Lovers of Myanmar’s Architecture, Feast Your Eyes on These Photos From Yangon · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Yangon’s most famous landmark, Shwedagon Pagoda. Photo by Manuel Oka for Yangon Architectural Guide (DOM Publishers, 2015)
Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) was Myanmar’s capital before the military government transferred the government center to Naypyidaw in 2006. Although it is no longer the capital, it is still the country’s premier commercial center and largest city. It is also known for its numerous historic buildings and religious monuments.
Yangon’s “rich architectural heritage” is featured in a forthcoming book by Manuel Oka, Ben Bansal, and Elliott Fox. While preparing the book, they created pages on Facebook and Tumblr, where visitors can find photos of both popular and lesser-known buildings in Yangon. They also asked Burmese netizens to submit photos and provide descriptions of the buildings featured on the website.
Global Voices recently spoke to Ben Bansal about the project:
Mong Palatino (MP): What inspired you to start this project?
Ben Bansal (BB): We're three authors: me, Manuel and Elliott. Each of us has a different perspective. I'm a development economist and I'm fascinated by the history of cities and how they evolve. Manu, our photographer, is an architect as well. We owe him the book's amazing photos, but also his technical knowledge. Elliott works in the humanitarian and human rights sector. He's had a greater exposure to the politics of modern Myanmar. Yangon speaks to each of us. We hope the book will convey all this.
MP: What has been the response of Burmese netizens and authorities?
BB: Burmese netizens have been wonderful! We started a Facebook page, posting one building and a teaser description each day. In a few months we've reached more than 6000 followers, most of them Burmese obviously. With every building, somebody will chime in with an extra piece of information we can use. In that sense, this is also a crowdsourcing experiment! We haven't heard from the Burmese authorities.
MP: What do you think are the measures needed to preserve and popularize these historic buildings in Yangon?
BB: The Yangon Heritage Trust is doing vital and inspiring work to create a conservation roadmap. They're also doing a great job of lobbying the government. Now we hope the government will listen to them consistently. Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, for example, have lost some of their historical depth. But it's also important to point out that, often, people fixate on colonial heritage. We hope the book will highlight a broader story: the post 1948 architecture is also fascinating in its own way. And there's the city’s amazing religious heritage: Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim. If Yangon can keep that story intact, it will be an example to the world.
Below are some of the Yangon buildings that showcase the city's diverse and unique architecture:
“The Holy Trinity Cathedral is the main Anglican church in Yangon.” Photo by Manuel Oka for Yangon Architectural Guide (DOM Publishers, 2015)
The former headquarters of Burmah Oil. Photo by Manuel Oka for Yangon Architectural Guide (DOM Publishers, 2015)
Surti Sunni Jamah Mosque on Shwebontha Street. Photo by Manuel Oka for Yangon Architectural Guide (DOM Publishers, 2015)
Built in 1920, the former residence of the Kayah (Karenni) State governor. Photo by Manuel Oka for Yangon Architectural Guide (DOM Publishers, 2015)
The folklore palace and restaurant Karaweik Hall. Photo by Manuel Oka for Yangon Architectural Guide (DOM Publishers, 2015)
Yangon City Hall. Photo by Manuel Oka for Yangon Architectural Guide (DOM Publishers, 2015)
Independence monument near the former high court. Photo by Manuel Oka for Yangon Architectural Guide (DOM Publishers, 2015)
Aerial view of Yangon. Photo by Manuel Oka for Yangon Architectural Guide (DOM Publishers, 2015)
Ngadatgyi Pagoda. Designed with “Buddha’s hand gesture when he achieved enlightenment. Photo by Manuel Oka for Yangon Architectural Guide (DOM Publishers, 2015)