The land of serenity

Yangon, the former capital city with its population over 5 million, is the main gateway to Myanmar. Yangon is conceivably the last authentic illustration of an Asian tropical city still featuring its former colonial origins atmosphere, vast parks, shady trees and beautiful lakes and its religious monuments make evergreen and cool with lush tropical trees. Yangon has earned the name of the Garden City of the East. Yangon was founded by King Alaungpaya on the site of a small fishing village called Dagon when he conquered Lower Myanmar in 1755. The name Yangon means "End of Strife" which was Anglicized to Rangoon. The present day Yangon covers over 350 sq. km.

How to get there

Yangon former capital, once called Rangoon, has direct air-links with Bangkok, Singapore, Hongkong, Dhaka, Kumming, Kuala Lumpur, Calcutta and Myanmar Airways International, Silk Air, Thai International, Malaysia Airlines etc. operate regular flights in and out of Yangon. So one-night stay in Yangon is recommended before visiting or traveling to the up-country and one night at the end of the trip.

What to see!

Even In your tight schedule to Myanmar, full or half a day of Yangon city sightseeing is advised - the highlight being, of course, the prominent land mark: the Shwedagon Pagoda, the big reclining Buddha in Yangon; Chauk Htat Gyi, sule pagoda;the heart of yangon, the album of Myanmar’s culture; the national Museum and shopping trip to Boyoke ( Scott ) market ;the souvenir corner of Myanmar are the worthy places to visit! 

Shwedagon Pagoda

The largest and oldest of its kind, the Shwedagone Pagoda is a magnificent and shimmering spire of gold rising 326 feet (99.4 meter) with 76 carat diamond orb at top, is the celebrated landmark visible from miles around. It is one of the wonders of the world, and it is believed that has been ereted more than 2500 years ago and enshrined eight hairs of the Buddha with other discovered materials of three former enlighten Buddhas, in a treasure chamber deep under it base. It is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhist from many lands and is the very symbol of why Myanmar is called 'The Golden Land'. It is the essence of Myanmar and being a place that never fails to enchant. A visit to Yangon is not complete without a visit to Yangon's premier sight!
The entrance fee      US $ 5
Video camera fee     US $ 3

Sule Pagoda

As the Heart of the city’s landmark at Yangon, symbol of downtown, Sule pagoda is situated
right at the heart of the city. We may say a small Oasis of calm in the bustle of central Yangon. The Sule Pagoda is said to be over 2,000 years old, enshrining a hair relics of the Buddha which brought by two traders brothers from India. The golden pagoda is extraordinarily in that its octagonal shape continues right up to the top terrace. It stands 46 meters (152 feet) high and is surrounded by small shops of all the familiar non-religious services such as astrologers, palmists, photo studios, camera and watch repair. You can observe the atmosphere of the city center with busy people from all walks of life in various trades, and busy traffic.
The entrance fee US $ 2.

Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda

This is the biggest colossal reclining Buddha in Yangon and the fourth one among the biggest of Myanmar. An enigmatic smile on his lips and eyes like living with relaxing and welcoming the pilgrimages, this image itself is 72 meters long and famous for the 108 distinguishing symbols with glass mosaic on the soles of his both feet. The original image was built in 1907 but it has suffered numerous damages due to the climate and natural disasters over the year. It was demolished in 1957and rebuilt to this present structure, which completed in 1966.It can be reached in 10 minutes from downtown, and 5 minutes from the famous Shwedagon Pagoda.

Botataung Pagoda

This Pagoda’s name Botahtaung means "a thousand of military leaders". This pagoda was named after the 1,000 military leaders who escorted the sacred hair relics of Buddha, brought from India over two thousand years ago. It is a shrine with hollow passages inside to walk through. Inside the pagoda, there are glass showcases containing many ancient relics and donated artifacts sealed but visible inside the shrine. The original shrine was destroyed during the World War II bombing. Present structure is built over the old original one. Above this interesting interior, the golden pagoda spire rises to 132 feet (40 meters).
The entrance fee US $ 2.

Karaweik Hall

The most Artistic Myanmar Mythical bird decorated with enriched traditional essence, Karaweik royal barge Hall is one of the landmarks of Yangon, gracefully standing in the Kandawgyi Lake (Royal Lake). It has 3 floors including a ceremonial hall. This wholly gilded building is about 30 years old.





The colonial buildings in Downtown Area Yangon

On touring downtown Yangon, you will see many of the remarkable sites of the colonial and religious past of this garden city. Old Rangoon was designed by the army superintendent surgeon Dr William Montgomery’s. The period architecture of the old city center, among others, remains quite a number of old buildings built in the time of British annexation .They were constructed in the middle of 19th century, before the Second World War in 1940.

The colonial residences are substantial castles built of brick, masonry and wood with the multi-gabled roofs, verandas and the porches. These English Style houses are seen in the shady and tranquil compounds in the downtown areas. Buildings of heritage. Yangon is now listed for protection. The Yangon City hall, next to Sule Pagoda faces the Mahabandoola Park. To the East is the building of the Supreme Court, painted in red and yellow color equally. That Victorian building was constructed between 1905 and 1911.

A short distance to the west is the famous Strand hotel constructed in 1901. Advance to the west is the Office of Inland Water Transport authority with an uprising tower in the Pansodan Street. And the Yangon Division court resembles Queen-Ann-Style English architecture. Other remarkable colonial style buildings are the Yangon railway station decorated with typical Myanmar traditional arts, the Mee Ya Htar building (used to be Myanma railway office) built of red brick in colonial architecture, the Bogyoke Aung San Market and the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in the typical English colonial style painted in dominantly red color.

All these structures are on Bogyoke Aung San Street, as is the Yangon General hospital, which was the first public building in Myanmar and was constructed in 1911. The other indubitable English time public building is Ministerial office, which occupies the whole block of land surrounded by Anawrahta, Thein Byu, Mahabandoola and Bo Aung Kyaw streets.

Kaba Aye Pagoda

The dedication of world peace, built this Pagoda in1952. 111-feet-high pagoda measures 34 meters around the base.half stupa and half temple type, this pagoda is significant for the Six World Buddhist Synod which was held in Maha Pasana Cave of its large compound in 1954. The Buddhist Art Museum is also located in the same compound. The Buddha images with different gesture called Mudra, from the Buddhism countries can be seen collectively in this world peace pagoda plinth. It is just 20 minutes drive to the north of downtown, next to the Gem Museum.

National Museum

There is no other site with better display of Myanmar history, culture, literature and national race s than the five storeys National Museum on Pyay Road. Each of the floor display in the museum will let you know the glory of Myanmar.  On the ground floor exhibits the Lion Throne of the last Myanmar King, Royal Regalia of 19th century, and artifacts of various ancient periods, articles of cultural heritage and archaeological value, art and craft articles, weaponry, musical instruments and  early civilization of Myanmar. In second, third and fourth floor, all about Myanmar performing arts and musical instrument, Folk arts, and marionettes, Painting and contemporary art as well as ancient personal ornaments and jewellery, primate and fossils dating back millions of years and Buddha images from different eras and displays the culture of the country national races including their traditional dress.
Opening hour: 10:00 am to 16 pm
Entrance fee: US $ 5

Myanmar Gems Museum

Have you ever seen a brick size ruby with a flawless, uncut of excellent quality and huge velvet- blue sapphire, the largest natural pearl in real world? Myanmar Gems Emporium next to the Gabaraye Pagoda’s, compound has an extensive collection of gems and ores, displayed uncut or as elegant jewelry. The range is astounding: the best rubies and jade in the world, superb sapphires, lustrous pearls plus an astonishing variety of semi-precious stones.In the gems museum, you will find 100 counters of gems mart display the whole range of Myanmar ruby, sapphire, Peridot and a variety of assorted colored stones, jade, pearls in lots or embedded in exquisite jewelry, gold ware, silverware and jade figurines. . These are sold in Myanmar Kyats, US$ or foreign exchange certificates (FEC). The Myanmar Gems Enterprise (MGE) under the Ministry of Mines annually holds an auction at the Emporium.
Entrance fee: US $ 5

Zoological Garden

It has the longest history and the third oldest Zoological Garden in the world. It is almost 103 years and the zoo is noted for its collection of about 1500 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, elephants, rhinoceros, amphibians, wild animals, and more than15, 000 kinds of flora and fauna, many of which are rare and indigenous to the country, have been collected in 69 acre over the years since it was opened in 1906. As the recreation, on weekend and public holidays, Snake Dance and Elephant Circus are performed for visitors. The Zoological Garden Amusement Park is also a well-known spot for children and teenagers.
Open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Entrance fee – foreigners: US $ 5
Residence Foreigners:      US $ 2

Bogyoke Aung San Market

It is a fantastic prewar structure in Yangon known as Scott Market before. After the independence, it was named as Bogyoke Market in honor of our national leader General Aung San and the Road in front of it also call Bogyoke Street. It is the most famous shopping place in Yangon. Open daily from 09:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. except Monday and Gazette Holidays. Myanmar arts and handicrafts are best souvenirs available there at reasonable price. Lacquer wares, wood and ivory carvings, tapestries, silverware, brassware, silk and cotton fabrics, and shoulder bags, traditional costumes, Gold as well as jewelry are some of the most favorite items it has to offer.

Strand Jetty

The jetty is situated in front of the famous Strand Hotel. From there, you may observe the daily basic life style of people who came across the river from the other side of the city for working or selling their local products. You can cross the river by ferry boat, which takes about 10 minutes to return. If you want to travel in comfort – charter a special carriage complete with butler service! You can also do a Yangon Sunset Cruise. The RV Mahaythi has daily (guarantee minimum 2 persons departure). Yangon Sunset Cruises; Departure from Botataung Jetty at 16:30 P.M. and arrival at War-tan Jetty is at 18:30 P.M.

The ferry fee for foreigner is US $ 1(one way).

People's Square & People's Park

People’s Square and People’s Park occupy over 130 acres of land between Shwedagon Pagoda and Pyithu Hluttaw (People congress). There is a Museum housing life-size models of ethnic groups in their colorful dress and flora and fauna. The restaurants serve Myanmar, Chinese and European Food.
Open hour: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Entrance fee: US $ 3
Camera fee:  US $ 3
Video Camera: US $ 3

Kyauktawgyi Pagoda

This Buddha image is curved from the one piece of white marble stone which is flawless and of high quality that found out at Skyin Hill 32 miles north of Mandalay, Madaya township of Mandalay Division. The Image is measuring 37 feet in height, 24feet wide in length and 11 feet in thickness weight about 500 in metric ton. This huge image is completely sculptured out in 2002 CE and enshrine at Mindhamma Hill, Insein Township, in Yangon. This huge Image is now at Division. This Buddha Image will be the highest and biggest of all in the world.
Allied War Memorial Cemetery

This mausoleum is situated at Htaukkyant; about 32 km from Yangon on the road to Bago (Pegu) is a memorial cemetery of Allied Soldiers who died in Myanmar Campaign during the Second World War. The Cemetery’s beautifully kept ground has 27,000 stone-graves of fallen Allied Soldiers. Grave is under the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Hlawga Wildlife Park

It is about one hour drive from downtown. The wildlife park covers 1,650 acres of land mixed-deciduous and evergreen forest types including the Hlawga Lake, which is a home for over 70 kinds of herbivorous animals, 50 species of Myanmar butterfly and 90 species of birds, 165 species of residential and waterfowls and 25 species of migratory birds. It has a museum of the replica of Myanmar traditional buildings, the wild fauna of Myanmar in miniature-zoo with rock garden and some carnivores in nature. Flocks of migratory birds frequently visit the park. It is an ideal place for picnickers, naturalists, botanists and bird-watchers. Visitor can also enjoy elephant rides, boating and fishing in the park. Open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm except Monday.

Thanlyin

Thanlyin (Syrium) once the home to trading port of Portuguese, Dutch, French and British Merchants and being the centre of foreign trade for all lower Myanmar as well as merchants’ important commercial centre in 16th Centaury . Later the Portuguese adventure de Brito established his own private kingdom. The ruin wall of Lusitanian baroque styled buildings can still be seen today. During the colonial days the British have imported some a millions of Indian for rice cultivation. Thanlyin still host a great numbers of Indian populations though Myanmar citizen but their customs and way of life are still very much determined by the Hindu religion. Portuguese settlement sites with old. It is an interesting excursion across 1.2 mile long bridge to Thanlyin. This 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 Nat Shin Naung and Wongyi BraedhaYaza near Kyaik Kauk pagoda. There has another interesting place, Thilawar the main sea front of water transportation and for the export /import.

Thanlyin-Yele-Paya (an island Pagoda) is one of the holy places. It is attractive for crossing the river by Sampan in a short time. Feeding the river catfishes can be enjoyed for all.

Entrance fees: US $ 1

Twantay

Since about 18th centaury this small town is famous for clay works, Twante is located at the opposite of Twante Cannel, 24 km far from Yangon. A boat cruise to Twante takes about two hours and noted for its pottery and cotton weaving industries. It is also an opportunity to see the ways of life along the canal. For more information, please kindly check our river cruises.