Yangon
Myanmar's largest and most vibrant city, Yangon is a place that many visitors to Myanmar pass by all too quickly. Its historical importance as a trading post means that for centuries it has been home to a fascinating melting pot of ethnicities and religions, and it is host to the largest number of colonial-era buildings in Southeast Asia. Today, it has thriving cultural and social scenes. The government may have moved to the new capital Nay Pyi Taw in 2005, but Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) remains the cultural and commercial heart of Myanmar. Yangon had itself only been the capital since 1885, when the British conquered northern Myanmar and moved the seat of government from Mandalay. However, as they had long held the city as a key trading post, Yangon's has a wonderful array of colonial-era buildings - many of which are now crumbling, hidden down side streets. Yangon’s buildings are also awash with colour and reflect the city’s history of ethnic and religious diversity, but no structure stands out quite like the Shwedagon Pagoda, the monumental golden Buddhist shrine that is sacred to so many in Myanmar. The city also has an eclectic range of museums, art galleries and markets, in which you can take in Myanmar culture and haggle to your heart’s content. The diversity which makes Yangon so architecturally intriguing is also reflected in its restaurants and food, which have plenty of native cuisine but are also heavily influenced by some of the countries that surround Myanmar – Thailand, China and India. Reflecting Myanmar as a whole, Yangon is filled with religious monuments – you could spend days exploring these alone. Most of these are of course Buddhist shrines, but Yangon is also famous for its age-old diversity, and historic churches, Hindu temples, mosques and a synagogue can also be found around the city. Source: www.go-myanmar.com
Downtown Yangon
known for the highest number of colonial period buildings in Southeast Asia. The former High Court, the former Inland Water Transport building, the former Secretariat buildings and the Strand Hotel are excellent examples of the Yangon's past. Century-old buildings with magnificent architecture are main tourist attraction in downtown Yangon.
City Hall: Centrally located in downtown Yangon. The City Hall building is considered to be a fine example of Myanmar architecture. The construction of this building started in 1926 and ended in 1936. The building is enlisted on the Yangon City Heritage List.
Custom House: This is probably one of the well-preserved British colonial buildings in Yangon. The Customs House is located along the Strand Road where most colonial buildings stand today as colonial heritage sites.
High Court Building: Formerly known as the Parliament for Justice, this building was constructed in 1914, before World War I. In 1962, the Government turned it into a High Court Head Office. source: www.myanmars.net
Myanmar's largest and most vibrant city, Yangon is a place that many visitors to Myanmar pass by all too quickly. Its historical importance as a trading post means that for centuries it has been home to a fascinating melting pot of ethnicities and religions, and it is host to the largest number of colonial-era buildings in Southeast Asia. Today, it has thriving cultural and social scenes. The government may have moved to the new capital Nay Pyi Taw in 2005, but Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) remains the cultural and commercial heart of Myanmar. Yangon had itself only been the capital since 1885, when the British conquered northern Myanmar and moved the seat of government from Mandalay. However, as they had long held the city as a key trading post, Yangon's has a wonderful array of colonial-era buildings - many of which are now crumbling, hidden down side streets. Yangon’s buildings are also awash with colour and reflect the city’s history of ethnic and religious diversity, but no structure stands out quite like the Shwedagon Pagoda, the monumental golden Buddhist shrine that is sacred to so many in Myanmar. The city also has an eclectic range of museums, art galleries and markets, in which you can take in Myanmar culture and haggle to your heart’s content. The diversity which makes Yangon so architecturally intriguing is also reflected in its restaurants and food, which have plenty of native cuisine but are also heavily influenced by some of the countries that surround Myanmar – Thailand, China and India. Reflecting Myanmar as a whole, Yangon is filled with religious monuments – you could spend days exploring these alone. Most of these are of course Buddhist shrines, but Yangon is also famous for its age-old diversity, and historic churches, Hindu temples, mosques and a synagogue can also be found around the city. Source: www.go-myanmar.com
Downtown Yangon
known for the highest number of colonial period buildings in Southeast Asia. The former High Court, the former Inland Water Transport building, the former Secretariat buildings and the Strand Hotel are excellent examples of the Yangon's past. Century-old buildings with magnificent architecture are main tourist attraction in downtown Yangon.
City Hall: Centrally located in downtown Yangon. The City Hall building is considered to be a fine example of Myanmar architecture. The construction of this building started in 1926 and ended in 1936. The building is enlisted on the Yangon City Heritage List.
Custom House: This is probably one of the well-preserved British colonial buildings in Yangon. The Customs House is located along the Strand Road where most colonial buildings stand today as colonial heritage sites.
High Court Building: Formerly known as the Parliament for Justice, this building was constructed in 1914, before World War I. In 1962, the Government turned it into a High Court Head Office. source: www.myanmars.net
Shwedagon Pagoda (Paya)
Dominating Yangon’s skyline, the Shwedagon Pagoda is Myanmar’s most sacred religious site; ‘shwe’ means gold in Burmese and ‘Dagon’ is the historical area in which the pagoda is situated. The structure contains the relics of four Buddhas (those who have reached enlightenment, or Nirvana) and, regardless of one’s personal beliefs, it is a truly awe-inspiring monument. Said to be more than 2500 years old, over the years it has been destroyed by earthquakes and had its treasures pillaged many times, only to be rebuilt; the structure has existed in its current form since 1769. Standing on Singuttara Hill to the north of downtown Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda is the largest in Myanmar, standing 99 metres tall – it is also plated with 21,841 solid gold bars and has a tip encrusted with thousands of diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Shimmering magnificently as it does in the bright sunlight (although it is equally beautiful seen at dusk or lit up at night), its sheer size makes it a stunning sight to behold. Rudyard Kipling described it as ‘a golden mystery upheaved itself on the horizon, a beautiful winking wonder that blazed in the sun’. Huddled around the main structures are an array of smaller shrines, statues and temples, and the pagoda is surrounded by four covered walkways through which you can enter. The eastern entrance is probably the most interesting, leading out onto the busy markets on Gyar Tawya Street, which has some fascinating colonial-era mansions. Source: www.go-myanmar.com
Dominating Yangon’s skyline, the Shwedagon Pagoda is Myanmar’s most sacred religious site; ‘shwe’ means gold in Burmese and ‘Dagon’ is the historical area in which the pagoda is situated. The structure contains the relics of four Buddhas (those who have reached enlightenment, or Nirvana) and, regardless of one’s personal beliefs, it is a truly awe-inspiring monument. Said to be more than 2500 years old, over the years it has been destroyed by earthquakes and had its treasures pillaged many times, only to be rebuilt; the structure has existed in its current form since 1769. Standing on Singuttara Hill to the north of downtown Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda is the largest in Myanmar, standing 99 metres tall – it is also plated with 21,841 solid gold bars and has a tip encrusted with thousands of diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Shimmering magnificently as it does in the bright sunlight (although it is equally beautiful seen at dusk or lit up at night), its sheer size makes it a stunning sight to behold. Rudyard Kipling described it as ‘a golden mystery upheaved itself on the horizon, a beautiful winking wonder that blazed in the sun’. Huddled around the main structures are an array of smaller shrines, statues and temples, and the pagoda is surrounded by four covered walkways through which you can enter. The eastern entrance is probably the most interesting, leading out onto the busy markets on Gyar Tawya Street, which has some fascinating colonial-era mansions. Source: www.go-myanmar.com
Wizaya Pagoda (Zedi)
is a very elegant structure on top of a small hill opposite the famous Shwedagon pagoda. The pagoda that is also called the Maha Vijaya Pagoda was completed in 1980 and is a mix of traditional and modern style elements. It was built for the occasion of the first assembly of the unified orders of Theravada Buddhism in Burma and paid for with donations from Buddhists from across Burma. The hti, an ornamental spire shaped in the form of an umbrella on top of the pagoda was donated by Ne Win, the country’s head of state and military leader. The pagoda is thus also referred to as “The General’s Pagoda”. The central dome of the Maha Wizaya: A rather unique feature of the Maha Wizaya Pagoda is its main stupa in the center of the building. Unlike the stupa of most Burmese temples, this stupa is hollow and open to visitors. Buddha relics shrine: Inside the main stupa is a rotunda, a round room with a dome on top. In the center of the room is a shrine for the Buddhist relics, that were a gift from the King of Nepal, the country where the Buddha was born more than 2500 years ago. Encircling the base of the shrine is a number of Buddha images. Murals in the central dome: The domed ceiling over the relic shrine is painted in a light blue color and mainly contains depictions of various animals. Among the very colorful murals in the central dome are depictions of the Buddha meditating under a Bodhi tree, the Buddha and an elephant kneeling down in front of Him and the Buddha teaching to a great number of followers. Surrounding the relic chamber is an arcade lined with Buddha images. The walls contain murals of landscapes with stupas and temples. Source: www.renown-travel.com
is a very elegant structure on top of a small hill opposite the famous Shwedagon pagoda. The pagoda that is also called the Maha Vijaya Pagoda was completed in 1980 and is a mix of traditional and modern style elements. It was built for the occasion of the first assembly of the unified orders of Theravada Buddhism in Burma and paid for with donations from Buddhists from across Burma. The hti, an ornamental spire shaped in the form of an umbrella on top of the pagoda was donated by Ne Win, the country’s head of state and military leader. The pagoda is thus also referred to as “The General’s Pagoda”. The central dome of the Maha Wizaya: A rather unique feature of the Maha Wizaya Pagoda is its main stupa in the center of the building. Unlike the stupa of most Burmese temples, this stupa is hollow and open to visitors. Buddha relics shrine: Inside the main stupa is a rotunda, a round room with a dome on top. In the center of the room is a shrine for the Buddhist relics, that were a gift from the King of Nepal, the country where the Buddha was born more than 2500 years ago. Encircling the base of the shrine is a number of Buddha images. Murals in the central dome: The domed ceiling over the relic shrine is painted in a light blue color and mainly contains depictions of various animals. Among the very colorful murals in the central dome are depictions of the Buddha meditating under a Bodhi tree, the Buddha and an elephant kneeling down in front of Him and the Buddha teaching to a great number of followers. Surrounding the relic chamber is an arcade lined with Buddha images. The walls contain murals of landscapes with stupas and temples. Source: www.renown-travel.com
Kandawgyi Lake
A reservoir constructed during colonial times, Kandawgyi Lake is surrounded by a green, tree-filled park and hosts the imposing Karaweik, a replica of a royal barge located on the eastern side of the lake. Source: www.go-myanmar.com
A reservoir constructed during colonial times, Kandawgyi Lake is surrounded by a green, tree-filled park and hosts the imposing Karaweik, a replica of a royal barge located on the eastern side of the lake. Source: www.go-myanmar.com
Sri Kali Temple (Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple)
widely believed to have started in 1830 with a sole female devotee. She had placed a picture of Amman under a banyan tree that was located near the present temple. The location of the temple, at the junction of Balestier, Serangoon. Race Course and Rangoon roads, was very popular because it had several wells and water points. Many residents from nearby areas frequented the area to collect water for themselves. In I935, Mr Rengasamy Mooriyar converted the premises into a full-fledged temple and conducted the consecration ceremony, paying for the expenses from his retirement savings. Sri Vinayakar, Muruga and Ambal were the main deities of the temple. Source: http://srivadapathirakali.org
widely believed to have started in 1830 with a sole female devotee. She had placed a picture of Amman under a banyan tree that was located near the present temple. The location of the temple, at the junction of Balestier, Serangoon. Race Course and Rangoon roads, was very popular because it had several wells and water points. Many residents from nearby areas frequented the area to collect water for themselves. In I935, Mr Rengasamy Mooriyar converted the premises into a full-fledged temple and conducted the consecration ceremony, paying for the expenses from his retirement savings. Sri Vinayakar, Muruga and Ambal were the main deities of the temple. Source: http://srivadapathirakali.org
Circular Train
The Yangon Circular Train was built by the British in 1954. It covers a railway track loop of 45.9 kilometers and stops at 39 stations. It takes almost 3 hours to complete the journey. Trains make both clockwise (Right) and counter-clockwise (Left) journeys daily along the railway loop. The Yangon Circular Train will give you a chance to mingle with the friendly locals and get a glimpse into their laid back and almost stress free life style. Don’t forget to take your camera to capture some of the most picturesque sceneries along the way. Source: http://yangon-rangoon.com
The Yangon Circular Train was built by the British in 1954. It covers a railway track loop of 45.9 kilometers and stops at 39 stations. It takes almost 3 hours to complete the journey. Trains make both clockwise (Right) and counter-clockwise (Left) journeys daily along the railway loop. The Yangon Circular Train will give you a chance to mingle with the friendly locals and get a glimpse into their laid back and almost stress free life style. Don’t forget to take your camera to capture some of the most picturesque sceneries along the way. Source: http://yangon-rangoon.com
Bogyoke Market
is the most popular market and a great tourist destination in Yangon. It is one of the precious colonial buildings you can find in Yangon. The 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 honour of our national leader General Aung San who was assassinated in 1947. There are 1.641 shops selling luxury items. handicrafts. foodstuffs. clothing. jewelry. fashion and consumer goods. The market is a square type based and therefore divided into the East wing. West wing. North wing and South wing. The shopping items are not categorized in the respective wings. Looking around and finding the most suitable item would be fun. There are also traditional. Myanmar and Chinese food stalls in the market. Source: http://myanmartravelinformation.com
is the most popular market and a great tourist destination in Yangon. It is one of the precious colonial buildings you can find in Yangon. The 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 honour of our national leader General Aung San who was assassinated in 1947. There are 1.641 shops selling luxury items. handicrafts. foodstuffs. clothing. jewelry. fashion and consumer goods. The market is a square type based and therefore divided into the East wing. West wing. North wing and South wing. The shopping items are not categorized in the respective wings. Looking around and finding the most suitable item would be fun. There are also traditional. Myanmar and Chinese food stalls in the market. Source: http://myanmartravelinformation.com
Botataung Paya
named after the 1,000 military men (tataung literally means 1,000) who brought relics of the Buddha back to Myanmar from India. The relics are housed in the hollow interior of the paya, and are said to include a sacred hair of the Buddha, along with two body relics. You’ll find that while the Shwedagon Pagoda and Sule Pagoda are as monumental and visually stunning as they come, the Botataung Paya has a quiet, almost serene atmosphere, partly due to its location along the open riverfront. Be sure to take a moment to soak in the peaceful spirituality of it all; this was not always the case, because the Botataung Pagoda was completely leveled during World War II, and was only reconstructed after the war. Source: www.myanmarburma.com
named after the 1,000 military men (tataung literally means 1,000) who brought relics of the Buddha back to Myanmar from India. The relics are housed in the hollow interior of the paya, and are said to include a sacred hair of the Buddha, along with two body relics. You’ll find that while the Shwedagon Pagoda and Sule Pagoda are as monumental and visually stunning as they come, the Botataung Paya has a quiet, almost serene atmosphere, partly due to its location along the open riverfront. Be sure to take a moment to soak in the peaceful spirituality of it all; this was not always the case, because the Botataung Pagoda was completely leveled during World War II, and was only reconstructed after the war. Source: www.myanmarburma.com
Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue
A commemorative Blue Plaque was installed at the Jewish Synagogue in Pabedan Township in downtown Yangon on June 5, 2016. In 1893-96, the Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue was built in Yangon to replace a wooden structure from 1854. For more than 35 years, the Samuels family has taken care of the synagogue, cemetery, and what remains of the community. Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue is the only Synagogue in the world that used to have 126 Torah Scroll. But many families took their own Torah when they left the country and now there are only 2 left. These 2 Torahs are originally from Baghdad and over 100 year old. Jewish Community of Myanmar hosted interfaith dialogue at the Synagogue and their Annual Holiday – Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) was attended by religious leaders from Muslim, Bahá’í, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian. Source: www.yangonheritagetrust.org
A commemorative Blue Plaque was installed at the Jewish Synagogue in Pabedan Township in downtown Yangon on June 5, 2016. In 1893-96, the Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue was built in Yangon to replace a wooden structure from 1854. For more than 35 years, the Samuels family has taken care of the synagogue, cemetery, and what remains of the community. Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue is the only Synagogue in the world that used to have 126 Torah Scroll. But many families took their own Torah when they left the country and now there are only 2 left. These 2 Torahs are originally from Baghdad and over 100 year old. Jewish Community of Myanmar hosted interfaith dialogue at the Synagogue and their Annual Holiday – Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) was attended by religious leaders from Muslim, Bahá’í, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian. Source: www.yangonheritagetrust.org
Sule Paya
is a small pagoda located in the center of Yangon. The pagoda, known in Burmese as the Kyaik Athok Zedi, is surrounded by busy streets, a market and colonial era buildings like the Supreme court building and Yangon city hall. According to legend the pagoda was built during the lifetime of the Gautama Buddha, about 2,500 years ago. The pagoda was much smaller at the time. It has been renovated and enlarged several times by later Kings. The paya reached its present height when it was renovated halfway the 15th century. The Sule pagoda is named after Sularata, the Sule Nat (spirit) who lived at the spot where the pagoda now stands. According to legend Sularata, a Nat millions of years old found the spot where relics of the three reincarnations of the Buddha were buried, and the location where the Shwedagon pagoda was to be build some 2,500 years ago. Nat spirits have been worshipped for centuries in Burma, even before the arrival of Buddhism. The Sule’s golden Mon style pagoda measures 44 meters high. Unusual in its design is its octagonal shape, that continues all the way up to the spire. The pagoda is topped with a hti, a multi tiered ornamental element shaped as an umbrella. The Sule Paya is highly revered because it enshrines a hair relic of the Buddha. A steady flow of Burmese devotees make merit and bring offerings. Source: www.renown-travel.com
is a small pagoda located in the center of Yangon. The pagoda, known in Burmese as the Kyaik Athok Zedi, is surrounded by busy streets, a market and colonial era buildings like the Supreme court building and Yangon city hall. According to legend the pagoda was built during the lifetime of the Gautama Buddha, about 2,500 years ago. The pagoda was much smaller at the time. It has been renovated and enlarged several times by later Kings. The paya reached its present height when it was renovated halfway the 15th century. The Sule pagoda is named after Sularata, the Sule Nat (spirit) who lived at the spot where the pagoda now stands. According to legend Sularata, a Nat millions of years old found the spot where relics of the three reincarnations of the Buddha were buried, and the location where the Shwedagon pagoda was to be build some 2,500 years ago. Nat spirits have been worshipped for centuries in Burma, even before the arrival of Buddhism. The Sule’s golden Mon style pagoda measures 44 meters high. Unusual in its design is its octagonal shape, that continues all the way up to the spire. The pagoda is topped with a hti, a multi tiered ornamental element shaped as an umbrella. The Sule Paya is highly revered because it enshrines a hair relic of the Buddha. A steady flow of Burmese devotees make merit and bring offerings. Source: www.renown-travel.com
Markets