Yangon

Yangon is basically founded by Mons Tribe in 6^th century and called Dagon Village. In the year of 1755, it was occupied by King Alaungpaya and changed the renamed into Yangon. The name Yangon is combination of Myanmar words “Yan” and “Kon” which means “End of Strife”. Yangon was the capital of the Union of Burma on 4 January 1948. And now it becomes the second city and the first biggest commercial city of the Myanmar which remains as the cultural and commercial heart of Myanmar, and most visitors begin and end their journey to the country here.

Yangon is located at the convergence of the Yangon and Bago Rivers and is situated at the Lower part of Myanmar. It owns the tropical monsoon climate and the temperature ranges from 35°C to 44°C. Normally it rains from May to October and sometimes it rains during winter season. Anyways, it’s still a nice place to visit in Myanmar.

The followings are the some of the things you can do in Yangon;

1.Shwedagon Pagoda

It is located at the west of the Royal Lake on Singuttara Hill in Yangon which preserves strands of Buddha’s hair and other holy relics. Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred and impressive Buddhist site for the people of the Union of Myanmar. It is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top of the stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds; the largest of which is a 72 carat diamond. It is clearly one of the wonders of the religious world. Shwedagon Pagoda is a repository of the best in Myanmar heritage – architecture, sculpture and arts. It can’t be called your tour is complete without a visit to the 2,500 years old Shwedagon Pagoda.

2.Chaukhtet Gyi Pagoda

Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is situated on Shwe Gon Taing Road. Tamwe Township,Yangon and built in 20^th century. It was called because of its 6-storey-High Buddha Image. Similar to the Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, there are also Ngar Htat Gyi Buddha (5-Storey-High Buddha) and Koe Htat Gyi Buddha (9-Storey-High Buddha).

The Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is well-known for its huge image of Reclining Buddha. But it was suffered damage due to climate over the years. And it was demolished and rebuilt to this structure in 1966. It is 65 meters long and is retained in an iron building with corrugated iron six layers sheets roof. The image is larger than the image of the Reclining Buddha at Shwe Thar Hlyaung Pagoda in Bago.

3.Ngahatatgyi Pagoda

Nga Htat Gyi pagoda is famous for its “five-storey-Buddha” and it is located across the Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha Image (6-Storey-High Buddha). An enormous seated Buddha image is retained in a dome of iron structure with a five-tiered roof. Therefore Nga-Htat-Gyi Pagoda also means the pagoda with five-layered roof. This Buddha image is unlike from other images in the style of using Magite (armours) around the image.

The original Nga Htat Kyi Buddha Image was donated by Prince Minyedeippa in 16^th century. The original image of the Buddha was a seated image of 6 meters high. It was repositioned there when a great image with the high of 6.1 meter was erected on this piece of high ground in the early of 20^th century.

The Pagoda is located in a monastery complex located in Shwegonedaing quarter of Bahan Township.

4.Botataung Pagoda

 The Botahtaung Pagoda is located on the Botahtaung Paya Road, which was named after the Pagoda. The original name of the pagoda was Kyaik-de-att, which was a Mon name, or Sandaw Shin as it is preserved with the holy hair of the Lord Buddha. It is situated on the bank of Yangon River. The Pagoda overlooked the satisfying water front of the river.

The Botataung Pagoda Name was derived from an event that took place more than 2,000 years ago when the thousand military leaders who lead first hair relics of the Buddha brought from India. The meaning of Bo is “leader” and tahtaung is “a thousand”. It was built at the same time as Sule Pagoda and Shwedagon Pagoda over 2500 years ago.

 

 

5.People’s park

 

If you visit the Shwedagon Pagoda, don’t forget to spend a couple of hours to wander around the People’s Park which is located near the Western stairways of Shwedagon Pagoda and famous for its wonderful views of the western side of Shwedagon Pagoda. There is a small museum showcasing plenty of mini models of nationalities in their colorful dress, pleasurable features, such as flower gardens and ponds; fountains, including one made of concentric rings of white elephants; and treetop observation platforms linked by fun swinging bridges.

 

6.Sule Pagoda

Sule Pagoda, which is located at the center of the Yangon City, had been considered as the Nucleus of City for City grid pattern. It is 48 meters high and has octagonal shape which keeps its shape as it tapers to the spire and similar to the inverted bowl.  It is said to be over 2,000 years old and contains a hair given by the Buddha to two Burmese merchants. It is surrounded by small shops and all the familiar non-religious services such as of astrologists, palmists, and so on.

Its legend says that Sule Pagoda marks the site where King Ukkalapa held meetings to build Shwedagon. “Su-Wei” is a Myanmar word meaning “meeting”. In course of time ‘Su-Wei’ corrupted to ‘Su-Le’ Successive town planners.

 

7.Minister’s Office

Secretariat office is one of the historic landmarks in Yangon which represents impressive and defensive Victorian-colonial architecture. It was built in stages between 1889 and 1905 and also it was once the home and administrative seat of British Burma Colony. But now it is currently closed because of the renovation as it is 120 years old building and is open to the public once a year on Martyrs’ Day.

Although currently closed to the public, it’s worth to make a tour of this enormous red-brick complex, which takes up a 16-acre block. In 1947, General Aung San and six of his colleagues were assassinated here. The complex also held independent Burma’s first National Assembly.

A reprieve came in 2011 when the Ministry of Construction selected it as one of five key Yangon heritage buildings to undergo basic renovations. A private group has since taken over the lease and plans include a cultural centre and historical museum, which will include Aung San’s old office and the room where he was gunned down. This section is open to the public once a year on Martyrs’ Day.

 

These places are some of the most interesting places to visit in Yangon and there are a lot more Easter egg you have to find in Yangon. And we know about these Easter egg and if you are interested, do not hesitate and just send a mail to sales@lmtravelmyanmar.com.

.