The Garden City of the East

Rangoon known as Yangon is the capitol of Burma. Yangon continues to be the largest city and the most important commercial centre in the country, with a population of nearly 6 million. The vernacular language of Yangon is Burmese. English is widely spoken among the elder generation and educated Burmese. Yangon has earned the name of The Garden City of the East.

Bogyoke Aung San Market, is one of Yangon’s oldest shopping places. Known as Scott Market in colonial times It sells just about everything. This British built market is a huge maze of aisles, and stores. There are 1,641 shops selling luxury items, handicrafts, foodstuffs, clothing, jewellery, fashion and consumer goods. The market is a square type based and therefore divided into the East wing, West wing, North wing and South wing.

Bogyoke Aung San Market is also well-known for the pre-Thingyan festival also called the Zay Thingyan meaning the Market’s water festival. It is usually held on the 11th or 12th of April. Youngsters from all over the city come to the market dressed for the festival. The shops donates traditional food.

There is some nightlife but, any nightlife ends by 11 pm.

Shewedagon Pagoda is Yangoons most famous land mark. It Rises to a height of 100 meters on top of Singuttara Hill. It can be reached by taking the elevator or walking the stairs. The Pagoda was built more than 25000 years ago and it is believed that it contains sacred relics of Buddha. It is often described as the great Pyramid of fire and a waking, winking, tinkling wonder. The pagoda itself is a solid brick stupa Buddhist reliquary that is completely covered with gold. 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.

Rangoon is famed for its produce of world-class jade, ruby and sapphires. Most Asian travellers must understand virtually all known production are run by governmental agencies where illegal productions are also existed in north-eastern provinces. So, to curb these activities, only shops with endorsement of government were permitted. A visit to the jade market, in Rangoon, or at one of the Hong Kong jade auctions organised by Christie’s, can give some idea of the significance this gem has for the people of Asia.