MYANMAR DESTINATION

YANGON

Yangon was the capital of Myanmar before Naypyidaw was founded in March 2006. Yangon, with a population of 6 million, continues to be the country's largest city over 350 sq km and the most important commercial center. Yangon has the largest number of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia today.

PLACE OF INTEREST IN YANGON AREA

Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwe-dagon Pagoda, one of the wonders of the world, is believed to have been built more than 2500 years ago. The Pagoda was renovated many times over the centauries by successive Myanmar Kings. The historic Shwedagon Pagoda, which towers almost 100 meters above the green city-scrape of Yangon, never falls to enchant visitors. The shimmering main stupa soars high above the capital and is visible for miles away. A visit to Myanmar is incomplete without a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda.

Sule Pagoda

This strange Architectural monument is situated right in the center of Yangon which can be served as the evident land mark of the City, just beside the Myanmar Travels and Tours office, Maha Bandoola Park and Independence Monument, Town Hall and Supreme Court. Sule Pagoda is said to have been built over 2,000 years old and enshrined a hair of Buddha. It has own original "Mon" name "Kyaik-Athok" translates as "the pagoda where a Sacred Hair Relic is enshrined". The golden pagoda is unusual for its octagonal shape continues right up to the bell and inverted bowl. It stands 50 meters (152 feet) high and is surrounded by small shops and all the familiar non- religious services such as of astrologists, palmists, and so on.

Chauk-htat-kyi Pagoda

This colossal (70 meters long) reclining Buddha, located on Shwe-gon-dine Road, is one of the largest Buddha images in Myanmar. The original image was built in 1907 built by the Wealthy merchant named Sir-Phoe Tha. But it has been suffered damages due to climate over the years. In 1957, it was demolished and rebuilt to this structure, and completed in 1966. It is a good place to learn the 108 significant symbols of Buddha's footprints. This gigantic Buddha Image is located in the big compound of Monasteries, and there are over 600 Buddhist monks who are studying Buddhist literature.

Bo-tahtaung Pagoda

Pagoda was named after the thousand military leaders who escorted the relics of the " Buddha" brought from India over 2,000 years ago. "Bo" means "Military Leader" and "Tahtaung" means one thousand" the " Botahtaung" It is hollow inside and one can walk through it and a sort of mirrored maze inside the pagoda with glass show-cases containing many of the ancient relics and artifacts which were sealed inside the earlier pagoda. Above this interesting interior, the golden pagoda spire rises to 40 meters (132feet).

National Museum

The National Museum of Myanmar is located at No. 66/74, Pyay Road, Dagon Township, Yangon, Myanmar. The National Museum of Myanmar was founded in 1952 with its premises at what was once the Jubilee Hall. In 1970 the museum was moved to a more spacious building on Pansodan Street. But these premises were not originally constructed to house a museum. The present National Museum is located on Pyay Road in a splendid five-storey building constructed for the purpose in spacious and specially landscaped grounds. Priceless ancient artifacts, works of art and historic memorabilia are on display in 14 halls on four storeys. Three halls on the ground floor hold exhibits on the evolution the Myanmar script and alphabet, the Lion Throne Room and Yatanabon Period pieces.
Ground Floor One can study the origins of the Myanmar alphabet, Myanmar script and literature as well as those of the other national races of Myanmar. There is also an interesting stone funerary urn of the period AD1 - AD 9 with Pyu writings on it in this hall.
In the throne room you will see miniature models of the eight kinds of thrones of ancient Myanmar kings and the magnificent Royal Lion Throne of our last monarch King Thibaw in all its original majesty. This great throne is made of smooth-grained "Yamanay" timber adorned with lions at its base. The whole throne is heavily gilded. This throne is always placed in the "Hluttaw" Hall, (the Hall of the Council of Ministers). The king uses this throne when deliberating with his ministers on state affairs or delivering judgments on important issues.
In the 19th century Yadanabon Period Exhibit hall one can see clothing fashions, furniture and other household articles of the time. There is also a palanquin used by king Thibaw's Chief monk. It has a gilded roof with three spires.

Royal Kandawgyi Lake

"Kandawgyi" royal lake is situated in the east of Shwedagon Pagoda. It was created by the British and a good spot for relax with well shady trees and plants. The Glisten Shwedagon pagoda reflects in the restful waters of the lake. There is full of interesting places around the lake. On the eastern part of Royal Lake is the Karaweik floating restaurant made of concrete fully decorated with pilaster work. It is the replica of Royal Barge with two mythical birds at fore-front which has been used by King Alongsithu of Bagan dynasty(12 Century AD).

Bogyoke Aung San Market

Bogyoke Aung San Market is situated in the heart of Yangon, on Bogyoke Aung San Road. The name of this road was also named after the market. The Bogyoke Aung San 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.

Gems Museum


 

Images of sandstone and cast bronze, original clay votive tablets and many evidence of Bagan Period culture, and also the items of Pinya, Innwa, Taungoo and Nyaung Yan Period can be viewed in the Myanmar Historic Period Showroom. Royal Regalia Showroom, Myanmar Traditional Folk Art Showroom and Myanmar Performing Arts Showroom, Buddha Images Showroom and Culture of National Races Showroom can be observed threr.

VICINITY

BAGO

Bago was formerly known as Pegu. It is just 80 km (50 miles) north of Yangon. It is just about an hour drive from Yangon. Bago is one of the richest archaeological sites in Myanmar. Apparently Mon were the first to settle at this site. In 13th century A.D, the site, which was then on the Gulf of Martaban, had already been earmarked as the location of a great city by Gautama, the historic Buddha. Bago was made the capital of the Mon Kingdom and it came to be known as Hansavati (Hanthawaddy). It was also the seaport of ancient Mon kings. Then it became the Second Myanmar Empire founded by King Bayinnaung. The attractions are Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Kalayani Sima Ordination Hall, Shwethalyaung reclining Buddha Image.

THANLYIN (SYRIAM)

Thanlyin is situated about 30 minutes drive from Yangon. It was a commercial trade centre in the 11th century under the Portuguese known as Syriam. Places of interest include Thanlyin is famous for the large golden Kyaik Kauk Pagoda rising on a hillock to the right road. There are the ruins Catholic Church built by an Italian Braoabite Missionary in 18th century and the tombs of two famous Myanmar poets near Kyaik Kauk pagoda. Kyauk Tan, near Thanlyin-Yele-Paya (an island Pagoda) is one of the holly places. It is attractive for crossing the river by boat (Sampan) in a short time. Feeding the river catfishes can be enjoyed for all. And other a must visit is National Races Village. If you visit the village, you will not only enjoy fresh breeze blowing across Bago River but also get the sense of Union Spirit from the village of our national brethern, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine and Shan. You can see buildings with significant symbols denoting various national races residing in the country.

TWENTE

Twente is located at the opposite of Twente Canal, 24 km far from Yangon. A boat cruise to Twente is took about two hours and noted for its pottery and cotton weaving industries. It is also effort visitors an opportunity to see the way of life along canal.

PYAY (PROME)

Pyay is located about 285 km north of Yangon, on the eastern banks of the Ayeyarwaddy. It is easily accessible by road or by rail which takes about 5 hours. A few kilometers north-east of the town is Thaye Khittaya (Sri Ksetra), Hmawza an archaeological site of the ancient Pyu capital (5th to 9th Century). Shwesandaw Pagoda, Hsehtakyi Pagoda, Shwe Phone Pwint Museum, Bawlawgyi Pagoda, Bebegyi Pagoda, Payagyi and Payma Stupas are other places of interest in and around Pyay. Another attraction is Akauktaung. (Old custom gate for boats in the river) is about 40 miles from Pyay on the Ayeyarwaddy river bank, where there are many huge carvings of Buddha images on wall of the rocks near the bank of Ayeyarwaddy River, which can easily observe from the river by boat.