 |
 The
capital city of Myanmar sits on a spit of land
surrounded on three sides by water. Home to close
to 4 million people, Yangon has a special charm
with its old colonial buildings, tree lined streets,
bustling local markets and tranquil lakes. Pagodas
glisten amongst trees and houses - notably Shwedagon
Pagoda which is built on a small hill and is visible
from many parts of the city.
Yangon became the capital of Myanmar in 1885 -
until then it was a small town which thrived as
a sea port, and of course as home to Shwedagon
Pagoda. The city grew rapidly, on a grid pattern
around the central point of Sule Pagoda, which
makes an excellent landmark in the downtown area
because of its 46 meter high golden zedi.
Most of the old colonial buildings are now occupied
by Government offices. The massive City Hall is
built of stone and has a distinctive Burmese flavor,
in particular the traditional peacock seal above
the entrance. The Supreme Court and High Court
buildings, and the Railway Administration Building,
are also magnificent and reminiscent of days gone
by. Famous thoroughfares of the city include Strand
Road, Merchant Street and Mahabandoola Street
- along which you can see pastel-painted shophouses.
The National Museum has recently been renovated
and is well worth a visit. Many of the exhibits
demonstrate the wealth of the former kings of
Myanmar. Heading out of the town center, you will
find Kandawgyi (or Royal) Lake and its surrounding
gardens. The gardens are a pleasant place to walk
and you can find many local restaurants. Sunset
at Kandawgyi Lake looking towards Shwedagon Pagoda
is one of Yangon's most memorable experiences.
 Described
by Rudyard Kipling as “a beautiful, winking
wonder”, Shwedagon Pagoda has to be one of
the most magnificent constructions on earth. Its
origins are shrouded in legend but it definitely
dates from before the 11th Century, although the
current construction dates only from 1769. The
stupa is plated with more than 8,000 solid gold
slabs and its tip is set with diamonds, rubies,
sapphires and topaz. A huge emerald in the middle
of the stupa catches the first and last rays of
the sun. Around the golden stupa are more than
100 smaller stupas, pavilions and administrative
halls. Eight hairs of Buddha and other relics
are said to be housed in Shwedagon Pagoda. Myanmar
is a profoundly Buddhist country and Shwedagon
is the “heart” of Buddhist Myanmar.
Shwedagon is always bustling with people who come
to worship, picnic, read or simply absorb their
surroundings. Dawn or dusk are the best times
to visit although there is always plenty of coming
and going at Shwedagon.
 On
the riverfront, not far from the famous Strand
Hotel, is Botataung Pagoda which is one of the
most important in Yangon and is said to house
a hair and two other relics of the Buddha. The
inside of the Pagoda is lined with mirrors and
glass display cabinets containing many of the
ancient relics and artifacts which were originally
sealed inside the stupa. Botataung Jetty is close
to the Pagoda and is an excellent place to watch
ferries crossing the Yangon River.
Heading out of the city towards the airport, you
will pass close to Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to
a 72 meter reclining Buddha. This is a good place
to find fortune tellers! Two interesting day trips
from Yangon are Thwante pottery village, just
across the Yangon River, and Bago which is about
80 km away.
Yangon is changing fast as international investment
comes into Myanmar. Construction sites abound
and more cars appear on the roads almost on a
daily basis. However, the city has a very special
charm which will certainly be preserved in spite
of the changing skyline. |
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