Sule Shangri-La, Yangon 223 Sule Pagoda Road, G.P.O Box 888, Yangon, Myanmar Tel (95 1) 242 828 Fax (95 1) 242 800 www.shangri-la.com
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SULE SHANGRI-LA, YANGON
One group, one philosophy and five core values
Based in Hong Kong, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is one of the world’s most respected hotel groups, owning and operating more than 80 hotels worldwide under the brands Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders, with a room inventory of more than 34,000.
On 14 November 1996, the group opened Sule Shangri-La, Yangon. Sule Shangri-La, Yangon is part of the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Group and is a brand name initially created to offer accommodation on a value-for-money basis, but with the same level of service as Shangri-La’s luxury range of hotels.
Inspired by the legendary land featured in James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon , published in 1933, the name Shangri-La encapsulates the serenity and hospitality for which the brand is renowned worldwide.
The Shangri-La group’s tradition of service excellence started with the opening of Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore in 1971, and is based on the core values of Sincerity, Humility, Helpfulness, Respect, Courtesy and Selflessness.
Shangri-La believes that hiring and training a motivated team is the foundation of its long-term success. The key premise is that if the staff innately believes and embodies the brand’s core values day after day, it will ensure guest satisfaction and, with it, the brand promise.
Efficiency and Functionality for the Value- conscious Traveller is in our DNA, and the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts family caters to today’s most savvy and passionate traveller. A perfect blend of thoughtful simplicity and the warmth and sincerity of Asian hospitality, a Shangri-La Hotel is a vibrant, yet professional environment where everything is designed to complement guests at work, rest or play.
Shangri-La hotels are situated in major business centres in Asia and the Middle East, and are the practical choice for business and leisure travellers.
The 22-storey Sule Shangri-La, Yangon is conveniently located in the central business, cultural and shopping district of Yangon, the economic capital of and gateway to Myanmar.
Yangon is a cool and green city with lush tropical trees, shady parks and beautiful lakes – making the hotel an ideal base for both business and leisure travellers.
The hotel is situated on the corners of Sule Pagoda and Bogyoke Aung San roads, and only a 45-minute drive from the international airport.
To the left of the entrance, the lobby lift brings to you to the Business Centre on the fifth floor. The hotel provides the business centre services which include a host of secretarial support, including printing, scanning, photocopying, and facsimile and courier services.
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The hotel comprises 479 expansive guestrooms and suites, each characterised by elegant décor and executive-style furnishings. Rooms come with a full array of amenities and facilities, and spacious bathrooms, and feature outstanding views of the city, the pagoda or the river.
For the more discerning business traveller, Horizon Club Rooms offer a host of additional privileges and an even higher level of personalised service.
Horizon Club facilities are available for your comfort and convenience. Benefits include private check-in and check-out, exclusive breakfast, evening cocktails, purser services and more.
ROOMS AND SUITES
Most of the 479 guestrooms and suites overlook the city skyline and its many pagodas. For business executives, Horizon Club rooms are available.
Sule Shangri-La, Yangon’s 479 rooms include 29 suites. Singapore-based architectural company RSP Architects and Planner Co., Ltd. designed the hotel’s interiors.
The rooms and suites feature a direct view of the downtown of Yangon City and world- famous Shwedagon Pagoda.
Horizon Club rooms--- majority of the rooms and suites are large and equipped to entertain friends or business partners.
The hotel’s rooms and suites are divided into four categories:
Categories Rooms Area (m 2)
Deluxe Room 300 34 Executive Room 56 34 Horizon Club Room 94 34 Deluxe Suite 12 66 Executive Suite 14 71 Club Suite 2 126 Presidential Suite 1 189
Deluxe Suite
Rooms start at 34 square metres in size and all suites have separate living room and bedrooms.
The layout of each room and suite is custom-designed to integrate seamlessly into the building’s structure, combining modern architectural elements and Myanmar culture.
The interior offers a pleasing harmony of textures and colours, from wallpapers, textured wall panels and all interior decorative items. Majority of the rooms have exterior windows to let in natural light, and some even offer a direct view of the world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda.
Some rooms and a suite have a marble bathroom, separate bathtub and rainfall shower.
All rooms are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access.
Ayeyarwaddy Suite, one of the two Club Suites
BANQUETING AND FUNCTION SPACES
Meetings Conveniently located in the commercial centre, Sule Shangri-La, Yangon offers well-equipped facilities for all types of meetings. In addition, Sule Shangri-La, Yangon now also offers an upscale VIP meeting room and social events venues on the lobby level.
All conference and function rooms feature state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, including the following:
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Complimentary wireless Internet access
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LCD and direct projectors
Banquets
Ideal for hosting a prestigious wedding, conference, seminar or banquet, Sule Shangri-La, Yangon’s 760-square-metre Myanmar Ballroom and other elegant function areas will help you out.
With its central location, the hotel is also an ideal place for all kinds of events, such as weddings and birthday parties. The Myanmar Ballroom is one of the biggest function spaces in the city.
Its lacquer-panelled doors open to an elegantly decorated room capable of hosting up to 480 people and the room comes with a full range of audio-visual equipment and other facilities.
CULINARY OFFERS
Sule Shangri-La, Yangon consistently provides delectable local and international cuisines. It has earned a reputation for excellent food, service and spectacular city views.
Café Sule is a newly renovated buffet restaurant that also offers a wide range of international a la carte items. The Gallery Bar is a cosy pub with great comfort food. The Peacock Lounge and Gourmet Shop offer a delicious variety of cakes, light snacks served with drinks and premium coffee.
Summer Palace, our signature restaurant, is located on the second floor and serves delectable and authentic Cantonese cuisine.
Finally, 24-hour room service is available daily.
Restaurants
Café Sule
Lobby Level Café Sule brings to Yangon a confluence of flavours and cultures presented by a team of international chefs. Enjoy the finest in Asian, international and Myanmar favourites at the rejuvenated Café Sule.
Operating hours: Breakfast 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. (Mon.-Fri.) / 6 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (Sat., Sun. and Public Holidays) Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.) Brunch 12 noon – 3 p.m. (Sat. and Sun.) Dinner 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Summer Palace Level 2
Summer Palace restaurant has recently been renovated and specialises in authentic Cantonese cuisine and offers delightful dim sum lunch choices, a wide range of live fish and seafood, a well-rounded a la carte menu and multi- course banquet dinner dishes.
Guests may enjoy all these in any of the restaurant’s six luxury private dining rooms. With over 15 years of exceptional culinary service, Summer Palace can touch your heart through its unique cuisine and amazing atmosphere.
Operating hours: Lunch 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Dinner 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Bar and Lounge Gallery Bar Gallery Bar & Restaurant is a great place to unwind at the end of the day. Stop by for Happy Hour any night to enjoy the full-service bar. Our range of imported beers goes well with the tempting tapas menu.
Operating hours: 1 p.m. – 1 a.m. daily 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Happy Hour daily
Peacock Lounge
The hotel’s iconic Peacock Lounge offers a wide range of a la carte dishes. Enjoy the sound of our resident pianist from Monday to Saturday, while sipping on a fresh fruit cocktail.
Operating hours: 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. Breakfast 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. High Tea 2:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Gourmet Shop The Gourmet Shop is located on the ground floor. It has a wide variety of homemade pastries, cakes, chocolates, baked goods and fresh bread that can be taken away or enjoyed on site with views of the city.
For those who need to dash, there are home-made take-away sandwiches, panini, pies and other snacks to be enjoyed with cold drinks or premium Italian coffee.
Operating hours: 7 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
In-Room Dining (24 hours)
EXPLORING THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Cityscape Yangon, the former capital of Burma, is famously known as the ‘garden of the east’ for its verdant and undulating greenery.
Located on a fertile delta, tropical trees shade Yangon’s many lakes and your first aerial view of the city will assure you of this fact. The age-old spirit of Buddhism permeates the city and the locals are charming and welcoming.
Yangon is an ode to its diverse history and the city’s architecture is an amalgamation of British, Burmese, Chinese and Indian influences.
Furthermore, it is well known for its colonial influences. As the main entrance to the country and its principal seaport, it is the hub of business activities, as well as government offices and non-government organisations.
Having had a reclusive past, Myanmar has achieved a unique preservation of culture set in a rich and untouched landscape. To visit this city is to step into the past, but that may all change very soon. There is no time like the present to visit.
Architecture: Downtown Yangon is known for its leafy avenues and turn- of- the-century architecture. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes it one of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating and authentic capitals.
The former British colonial capital has the highest number of colonial period buildings in Southeast Asia. Downtown Yangon is still mainly made up of decaying colonial buildings.
The former High Court, the former Secretariat buildings, the former St. Paul’s English High School and the Strand Hotel are excellent examples of a bygone era.
Climate: The climate is dominated by tropical monsoon. The city witnesses a long rainy season from May to September. October to April is primarily dry with a slight nip in the air and very little rainfall.
Sightseeing Pagodas
Shwedagon Pagoda:
All eyes must eventually rest on Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda. Located on a hillock, the beautiful pagoda overlooks the city and is a must-visit for anyone who comes to Yangon.
Legend has it that the pagoda was built 2,500 years ago and the present structure was erected in the 15th century. The stupa is about 100 metres high and its architectural elegance has a following amongst architects the world over.
It is the most revered Buddhist pagoda in all of Myanmar. The stupa is covered in gold leaf and valuable gems are believed to encrust its spire. The bells within the “umbrella” at the top chime in the wind and punctuate the tranquil setting.
Sule Pagoda:
The Sule Pagoda is our illustrious neighbour situated in the heart of downtown Yangon. It is at the centre of a historical cul de sac that comprises the Maha Bandoola Park, the Independence Monument, Town Hall and Supreme Court. Sule Pagoda is said to have been built over 2,000 years ago and enshrines a hair of the Buddha.
The golden pagoda is unusual for its octagonal shape continuing right up to the bell and inverted bowl. It stands 50 metres (152 feet) and is located at what is considered the centre of Yangon. Hence, it is difficult to get waylaid – all you must do is to ask for directions to Sule Pagoda.
Kaba Aye Pagoda:
Kaba aye in Myanmar means “world peace”, to which this pagoda is dedicated. Built in 1952 by former Prime Minister U-Nu, it is significant because of the Sixth World Buddhist Synod held here in 1954 at the artificial concrete grotto “Mahapasana” located in its premises.
It is also home to The International Buddhist Learning Centre that Buddhist scholars from around the world visit.
Chauk-Htat-Kyi Pagoda:
This 70-metre-long reclining Buddha on Shwe Gon Dine Road is one of the largest Buddha images in Myanmar. The wealthy merchant Sir- Phoe Tha first built it in 1907. Demolished in 1957, it took nine years to rebuild it. It is a good place to learn the 108 significant symbols of Buddha’s footprints.
Maha-wizaya Pagoda:
This pagoda was built for the commemoration of the First Successful congregation of the Sangha of All Orders held in 1980. This elegant Maha-wizaya Pagoda is a unique blend of traditional patterns and modern styles. The sanctuary contains the finely wrought Buddha image and the reliquary donated by the king and queen of Nepal.
Bo-Tahtaung Pagoda:
Bo means “military leader” and tahtaung means “one thousand”. Thus, the Bo-Tahtaung Pagoda was named after the thousand military leaders who escorted the relics of the “Buddha” brought from India over 2,000 years ago.
It is hollow inside and one can walk through it and a sort of mirrored maze inside the pagoda with glass showcases containing many of the ancient relics and artefacts sealed inside the earlier pagoda. Above this interesting interior, the golden pagoda spire rises to 40 metres.
Mai-Lamu Pagoda:
A wonderland of spire pagodas and sculptured figures located in North Okkalapa, a satellite town about a 20-minute drive from the city centre, Mai-Lamu Pagoda is famous for the giant images depicting Buddha’s earlier lives.
Museums: National Museum: The national museum is located on Pyay Road near the Diplomatic Quarter of Foreign Embassies. The present location is the museum’s third move since its creation in 1952.
Rich collections of various interesting objects are exposed in four floors of a big building. It opens from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on Mondays and public holidays. Entrance fee is US$5.
Gems Museum:
The gems museum is dedicated to precious Burmese gem stones. The museum is located on the third floor of a four-story building, located near KabaAye Pagoda Road. The Gems Mart at the Gems Museum consists of 82 stores on three floors, and sells high-quality raw and finished gem products, offering rubies, sapphires, pearls, jade and more.
The mart is open from 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday. The museum building is the site of semi-annual Myanmar Gems Emporium , attended by gems and jewellery merchants from around the world.
Parks, Gardens and Green Spaces:
National Races Village :
A place where the cultural diversity of Myanmar is represented. There are traditional houses of each race on display. There are 135 distinct ethnic groups officially and these are grouped into eight "major national ethnic races": Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Bamar, Rakhine and Shan. The culture, costume and traditional food of these eight national ethnic races can be found in the national races village.
People’s Square and People’s Park:
It occupies over 130 acres of land between Shwedagon Pagoda and Pyithu Hluttaw (Parliament). There is a museum housing life-size models of nationalities in their colourful dress, as well as flora and fauna. The restaurant serves Myanmar, Chinese and European cuisines. Opening hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Royal Kandawgyi:
Lake Kandawgyi Royal Lake is situated east of Shwedagon Pagoda. It was created by the British and is a good spot to relax with its shady trees and plants. Shwedagon Pagoda reflects in the restful waters of the lake. There are a lot of interesting places around the lake.
On its eastern part is the Karaweik floating restaurant made of concrete fully decorated with pilaster work. It is a replica of the Royal Barge with two mythical birds at forefront used by King Alongsithu of the Bagan Dynasty.
Bogyoke Aung San Park:
A scenic park with a lovely view of Kandawgyi Lake is located on Natmauk Road and close to Shwedagon Pagoda and Mahavijaya Pagoda.
This park is a popular recreation centre where city dwellers relax and enjoy their leisure time in peaceful tranquility. The playground and picnic areas are favourite spots of children and teenagers.
It is also a place to learn the different species of traditional medicinal plants, as well as a nursery for decorative plants and flowers. One can also buy fresh fruits, vegetables, antecedes and fertiliser for small plantations.
Zoological Garden:
Located near Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, the zoo is noted for its wild animals, flora and fauna, which have been brought in over the years since it opened in 1906. On weekends and public holidays, a snake dance and an elephant circus are performed for visitors. It is open daily from 8 a.m.
Hlawger Wildlife Park:
It is about a 45-minute drive from Yangon. The park, which covers 1650 acres of land and lake, is home to over 70 kinds of herbivorous animals and 90 species of birds. Aflock of migratory birds frequently visits the park. It is an ideal place for picnickers, naturalists, botanists and bird watchers.
Maha Bandoola Garden: This is a public park, located in downtown Yangon. The park is surrounded by some of the important buildings in the area such as the Sule Pagoda, the Yangon City Hall and the High Court.
The park is named after General Maha Bandula who fought against the British in the First Anglo- Burmese War (1824–1826), and includes the Independence Monument, an obelisk in commemoration of Burmese independence from the British in 1948.
The park is popular with tai chi practitioners in the morning and evening.
Market:
Bogyoke Aung San Market (formerly Scott’s Market):
The market is a major bazaar located in the Pabedan township of downtown Yangon. Known for its colonial architecture and inner cobblestone streets, it is a major tourist destination dominated by antique Myanmar handicraft and jewellery shops, art galleries and clothing stores.
The market also has a number of stores for local shoppers that sell medicine, food, garments and foreign goods. It opens from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Mondays and public holidays.
Than Zay:
Located in Latha Township which is also known as Chinatown and the varieties of fresh fruits, flowers and vegetables as well as meat and fishes can be available at the market.
Others:
Meditation Centres: Some of the famous meditation Centres in Yangon are the Mahasi Meditation Center, Bahan Township; the International Meditation Center; Chanmyay Yeiktha Meditation Center, Panditarama Meditation Center and Society for Propagation of Vipassana Mogoke Sayadaw’s Way. These centres offer facilities for full-time meditation.
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