Yangon previously known as Rangoon which means end of strife. It was founded in 6th century as Dagon when it was then a fishing village and renamed as Yangon with surrounded settlements in 1755. The town was subsequently transformed into commercial and political hub of British-Burma after British seized lower Myanmar in 1852 during 2nd Anglo-Burmese War and it was later made into the capital of the country until it was supersedes by Naypyidaw in November 2005. With a population of about 5 million, Yangon remains as the largest city and commercial center of Myanmar. Colonial Buildings in Yangon are the largest in South East Asia. They were mostly four storey residential and commercial mix-used kind of buildings. The Strand Hotel was the excellent examples of the by-gone era.
Some of the glorious old architecture that catches visitors' eyes while wandering in downtown district. This was the administrative heart of Myanmar during British rule.
(1) Sule Pagoda acts as a roundabout at the center of Downtown District. (2) The 46 meter high Independence Monument obelisk. It was surrounded by five 9-meter pillars representing Chin, Shan, Karin, Kayah, Kachin, the five ethnic groups of the country participating in the struggle to overthrow the colonial overlord. (3) The outstanding red building is Yangon's High Commission Court.
The Saint Mary's Cathedral at the corner of Bo Aung Kyaw Road, opposite Sule Pagoda at the heart of downtown. Sule Pagoda had been a focal point of Yangon and Myanmar's Politics. It served as a functional meeting venue for anti-Government and pro-democracy protesters. It was the rallying point in 1988-Uprising event and 2007 Saffron Revolution happened in the country.
Unknown Buddhist structure and the 144 feet high Stupa of Sule Pagoda which was believed to be built earlier than Shwedagon Pagoda 2500 years ago and enshrined with one piece of Buddha's hair. Sule Pagoda looks more like Indian structure topped with golden spire extends towards the skyline. The entrance fee was US3.00 per person.
International Theravada Buddhist University in Yangon is a high education center providing courses on Buddhism from diploma till graduate schools absolutely free for local and international students. A diploma certificate requires two years while a degree needs 4 years and 5 years for Phd. Language used is English. The Buddhist University (ITBU) lies just opposite the gold gilded Tooth Relic Pagoda.
Meditation Hall and receptionist area of Buddhist University (ITBU).
World Buddhist Conference center lies in a man-made cavern where entrance walls were all built with green jade stone, cooling and exclusive.mp
The interior of Buddhist Conference Center is mainly using marble material as could be observed from the six pillars inside the hall. This is the place where monks of Myanmar have their meeting and the students from Buddhist university students have their examinations.
Kyauktagyi Pagoda is home to a spectacular reclining Buddha image in Bahan Township. The area is surrounded by shops selling all kinds of arts, handicraft and Buddhist memorabilia.
The 108 distinguishing marks on both soles of Buddha's feet represented 3 worlds in which 59 was indicating the Inanimate world (Okasaloka) , 21 indicating the animal world (Sattaloka) and 28 indicating the world of conditioned (Sankharaloka).
The statement on board : In worshipping the 108 distinguishing marks on Buddha's sole, one should remember to one's benefit that Buddha is endowed with attributes that he is The chief of world (Tilokagga), that he has reached the end of world and all things worldly (Tilokantagu), that he is the knowers of three worlds (Lokavidu). Buddha is greater than the three worlds.
Bogyoke Market is a huge shopping complex tourists wont missed. There are thousands of shops and stalls selling everything from finest rubies, jades, to paintings, art crafts, attires to shoes including special packaging sets for Katina offering items.
Street Market in downtown.
Food court at downtown streets. Locals took betel nuts, pork intestine but they enjoyed most is the "mohingya" which is a kind rice noodle with fish soup..
The owner of this sporty vehicle was a pair of very friendly and beautiful Burmese young couple.
The couple of Restaurant owner who offers a delicious traditional lunch for Sayadaw Dhamma Piya and 10 of the visitors from Malaysia. Their restaurant was built on Lake Inya providing an comfortable dining environment with fantastic view of the lake scenery.
Inya Lake covers an area of 37 acres at west of Shwedagon Pagoda.
Opposite of the lake is the house where Aung San Sun Kyi stayed since 1988 after house arrested.
There is a trunk remain of 100 years old tree keeping in garden to retain memory of Nargis Cyclone disaster happened in May 3rd, 2008.
Dinner at Karaweik Palace on a Replica of Traditional Burmese Royal Boat at Kandawgyi Lake.
Beautiful Burmese in traditional royal costumes at Karaweik Palace welcoming all guests from all over the world for a wonderful night.
A musical performance and an entertaining elephant show.
Burmese ancient traditional dances have similarity with Thais and little bit influenced by Indians but their colorful and attractive costumes were beautiful.
