After years of waiting, Myanmar’s first major aquarium has announced an opening date for sometime next year.
Based on five acres of Yangon’s Kandawgyi Park, the Myanmar Aquarium promises to exhibit freshwater and saltwater species from across Myanmar.
For the first time in the country’s history, there was even word of sharks being on show in the two-storey structure, but a state media report today made no mention of the predators.
Designed by Singapore-based urban architects Subana, the project broke ground in October 2014 and has since been beset by a series of delays.
These included an abortive attempt to gain permission to cut down trees at the site, and the need to install higher-quality equipment than previously planned.
Myanmar Aquarium Company Limited is building the attraction, as approved by Yangon’s regional government.
Mottama Holdings, a company owned by Myanmar-Chinese entrepreneur Yang Ho, is also driving the venture—one of its nine recreational, residential, office and retail projects in Yangon that total US$1 billion in value.
Tin Maung Tun of Mottama Holdings told state media that underwater tunnels would pass through the aquarium. He said tickets to the attraction would be “affordable” with discounts for students and a “different admission price for foreigners.”
Information on the fish will be included at each of the aquarium’s 20 exhibitions.
Touted as “the most anticipated tourist attraction in Myanmar” back in 2014, soon Yangonites may finally see whether it lives up to the hype. Stay tuned for more details over the coming months.
