Yangon & it's Environment
Yangon, the capital city is the gateway
to Myanmar. It has many evergreens, cool
tropical trees, shady parks and beautiful
Lakes. Yangon was founded by king Alaungpaya
on the site of a small village called Dagon
when he conquered Lower Myanmar in 1755.The
name Yangon means "End of Strife". The name
was later anglicized to "Rangoon". The
present day Yangon covers over 350 sq.km.
and has a population of over 5 million
people.
 Shwedagon
Pagoda is one of the ancient wonders of
the world, with a 98- meters high golden
stupa rises majestically over the city
like a beacon of glory. When it was
built 2,500 years ago, the Shwedagon was
enshrined with hair relics of the
Buddha. The glory of the Shwedagon comes
not from it's material wealth but rather
from it's 100 pavilions and shrines of
traditional architectures clustered on
it's platform and the reverence of the
devotees. Towering almost 100 meters
above the green cityscape of Yangon, the
Shwedagon Pagoda is the Landmark visible
from miles around.
Botataung Pagoda is unique because it is hollow pagoda. There
are many ancient artifacts and relices see when visiting the
Botataung Pagoda.
 Sule Pagoda
Sule Pagoda is situated in the centre of Yangon beside the
Myanmar Travels and Tours office. The Sule Pagoda is a prominent
Landmark standing "46" meters (152 feet) high.Sule Pagoda is a
center of workship in Yangon and is surrounded by many merchants and
people.
This huge 72 meter Reclining Baddha, built in 1907, was damaged
due to exposure to climate over the years.Despite the damage,it is
still an amazing sight to behold.
Mae Lamu Pagoda is a wonderland of spired pagodas and sculptured
Figures Located in North Okkalapa a satellite town about 20 minutes
drive from the city center.
Some of the National Museum's exhibits include the lion throne of
the last Burmese King Thi Baw and the Mandalay Regalia, a collection
of gem-studded swords, jewelry, bowls and many other culture
exhibits.
Aung San Market ,which is known as Scott Market, is a sprawling
70 years old complex noted for it's variety of handicrafts and other
items and is an excellent place to shop.
Kandawgyi as it known is a Royal Lake. Adjoining Kandawgyi is the
Garden Park, which has been under renovation. At Kandawgyi os the
famous restaurant known as Karaweik Palace, which sits on a barge
depicting the mythical bird, the Karaweik. The palace is the
concrete copy of a royal barge, built centuries ago for Burmese
kings.
Kaba Aye Pagoda is located a bit further from the Inya Lake and
is known as "The World Peace Pagoda".An intersting things to see
when in the vicinity of Kaba Aye Pagoda is that of Maha Pasana Guh (
the Great Cave ).
The Gem Museum, as well ad being a museum,has many jewelry
shops.The museum also holds gem auction several times a year.
Lawka Chantha Abbaya Laba Muni is the biggest marble image in
Yangon.It was enshrined on Min Dhama Hill and stands 37 ft. high and
24 ft. wide and 12 ft. thick.The official title of the image is the
Lawka Chantha Abhaya Lahba Muni Image,meaning "The Great Image to
Protect the World from Strife and Bring it Joy and Prosperity".
Allied War Memorial Cemetery
It is Located at Htaukkyant, which is about 32 km from
Yangon.There are 27,000 tombstones of Allied soldiers who lost their
Lives in Myanmar during the World War II.
 Thanlyin / Syriam
Thanlyin / Syriam is a one hour drive from Yangon across Myanmar
Long Bridge.The ruins of an 18th century Portuguese church are found
in the town of Thanlyin.Also of interest is the Yelepaya
Pagoda,which is unique because it is located tiny island in the
middle of a river.
Lekhokone
Lekhokone has some of Myanmar's most unspoiled and beautiful
beach resorts.They are close to Yangon.
Twante
Twante is a small
town noted for its pottery and
cotton-weaving and for the Mon
Pagoda complex. Twnate is situated
on the Twante Canal.The town,which
is an easy day-trip from Yangon,is
an interesting glimpse of life on
and along the famous Twante canal,
which was dug during the colonial
era as a short cut across the
Ayeyarwaddy river.
Yangon's Surrounding
You can reach Bago
from Yangon by car in about two
hours. Bago is the ancient capital
of the Mon Kingdom. There are some
important sights in Bago including
:the Shwe-mawdaw Pagoda,which is the
highest Pagoda in all of Myanmar ,
the Kyaukpun Pagoda with its four
huge Buddha images facing the
cardinal points, the Reclining
Buddha and,last but not least, the
lively market.
Pyay
/ Prome
An excursion to
Prome is worthwhile since that is
where some of the oldest pagodas in
Myanmar are located dating back to
the sixth century. To get there,it
is necessary to stay one night at
Pyay (which is the old capital of
the Pyu people of Sri Ksetra /
Thayekhittaya). Pyay/Prome can be
reached by driving five hours north
of Yangon.
Sri Ksetra
Sri Ksetra is
situated 8 km northeast of Pyay on
the site of the ancient Pyu
civilization.Sri Ksetra has been the
site of extensive archaeological
work.Artifacts may be seen at a
nearby museum.
Akauk Mountain
Akauk Mountain about
a 2 hour drive from Pyay,then a
fifteen minute boat ride down river.
On face of the cliff are carved
hundreds of Buddha image. It is
possible to take a short hike to the
top of this unique mountain.
Taungoo
Taungoo was the seat
of Myanmar kingdom in the 15th and
16th centuries. The famous Kings of
Taungoo were Tabin Shwe Htee and
Bayint Naung.It is situated 267 km.
from Yangon on the Mandalay highway
and is also accessible by
rail.Expect about six hours
traveling time form Yangon.Sein Yay
Forest Camp is located deep in the
teak forest.You can get from Taungoo
by an arduous 4 - 5 hours journey of
with a four-wheel drie.Also of
interest is the Shwe Sandaw Pagoda,
which was built in 1597 AD.
Pathein / Bassein
Pathein / Bassein A
small port town some 190 km. west of
Yangon, Pathein can only be reached
by a long road trip or by an
overnight ferry boat.It has a very
scenic waterfront and many Chinese
and Burmese temples. Pathein is
known as the gateway to the ( still
somewhat undeveloped ) beach resort
of Chaungtha and newly developed
beach resort of Ngwe-Saung.
 Ngwe Saung
Ngwe Saung is
situated about 48 km from Pathein,
the capital city of Ayeyarwaddy
Division where the traditional
Umbrella and clay pot painting
workshop are located. It take about
5 hours drive from Yangon ( on some
unpaved roads )to get there. It can
be reach by car or river cruise on
the Ayeyarwaddy Delta Queen. A
beautiful sunset can be viewed on
the Bay of Bangal from the lover's
Island.
Chaung-tha Beach
Chaung-tha Beach is
Located 40 km west of Pathein in
Ayeyarwaddy Division. Chaung-tha
Beach is a very convenient 5 hour
drive from Yangon via Pathein.There
are bungalow type hotels along the
beach with modern facilities.
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