Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Mahazedi Paya
A1
5
Shwegugale Paya
A1
6
Shwethalyaung Buddha
B1
Sleeping
7
Emperor Motel
A2
8
Hotel Mariner
D1
9
Mya Nanda Hotel
A2
Eating
11
Hadaya Café
A2
12
Hanthawaddy
D1
13
Three Five Restaurant
A2
8
Transport
14
Bus Station
B2
15
Bus Station
D1
Taxi Stand
(see 15)
History
Bago was reputedly founded in AD 573 by two Mon princes from Thaton, who saw a fe-
male
hamsa
(mythological bird) standing on the back of a male
hamsa
on an island in a
huge lake. Taking this to be an auspicious omen, they founded a royal capital called
Hanthawady (from the Pali-Sanskrit 'Hamsavati', meaning the 'kingdom of the
hamsa'
)
at the edge of the lake.
During the later Mon dynastic periods (1287-1539), Hanthawady developed into a
walled city of one square mile with 20 gates and became the centre of the Mon kingdom
of Ramanadesa, which consisted of all southern Myanmar.
The Bamar took over in 1539 when King Tabinshwehti annexed Bago to his Taungoo
kingdom. The city was frequently mentioned by early European visitors - who knew it as
Pegu - as an important seaport. In 1740 the Mon, after a period of submission to Taun-
