The Kandawgyi Palace, resting on the shores of the tranquil Kandawgyi Lake (Royal Lake).

The original Kandawgyi building was opened in1934 as the Rangoon Rowing Club. Membership in those days was restricted to foreigners and their invited guests. Soon after its opening, England's Prince Edward visited the club before traveling up country to Pagan.

During the time of the Japanese occupation from 1943 to 1945, the Building was used As a Maternity Hospital managed by the city's Welfare Department. After 1948 the Rowing Club was abolished. It re-opened as the Union Club of Burma, frequented by Burmese government officials and their guests. Many westerners who were living in Burma returned to their own countries during the years leading up to 1964.

It was around this time that the Union Club became the National Biological Museum, Exhibiting a variety of stuffed animals. If you visit the Kandawgyi Gardens you can still see a lone Dinosaur standing tall amid our trees near the swimming pool.

It wasn't until around 1979 that the ministry of Hotel and Tourism decided to take Over the Museum and turn it into a hotel. In 1985 ten private bungalows were added to the Hotel. Sitting by the shores of the Lake, they became Yangon's most popular Quarters for frequent visitors.

The new Lakeside Wing which you see today was designed to blend in with the nature. All the original trees, some of which are over 100 years old, in their original state. Seven thousand tons of local Golden Teak Wood was used in the creation of the hotel. The wood, the trees and the lake carefully blends the beauty of Burmese architecture and design with all of the modern comforts of any international standard hotel. The original Kandawgyi Building will, of course remain and has been restored so that both local residents and visitors can experience a unique mix of eastern and western cultures.