Yangon

A metropolitan city like Yangon is famous for its beauty and history. The city was chosen by King Alaung Paya as the administrative capital of Lower Burma and named it Yangon, meaning “the end of strife.” (“Rangoon” is an English transliteration of this name. In 1989 the city got back its former name officially.

Famous sites from Yangon ranges from well-known religious places to sporting places. The most significant tourist site in Yangon is Shwedagon Pagoda. It was said that the relics of four Buddhas were shrined in this pagoda. The pagoda is situated on the Theingoatetara hill. It was built in …….. and it is a famous site not only for locals but also for foreigners. The scenery from pagoda is breathtaking.

However, there are many appealing sites in Yangon which are not very famous but interesting enough to draw attentions. For example, Ar Lain Nga Sint Pagoda meaning five-floored tower situated in Insein township and twenty five-minute drive from Yangon’s downtown area is distingusihed from other one because of its Byzantine architecure. It is said that the abbot who built the pagoda saw the plan for it in his dream. The buildings in the compound includes tall spires and a room with doom-shaped roof housing a green painted Buddha is quite different too. Additionally the corpse of the abbot coated with gold was put into a glass casket and shown to public.

yangon02Botahtaung Pagoda is one of the most famous Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Yangon, known for its excellent location and its long history. Situated on the bank of the Yangon River in the city’s downtown area, the pagoda is always crowded with visitors coming to paying homage to the Buddha as well as those attracted by the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. Viewed from the upper floors of the high-rise FJV Commercial Centre across from the pagoda on Strand Road, Botahtaung shines bright and spectacular against the river and the greenery of the far shore.

One of the pleasant quirks of Myanmar is that animist spirits happily coexist with Buddhism. Nat worship dates back to before the flourishing of Theravāda Buddhism in Myanmar in the 11th century. Many people throughout the country continue offer food and drink to the spirits to help them in their day-to- day affairs, such as finding jobs, passing exams, starting successful businesses or having healthy babies. Nats are imporatnat part of Myanmar culture and their influence on everyday life can be seen at Shwe Nyaung Bin (literally , the golden banyan), just south of Taukkyant junction on Pyay road.