Mekong River, Rangoon

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I love rivers. I live near a large river. I particularly love Asian rivers (the Mekong is probably my favourite), so you can imagine I gravitated fairly quickly towards the Ayearawaddy (Irrawaddy) when I got to Yangon (Rangoon). This particular river really is the main artery of the country, providing a transport infrastructure and livlihood for countless thousands of Burmese people. The tmeporary "islands" created by the annual floods are tilled as arable land by the industrious river people and fishing provides another source of income. In Yangon, the river is bustling with life - it is a major port, after all, and is well worth a walk along.

Like most places in Asia (rivers included), it is probably seen to best advantage at sunset (another thing I've got a fixation with), and, although the photos perhaps don't really do it justice, it really is quite magical.

Access isn't available all over, and the best places are either at the ferry port opposite the Strand Hotel, or else walk down by the Botatuang Paya (see seperate tip) where you can view the local people crowding onto ferries for their various journeys home.

This really is worth doing at least one evening.

While at Botataung pagoda, which is by the banks of river Yangon, I thought that probably walking there might offer some good views. Alas!! Unlike Bangkok or even Vietniane, the capital area next to river is mainly commercial for ships to dock and also access is restricted by buildings...