Karaweik

Karaweik (Burmese: ကရဝိက် ဖောင် [kəɹəweɪʔ pʰàʊɰ̃]) or Karaweik Hall is a structure and landmark on the eastern shore of Kandawgyi Lake, Yangon, Burma.

Karaweik Palace
ကရဝိတ်နန်းတော်
Karaweik Palace on Kandawgyi Lake
General information
Type	Cultural hall, restaurant, event venue
Architectural style	Traditional Burmese architecture
Location	Kandawgyi Lake, Yangon, Myanmar
Address	Kandawgyi Lake, Nat Mauk Road, Yangon, Myanmar
Coordinates	16.7986°N 96.1657°E / 16.7986; 96.1657
Construction started	1972
Completed	1974; 51 years ago (1974)
Client	Government of Myanmar
Owner	Private leaseholder (since late 1990s)
Technical details
Floor area	82 by 39 metres (269 ft × 128 ft)
Known for	Landmark

Etymology

The word karaweik comes from Pali karavika (ကရဝီက), which is a mythical bird with a melodious cry.

History

Karaweik at night time

The structure commissioned by General Ne Win, who was inspired by a Burmese pavilion displayed at the Expo '70 in Osaka, which in turn was modeled after the Pyigyimon royal barge used by Mandalay’s royal court.^[1]

The barge was designed by Burmese architect U Ngwe Hlaing, designed to appear as if floating on the lake’s surface, with an ornate design featuring mythical karaweik birds at the bow and a seven-tiered pyatthat roof reflecting traditional Burmese architecture.^[1] The barge was constructed as a two-storied construction of concrete and stucco, reinforced by iron rods, with a pyatthat-topped roof, two reception halls and a conference room.^[2] Construction began in June 1972 and it was finished in October 1974.^[3][4]

During the 8888 Uprising, it served as a safe haven for monks from nearby monasteries.^[1] Managed by the Ministry of Trade until the 1990s, it was later leased to a private operator.^[1]