Yangon, Formerly known Dagon' is the most cosmopolitan with the population of 5 millions. Yangon literally means 'End of strife'. It was founded by the king from upper Myanmar by the year 1752 and changed Dagon to Yangon. when British annexed Myanmar(Burma)in 1885, they renamed it as Rangoon because they find it hard to pronounce it properly as locals. so there are some colonial buildings which are very old. It was capital until 2005. now the government shifted its capital to Naypyidaw (current capital). But Yangon remains as very important commercial city. The most fascinating thing in yangon is the holiest pagoda 'Shwedagon' which is believed to have built 2600 years ago which is also the land mark of Myanmar(Burma).
The Shwedagon Pagoda is the best known and most visited of Myanmar’s tourist attractions. Kipling called it a `beautiful winking wonder’, and he wasn’t off the mark- the pagoda actually glitters and gleams as the sunlight strikes the precious stones that cover it. Its construction began sometime in the 11th century to house the reliquary containing the eight hairs of the Buddha though the present structure of the pagoda dates back to 1769.
The Swedagon Pagoda is quite a magnificent sight: the stupa of the pagoda is tiled with over 8000 slabs of solid gold, and the apex of the stupa is ornamented with precious stones- diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and topaz. The pagoda is surrounded by hundreds of other stupas and pavilions. The entire complex bustles with activity through the day and Myanmar’s Buddhists revere above any other place.
The Sule pagoda is not as well known as the Shwedagon but it’s an important Buddhist place of worship, reputed to be 2000 years old. The modern city of Yangon is centred round the Sule Pagoda. The pagoda has an impressive and very ornate gold-plated stupa that towers to a height of 46 metres. As can be expected, it’s one of the most familiar landmarks of the city in the downtown areas.
Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake is one of the most beautiful parts of Yangon- it lies in the midst of the city, but is fairly quiet and is surrounded by parks and gardens.
It is a nice place to go for a stroll, or if you just want to get away from the crowded marketplaces in Yangon. The gardens also have a few restaurants within them but try to get there a little before sunset- the locals say that the sunsets of Kandawgyi Lake are perhaps the loveliest you’ll get to see anywhere. Botataung Pagoda is another of Yangon’s- and Myanmar’s- important Buddhist pagodas. The pagoda may not be as spectacular as either the Shwedagon Pagoda or the Sule Pagoda, but it’s a significant one nevertheless, for it houses two relics and a hair of the Buddha. Other than that, there are a number of other religious artefacts and sacred objects within the pagoda, all of which are now housed in glass cases in the main building. Botataung Pagoda is on the riverfront of the Yangon River, and close to it is the Botataung Jetty- a good place to while away time watching ferries plying on the river.
Other interesting places you might like to visit in Yangon are Bogyoke Aung San Market (once called Scott Market- it’s the largest in Yangon, and a great place to pick up souvenirs); and the National Museum , with its collection of antiques belonging to past kings of Myanmar- quite a display of wealth, and very spectacular.
