Kandawgyi at Dawn
Yangon,
Myanmar
Kandawgyi Lake - literally "great royal lake", formerly Royal Lake, is one of two major lakes in Yangon. Located east of the Shwedagon Pagoda, the lake is artificial; water from Inya Lake is channelled through a series of pipes to Kandawgyi Lake. It was created to provide a clean water supply to the Cantonment (modern-day downtown) of Yangon during British colonial administration and it remains an oasis in a sometimes crowded city.
One of the nicest and affordable hotels in Yangon is the Kandawgyi Palace situated on the lake. Breakfast buffet is a little more than eggs and toast and each morning you are treated to sunrise over the lake.
Many burmese take their morning exercise by walking the long wooden bridge that spans the lake. (see tip)