Karaweik Hall

Also sometimes referred to as Karaweik Palace, Karaweik Hall is an impressive sight when visiting the glistening Kandawgyi Lake.  It is a very popular tourist attraction in Yangon.

Highlighted Architecture

Karaweik hall has been designed to resemble a royal boat, with two graceful birds and a highly ornate and detailed roof.  The front of the boat looks like a karaweik, a mythological bird from Burmese folklore and legends.  It has a golden ball in its beak.  The rear of the boat is the bird’s tail.  Golds and reds are the main colours and a statue of a spirit sits on top of the tail. There is a small stupa, and whilst the structure is an impressive sight by day, at night time it is illuminated rather enchantingly.  The lights shimmer and shine off the water creating a really magical vision of loveliness.
It is a very modern creation, and one that cannot help but impress all those who set eyes upon it.  Despite looking like wood from a distance, it is actually made out of concrete that has been covered in gold gilding.  
Although the structure looks like a boat sitting on the water, many guests are surprised to learn that it is actually a fixed structure that is firmly anchored in place.

Visiting Guide

You can admire this elegant structure from the boardwalk that winds its way around the lake.  If you do want to go inside you will find theatres, restaurants, grand halls, and conferring suites.  It is a lot bigger inside than it appears from the outside, proving that appearances really can be deceptive.  There are also displays about traditional Burmese arts, crafts, and clothing.  The cuisine is varied and wide selections of performances are staged here, including dance shows and puppetry.  There is a fee to go inside and performances and dinners naturally cost more.  You must also pay a small charge to walk along the boardwalk.
It is advised that visitors wear smart attire to go to one of the shows or performances to avoid feeling out of place – many visitors like to dress up for an evening inside this splendid attraction.