Yangon & its Environs

Yangon

Yangon the cosmopolitan capital city of Myanmar and international gate way to Myanmar. It is known as the garden city of Myanmar, still maintains it's colonial charm with side tree lined avenues, tranquil lakes and gracious turn of the century architecture.

Shwedagon pagoda is one of the ancient wonders of the world, a 98 meters high golden stupa rises majestically over the city like a beacon of glory. It was built 2500 years ago the Shwedagon was enshrined with hair relics of the Buddha. The glory of the Shwedagon is however not in it's material wealth but rather in the one hundred pavilions and shrines of traditional architectures clustered on it's platform and the reverence of the devotees.

Chauk-htat-kyi Pagoda - a colossal reclining pagoda nearby as large as the One in Bago.

Botataung Pagoda- a unique pagoda that is hollow and through which you can walk and many ancient artifacts and relices.

National Museum- exhibits include the lion throne of the last Burmese King Thi Baw; the Mandalay Regalia, a collection of gem-studded swords, jewelry, bowls and many other culture exhibits.

Nanthida Jetty- where you can watch the busy life on the Yangon river.

Aung San Market- known as Scott Market is a sprawling 70 years old complex noted for it's variety of handicrafts and other items-an excellent place for a shopping space.

Kandawgyi as it known is a Royal Lake. Up grading and renovation as city of Garden Park. One side are the restaurant known as Karaweik Palace housed on a barge depicting the mythical bird, the Karaweik.

Moving down the heart of the city and the down town area, one come across the Sule Pagoda. Near Sule Pagoda is Yangon City Hall and Independence Monument.

Taking a stall through China Town depicts a way of life in Myanmar.

Towards the northern of the city, is the Inya lake. On it's southern shores lies one of the compasses of the Yangon University. The Sailing Club is also found at this lake.

Kaba Aye Pagoda is a little further from the Inya Lake. Known as "The World Peace Pagoda". Some interesting places in the Kaba Aye Pagoda compound is that of Maha Pasana Guh, located a little far to the west of Kaba Aye Pagoda precinct.

Gem Museum which also houses numerous jewelry shops and the museum host gem auction reveal times a year.

Myanmar is famous for it's Jade, rubies and sapphires, natural pearls as well as many other precious and semi precious stones.

Marble Image's; in Yangon the biggest marble images was enshrined only a couple of years on Min Dhama Hill. The marble, 37 ft high and 24ft wide by 12 ft thick was the biggest found for. The formal title of the image is the Lawka Chantha Abhaya Lahba Muni Image, the Great Image to Protect the World from Strife and bring it Joy and Prosperity.

Bago

Located only 80km from Yangon, Bago was an ancient capital of Mon Kingdom in 15th century. Shew-tha-lyaung Reclining Buddha (55 Meters long), Shwe-maw-daw Pagoda, Kalyani Sima (Ordination Hall), 28 metre high huge Buddha Image of Kyaikpun Pagoda and the Palace of King Bayinnaung are some of the places of interest.

Thanlyin

Once a trading port occupied by the Portuguese in early 17th century, Thanlyin and its surrounding offer many attractions. The old buildings still stand in evidence of the days of Portuguese occupation. The 1822 meter long bridge spanning the Bago River made possible the 45 minutes' drive from Yangon. Kyaik-Kyauk Pagoda and Kyauktan Pagoda in the creek are worth visiting.

Twante

It is a small town noted for its pottery and cotton-weaving, and for and old Mon Pagoda complex. It is an interesting day trip from Yangon. Which is situated on the Twante Canal. It was provide a glimpse of life on and along the famous canal, which was dug during the colonial era as a short cut across the Ayeyarwaddy river.