Yangon, also known as Rangoon, is a former capital of the Republic of Union of Myanmar and the capital of Yangon Region. Although the country’s capital city was relocated to Nay Pyi Taw in March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over five million, continues to be Myanmar's largest metropolisand the most important commercial centre. Yangon, located at the convergence of the Yangon and Bago Rivers, is the birthplace of many historic events in the history of Myanmar. Yangon was founded as Dagon in the early 11th Century by the Mon people. In 1755, King Alaungpaya conquered Dagon, renamed it "Yangon", meaning “End of Strife”.

Yangon became the capital of all British Burma after the British had captured Upper Burma in the Third Anglo-Burmese War of 1885. Today, Yangon still maintains its colonial charm with the largest number of colonial architecture in Southeast Asia. In October 2013, World Monument Fund records downtown Yangon area in its 2014 World Monument Watch List. Yangon is melting pot of diverse cultures, religions and people, and the city is adorned with elegant colonial buildings, sacred places of worship, picturesque lakes, lush green parks and bustling markets. 2,600 years old Shwedagon Pagoda is the most renown and spectacular landmark dominating the skyline of Yangon.