Photos of Yangon Region, around the previous capital, Myanmar

Yangon Region Flag
Images of the World
Flag of Myanmar

Yangon Region, around the previous capital

The Yangon Region, formerly Rangoon Division, is the area around Myanmar's former capital and largest city, the most developed region and international gateway. It has an area of 10,170 km² and a population of over 5.5 million.

Shwesandaw Paya
 
Shwesandaw courtyard
 
Shwesandaw zedi
 
Bringing offerings
 
Girl with offerings
 
Three Buddha statues
 
Bronze Buddha statue
 
View from pavilion
 
Children lining up
 
Children in class
 
Primary school class
 
Doing maths exercises
 
Writing Burmese script
 
House in Twante
 
Large Buddha statue
 
Reclining Buddha
 
Engraved bronze bell
 
In a monastery
 
Pottery kiln
 
Collection of pots
 
Working a pottery wheel
 
Large pots, Twante
 
Boys of Twante
 
Selling vegetables
 
Twante canal
 
Roadside café, Twante
 
Overloaded jeep
 
Public transport
 
From Dalah to Yangon
 
Overloaded truck
 
Young sellers
 
South of Yangon
 
Dalah to Letkhokkon
 
In Letkhokkon
 
Temple in Letkhokkon
 
After fetching water
 
A shady street
 
Students and tutor
 
Letkhokkon beach
 
Along the waterfront
 
Near the Beach Hotel
 
Letkhokkon Buddha
 
Temple and stupas
 
Doing their homework
 
Seeing themselves
 
Village at dawn
 
Travel on the roof
 
Passing through village
 

This region was inhabited by Mon people and under Mon political control until 1057, when it came under control of the Burman Bagan (Pagan) Empire. From 1287 to 1539 and from 1740 to 1757 the area was again ruled by Mon kingdoms based in Bago (Pegu) and Portuguese were in control of the port of Thanlyn (formerly Syriam) and surroundings from 1599 to 1613. Thanlyn was the most important port city of Lower Burma until the founding of Yangon.

The Ayeryawady (Irrawady) delta lies to the west of Yangon with farmland, towns and villages, Twante, a small town across the Hlaing River, is known for its pottery; the Oh-Bo pottery sheds are where these are being made, in all shapes and sizes. Shwesandaw Paya with its 76 metre tall Mon-built zedi or stupa is just a few years younger than Yangon's Shwedagon. There are a number of notable Buddha statues here, like a bronze Buddha staring straight ahead, a large Buddha outside and a huge reclining Buddha.

Overloaded jeeps are public transport here and, after crossing the Yangon River to Dalah, the village of Letkhokkon can be reached from here. Letkhokkon has a beach, facing the Gulf of Mottama. It is a friendly place with a small monastery and a teacher who tutors a large group of high school students at his house, until night, when studies go on by candle light.