Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

Yangon (Rangoon) is divided into several administrative units - the townships. These include the following: Bahan - Botahtaung - Dagon - Dala - Dawbon - Hlaing - Kamaryut - Lanmawdaw - Mayangone - Mingalar Taung Nyunt - Pazun Daung - Sanchaung - Tarmwe - Yankin

Yangon's history goes back to the 5th century BC. In 1824 it became British for a short time, from 1852 onwards permanently, and from the end of the 19th century onwards it developed into a modern municipality.

An earthquake in 1930 severely damaged Rangoon, and in 1948 it became the capital of the country with independence from Great Britain. In 1989 the English colonial name Rangoon (Rangoon) was changed to Yangon. On November 6, 2005, all ministries and other government agencies began moving from Rangoon to Pyinmana, which became the country's new seat of government in December 2005.

In May 2008, the city was hit by Cyclone Nargis. Unlike in other parts of the country, only a few people were killed, but many houses and especially the infrastructure were badly damaged. The damage has not been completely repaired for many years.

Despite this, and without capital status, Yangon is still the cultural and economic center of the country. The reform course since 2012 has seen the city grow, internet cafes and cell phones are becoming more common, real estate is booming, and tourist infrastructure (hotels, guides, tours) is growing. But society is still noticeably traditional. How long these things can remain in balance is an open question. It is hardly possible that in 10 or 20 years there will still be a Yangon that is, like now, a contrasting and exciting blend of Buddhist tradition, colonial heritage, and modern impulses; experiencing this moment will probably be reserved for those who do not wait long.

 

Sights

The city is home to the National Museum of Art and Archaeology, the National Library and the World Peace Pagoda, which was built in 1952 to commemorate the 2500th anniversary of Buddha's death.

 

Pagodas

Three large pagodas are considered particularly remarkable: the Botataung Pagoda, which is located near the harbor, the Sule Pagoda, which is the urban planning reference point of the colonial city center, and the Shwedagon Pagoda, the religious center of Myanmar.

The Sule Pagoda, which is a good 40 meters high and is also called Kyaik Athok, is said to have existed since 253 BC, when the monks Sona and Uttara brought ten hairs of Buddha from the third Buddhist council, among other things.

The most remarkable monument in the city is the large Shwedagon Pagoda, an old Buddhist shrine that is 98 meters high and covered in gold leaf. According to tradition, the oldest parts of the pagoda date back to the 5th century BC. Since 1564, the pagoda has been repeatedly damaged by eight earthquakes. During an earthquake in 1786, the entire upper part collapsed. The current height and shape are the result of subsequent renovations. Most recently, a fire in 1931 caused serious damage.

 

Colonial architecture

Rangoon is one of the few cities in Southeast Asia that has preserved a relatively large building stock from the colonial era. These include former government and administrative buildings, residential and commercial buildings, but also numerous places of worship for a wide variety of religions, a result of the large immigration flows under British rule, especially from India. In the old town, which was planned by the British in the 19th century, there are now Buddhist pagodas, a number of Hindu and Chinese temples, numerous mosques and some churches. Smaller religious communities such as the Jains also have their own buildings in the old town of Rangoon that date back to the British colonial era. This includes a small synagogue (on 26th Street). The call to prayer from muezzin is just as much a part of everyday life in the old town of Rangoon as Buddhist monks receiving food offerings, Hindu processions and church bells.

The old buildings are, however, under severe threat, on the one hand due to decades of neglect of the buildings, and on the other hand due to real estate speculation: the political and economic reforms under President Thein Sein since 2011 have significantly increased economic dynamism in Myanmar and real estate prices in Rangoon have risen. Heritage conservationists therefore fear that Rangoon will face a similar development to other Asian metropolises, where the architectural heritage has fallen victim to real estate speculation.

 

Things to do

A trip on the Circle Train is highly recommended. From the architecturally striking main station, the Central Railway Station, it travels in a large circle around the entire city with almost 40 stations. The trip takes 3 hours, costs 3 dollars or 3500 kyat, and allows an insight into the everyday life of ordinary people in Myanmar, including the deep poverty of large parts of the population that is usually not visible.
You can escape the hustle and bustle of the city by taking the ferry from Pansodan Jetty at the southern end of the Pansodan Street of the same name to the other side of the river. There, bicycle rickshaws await you, which take you on a trip through the Dala Township lasting several hours for 4000 kyat (=4€). Despite its proximity to the city, Dala is still very rural, so it offers a different view of life in Myanmar.

 

How to get there

By plane
Yangon airport has direct flights from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Chiang Mai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Gaya, Kolkata, Kunming, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Taiwan. There is free WiFi in the airport.

The taxi ride from the airport costs 5,000 to 7,000 kyat and takes about 30 minutes by car. (That must have been a long time ago. At the end of 2019, 30,000 - 50,000 kyat)

Airline addresses:
Air Asia, Yangon International Airport.
Bangkok Airways, 0305 Sakura Tower (3rd floor), 339, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Kyaulktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel.: (0)1-255122, Fax: (0)1-255119, Email: rgnrrpg@bangkokair.com.mm. Airport branch: Departure Hall 2 (Tel.: 01-653349, 01-4410412; Fax: 01-653350)
Malaysia Airlines, Central Hotel, 335-337, Bogyoke Aung San Road. Tel.: (0)1-24100720, (0)1-24100121, (0)1-24100122, Fax: (0)1-241124.
Qatar Airways, 08-07 Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Road, Yangon. Tel.: (0)1-255030, (0)1-255031, (0)1-255032, Fax: (0)1-255033.
Silk Air, 0202 Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Road. Tel.: (0)1-255287, (0)1-255288, (0)1-255289, Fax: (0)1-255290. Branch at the airport: (Tel.: 01-665279, Fax: 01-664896) Open: Mon-Fri: 09:00-17:00, Sat: 09:00-12:30.
Thai Airways, 0101 Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Road,Yangon. Tel.: (0)1-255499, Fax: (0)1-255490, E-Mail: sales@thaiairways.com.mm.

By train
There are train connections to Mandalay via Thazi, Mawlamyine via Bago and directly to Bagan (9 hours), Kyaikto and Pyay. The trains are divided into three classes, First Class, Upper Class and Ordinary Class, but there are relatively few differences between them. They usually depart quite early in the morning and arrive late in the evening.

The condition of the rail network is pretty bad, which regularly leads to cancellations and delays of several hours. The journeys are slow, the trains are rather uncomfortable and - depending on the class - overcrowded. Since the journeys take quite a long time and are often associated with delays, you should bring enough drinking water with you if necessary.

By boat
Boat trips offer an opportunity to get from A to B and at the same time experience the landscape intensively during the journey.

A very nice way to enjoy the landscape of the Ayeyarwaddy region is to travel by boat from Pathein. The express boat offers seats on the deck ($10) as well as cabins with 2 beds (from $35 per person); the journey takes just over half a day. For the same route, a luxury tourist ferry, the Delta Queen, can also be booked; the journey takes around a day.

There are other connections to Pyay and (with a change) Mandalay; the journeys take several days.

 

Transport around the city

Driving vehicles in Yangon is prohibited for foreigners. It is therefore always necessary to use third-party means of transport. Taxis, rickshaws, buses and special means of transport, the circular railway and ferries, are available. Yangon has no road or subway network, bus transport is considered cryptic for foreigners, so the taxi is usually the preferred means of transport within the city.

By bus
Almost all of Yangon's public transport is carried out by buses. However, the system is considered difficult to understand for foreigners, as there are no designated stops, for example. Ticket prices range between 20 and 200 kyat.

By train
The Circular Train is a means of transport in Yangon similar to an S-Bahn. It runs on the principle of a circular railway, the journey takes around 3 hours, and 39 stops are made before the starting station is reached again. It is best to board the train at the main station. The ticket for the whole journey costs foreigners around 3500 Kyat (around €3, as of August 2013). Tickets can be purchased at a special counter for foreigners on platform 6. Tip: take enough water with you for the long journey!

The journey on the Circular Train is an attraction in itself; there is hardly any other way for a foreigner to experience so many parts of Yangon in such a short time. The passengers, often small traders who use the Circular Train to transport goods to other parts of the city, are also exciting in this respect. As a means of transport, their usefulness is limited due to the slowness of the journey and the lack of flexibility.

Taxi
The most important means of transport for foreigners are taxis, which are plentiful and inexpensive to use; many have air conditioning. They can simply be flagged down on the street. Taximeters are very rarely used, so it is essential to negotiate the fare to your destination before departure. If you forget to do this, you will often be asked for much higher prices (and are then hardly negotiable). Usual routes within the city should usually cost between 1500 and 2500 kyats, with the following prices as a guideline (August 2013): Downtown (center) → Shwedagon Pagoda ~2000 kyats, Downtown (center) → International Airport ~6000 kyats. Alternatively, you can order taxis using the Grab app (similar to Uber).

The very modern-looking taxis from Parami Airport are usually more expensive. The company is run by people close to the military junta.

Two-wheelers
Trishaws
Strictly speaking, the so-called "trishaws", three-wheeled bicycle rickshaws with sidecars, are not two-wheelers. Here too, it is essential to negotiate the fare to your destination before setting off. The cost for shorter routes between 10 and 20 minutes is around 750-1,000 kyats for one person and around 1,000-1,500 kyats for two people (as of March 2020). For short distances within the city, they are an interesting and exotic alternative to taxis. They are also cheaper than taxis, but naturally slower. You sit on padded chairs, but you shouldn't be too wide around the waist, otherwise it will be uncomfortable.

Trishaws allow a good view of the city, and you usually have a local guide next to you - good conditions for half- or full-day tours. As a guide (August 2013): a two-hour tour of Dala cost 4000 kyats.

Motorcycles
It should be mentioned that driving motorized two-wheelers is generally prohibited in Yangon proper. In Dala, however, they do exist, where they perform a similar function to trishaws, but they are much faster. You sit behind the driver on the seat.

Ferries
As there is no bridge over the Yangon or Hlaing, the ferry is the only way to reach the "Dala" district on the southern bank of the river. It is precisely because of this isolation that it is worth seeing; life here is very different from urban Yangon on the northern bank of the river.

The ferry runs from early morning until five in the afternoon, and costs foreigners 1,500 kyat. The ferry leaves from the so-called Pansodan Jetty, a pier located at the southern end of Pansodan Road behind the intersection with Strand Road; the crossing takes five minutes. There are also small boats that cross the river, but tourists are turned away and directed to the large ferry.

 

Buy

Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market), Bogyoke Aung San Road. Now a touristy market, it is of course a source of the usual tourist souvenirs, but is still a good place to buy the things that made it famous: lacquerware, wood carvings, silversmiths, jade, rubies and other (semi-)precious stones, as well as textiles (clothing and fabrics). Accepted payment methods: Visa, Mastercard.

 

Eat

Cheap
Nan Htike, No. 145, Bogyoke Aung San Road, between 46th and 47th streets. Tel.: (01) 295-977, (01) 397-244. Excellent Shan noodle dishes, good curries, low prices, English menu available.

Medium
Feel Myanmar Food, 124 Pyidaungsu Yeiktha. Tel.: (01) 395 284. Branch of a nationwide chain of Burmese-style restaurants, fantastic curries, relatively high prices. No menu, you help yourself to a buffet. Highly recommended: Mohingar, the national dish.

Upscale
Le Planteur, 22, Kaba Aye Pagoda. Tel.: (01) 541 997, email: info@leplanteur.net. Very good Asian/French cuisine.

 

Drinks

Despite its size, the city has no real nightlife to offer, even restaurants and bars (the so-called "beer stations") close between 10 and 11 p.m. There are a few nightclubs in western hotels.

Yangon has seen a lot of changes in nightlife since 2015. Downtown there is 47th Street - a kind of party street with several clubs and bars next to each other. An alternative are sky bars, of which there are several in Yangon: Yangon Yangon, Atlas Bar or Piano Bar (there is a pool here). Also highly recommended is "The Penthouse" - a sky bar in Sanchaung that has different promotions every day of the week (e.g. burger day, happy hour day, etc.). There is also a DJ on Friday and Saturday. The clubs/bars usually close around 2-3 a.m.

If you want to party longer, you can go to Level II (mainly techno) or Safehouse (quite a lot of hip hop/rap). However, you have to pay an entrance fee here.

 

Hotels

Cheap
up to 20 dollars

Aung Si Guest House, 49 Bogyoke Aung San. Email: aungsi49@gmail.com. (As of August 2013) - Plain appearance, but clean, central location, friendly staff, air conditioning, bathroom in the room, breakfast included, free airport pickup, room without windows. Price: $20.

Medium
20-100 dollars

Beauty Land II Hotel, 188-192 33rd Str., Kyauktada Tsp. Tel.: +95 (0)1-240054, Fax: +95 (0)1-248047. Clean, recommended; free airport pickup; procurement of flight tickets etc.; very nice and helpful people; central location in a busy side street in the downtown area (but it is quiet at night) Price: €37 - €45 (As of August 2013).
White House Hotel, 69/71 Konzedan Str., Pabedan Tsp. Tel.: +95 (0)1-271522, (0)1-240779, (0)1-240780, Fax: +95 (0)1-240782, E-Mail: whitehouse@mptmail.net.mm. extensive breakfast; central location; simple rooms; clean; roof terrace with a view of the city. Price: $US ~25-35 (as of August 2013).
Cherry Guest House. Room 501 is recommended. It has a small balcony. Price: $ ~25 (as of August 2013).

Upscale
The Strand. Luxury hotel by the harbor on Strand Road.

 

Learning

At the University of Yangon, you can study "Burmese" (for foreigners). The cost of a semester course (4 months) is 130 USD (as of March 2020).

 

Safety

Yangon is generally a very safe city for tourists. The conservative Buddhist society, a low number of tourists and, last but not least, severe penalties for offenses against tourists mean that you hardly have to worry about dangers to your property or even physical integrity. However, it should be remembered that you are in a very poor country and carelessness and display of valuable possessions can provoke theft. The money changers that are common in the area around the Sule Pagoda should be avoided at all costs, as the exchange is usually a trick to the detriment of the exchanger.

There are currently no political tensions (August 2013), and the military's moderate reform course seems to be appeasing them. The ethnic riots by Buddhists against Muslims that took place in parts of the country in early 2013 have had little impact in Yangon. Journalistic sources, however, speak of a hostile mood towards Muslims, so people of the Muslim faith are advised to exercise caution and caution when announcing their religious affiliation.

 

Health

Neither uncooked food should be eaten nor tap water drunk (not even when brushing teeth). There is no adequate supply of medicine in the city, and anyone who needs medicine should bring it with them in sufficient quantities. Medical care also leaves much to be desired, with local hospitals failing to meet important standards. In such emergencies, the German embassy should be contacted immediately.

 

Practical tips

Many people in Yangon generally speak at least rudimentary English. Complex English that goes beyond essential knowledge is just as rare as other foreign languages. Basic knowledge of the local language is helpful, but not all that easy to acquire. Apps such as iBurmese (for iPhones & Android) are extremely helpful, as they pronounce important phrases in Burmese.

 

Money

International ATMs and credit cards were only introduced in Myanmar in 2012. Kyats are issued. Information in travel guides usually still refers to complex ways of exchanging cash (first abroad into clean, flawless dollar notes, then parts of them locally into Kyats, but in some places the use of dollars is mandatory). This is now obsolete, all transactions can be carried out in Kyats, which can be withdrawn directly from ATMs. EC/Maestro cards and Visa and Mastercard are accepted as credit cards at ATMs. Credit cards are only used to a very limited extent outside of ATMs, e.g. in hotels for a western audience or at the jewelers in the Bogyoke Aung San market (see there).

However, ATMs are still rare and can only be used to a limited extent. Some ATMs and many banks do not accept foreign cards, so it is a good idea to look out for CB Bank ATMs that accept foreign cards without any problems. The first ATM can be found at Yangon airport, for example, and several more in downtown Yangon (e.g. on the corner of Botahtaung Road/Anawratha Road.)

Due to poor internet connections, all ATMs can be temporarily out of service, so you should a) refill your wallet in good time and b) try again later if it doesn't work the first time.

 

Foreign representations

German Embassy in Yangon, 9 Bogyoke Aung San Museum Road. Tel.: +95-1-548 951, +95-1-548 952, +95-1-548 953.
Austrian Honorary Consulate Yangon, 39 H-1, Myitzu Street, Parami Avenue, Mayangone Township. Tel.: +95-1-651 141.
Swiss Embassy in Yangon, No. 11, Kabaung Lane, 5 ½ mile, Pyay Road, Hlaing Township. Tel.: +95-1-534 754, +95-1-512 873, +95-1-507089.

Letter and parcel post is notoriously unreliable and slow. Cell phone networks exist, and SIM cards can be purchased everywhere.

 

Geography

Geographical location

Rangoon is located in the south of the country on the eastern edge of the Irrawaddy Delta near the Gulf of Martaban, an arm of the Andaman Sea, at an average of 15 meters above sea level. The old town is located directly at the mouth of the Bago River into the Yangon River, one of the many branches of the Irrawaddy/Ayerawaddy. With the Panzudaung and Twante Canals and its branch Pun Hlaing, other navigable waters flow directly into the city area.

Yangon city structure is divided into four districts and 32 districts: Western District (inner city): Ahlone Township, Bahan Township, Dagon Township, Kyauktada Township, Kyeemyintdine Township, Lanmadaw Township, Latha Township, Pabedan Township, Sanchaung Township and Seikkan Township Eastern District: Dagon Seikkan Township, East Dagon Township, North Dagon Township, North Okkalapa Township, South Dagon Township, South Okkalapa Township, Thingangyun, Township and Botahtaung Township Northern District: Hlaing Township, Hlaingthaya Township, Insein Township, Kamayut Township, Mayangone Township, Mingaladone Township, Pazundaung Township and Shwepyitha Township Southern District: Dala Township, Dawbon Township, Mingalataungnyunt Township, Thaketa Township, Tamwe Township, Yankin Township and Seikkyi Kanaungto Township

 

Climate

The city is located in the tropical climate zone. The average annual temperature is 27.5 degrees Celsius, the average annual rainfall is 2681 millimeters.

The average temperature is between 25.0 and 30.3 degrees Celsius all year round. The warmest month is April with an average of 30.3 degrees Celsius, the coldest is January with an average of 25.0 degrees Celsius.

The main rainy season is between May and October. The most precipitation falls in August with 602.0 millimeters, the least in February with 2.0 millimeters.

 

History

Until 1755, the city was called Dagon and belonged to the Mon Empire. Its origins go back to the 5th century BC. After the subjugation of all Mon cities by the Burmese King Alaungphaya, he made the town the capital of the Burmese Empire in 1755. He renamed it Yangon, which translates as "end of the dispute".

In 1824, Rangoon was conquered by Great Britain, which ceded its claim to power two years later. The city developed into a modern municipality from the end of the 19th century after it came under British rule again after the second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852.

In 1930, Rangoon was largely destroyed by an earthquake and the subsequent tsunami. During the Second World War, the city was occupied by the Japanese army on March 8, 1942 during the Pacific War. When Burma gained independence from Great Britain in 1948, Rangoon became the country's capital.

The sixth Buddhist council of the Theravada tradition took place in Rangoon from 1954 to 1956.

On October 9, 1983, a bomb attack in the north of Rangoon killed 19 people, including four cabinet members from South Korea. The dead were Kim Jae Ik, Suh Sook Joon, Hahn Pyong Choon and Foreign Minister Lee Bum Suk. After investigations, North Korea was officially accused of carrying out the attack.

On August 8, 1988, months of unrest (8888 Uprising) due to the economic policy of the military led by General Ne Win culminated in the violent suppression of protests in Rangoon with several thousand deaths. A new military regime under General Saw Maung established itself as the State Council for the Restoration of Law and Order (SLORC).

In 1989, the English colonial name Rangoon was changed back to Yangon.

When the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory in democratic elections in 1990, the military regime declared the elections invalid and there was a bloody suppression of peaceful student protests in Rangoon. The regime remained in power.

On November 7, 2005, Information Minister General Kyaw Hsan announced that the day before, work had begun to move all ministries and other government agencies from Rangoon to Naypyidaw. As a result, Naypyidaw became the new seat of government and official capital of the country from December 2005.

In August 2007, protest rallies formed in Rangoon, initially led by Buddhist monks and nuns, who were soon joined by civilians. By September 24, over 100,000 demonstrators had already been counted. Unlike in the past, the military leadership did not intervene at first, but on September 25th they began to crack down on the demonstrators. According to official figures, ten people were killed, including a Japanese journalist. Unofficial observers spoke of up to 200 deaths. Several hundred people were injured. Soldiers stormed numerous monasteries in Rangoon. Opposition politicians were also arrested throughout the country. In total, there were reportedly hundreds of arrests. Four days later, the military junta finally declared the revolt crushed and over.

 

Religion

As in all of Myanmar, Buddhism is the predominant religion in Rangoon. Many pagodas and temples in the city make this abundantly clear.

But Christianity also has a certain significance. Rangoon is the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishop who heads the Archdiocese of Yangon. The cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The Anglican Communion is also represented in Rangoon by an archbishop. He heads the Yangon diocese of the Church of the Province of Myanmar, of which he is also the primate. The main church is the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

 

Economy and infrastructure

Economy

Rangoon is Myanmar's most important seaport. Most of the industry is located around the city. The main products are food, pharmaceuticals, fabrics and textiles. Tourism in particular, but also shipbuilding and the ship repair industry as well as oil refineries, are of great importance to the economy.

 

Transport

Since December 2010, Rangoon has been directly connected to Mandalay via the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway.

Railway and tram
Yangon Central Station is the main terminus of the 5,403-kilometer-long Myanmar Railways rail network, whose reach includes Upper Myanmar (Naypyidaw, Mandalay, Shwebo), the interior (Myitkyina), the Shan Hills (Taunggyi, Lashio) and the Taninthayi coast (Mawlamyine, Dawei).

The Yangon Circular Railway operates a 45.9-kilometer (28.1-mile) commuter rail network with 39 stations connecting Yangon's satellite towns. The system is heavily used by the local population, selling about 150,000 tickets daily. The commuter line's popularity has skyrocketed since the government cut fuel subsidies in August 2007.

In 2017, the Japanese government provided more than US$200 million in funding to support a range of works, including developing and maintaining Yangon's circular railway line, purchasing new carriages, and upgrading signaling.

From January to June 2016, the Yangon Tramway operated 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) using second-hand tramcars purchased from Hiroshima on a newly built line south of downtown.

Air travel
Yangon has an international airport. Yangon International Airport (IATA code RGN) is located around 19 km north of the city center in the suburb of Mingaladon. Since the airport only partially met international standards, extensive work began in 2003 to expand the airport and its infrastructure. This includes the extension of the only runway to date and a generously sized new terminal building. After the work is completed in 2006, Yangon International can also be served by wide-body jets such as the Boeing 747 and will have an estimated capacity of around 2.7 million passengers per year.

 

Education

There are numerous universities, colleges and research institutes in Yangon. These include: East Yangon University, Thingangyun Education College, West Yangon University, Yangon Institute of Economics, Yangon Institute of Education, Yangon Institute of Marine Technology, Yangon Institute of Nursing, Yangon Technological University, Yangon University, Yangon University of Dental Medicine, Yangon University of Computer Studies (UCSY), Yangon University of Culture, Yangon University of Distant Education, Yangon University of Foreign Languages, Yangon University of Medicine 1, Yangon University Of Medicine 2, Yangon University of Para-Med ical Science, Yangon University of Pharmacy and Yankin Education College.

 

Sons and daughters of the city

Diana Abgar (1859–1937), Armenian writer and diplomat
Aw Boon Haw (1882–1954), Chinese entrepreneur
Abraham Sofaer (1896–1988), British actor
Sayagyi U Ba Khin (1899–1971), teacher of Vipassana meditation
Elizabeth Ferrars (1907–1995), British writer
Inamullah Khan (1912–1997), Islamic scholar and activist
Peter Townsend (1914–1995), British air colonel and writer
Ike Isaacs (1919–1996), British jazz guitarist
Cedric West (1919–1997), British jazz musician
Donald Michie (1923–2007), British bioscientist and researcher
Harry H. Corbett (1925–1982), British actor
Cedric Baxter (1930–2024), Australian painter and graphic artist
Win Min Than (* 1932), actress
Henry Kamen (* 1936), historian
Aung Thwin (* 1936), sculptor
Thein Myint (* 1937), boxer
Hla Nyunt (* 1938), boxer
Jeanne Roland (* 1942), English actress
Aung San Suu Kyi (* 1945), politician and independence fighter
Nick Drake (1948–1974), British folk musician
Joachim Rego CP (1954), Australian Roman Catholic religious and Superior General of the Passionists
Vijay Rupani (* 1956), Indian politician
James Wilby (* 1958), British actor
Yawd Serk (* 1959), politician
Zarganar (* 1961), comedian, actor and director
Min Ko Naing (* 1962), freedom fighter
Benny Lee (* 1965), American badminton player of Burmese origin
Tay Za (* 1967), businessman
Kalyar Platt (* 1972), ecologist and conservationist
Zayar Thaw (1981–2022), politician, hip-hop artist and activist
Yan Paing (* 1983), football player
Naing Zayar Htun (* 1985), football player
Thiha Sithu (* 1987), football player
Yan Aung Kyaw (* 1989), football player
Kyaw Zin Htet (* 1990), football player
Win Morisaki (* 1990), actor and singer
Kyi Lin (* 1992), Football player
Than Htet Aung (* 1992), football player
Kaung Sett Naing (* 1993), football player
Aung Kyaw Naing (* 1994), football player
Min Kyaw Khant (* 1995), football player
Maung Maung Lwin (* 1995), football player
Hein Thiha Zaw (* 1995), football player
Sithu Aung (* 1996), football player
Ye Min Thu (* 1998), football player
Thet Htar Thuzar (* 1999), badminton player