The People’s Square and People’s Park is one of the major parks in Yangon and which is near to the west side entrance of the Shwedagon Pagoda and the Yangon Regional Parliament & Regional Government Office Building. The park was first opened in 1990 and it is renovated by a private company in 2011. The whole area is around 135 acres. It is surrounded by the U Wisara Road to its East, Pyay Road to its West, Ahlone Road to its South and Dhammazedi to its North. There is also a large pond, the treetop observation platforms linked with the hanging bridges, discharged Myanmar Airways Fokker F27, a fighter jet and the old steam train in the park. Around 72 species of trees, 12 species of bamboo, 50 species of bushes and vines, fruit trees, medicinal herbs and 17000 flowering plants native to different parts of the country are planted in this park.

The northwest corner of the park is the Natural World Amusement Park, beside that park is the Water Park, the north side entrance there is a Happy Zone Amusement Area, the northeast corner is the Revolution Park (the former parade ground) which normally open to the public except on the Armed Forces Day and other military events for military parades. The People’s Square area is taking over around 70 acres. It has many trees, plants, flowers and the lovely fountain with the white elephants in the main center area connecting the Parliament Building towards the Shwedagon Pagoda. Many events such as International Yoga Day event, lighting festivals, Night markets, sports events, promotion events and the National events such as ceremonies of Independence Day, Union Day, and National Day are also held in this compound.

The People’s Square and People’s Park opens daily from 7am to 10pm daily except National Holidays and other event days but there will be many people in the very early morning (around 5am) who came to do the morning exercises, yoga and dances. There are many groups such as Yoga groups, Tai Chi groups, Dance groups, Zumba groups and most of them are free to join by anyone. There are also the outdoor fitness facilities and equipment at the Southeast corner of the compound and anyone can enjoy those for free. The entrance fees within the operating hours costs 300 Kyats per person for the citizens and 3 USD per person for the foreigners but it is free from the very early morning till 8am in the morning. The camera fees will be 3 USD and the video camera fees is 6 USD. In the People’s Square and People’s Park compound, there are many restaurants such as Shwe Kaung Hot Pot, My Garden Restaurant, Western Park Ruby Restaurant, Cyclo Vietnamese Restaurant, Ko Kant Kou Fu Restaurant, Keco Hotpot and Snacks and so on. The park is usually crowded during the weekends with families and couples.

The Planetarium Museum

The museum is situated in the People’s Square and People’s Park compound and which is near to the South entrance located at the Ahlone Road (Opposite of Summit Parkview Hotel). It is a dome-shaped building which was built in 1987 and donated by the Japan Government. It is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and open to public on 4th January 1987. The objective of the Planetarium is to give the knowledge of the space phenomenon to the children, students and youths of Myanmar. Because of the assistance of this Planetarium's Precision Circle Apparatus, the visitors can study the past and future of 12000 years periods from the astronomy point of view. You can enjoy the half-hour “Star Show” which projected on the domed planetarium’s ceiling. It opens from 10am to 3pm daily except Monday and the public holidays and the entrance fee costs 2 USD (adults & children) per person.

The Yangon Gallery

The Yangon Gallery (www.theyangongallery.com) is situated near the Planetarium in the People’s Square and People’s Park compound. It is established in 2014 and organizes many kind of events in all art forms such as painting, fashion, photography, music, film, documentary and literature. It is the biggest art space in Yangon which can host all artistic platforms. There is also the Gallery Café which is just next to the Yangon Gallery. It serves the freshly brewed coffee, sandwiches and pastries. It opens daily from 10 am to 6 pm.

Myanmar Culture Valley

Myanmar Culture Valley (MCV) was opened in July 2014 and which is situated at in the People’s Square and People’s Park compound near to the east entrance (at U Wisara Road). It is planned to serve as a one-stop shopping center with a total of 150 shops, restaurants, café, beauty salons, banks, currency exchange counters, ATMs and so on. The shops sell a wide range of products such as ornamental handicraft, many kinds of precious jewelry, Myanmar traditional clothes, bags, and shoes, souvenir goods, cosmetics, books as well as a variety of consumer goods. There are many restaurants offering the delicious foods and drinks. “Happy Café and Noodle” is famous for its variety of noodles from different parts of Myanmar. “YKKO Kyay Oh & BBQ” is one of the popular chain restaurants specializes in Kyay Oh (thin rice noodles with marinated meat balls, eggs and green bok choy). “Ayam Penyet AP Restaurant” is the Traditional Indonesian restaurant and AP Smashed Fried Chicken is one of their popular dishes. “Pan Swe Taw” offers Chinese and Thai cuisines, “Frolick Myanmar” offers Fruit smoothie, Ice Cream, Yogurt & Coffee and “Smiley Pork Stick” offers Chinese food, pork stick and specialty pig’s strotters soup. “Potato Break” is one of the well-known fast food restaurants and which offers the young people’s favorites such as heavy Cheese Fries, Honey Mustard Fries, Cheese Pizza Fries, Butter Chicken Poutine, Steak & Cheese and Double Cheese Bacon. “The Pizza Company”, Bangkok based franchise restaurants with focus on pizza and Italian-American cuisines. Myanmar Culture Valley is ideal place for those who wish to have a good time together with their families and friends to eat tasty foods, do shopping or find some local souvenirs. It opens daily from 9 am to 9 pm.