YANGON

Yangon, the commercial capital, is the main gateway to Myanmar. Evergreen and cool with lush tropical trees, shady parks and beautiful lakes, Yangon has earned the name of “The Garden City of the East”. When you visit Yangon, visiting Shwedagon Pagoda is a must. It is one of the most famous and interesting place to visit in Yangon. Sule Pagoda lies in the center of Yangon and can be easily visited. Other than pagodas, museums such as National Museum, Bogyoke Museum and Gems Museum display historical events of Myanmar.

Yangon Surrounding …..

Thanlyin and Kyauktan

Thanlyin is situated at the confluence of the Yangon and Bago Rivers on the southern bank of the Bago River. The colonial town of Syriam was built by the British for it’s port and petroleum refinery plant. It is also a sub-urban town right a few miles away from Yangon, across 1.5 mile-long bridge. Thanlyin formerly known as Syriam is just across the river, spanned by one of the longest bridges in Myanmar. A half-an-hour’s drive by car or train.

The famous pagoda from “Thanlyin” is The Kyaik Kauk Pagoda, is built on a hillock on the road to Kyauk Tan. It is an imposing golden stupa similar to the Shwedagon pagoda, and Ye Le Paya at Kyauk Tan, which means the pagoda in mid-stream built on a laterite reef. It was built by King Zeyasana, the seventh king of the Pada Dynasty in the third century BC. Moreover, “The National Races Village” is an interesting place for both local and foreign visitors.

Bago

Bago was formerly known as Pegu. It is just 80 km (50 miles) north of Yangon. It is just about an hour drive from Yangon. Bago is accessible easily from Yangon, Mandalay, Pyay and other cities. Bago is one of the richest archaeological sites in Myanmar. Bago was made the capital of the Mon Kingdom and it came to be known as Hansavati (Hanthawaddy). It was also the seaport of ancient Mon kings. Then it became the Second Myanmar Empire founded by King Bayinnaung. Bago has many interesting places and some of theme are….

Shwe-tha-lyaung Reclining Buddha which huge reclining Buddha with a sign on the platform in front of the image giving the measurements of each body part. It is reputed to be one of the most lifelike of all reclining Buddhas. The Myanmar people say that the image represents Buddha in a ‘relaxing’ mode.

The Shwemawdaw or ‘Great Golden God Pagoda’ of Bago, which has been growing for more than 1000 years, is visited by throngs of Buddhist pilgrims during all hours of the day and night. The Shwemawdaw Pagoda whose spire can be seen behind this impressive entrance portal, was originally built by the Mon to a height to 23 meters in the 8th century and was rebuilt higher several times until it finally reached its present 114 meter stature in 1954.

Kyaik Pun Pagoda is in the form of four gigantic Buddha images all in sitting posture facing the four cardinal points of the compass. They are seated back to back against a massive brick pillar. This unusual and impressive pagoda is only a few hundred feet off the Yangon-Bago road. It was built by King Dhamma Zedi in 1476 A.D.