Yangon Cites Tours

Yangon

Yangon (means “End of the Strife”) is once the capital of Myanmar and still the commercial hub of Myanmar with foreign embassies, Myanmar Head Quarters and offices of international organisations. It covers 223 square miles and consists of 31 townships and 5.2 million residence in and around the city. The city has a lush green trees, beautiful lakes, glittering golden pagodas, bustling streets and colonial style old buildings with magnificent architecture most of them are still being used as government offices.
The 99 meters tall Shwedagon Pagoda dominates the skyline of Yangon. It is one of the most prominent landmarks of the city. According to the legends it was built 2600 years ago. However, historians and archaeologists maintain that it was built between 6th and 10th centuries AD by Mon people.
Sule Pagoda situated in the heart of downtown Yangon is also another significant landmark of the city. According to legend, it was built before the Shwedagon Pagoda during the time of the Buddha, making it more than 2,500 years old.
Kandawgyi Lake with Karaweik Barge and a scenic park around it is a place where city dwellers can relax.
Chaukhtattkyi Pagoda houses the colossal reclining Buddha Image is on the list of most visitor to Yangon.
Bogyoke Market (formerly called Scott Market) shopping centre (closed on Mondays and public holidays) sells a varieties of goods ranging from handicrafts to clothing, Myanmar traditional costumes, jewelleries, artefacts, souvenirs and local food/ snack.
Yangon China town busiest quarters of the city as it is in Chinatowns in other parts of the world. It is well known for the night market, street foot and the long rows of barbecue stalls.
The Htaukkyant war cemetery on the outskirt of Yangon is beautifully kept and well maintained. It has 27,000 tombstones of fallen Common Wealth and Allied soldiers during World War II.
As the former British colonial capital, Yangon today has the highest number of colonial period buildings in Southeast Asia. It is a gold mine for people with an interest in old-style colonial architecture.

Thanlyin & Kyauktan

Thanlyin (formerly called Syriam) is situated at the confluence of the Yangon and Bago Rivers. There were many Mon settlers and some immigrants from India, probably from the Orissa region hundreds of years ago.

In the late 1500s till early 1600’s Thanlyin was the base of the Portuguese adventurer, Philip De Brito. Old Roman Catholic church in ruins which can still be seen built in 1750 AD. Thanlyin continued to be a major port until it was destroyed by King Alaungpaya in 1756 during the Mon revolt. Kyaikhkauk Pagoda rising on the hillock at the outskirt of the town by the road to Kyauktan is a landmark.About 20 kilometers South of Thanlyin is the old town Kyauktan. As its name implies it is on a rocky ridge which runs from Thanlyin, Kyauktan is most known for its Yehlelphaya, a collection of temples and pagodas situated on a small island in the middle of the river. Another interesting feature is the presence of many large tame catfish which teeming in muddy waters around the pagoda. They are fed popcorn by the pilgrims and visitors.

Twantay

A boat cruise to Twantay (24 km south-west of Yangon) along the canal takes about two hours. According to the Shwesandaw Pagoda’s history the most ancient name was “Kwunte” built by the great Mon kings. It lies at the east of Twantay canal which was dug during the time of British rule in Myanmar to be short navigation from Yangon.

The boat journey feasts you contrasting images, county vistas and the calmness of the countryside. Agriculture and Fisheries are the main business for populace. Moreover this small town is known for its pottery manufacturing – the art of making pot had originated since about eighty thousand years ago. Looking around through the many workshops where clay pots are being made manually, you’ll have chance to observe this very traditional craft.

Another way of excursion Twantay is walking to hwesandaw Pagoda through the outer circuit road from where you could snatch country appearance. The old Mon pagoda “Baung Daw Gyoke” located at outskirt of Twantay depicts artful structure done in early Mon period. Overall feasibility to gain country experience is watching jetty when passenger ship dock as well as walking through quiet streets, taking horse-cart or riding trishaw some nook and cranny fills you a memorable trip.

Bago

Bago formerly called Hantharwaddy, is situated 80 km north of Yangon. The legend had it that the place where Bago stands today submerged in the water. One day a small patch of land appeared above the sea and in the course of time the delta expended and nowadays known as Bago. The small patch of land today is known as Hinthagon hillock.

Hantharwaddy, became the ancient capital of Mon Kingdom called Ramanya, which was founded in 573 AD by two Mon princesses from Thaton, a lower part of Myanmar. There were 42 Mon kings in Thaunggu Dynasty and among them King Bayintnaung was the founder of “Second Myanmar Empire”. King Yazadrit, Tabin Shwe Htee, Queen Shin Saw Pu and King Dhammazedi were grate monarchs.

The ancient Shwemawdaw Pagoda towering 375 feet was built in 840 AD and one of the major attractions in Bago. The Shwethalyaung, huge reclining Buddha image was built in 994 AD is the masterpiece of Myanmar perfection in stucco and symmetry.The Kyaikpun pagoda was built in 1476 AD by King Dhammazedi, is the form of four gigantic Buddha images all in sitting posture placed back to back is impressive. Shwe Gu Gyi (the great golden cave) Pagoda was built after the model of Buddhagaya temple in India. Kambawzathadi Palace was built by King Bayintnaung and the present one is rebuilt but can keep its magnificence. Today Bago is famous for cheroot factory and various kinds of handicrafts.

BYangon, Thalyin, Kyauktan, Twantay, Bago – Images