Myanmar (Burma) — Buildings of Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma)

The old buildings of Yangon — revealing the past

March 2015

When I visited Yangon (Rangoon) in March 2015, the city was in disrepair.

Looking around the city, it appeared that there hadn’t been much building work in recent years. There were still many old buildings, many of which seemed to date from the colonial days and were in a shocking state of repair.

If you visit Yangon (Rangoon), keep an eye open for the old building as you wander around. Don’t forget to look up above street level, as it is easy to miss them with everything else that is going on. You will find some hidden gems.

Many buildings pictured below are in the city centre around Merchant Street.

Below is the Ascott and Co building, Merchant St, Rangoon, erected in 1902. From what I have read, Ascott and Co were a general merchant involved in banking, shipping and forwarding agents. They were also agents for insurance companies, importers of wines and spirits, general merchandise and exporter of Burmese cigarettes (cheroots) — a busy company.

The buildings below must have been fantastic in their day; now, they look neglected and rundown.

Below is a house that was outside the city centre. Stunning. Again, it was so sad to see it looking like this — it must have been great.

Another fantastic-looking place outside the town centre.

And below, a mix of housing with no apparent thought to planning, with new buildings mixed in with old.

And sometimes, down small side streets, you see the old Yangon (Rangoon).

Yangon (Rangoon) had some fascinating architecture, which is worth looking at. In most cases, the buildings are in a deplorable state of repair, so they may not be around for much longer.

Odd buildings in Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma)

There were also several odd-looking buildings dotted around Yangon (Rangoon).

They seem to be abandoned and military in nature, judging by rifle slots.

I wonder if these buildings are now back in use?