Thanlyin

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Thanlyin, formerly Syriam, is a city in Yangon Division in Myanmar (Burma). It is located on the Ayeyarwady River, and is a major port.

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[edit] History

In the late 1500s, Thanlyin was the base of the Portuguese adventurer, Philip de Brito. It is located on the Bago River. Officially a trade representative from Arakan, he established himself as a local warlord from his base at Thanlyin, and hired his forces on occasion to the Mon in their battles against the Burmese. However, in 1599 he unleashed his army against Bago, which he sacked. Captured by the Burmese in 1613, he was executed by impalement – a punishment reserved for defilers of Buddhist temples. Thanlyin continued to be a major port until it was destroyed by King Alaungpaya in 1756 during the Mon revolt.

The Portuguese and Eurasian survivors of de Brito's band were taken to the villages of Monhla and Chantha near Shwebo. Called bayin ji (great kings), their fair-haired, European featured descendants still live in these villages, but have become assimilated to the surrounding Bamar.

[edit] Transport

Thanlyin is the site of a proposed deep sea port with an associated railway branch line. One of the main terminal called International Terminal Thilawa siturated in it and other major point is the Yangon-Thanlyin Bridge built by People Republic of China.

[edit] Points of Interest

Thanlyin is home to the Kyauktan Ye Le Pagoda, which lies approximately 12 miles south of the city on a small island. This unusual temple was built under king Zeyasana in the third century B.C.E. The temple hosts an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures and other fine demonstrations of Burmese Buddhist artwork and craftsmanship.

[edit] References

Coordinates: 16°45′57″N, 96°14′52″E