Yangon is formally known as Rangoon and it is the business capital of Myanmar. Yangon is the largest city and the gateway to Myanmar. Present day Yangon covers 350 square kilometers and 34 kilometers upriver from the Gulf of Mottama . In 1755, King Alaungpaya established Yangon on the location of a small town name Dagon and he is the one who gave the name Yangon, meaning ‘End of Strife’. In 1885, the British annexed the country and named Yangon as Rangoon. Yangon is the city fully loaded with natural resources, cultural heritage and religious exalted things such as “Shwedagon Pagoda”, the most magnificent monuments on Earth. It has been built over 2,500 years ago and is covered with 60 tons of pure gold and the tip of the stupa is set with many kinds of jewelers. “Shwedagon Pagoda” is the heart of Myanmar people and where you can find how much Myanmar people belief and show respect to Buddhism.
Other interesting places in Yangon are the Sule Pagoda, situated at the city center and built in early 3rd century; the BotataungPaya, it contain hair relics of the Buddha;theKaba Aye (World Peace ) Pagoda, the interior of the monument is hollow and contain some nice Buddhist sculptures, including a Lei-Myet-Hna ( four-sided Buddha sculpture);Chauk-Htat-gyi Pagoda, the recycling Buddha, resting under a large metal – roofed shed; National Museum where you can find a number of interesting exhibits; BogyokeAung San ( Scott ) Market, should not miss for souvenir shopping.
Colonial Buildings including the City Hall, one of the grandest an impressive colonial style building and also the Supreme Court, Immanuel Baptist Church, High Court Building and Railway Administrative Buildings are also magnificent remembrances of the bygone era.
Yangon is the city that balances tradition, culture and modernity. That’s why you must add on your journey list as a must-see city in Myanmar.