04/08/2015
Yangon:
Yangon (also known as Rangoon, literally: "End of Strife") is a former capital of Burma (Myanmar) and the capital of Yangon Region. Yangon is the country's largest city with a population of over five million, and is the most important commercial centre, although the military government officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw in March 2006.[3]
Although Yangon's infrastructure is undeveloped compared to those of other major cities in Southeast Asia, it has the largest number of colonial buildings in the region today.[4] While many high-rise residential and commercial buildings have been constructed or renovated throughout downtown and Greater Yangon in the past two decades, most satellite towns that ring the city continue to be deeply impoverished.
Early history
Yangon was founded as Dagon in the early 11th century (circa 1028–1043) by the Mon, who dominated Lower Burma at that time.[5] Dagon was a small fishing village centred about the Shwedagon Pagoda. In 1755, King Alaungpaya conquered Dagon, renamed it "Yangon", and added settlements around Dagon. The British captured Yangon during the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–26), but returned it to Burmese administration after the war. The city was destroyed by a fire in 1841.
Notable sites[edit]
Shwe Dagon Pagoda
Tooth Relic Pagoda
Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda
St. Mary's Cathedral at the corner of Bo Aung Kyaw Road
Pagodas[edit]
Shwedagon Pagoda
Sule Pagoda
Botataung Pagoda
Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda
Kyauktawgyi Buddha Temple
Kaba Aye Pagoda
Recreation
Allied War Memorial
Bogyoke Market (Scott's Market)
Inya Lake (formerly Lake Victoria)
Kandawgyi Lake (formerly Royal Lake)
Hlawga National Park
Maha Bandula Park
People's Square and Park
St. Mary's Cathedral
Yangon University
Yangon Zoological Gardens (Yangon Zoo)
Sain Lane So Pyae Garden
Museums and art galleries[edit]
National Museum of Myanmar
Myanmar Gems Museum
Bogyoke Aung San Museum
Yangon Drugs Elimination Museum
The Planetarium
Concert halls and theaters
Yangon National Theater
Myanmar Convention Center
