The economic hub and gateway to Myanmar, Yangon is mild and green with lush tropical trees, shady parks and picturesque lakes. Yangon, founded as Dagon in the early 11th century, was a small fishing village centred around the Shwedagon Pagoda. King Alaungpaya renamed it Yangon after conquering the city in 1755. The name Yangon, which means “end of strife”, was changed to Rangoon during British colonial rule. In 1989, the city’s name reverted to Yangon.