Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sitting in calm gold-and-white repose with a healthy splash of precious stones to boot,
it's one of the most impressive sitting buddhas in southern Myanmar. In fact, it's worth
going to see for its carved wooden backdrop alone.
Yangon Zoological Gardens
ZOO
(Kan Yeik Tha Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt; adult/child K2000/1000; 8am-6pm, last entry 4.30pm)
Yangon's 1901-vintage zoo is a chance to view up close 45 species of mammals and 68
species of birds who, on the whole, appear to be well fed and cared for. However, enclos-
ures are often too small and the chained elephants and circus-like weekend animal shows
are upsetting spectacles for animal lovers.
The leafy grounds are nicely landscaped, with handsome architectural features such as
the King Edward VII 1915 Carnivore House.
Bogyoke Aung San Museum
MUSEUM
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
(15 Bogyoke Aung San Museum St, Bahan; 9.30am-4.40pm Tue-Sun)
A melancholy
air hangs over the home in which General Aung San lived with his family for just over
two years before he was assassinated in July 1947.
Daw Kin Kyi, his widow, and three children, including Aung San Suu Kyi, stayed on
until 1953, when their second son Lin drowned in the pond in the colonial mansion's
grounds.
You'll have to work hard to imagine what life was like inside the house, which is
sparsely furnished and has old family photos and a few personal possessions.
MAUSOLEUMS AROUND SHWEDAGON PAYA
Several prominent Myanmar citizens are buried nearby Shwedagon Paya. Near the
ani St, Bahan; admission $3/K3000; 9am-4pm Tue-Sun)
, housing the remains of General
Aung San and the six comrades who were assassinated on 19 July 1947. The com-
plex has recently reopened after being closed to the public after a North Korean
terrorist strike here in 1983 killed 20 people (but not the target, visiting South
Korean general Chun Doo-Hwan). The old timber mausoleum in Myanmar-style
that was destroyed in the bomb blast was replaced with a stark Soviet-style con-
crete complex.
