. The golden umbrella (Hti) was recently replaced by a new one on 4 April 1999, and enriched with gold bells, and jewellery spontaneously donated on the spot by the devotees. The Shwedagon is located in Yangon the capital metropolis of Myanmar.
The photo of the south entrance of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda is shown below that was taken in 1887. The old entrance with guardian demons, constructed by King Tharawaddy (1837-46) cannot be seen now aday. On each side of the road are pilgrim's rest houses. Carriages in Yangon(Rangoon) were own by Indians.
Photo Gallary of the SHWEDAGON Pagoda
Other well-frequented pagodas in Yangon are Sule Pagoda located in the heart of Yangon, Botataung Pagoda, Kaba Aye Pagoda among the many.
Admission Fee US$ per head: 5 $
Sule Pagoda
Situated right in the centre of Yangon -- right beside the Myanmar Travel and Tours office --the Sule Pagoda is an excellent landmark. It is said to be over 2,000 years old. The pagoda is said to enshrine a hair of the Buddha: its Mon name, Kyaik Athok translates as "the pagoda where a Sacred Hair Relic is enshrined". The golden pagoda is unusual in that its octagonal shape continues right up to the bell and inverted bowl. It stands 46 metres (152 feet) high and is surrounded by small shops and all the familiar non-religious services such as of astrologists, palmists, and so on.
Kaba Aye Pagoda
The name Kaba Aye in Myanmar means "world peace" to which this pagoda is dedicated. This pagoda was built in 1952 for the 1954-56 Sixth Buddhist Synod. The 34 metre (111 feet) high pagoda also measures 34 metres around its base. It stands about 11 km north of the city, a little beyond the Inya lake Hotel. The Buddhist Art Museum and Maha Pasana Cave
are also located in the same compound.
National Museum
Located at 26, Pansodan Street, the National Museum exhibits the Lion Throne of King Thibaw, the last Myanmar King, Royal Regalia of 19th century, and artifacts of various ancient periods, musical instruments and paintings. It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 15:00 p.m. except Saturday and Sunday.
Entrance Fee: US $ 4
Zoological Garden
Located near Kandawgyi Hotel, the Zoo is 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.
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission Fee US$ per head: 5 $
People's Square and People's Park
The scene of U Wisara Road towards Downtown
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This Park occupies 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 Food.
Open from 7a.m. to 7p.m.
Entrance Fee US $ 3
Camera Fee US $ 3
Video Camera Fee US $ 6
Bogyoke Aung San Park
A scenic park with a lovely view of Kandawgyi Lake is located on Natmauk Road. The Park is a popular recreation centre where city-dwellers relax and enjoy their leisure in peaceful
tranquility. The playgrounds and picnic areas are favorite spots for children and teenagers.
Allied War Memorial Cemetery
Located at Htaukkyant, about 32 km from Yangon on the road to Bago. It is a memorial cemetery of Allied soldiers who died in the Myanmar Campaign during the Second World War. The cemetery's beautifully kept grounds have 27,000 stone-graves of Commonwealth and Allied soldiers.
Local Lottery shop at the Pansodan Street
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Bogyoke Aung San Market
This 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 who was assassinated in 1947. Bogyoke Aung San Market is situated in the heart of Yangon -- on Bogyoke Aung San Road. There are 1,641 shops selling luxury items, handicrafts, food stuffs, clothing, jewellery, fashion and consumer goods. The market is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM except on Sundays and gazetted holidays. Even though it's opened at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM would be the best time to visit, when the entire market is fully opened.
New Bo Gyoke Market
This market is situated on the opposite side of the Bo Gyoke market, where imported textiles, household appliances, medicines etc.. are largely available. Mingala Market
This is the biggest wholesale market in Yangon where a variety of commodities are distributed all over the country.
KARAOKE LOUNGES
Discover Lobby Lounge
41, Nawaday Rd, DGN
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-240127
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Khin Mg Kyi & Associates
129, Seikkantha St, KTDA
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-287691
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Dynamite Karaoke Lounge
Kabaaye Pagoda Rd, Myae Padather
Kyun, BHN
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-548747
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Oasis Karaoke ( K.T.V ) & Lounge
6th Flr, F Blk, Shwe Dagon Pagoda Rd,
City Central Plaza, LTA
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-240600, Ext-503
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Happy Land
46, Hledan St, KMYT
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-526913
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We Love Song
274 (A), Pyay Rd, SCG
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-526363
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Joy Restaurant
150/B, Kabaaye Pagoda Road, BHN
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-542661
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DISCO CLUBS IN YANGON
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Mai Hwa Club
5th Flr, Shwe Dagon Pagoda Rd,
City Central Plaza-C Block
Thein Gyi Zay, LTA
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-28307
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Club Pioneers
44, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Yuzana Garden Hotel, MTNT
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-240995
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Palace Entertainment City
C Block, 6th Flr, Shwe Dagon Pagoda Rd,
City Central Plaza-C Block
Thein Gyi Zay, LTA
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-252339
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Emperor Club
5th Flr, Shwe Dagon Pagoda Rd,
City Central Plaza-C Block
Thein Gyi Zay, LTA
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-240600
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The Music Club
hotel Equatorial
33, Alan Pya Phaya Road,
Dagon Township,
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-250 388
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Hot Shots
Kan Yeiktha St, Kandawgyi Palace Hotel
MTNT
Yangon, Myanmar
Ph: 95-1-249255, Ext-540
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The pottery town of Twante is the nearer to Yangon, making an interesting side trip especially if you have little time to roam the delta region at leisure.
All it takes is half a day. To get there, you hop on one of the innumerable ferries crossing the Yangon River daily from Yangon to a tiny village called Tai La. It takes five minutes, but the moment you get into a vehicle at Tai La to begin your 45-minute journey to Twante, you are entering a different world.
Twante itself is home to the well known Shwe San Daw Pagoda. The huge complex resembles the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon with a central Stupa crowned with a golden hti and surrounded by smaller stupas and nat temples. Several clusters of wooden pavilions with ornate eaves-housing either nats or paintings illustrating good morals--decorate the pagoda grounds.
A boat cruise to Twante (24 km from Yangon) along the Twante Canal takes about two hours. Twante is noted for its pottery and cotton-weaving industries and it also affords visitors an opportunity to see life along the canal.
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