Yangon (Myanmar), formerly named as Rangoon, is the biggest city in Myanmar. Although Yangon was the capital of Myanmar for little more than a hundred years before Naypyidaw was designated as the capital in 2005, its root goes back many centuries. Built on the site of the ancient Mon city of Dagon, which is thought to have been founded more than 2000 years ago, it lies along the Yangon river and is one of the country's major port. The little fishing village was given the name Yangon (meaning 'end of strife') by King Alaungpaya following his conquest of the Mon Kingdom of Bago (Pegu) in 1757, and 1866 was renamed Rangoon by the British when Myanmar was annexed as a crown colony.
The influence of the former colonial era is still to be seen in the layout: the city is organized like a chessboard, and many of the old Victorian buildings have survived in varying states of preservation. Since the country was opened up in mid 1990s, more and more modern buildings have been erected, mainly apartment blocks and shopping centers. This architecture mixture of the old and new lends the city a fascinating aura of its own.
At first sight this metropolis, with its population of 5 million, seems much more leisurely than other big cities in Asia. There are comparatively few cars, and trishaws (rickshaws) can be seen in the streets. A wide variety of cultures and religions mingle together, and the innumerable Buddhist pagodas stand side-by-side with Hindu temples, mosques and churches. Many Indians and Chinese have settled here, running businesses and living in their own quarters of the city.
Yangon is located at the convergence of the Yangon and Bago Rivers. There are three main seasons in this city. The rainy season starts from June and continues till October. Winter season in Yangon is from November to February and the dry summer season is from March till May. The winter season in Yangon is less humid and cooler than the remaining months.
If you are looking for a great selection of places to stay with discount prices, visit Yangon Hotel for more information.
Places to Visit in Yangon
The Shwedagon Pagoda is not only the religious center of Yangon, but it is also the cultural and spiritual heart of Myanmar itself. Buddhists come on pilgrimages from all over the country to this historic site, to venerate the Buddha and to breathe in the meditative spirit of this sacred shrine, and visitors are enchanted by its shining golden beauty.
This pagoda is about the height of a five storey building and the Koe Htat Gyi Buddha is the highest, about nine storey high.
The Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda in Yangon is unique and the most popular one as it one of the pagodas where one will see Buddha not in his usual sitting posture, but at a reclining state. The Pagoda was first built in the year 1907 but was replaced in the year 1966. The statue was established by Sir Hpo Thar. It went through a series of damages due to the climatic conditions. Therefore it was one of the reasons, why the pagoda was demolished in 1957 and was rebuilt in the year 1966. The actual measurement of the pagoda is about 65 meters and inside it there is an iron structure with corrugated sheets of Iron forming the roof made of six layers.
Generally the Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda in Yangon is referred to as the six tiered pagodas. Another unique part of the Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda in Yangon is that, the entire construction cost was borne by the people of the city. They all donated willingly for this noble cause. There is another image of the Reclining Buddha at Shwe Thar Hlyaung Pagoda in Bago, but this image is larger than that.
At the heart of the city, in the middle of a roundabout, stands the Sule Pagoda. It is believed to be over 2,000 years old, although no one really knows exactly when it was built, and its octagonal stupa is said to contain a hair of the Buddha. This pagoda is used by the faithful mainly to offer up prayers for everyday problems, and thanks to its central position it is in constant use. Immediately southeast of the Sule Pagoda is the small Maha Bandoola Park, which contains the Independence Monument - a large obelisk guarded by statues of Chinthes, mythical lions.
The Botahtaung Pagoda, located in the downtown area of the city beside the Yangon river, is one of the tourist attractions of Myanmar travel. The Pagoda has a spectacular view of the Yangon river.
The tradition says that one thousand military officers from India came to Dagon escorting the Buddha's relics. It was named after those one thousand officers; "Bo" represents officers and "tahtaung" one thousand. The tradition goes on to say that two sacred hairs and unspecified amount of treasures are buried beneath the pagoda.
If you want to relax, you can visit Lake Kandawgyi to the north of the city. The large expanse of green and the many restaurants all around the lake create an idyllic atmosphere well worth the trip.
There are lots of markets all over the city, offering a wide variety of local wares such as spices and textiles. The largest of these is the Bogyoke Aung San Market, where one can find Myanmar handicrafts as well as precious stones from the north, such as rubies and jade.
67 Baho Rd, Sanchaung, Yangon