SI THU AUNG CAR RENTAL
Email: [email protected]            Hot Line  :  + 959 440444 959

The City Of Yangon History

The name “Yangon” is a combination of the words yan [enemies] and koun [run out of]. It has also been translated as “the end of strife”. The name “Rangoon” came from the British pronunciation of “Yangon”. In the early 11th century (1028–1043CE) the city was a small fishing village centered around the Shwedagon Paya, and was called Dagon. It was founded by the Mon, who dominated Lower Burma at that time. King Alaungpaya conquered Dagon in 1755, renamed it “Yangon”, and settlements around Dagon were established.

The British captured Yangon during the First Anglo-Burmese War of 1824–26, but was returned to Burmese administration after the war. The city was destroyed by a fire in 1841.
The British again seized Yangon, and all of Lower Burma in the Second Anglo-Burmese War of 1852, and then established Yangon as the political and commercial center of British Burma. The British laid out the new city on a grid plan with the Pazundaung Creek on the east, and the Yangon River on the west. Yangon became the capital of all British Burma after the British captured Upper Burma in the Third Anglo-Burmese War of 1885.

Colonial Rangoon

In the 1890s, the increasing population and flourishing commerce gave rise to the affluent residential suburbs to the north of Royal Lake Kandawgyi and Inya Lake. During this time the British also established hospitals and universities, including Rangoon General Hospital and Rangoon University.

In the heyday of the colonial period, Yangon was a mix of colonial buildings and traditional Burmese wooden architecture, and had spacious parks with lakes. By the early 20th century, it is said that the infrastructure and public services of Yangon were like those of London. It was known as “the garden city of the East.”

Modern Era

Yangon became the center of the Burmese independence movement after World War I, with Rangoon University students at the forefront. In 1920, 1936 and 1938 there were nationwide strikes started in Yangon protesting against British colonial rule. During World War II, Yangon was under Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945, and was heavily damaged during the war. The city was retaken by the Allies in May 1945 at the end of the war.

Recent History

Yangon became the capital of the Union of Burma on January 4, 1948 when the country became independent from the British. In the 1990s as the government began to allow private investment, there was a construction boom with new high-rise buildings being constructed in the city. In 2005 the political capital of​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Myanmar was moved to Naypyidaw, about 230 miles north of Yangon.

Culture of Yangon

The city is a mix of diverse peoples, cultures, and religions, and is a blend of British, Burmese, Chinese and South Asian influences. The atmosphere of Yangon is that of a typical Southeast Asian city, but unlike other Asian capitals, it has not yet been overtaken by rampant development. Due to its slow growth, it still retains much of its colonial architecture, and tree-lined avenues. It is a unique example of a 19th-century British colonial capital where men and women still wear the traditional longyi, and street vendors and the sights and sounds evoke an Asian city of the past.
While it is a city with a population of over 5 million people, it is developing at its own pace. Even though it is the center of business activities in the country, and is a busy and bustling city, it still retains some of the charm of a bygone era.

Business Hours

Most regular businesses and government offices in Yangon are open from 09:00 to 17:00, and unlike some other southeast Asian countries, they are NOT closed for lunch.

Safety

On the whole, Yangon is a very safe city, and is actually one of the safest big cities in the world. Most visitors, including female travelers, will not have any problems. Even walking along streets alone at night, and carrying large sums of money, is rarely a problem. Crimes against tourists are taken very seriously, but there have been isolated incidents involving tourists. To be on the safe side, it is best to take the normal big-city precautions like always being aware of your valuables, and your surroundings. As with anywhere in the world, let common sense be your guide.
Be aware that drug trafficking is illegal, and is punishable by death.

Climate

The climate of Yangon is tropical. There are three seasons: June to October – rainy season, November to February – cooler and drier “winter”, and March to May – hot and dry season. The best time to visit Yangon is from November to January when it is somewhat cooler, and not as humid as other months. This is considered the high season with the greatest number of visitors to the city.

The perimeter of the base of the Pagoda is 1.420 fee and its height 326 feet above the platform. The base is surrounded by 64 small pagodas with four larger. one in the center of each side. There also are 4 sphinxes. one at each corner with 6 leogryphs. 3 on each side of them. Projecting beyond the base of the Pagoda. one on the center of each side are Tazaungs in which are images of the Buddha and where offerings are made.

There are also figures of elephants crouching and men kneeling. and pedestals for offerings all around the base. In front of the 72 shrines surrounding the base of the Pagoda. you will find in several places images of lions. serpents. ogres. yogis. spirits. or Wathundari. On the wall below the first terrace of the Pagoda at the West-Southern Ward and West-Northern Ward corners. you will see embossed figures. The former represents King Okkalapa who first built the Pagoda. The latter is a pair of figures; the one above represents Sakka who assisted in foundation of the Pagoda. and the one below. Me Lamu. consort of Sakka and mother of Okkalapa.