Karaweik Hall

Karaweik Hall sits at the water's edge on the eastern shore of Kandawgyi Lake, off Kan Yeiktha Road in Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar. The building is a concrete-and-gold replica of a royal barge shaped like the karaweik, a mythical bird from Burmese tradition, and its multi-tiered golden spires rise above a hull that appears to float on the lake. It was completed in the 1970s as a modern interpretation of the royal barges once used on the country's rivers. Inside, the hall functions as a banquet and function venue, and the main draw for visitors is the dinner buffet paired with a cultural show of traditional Burmese music and dance, usually in the evening. Entry to the building costs about 3,000 to 5,000 MMK (about $0.70 to $1.15), and the dinner package costs extra, so visitors should verify current prices. A visit without dinner takes about an hour, and dinner with the show takes two to three hours. The exterior is the main attraction for photographers. The best angles are from the lakeside path at dusk, when the gold catches the last light and reflects in the water, and from the western boardwalk, which gives a view across the lake with Shwedagon behind. Interiors are decorated in a lavish style, though some visitors find the food ordinary and the show more about atmosphere than authenticity. Evenings are the busiest, and tour groups often arrive for dinner. Mornings are quiet but the hall may be closed to non-diners at times. Taxis from downtown cost about 3,000 to 5,000 MMK. Visitors should dress neatly for dinner and reserve in advance during peak season.