Destinations>> Yangon's Environ
 Yangon, the capital city, 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”. Relatively simple city without
skyscrapers, neon-lit clamour, crowded squalor and pace of
modern life. Yangon is attractive in its own special way.
Yangon was founded by king Alaungpaya on the site of a small
settlement called Dagon, when he conquered lower Myanmar in
1755. The name “Yangon” means
 “End of Strife”.
Places, not fail to visit in Yangon includes Shwedagon
Pagoda, which towers almost 98 meters above the green city-scape
of Yangon, never fails to enchant visitors. The shimmering
main stupa soars high above the capital and is visible for
miles around.
Located on the Shwegondine Road is the colossal (70 meters
long) reclining Buddha statues, one of the largest images in
Myanmar.
 At halfway from the downtown to airport lies Kaba Aye
Pagoda. Kaba Aye means “World Peace” to which this pagoda is
dedicated. Built in 1952, this pagoda is significant for the
sixth World Buddhist Synod, which was held in its large
precinct in 1954.
The new five stories National Museum houses Lion Throne &
Royal Regalia of last Burmese king and artifacts and object d’arts.
The 70 years old Bogyoke (Scott) market is one of the
attractions in Yangon where Myanmar arts and crafts mostly
pure hand made, lacquer-wares, wood and ivory carvings,
tapestries, silver-wares, brass- wares, silk and cotton
fabrics and traditional sling bags are on sale. In addition,
Myanmar rubies, sapphires, jades and pearls are available at
the authorized shops.
BAGO
 Bago (Pegu) is an ancient capital of Mon
Kingdom (15th century). It is situated only 80 km from
Yangon, 1½ hr drive across the countryside. Bago city tour
starts with bustling Bago market to witness the country life
in trading of rainy local produces such as vegetables,
seasonal fruits, meats, fish etc. Drive to Shwethalyaung
Reclining Buddha Image, which is reckoned to be one of the
largest reclining Buddha and the most life-like, measuring
55 meters in length and 16 meters in height.
Visit massive, peaceful and sun-glittering Shwemawdaw
Pagoda. It is 114 meters high, the tallest pagoda in Burma
and overlooks the landscape, believed to be build 2000 years
ago. After
 descending from Shwemawdaw, visit Kanbawza Thadi
Palace site and museum to witness the excavation of
Archaeological department at the palace site of King Bayint
Naung at the ancient Royal Capital of Hanthawaddy. Drive
back to Yangon and visit Kyaikpun Pagoda on the way where 4
Hugh Buddha images are seated back to back in the
quadrangular position.
Then photo stop at Allied war Memorial Cemetery at
Htaukkyant. It is a beautifully kept ground and had 27000
stone graves of Common Wealth and Allied Forces Fallen
Soldiers in the Burma Campaign were honorably kept, about 32
km from Yangon.
THANLYIN (Syriam)
 Thanlyin is about 45 minutes drive from
Yangon. Cross the Bago River over one of the longest bridge
to Thanlyin. Thanlyin was an important trading centre in the
17th century under the Portuguese. Places of interest
include Old Portuguese buildings, Kyaik Khauk Pagoda and
Yele Pagoda on a small island at Kyauktan, 12km south of
Thanlyin.
TWANTE
 Twante is reached by a ferryboat on a 2-3
hour ride along the Yangon River and the Twante Canal from
Yangon. Pottery is a major cottage industry in Twante.
Shwesandaw Pagoda, Oh-Bo Pottery Sheds, local town market,
Baungdawgyoke Pagoda, Snake Temple, weavers are among the
interesting sites. A half-day excursion gives visitors a
great chance to travel on the river and see the life in a
typical delta river village.
 Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda is located about 160km
from Yangon. Rising 1100 metres above sea level, this small
golden stupa stands on the top of a huge gold-gilded
boulder. This Golden Rock is precariously perched on the
edge of the hill and is a place of important pilgrimage for
Buddhists.
MOEYUNGYI WETLANDS
About 110km north of Yangon lies
Moeyungyi Wetlands, a vital shelter for both resident and
migratory waterfowl. A census at Moeyungyi revealed that
there are 125 species of water birds including 70 species of
migrants. It is just 2hours drive from Yangon.
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