What does the name Yangon translate to in Burmese?
The name Yangon translates to 'End of Strife' in Burse. The city began as Dagon in the early 11th century under Mon people who inhabited Lower Burma at that time.
Questions about Yangon
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did King Alaungpaya capture Dagon and rename it Yangon?
King Alaungpaya captured Dagon and renamed the enlarged town Yangon in 1755 after adding surrounding settlements. This event marked a significant shift from its earlier history as a pilgrimage town during the Hanthawaddy kingdom era.
Who was the only female queen regnant in Burmese history associated with Yangon?
Queen Shin Saw Pu became the only female queen regnant in Burmese history while ruling the growing town of Dagon. She built a palace next to the Shwedagon Pagoda in 1460 and lived there until her death in 1471.
Why is Yangon known as the garden city of the East?
Colonial Yangon became known as 'the garden city of the East' because spacious parks mixed modern buildings and traditional wooden architecture. Public services and infrastructure matched London standards by the early 20th century, creating this distinct urban character.
What happened to Yangon's status as capital on the 4th of January 1948?
Yangon became the capital of the Union of Burma on the 4th of January 1948 when the country gained independence from British rule. The military designated Naypyidaw north of Yangon as the new administrative capital in November 2005, moving much government there.
How many passengers does the Yangon Circular Railway carry daily?
The Yangon Circular Railway operates 39-station commuter rail selling about 150,000 tickets daily becoming heavily used since government reduced petrol subsidies in August 2007. Japan provided over US$200 million in finance during 2017 assisting with developing circular railway line purchasing carriages and upgrading signaling systems.