Top 11 Places in and around Yangon
Top 11 Places in and around Yangon
In Yangon, the travelers discover an impressive colonial and spiritual heritage in one of the most fascinating cities in Myanmar. Equally diverse are the religious sites: temples, churches, mosques and synagogues are all in evidence. You may wonder which places shall not be missed during your visit and here we have listed to places th
Sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda
The world-famous; its golden stupa is the ‘heart’ of Buddhist in Myanmar, located in midtown Yangon between the People’s Park and the Kandawgyi Lake. The pagoda is believed to be 2,600 years old and the stupa is surrounded by intricately decorated buildings and statue.
Sule Pagoda & Yangon City Heritage Walk
Sule Pagoda is believed to be over 2.000 years old and the central stupa enshrined with a hair of Buddha; it’s said to be built by Mon and its Mon name is Kyaik Athok, means ‘the stupa where a Scared Hair Relic is enshrined. Walking around this city center landmark will give you the view of the surroundings – the lofty Independence Pillar in the Maha Bandoola Park, the Immanuel Church, the mosque nearby, the imposing City Hall of Myanmar architectural design, the High Court Buildings of colonial style and the colonial buildings along the Pansodon Street.
Visit the famous Reclining Buddha
The Pagoda known as Chauk Htet Gyi Pagoda is an absolutely massive 65 meter long reclining Buddha. Originally there was a standing Buddha statue in the same place, but about fifty years ago it toppled over and was eventually replaced with a reclining version. There is another famous temple, directly across the street from Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, called Nga Htat Kyi Pagoda, a five-storey high seated Buddha image.
Visit to the Htauk Kyant War Memorial
Allied War Memorial Cemetery is about an hour drive from Yangon. The allied War Memorial Cemetery in Taukkyan commemorates over 30,000 British Commonwealth soldiers who died in Burma during World War II. There are 6,374 beautifully well-kept graves in all (along with 52 graves of WWI soldiers). A further 27,000 names of fallen soldiers with no known graves are engraved on the Rangoon Memorial, an imposing and sombre memorial pillar. You can combine the trip with a visit to Bago or Kyaikhtiyo as it is en route.
Thanlyin (Kyauk Tan)
Once the site of oil refinery is about 45 minutes ride from Yangon by car across the Thanlyin Bridge. It was an important port center in the 17th century of Portuguese time. On the way, you might also stop by at the National village which provides a glimpse of the traditional lives of the Myanmar, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, and Shan races. The sights of interest are Kyaik Khauk Pagoda and Yele Pagoda on a small island at Kyauktan, 12km south of Thanlyin. The small but busy morning bazaar near the Kyauktan jetty is typical of those in any small town of Myanmar.
Twante
A short cross over Yangon River by ferry boat and 40 km from Yangon lies the pottery village of Twante just on the bank of Twante canal dug during the British colonial time. It is well known for its pottery and cotton weaving and for historic Mon pagodas.
Dala
Dala is located across the Yangon river from downtown Yangon, Myanmar. Despite its strategic location near Yangon, the township is still largely rural and undeveloped mainly because it still lacks a bridge across the Yangon river, with connections between the township and the city being by ferry only. Excursion around the town on trishaw is a memorable experience for you.
Bago
A day trip excursion to historic Bago which is one hour drive from Yangon to the north along countryside is also another choice of interest. It was the capital of Mon Kingdom in the fifteen and sixteen centuries. The Kanbawzathadi Royal palace, Shwemawdaw Pagoda, the statue of reclining Budda named Shwetharlyaung pagoda, and cigar factory run by a private family are the most interesting major sights in Bago.
Pyay
Pyay is located on the Eastern bank of the Ayerwaddy River. In the surrounding areas, there are the ruins of this ancient capital Thayekhittaya. The high lights are Shwesandaw Pagoda, a gigantic sitting Buddha Statue of Hsehtatkyi Pagoda, Shwe Phone Pwint Library, Baw Baw Gyi Paya and Mawzar Museum, the beautiful scenery of majestic Ayeyarwaddy River and Akauk Taung.
Kyaikhtiyo
A four hour drive to the east of Yangon is a visit to Golden Rock, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites of Myanmar, located about 160km from Yangon. Rising 1100 meter above sea level, this small golden stupa stands on the top of a huge gold-gilded boulder. The Pagoda is balanced precariously on top of the mountain. It is said that the rock maintains its balance due to a precisely placed Buddha hair in the 7.3 meter high stupa. In auspicious weather condition, enjoying sunset and sunrise view from Mt. Kyaikhtiyo is the most stunning.
From here, you can go further down to the beautiful landmark of Hpa An and once a thriving teak port and the administrative capital of British Lower Burma now called Mawlamyine.