Yangon Zoological Garden

Yangon Zoo is located near Kandawgyi Garden. the Zoo is noted for its collection of wild animals. flora and fauna which have been collected over the years since it was opened in 1906.

HISTORY OF YANGON ZOO

Yangon Zoological Gardens was established in 1901 with the public donation of 240.000 Kyats. The construction started at the present site after clearing 61 acres of virgin soil. but the first collection of wild animals initiated since 1882 in connection with the Phayre’s Museum which was then situated at the present site of the Yangon General Hospital. The collected animals were moved gradually to their new enclosures.

The newly established zoological gardens. by the side of the Royal Lakes. was named Victoria Memorial Park which was formally opened on January 1906.

A Natural History Museum which was also a part of the zoo. was opened on the 1st of May. 1966. Furthermore. an amusement park was opened on the 7th of October. 1997. The Zoological Garden Amusement Park is also a well-known spot for children and teenagers.

TODAY’S YANGON ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN

The Zoo today is one of the centre attraction in the city of Yangon for both local and international tourists. Covering an area of 58.16 acres. in downtown Yangon and lying close to the Great Shwe Dagon Pagoda. the zoo with it’s collection of nearly 200 species of animals and big shady trees. draws nearly 1.5 million visitors annually. The animals comprise of over 60 species of mammals. 70 species of birds and 20 species of reptiles.

EVENTS

On weekend and Public holidays. snake dance and elephant circus are performed for visitors. It is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00 hours.

The 100th Anniversary of Yangon Zoological Garden was held in 2006 January and the festival was held for a month.

TRAVEL TIPS