Explore The Yangon, Myanmar

Yangon’s history can be traced back as early as the 6th century AD when the Mon people lay claim to an area named Dagon, a small fi shing area that grew around the Shwedagon Pagoda. In 1755, King Alaungpaya conquered Lower Myanmar and renamed the area Yangon. The name Yangon is a combination of two words – yan  (‘enemies’ in the local language) and  koun (‘run out of’). It can also read as ‘end of strife’. Later, the British conquered Yangon during the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826) but returned the city to the local administration after the war ended. Its alternative name, Rangoon, comes from the British pronunciation of Yangon in the local Rakhine dialect. Yangon was the capital city of Myanmar until the administration relocated to Naypyidaw in March 2006. Yangon is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and beautiful lakes,
and remains the largest city and the main economic hub of Myanmar.
EAT and FOOD
Myanmarese food is infl uenced by its multi-ethnic society and its neighbouring countries such as India, China and Thailand. The use of bean curd, soy sauce and stir-frying techniques in local dishes showcase the  Chinese infl uence in dishes such as  we tha dote htoe  (offal cooked in light soy sauce) and  kat kyi hnyat (rice noodles with seafood, meat, bean sprouts  and fried egg). Mohinga (rice vermicelli in
fi sh broth) is a very popular noodle dish that is arguably the country’s national food. Other offerings include gyin thohk (ginger salad with sesame seeds) ohn-no khao swè (curried chicken and wheat noodles in a coconut milk broth), danpauk  (Burmese  biryani ) and samusa (local  samosa). Nonetheless, Chinese, Indian, Thai and European food are easily found everywhere in Yangon.

MUST DO IN MYANMAR
- Visit the Shwedagon Pagoda, a resplendent Buddhist temple on top of Singuttara Hill. The star attraction is a 100-metre high, gilded bell shaped dome. Its upper dome its studded with more than 5,000 diamonds and precious gems, with a single 76-carat diamond at the tip of the stupa.
- See the impressive 65-metre long reclining Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda. The statue’s feet are decorated with 108 sacred Buddhist symbols.
- Catch spectacular sunrises and sunsets from atop the Golden Rock Pagoda in Mt. Kyaiktito (210 kms from Yangon) that hangs over a cliff edge, 1,100 metres above sea level.
- See the majestic Karaweik Hall, a fl oating restaurant in the shape of a bird on the eastern side of Kandawgyi Lake. The structure is a replica of a royal barge built in 1972.
- Hop on the three-hour Circular Train ride to witness city life in and around Yangon. Buy local merchandise at countless markets such as Theingyi Market, Bogyoke
Market (Scott’s Market), Yuzana Plaza, Blazon Shopping Centre and many more.
- Learn the history of Myanmar at the National Museum, home to countless priceless artefacts, including the royal throne of Myanmar.

picture: Goldan Rock Pagoda. 3Sixty Magazine, June 2012