Â鶹APP

Kandawgyi Park. Photo by Marcin Konsek.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kandawgyi Park

Kandawgyi Park or Kandawgyi nature park as its often referred to covers a land totaling 260 acres, out of which 150 acres is covered by Kandawgyi Lake and 110 acres in covered by Kandawgyi Gardens. 

Kandawgyi Park is one of the most popular area for relaxing and recreation in Yangon. Walking in the park feels like taking a break from the bustling atmosphere of Yangon city in Myanmar.  

Besides being excellent for relaxation and recreation, Kandawgyi Park offers many historical and spiritual attractions.

Kandawgyi Lake was created by the British colonial government as a source of clean water. The area was expanded in later years to create what is known today as Kandawgyi Gardens.

The top 10 interesting facts about Kandawgyi park include the following.

1. Kandawgyi Lake Was Created to Provide Clean Water Supply to Yangon

Kandawgyi Lake. Photo by C1815.

Being one of the major lakes in Yangon, Kandawgyi Lake located within Kandawgyi Park is an artificial lake which was created by the British colonial government.

The artificial lake is located on the eastside of Shwedagon Pagoda and was created ostensibly to provide clean water supply to the city of Yangon during the British colonial rule in Myanmar.

2. The Lake Gets Its Water from Inya Lake

Inya Lake. Photo by Go-Myanmar.

Kandawgyi Lake which is an artificial lake and it gets its water from Inya Lake; the largest lake in Yangon in Myanmar.  The water moves from Inya Lake to Kandawgyi Lake through a series of pipes which channel the water to the lake.

Inya Lake from where the water is channeled from is a popular recreational area for Yangon residents and in popular culture it is a famous location for romance.  Inya Lake is located 10 kilometers from downtown Yangon.

3. Kandawgyi Lake Placidly Reflects the Changing Color of the Sky

Shwe Dagon Pagoda. Photo by Myominkyaw93.

The Kandawgyi Lake reflects the color of the sky at different times of the day.   The golden spire of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda over the tops of the green trees lining its banks is also reflected in the lake at different times of the day.

The lake is silver, shrouded in pearly grey mists tinged with the pink of the first sunrays at dawn. The water looks like liquid gold with depths of red fire at sunset.

4. Kandawgyi Boasts of A royal Barge in The Form of The Mythical Bird Karaweik

Karaweik at Night. Photo by Thrillseekr.

To combine the sublime beauty of traditional architecture of Myanmar and the natural beauty of the lake, the government of Myanmar in 1972 built a royal barge in the form of a mythical bird called the Karaweik.

Royal barges were used to convey regal missive to distant outposts or to transport Buddhist scriptures in ancient times in Myanmar. The Karaweik is a melodious crying mythical bird which comes from Buddhist mythology.

5. The Royal Barge Karaweik Hosts a Buffet Restaurant on The Lake

The royal barge constructed in the form of a mythical bird Karaweik sits on the lake’s eastern shores. The barge was designed by Burmese architect U Ngwe Hlaing. 

The Karaweik barge was designed on the basis of the Pyigyimon royal barge; a barge which had great historical importance during the monarchical era in Myanmar.

In modern day Myanmar the historical royal barge still retains cultural importance.The barge hosts a buffet restaurant on the eastern shores of the lake today.

6. Tourists Can Spot Easily the Shwe Dagon Pagoda

Tourists can spot the Shwe Dagon Pagoda from the lake’s view point easily. The color of the lake is changed by light from the pagoda when it reflects on the lake’s surface giving it a gold surface at sunset and a silver color at dawn.

The Shwedagon Pagoda is a great cone-shaped Buddhist monument which is made of gold covered solid bricks. Images of the Buddha can be seen at the base of the pagoda in addition to figures of men kneeling and of elephants where devotees place their offerings.

Seventy-two shrines can be counted at the base of the pagoda in addition to images of lions, serpents, ogres, yogis and spirits in line with Buddhist religious practices.

7. The Kandawgyi Park Is Ideal for Relaxation, Recreation and Exercising

The Kandawgyi Park is ideal for relaxation and recreation as people walking in the park feel like they are separated from the hustle and bustle of the busy Yangon city.

After a long day travelling or working, people find the park a perfect spot to end the day due to the fresh and calm atmosphere at the park.  

People walking, running or exercising find the wooden platforms found around the lake ideal for the event they are undertaking.

People find jogging on the wooden platforms extremely refreshing due to the lake and the green lush flora which surround them.  The wooden flat forms serve as excellent spots for recreational activities.

8. The Karaweik Hall Serves as A Build Up for The Beauty of The Lake

Located at the eastern side of the lake is the Karaweik Hall or Karaweik Palace. Constructed following the ancient Burmese royal barge’s style with two golden birds at the base, the building is a Pyatthat-style, multi-tiered with a roof that is elaborately decorated.

On the back side, the decorations reflect Nat spirit and forms the bird’s tails.  The building is a major spotlight at the lake due to its beauty. Visitors are able to enjoy traditional Burmese style culture-based entertainment as the building also serves as a theater.

The multipurpose building also offers conference halls, reception halls and hosts restaurants which offer buffet meals to its customers.

9. Visitors Can Visit A Mini Zoo and A Kids Play Ground in the Park

Visitors to the park can visit a mini zoo and a kid’s playground which are ideal for children.

Families and friends find the park’s gardens ideal for picnics due to the gorgeous flora, the scenic surroundings and the restaurants, shops, and cafes located within the park.

10. Many Concerts and Festivals Are Held in Kandawgyi Park

Kandawgyi Park is used as a venue of choice for many concerts and festivals. One of the festivals is the Independence Day festival which is celebrated for seven days annually in the Park.

Festivals and traditional activities are performed to celebrate the day. Burmese people wear traditional outfits and they decorate the capital Yangon with patriotic colors.

The nation’s military is honored through military parades, demonstrations and flag-raising customs.