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Shwedagon pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma). Photo by Sigma415

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Shwedagon Pagoda

The Shwedagon Pagoda (Burmese: 醼涐�结�踞�贬�愥��醼傖��醼夺�樶��醼涐��醼�; MLCTS: hrwe ti. gum bhu. ra:, IPA: [蕛w猫d蓹伞貌蕣砂虄 p拾蓹j谩]); Mon: 醼�醼会��醼横�掅�傖��醽氠��; officially named Shwedagon Zedi Daw (Burmese: 醼涐�结�踞�贬�愥��醼傖��醼夺�呩�贬�愥��醼愥�贬��醼�, [蕛w猫d蓹伞貌蕣砂虄 z猫d矛d蓴虁], lit.

‘Golden Dagon Pagoda’) and also known as the Great Dagon Pagoda and the Golden Pagoda is a gilded stupa located in Yangon, Myanmar.

The Shwedagon is Myanmar’s greatest divine Buddhist temple, as it is said to house the artifacts of the four previous Buddhas of the current kalpa. These artifacts encompass of Kakusandha’s staff, Kogamana’s water filter, a piece of Kassapa’s robe, and eight strands of hair from Gautama’s head.

The 112 m (367 ft) tall pagoda, constructed on the 51-metre (167 ft) high Singuttara Hill, stands 170 m (560 ft) above sea level and dominates the Yangon skyline.

The Shwedagon’s significance in the city’s skyline is ensured by Yangon’s zoning regulations, which limit constructing heights to 127 meters (417 feet) above sea level (75 percent of the temple’s sea level height).

1.Shwedagon Temple is situated on a hill

The Shwedagon Pagoda is known as Myanmar’s pride and rightfully so. When you get to Yangon, you can’t help noticing the greatness of this temple complex, which gleams in the background in the city’s heart. It is constructed on a high point, so you will notice it from afar as you travel around Yangon.

2.The legend and some background information

According to legend, it was constructed over 2600 years ago and is the world’s oldest Buddhist monument. The Temple houses important holy artifacts from four previous Buddhas. The artifacts include a few strands of Gautama Buddha’s hair, a water filter from Kogamana, a piece of Kassapa’s robe, and the staff of Kakusandha.

3.One of the artifacts that was found there was some hair

Majestic view of the temple at night. Photo by Road Trip with Raj –

According to legend, two brothers from the old town of Balkh (modern-day Afghanistan) had the chance to meet Lord Gautama Buddha while he was still alive and received eight of the Buddha’s hairs. With the assistance of King Okkalapa of Burma, the brothers decided to travel to Myanmar (then known as Burma) and discovered Singuttara Hill. This is where the artifacts are kept.

4.Destruction, Damage, and Repair

Some many Burmese kings and queens were involved in bringing up the stupa’s height. The temple complex withstood countless earthquakes, but the most significant damage was caused by an earthquake in 1768, which brought down the temple’s roof. It was later escalated to its current height of 99 meters by King Hsinbyushin (325 ft).

5.All that Glitters – Gold and Gems from the Shwedagon Buddhist temple

This 325ft (99 meters) stupa, which is plated with 8688 sheets of gold and sparkles in the day light and glitters at night, is a stunning sight to behold. Oh, and it’s encrusted with over 7000 diamonds and precious gems such as rubies, sapphires, topaz, and a humongous emerald. The emerald is said to reflect the last rays of the sun as it sets. The crown is crowned by a diamond bud known as’sein bu,’ which holds a 74-carat diamond.

6.As a first time traveller this is how to get there…

Shwedagon Pagoda Road, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma). Photo by Laurentiu Morariu

The best way to get there is to take a local bus. Ask the bus driver from one of the bus stations. Even if they don’t speak English, they will comprehend “Shwedagon Pagoda” and will nod for you to enter. The bus ticket only cost MMK 100.

You can also hail a taxi from any location in the city.

7.This is what you should wear when visiting Shwedagon Pagoda

It is an unspoken rule in South East Asia not to wear shorts when going to visit a temple, but I was surprised to see a few visitors who happened to be uninformed. So, no worries!

If they realize a tourist wearing shorts at the entrance, they refuse to let them in until they purchase the traditional Burmese sarong-like dress – longyi. You can dress modestly in pants or a maxi dress.

San was wearing long shorts that reached his knees, however he had to buy a longyi as well. It was amusing that it happened exactly after we shared significant glances, when some other visitors were stopped by security personnel for wearing extremely short shorts.

8.Hours of operation and the best time to visit

The hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you’re an early bird, come while it’s still dark to catch a spectacular sunrise. Even so, for slackers like me, the ideal time to go for a tour is around 4 p.m., so you can experience it during the day, watch the sunset, and see how it glitters when darkness falls.

9.Key aspects of the Shwedagon Pagoda:  The Front Doors and The backside

There are four entrances with stairs leading to the temple on Singuttara Hill. Each entrance is guarded by two massive mythical lion-like creatures (leogryphs). These stairwells are teeming with vendors selling Buddha gods, tiny paper umbrellas, flowers, good luck charms, and a variety of other gift items.

The pagoda is stunning from every angle. Nevertheless, you can spend the majority of your time in the back area, which was mostly empty and proved to be an excellent photo opportunity. You will  also spot a huge gong in this area.

10.Key aspects of the Shwedagon Pagoda: Planetary Posts and Day Shrines and Bells

Shwedagon Pagoda Eastern Steps, Rangoun, Myanmar (Birmanie). Photo by Sacha Gregoire

This Pagoda’s octagonal base has a post on each corner displaying the day of the week. Wednesday is divided into two shrines, one for the morning and one for the evening. The majority of visitors pray at the shrine representing the day of their birth.

Inside this pagoda, there are 1485 bells of various sizes and weights. It’s lovely when so many of them chime together in the evening as the sun sets. Shwedagon once housed the Great Bell of Dhammazedi, the biggest bell in known history. A Portuguese warlord, nevertheless, stole it. Nevertheless, the weight of the bell caused his ship to sink.