Yangoon - Shwedagon Paya - Burma Travel Information

Burma - Destiations

I did not find Yangoon, Burma's capital to be very interesting, apart of the amazing Shwedagon temple, but Yangoon is still on the way of almost every traveler in Burma.

Shwedagon Paya

Shwedagon temple is situated in the center of Yangoon. Among the many temples that are scattered in Burma, Shwedagon is the holiest and each Burmese will aspire to visit it at least once in his life. During sunrise and sunset the place turns magical and its golden structures are being colored in red and yellow. The visit in the place enables to meet the locals that walk around the temples wearing their best clothes with a peaceful look on their faces.

The Zedi which is a big golden dome in the center of the temple, rises up to 98 meters above the square.

The legend tells that the main structure in the place is 2500 years old, but the archeologists claim that it was probably built between the 6th to 10th centuries.

The story of the temple starts with 2 traders that met Buddha on their way and he gave them 8 hairs of his head hairs to take with them to Burma. Together with the local king and the good spirits the traders found a place with other hidden remains of Buddha and put everything inside a temple and built the pagoda on top of it.

Costs and Technical Issues

The visit in the temple requires $5 entrance fee, which will be collected by inspectors walking around the temple. If you wish to take photos, you will need to pay extra $3- photography fee.

Hours

To completely enjoy Shwedagon temple, it is recommended to leave the hotel when it is still dark and to watch the sunrise in the temple, as the rising sun slowly colors the temple in orange. The early hour has an effect also on the believers in the temple and the atmosphere is very unique. Also in sunset the place is beautiful but not as in sunrise.

Getting There

The temple is within 30 minutes walk from the area where most backpackers are staying. To get to the temple you should walk on Shwedagon Paya Rd.