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The Shwedagon Pagoda is the symbol of Yangon and one of the most famous temples of Myanmar. You cannot miss this impressive golden monument on your arrival in the former capital of Myanmar.
According to legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda contains relics of 4 different Buddhas, including eight hairs of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism in India, making it one of the most sacred temples of Myanmar. The pagoda would have been built during his lifetime, that is to say in the 6th century BC. However, modern archaeologists agree that it was likely constructed between the 6th and the 10th century.
In addition to the 72 smaller pagodas on the site, the main pagoda rises 98m high and houses a 76-carat emerald at its summit. Shwedagon Pagoda is plated with gold and at night, is lit up in a spectacular golden aura. Surrounded by hundreds of monks, a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda is an excellent opportunity for you to observe the devotion of the Burmese, in a serene and mystical atmosphere against the backdrop of the sunset.
The Bagan Archaeological Zone is not a monument but rather a compound that brings together several thousand temples and monuments over an archaeological area of just over 100 km2. Today, there are still more than 2000 pagodas, temples and stupas remaining that you can discover, some of which were built more than 1000 years ago. The most popular sites are Ananda Temple and its 55m high gold-covered stupa, the Shwezigon Pagoda, dating from the 11th century and the Dhammazedi Temple which resembles a pyramid - all must-see temples of Myanmar.
Another way to experience the temples of Bagan is by hot air balloon, which allows you to admire a stunning view accentuated by the contrast of colours: the green of nature and the ochre of the ancient temples. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, it is nevertheless still quite expensive, so we recommend getting lost in the archaeological site by silent electric scooter. This gives you complete freedom to discover and explore some of the most spectacular ancient temples of Myanmar at your own pace, and find a private place to watch the sunset over the Bagan pagodas: a unique and unmissable experience during your trip to Myanmar.
To take a break from traditional pagodas and temples of Myanmar, we recommend that you visit the impressive Shweinbin Monastery in the Mandalay region. Dating from the 16th century, it was originally built entirely in teak. Alas, a fire in 1821 largely burned it. Aware of the religious importance of the site as well as its beauty, it was rebuilt in 1834 during the reign of King Bagyidaw. About 300 teak trunks were needed to build this 57-meter-high wooden monument. Take your time strolling through this peaceful place and admire the intricate wood carvings on the interior while savoring the peace and tranquility on this timeless visit.
Located 10 km from Mandalay, this pagoda is the Buddhist representation of Mount Meru. Unlike most of the large golden pagodas in Myanmar, it is the whiteness of the temple that will dazzle you, making it one of the more unusual temples of Myanmar. The architecture is also different from from what can normally be observed. Several strata follow one another like waves, representing the seven mountains surrounding Mount Meru, a mythical mountain considered as the axis of the world in Persian, Buddhist, Jain and especially Hindu mythologies. This is also a great opportunity for you to visit the famous unfinished pagoda of Mingun, a hundred meters from that of Hsinbyume.
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