Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(U Wisara Rd, Dagon; admission $5/K5000; 7am-7pm)
This recently renovated park is not-
able for its splendid views of the west side of Shwedagon Paya. There are lots of pleasant
features such as flower gardens and ponds; fountains, including one made up of concent-
ric rings of white elephants; and tree-top observation platforms linked by fun swinging
bridges.
More quirky aspects include a decommissioned Myanmar Airways Fokker you can
climb inside, a fighter jet and an old steam train.
At the park's northwest corner is the
Natural World Amusement Park
with things like
bumper cars and a log flume rollercoaster (K1000 a ride). Facing onto Damazedi Rd is
(Dhamma Zedi Rd;
GOOGLE MAP
9am-9pm)
.
Kandawgyi Lake
LAKE
(Kan Yeik Thar Rd, Dagon; admission K2000)
Also known as Royal Lake, this artificial lake,
built by the British as a reservoir, is most attractive at sunset, when the glittering Shwed-
agon is reflected in its calm waters. The boardwalk, which runs mainly along the south-
ern and western sides of the lake, is also an ideal place for an early-morning jog or stroll.
Just east of the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, on the southern side of the lake, floats a
Shin
Upagot
shrine. Upagot is a Bodhisattva (Buddhist saint) who is said to protect human
beings in moments of mortal danger.
The eastern side of the lake is dominated by a small park, a kids' playground, a
paint-
ball attraction
(K8000 for 50 balls, open 9am to 9pm) and the fanciful or monstrous (de-
pending on your taste) Karaweik Palace (
Click here
)
, a reinforced concrete reproduction
of a royal barge. There are plenty of lakeside cafes here, good spots for a drink at sunset.
9am-9pm)
is another quirky feature. This giant pile of artificial rocks houses restaurants,
bars, karaoke and snooker and, on the 5th floor, a viewing deck. On the ground floor the
the impasto canvases of owner-painter Myint Soe and other local artists.
Maha Wizaya Zedi
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
(U Htaung Bo St, Dagon; admission K200; 5am-9pm)
This well-proportioned
zedi
, built in
1980 to commemorate the unification of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar, is connected
by a pedestrian bridge to the southern gateway to Shwedagon Paya. The
zedi
is hollow,
