Toungoo

Taungoo, also spelled Toungoo, is a city in central Myanmar, the administrative center of Taungoo District and Taungoo Township in Bago Region. Located in the central lowlands about 250 kilometers north of Yangon, it serves as an inland transport and commercial hub.

Historically, Taungoo rose to prominence as the capital of the Taungoo Dynasty in the 16th century, under rulers such as Mingyi Nyo, Tabinshwehti, and Bayinnaung. The dynasty united the Burmese kingdoms and expanded control over large parts of Southeast Asia, creating an empire that was one of the most powerful in the region at the time.

In the modern era, Taungoo is a regional trading and transport hub within Bago Region, connected by road and rail to Yangon and Mandalay. Its economy centers on agriculture—rice and other crops—as well as forestry and small-scale manufacturing.

Culturally, the town contains Buddhist temples and monasteries and retains colonial-era architecture; local markets and festivals reflect Burmese traditions. The surrounding area is rural, with communities that participate in regional commerce and agriculture. Taungoo’s historical role as a center of Burmese power in the 16th century remains a key aspect of its identity, even as the city functions within contemporary Myanmar’s administrative and economic framework.