Colonial Architecture

The charm of Yangon is enhanced by the many colonial buildings that stand like monuments near the river or sprawl in red-bricked Victorian splendour. Most of them are now government-owned office buildings that have been included on a heritage list, which gives official protected status to nearly 200 structures in Yangon.

Pansodan Street, which literally means the ‘Street of Dyes is lined with pillared colonial buildings painted in bright colours that once served as banks and as the headquarters of various British trading companies of the early 20th century. Some were built using designs that fused eastern and western architectural styles, a combination that often worked well. Many of the monasteries that are nearly hidden in thick woods east of the Shwedagon Pagoda, as well as those around the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda. are excellent examples of this style.

The best way to take in the incredible diversity of architectural styles found in Yangon is to set aside a few hours just to walk around.