Yangon

Yangon, formerly Rangoon, was the capital of Myanmar until it was superseded by Naypyidaw in November 2005. The city is an amalgamation of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is known for its colonial architecture, which although decaying, remains an almost unique example of a 19th-century British colonial capital. New high-rise buildings were constructed from the 1990s as the government began to allow private investment. However, Yangon continues to be a city of the past, as seen by its lyongi-wearing pedestrians, its street vendors, and its pungent smells.

The highlight of the cityscape is the famous Shwedagon Pagoda - especially near sunset. It towers above the Yangon landscape with a serenity so unique that it is often considered as one of the wonders of the world. According to legend, this glistening gold covered pagoda was built over two and a half thousand years ago as a place of Buddhist worship. Other sights of Yangon are the 2200 year old Sule Pagoda (with one of Buddha’s hair), the Botataung Pagoda and the Kyauk Htat Gyi Pagoda with the 233 ft./71m long Reclining Buddha. After Mandalay, Yangon became capital of Burma in 1885.

Yangon has seen an explosion of restaurants in the last ten years and almost any type of international cuisine - eclectic Western, Italian, Japanese, Thai, Korean - is available. Local cuisine reflects the multi-ethnic nature of the city and the country and, along with Bamar food, there are a large number of Indian and Chinese restaurants as well as a few places specializing in Shan food. Fast food restaurants serving burgers and pizza, and a few cafes complete the scene. Biryani, a rice and meat dish with roots in the Mughal Empire, is a specialty and there are many Biryani restaurants (dan-PAO-sain in Burmese) in the downtown area, specially along Anwaratha Road. The three main competing restaurant chains are Yuzana, KSS, and Nilar.