No one can really and neither should they avoid Myanmar’s former capital – Yangon – one of the two international getaways (with Mandalay) and the main hub for internal transport! Most travelers flock to Yangon, the Myanmar’s largest city to soak up its atmosphere and sample its range of attractions, from surprisingly modern art scene to its century-old pagodas! Indochina travel Myanmar
It is obvious that Myanmar is well worth its name: the Land of Pagodas and Yangon happens to be home to some of the greatest ones of this city. Your visit to this city cannot be complete without hopping around the impressive temples and paying your respect to thousands of Buddhas: standing, sitting and sleeping – you can find them all there!
Shwedagon Pagoda
Shwedagon Pagoda- source: internet
Shwedagon Pagoda should be the gem of Yangon in particular and the entire country in general. Chances are, travelers have come to Yangon just to feast their eyes on this wonderful stupa made of rubies, diamonds and gold. Shwedagon, which is the Myanmar’s most sacred Buddhist site, is set on a hill and dominates the Yangon’s skyline, which means that it can be admired from almost anywhere in the city. To get access to this temple, travelers have to leave their shoes at the bottom of one of the four big staircases circling the temple, pay the entrance fee of $8 and climb the total of 166 steps to reach the principal platform. Upon arrival, you could be surprised by the sheer size of this complex: the stupa in the center is surrounded by 64 smaller ones, and an even larger number of shrines!
Just before sunset is the best time to visit Shwedagon: not only does this mean you will not burn your feet on the floor tiles, but also that you can catch spectacular views and snapshots of the complex in fading light, daylight and even in the dark! Before going, remember to see what day of the year on which you were born so you can come there and join in with the pilgrims, as in the Myanmar Buddhist tradition, and water your birthday animal and Buddha (seven times each!). It is believed to bring you good luck. Myanmar tour packages
An unexpected fun for Internet addicts is that there is free wifi in Shwedagon! However, as the connection is limited to 45 minutes per user, don’t expect to set up office there!
Sule Pagoda
Sule Pagoda – source: internet
While not anywhere near as great as Shwedagon, the second-most famous pagoda in Yangon makes it outstanding mainly for its location: being bang in the center of the historical center, creating the roundabout for two of the main axes of this city. You only miss it without trying!
This makes for beautiful pictures of the urban scenery, and while a visit is not completely crucial, you should certainly walk around the pagoda to peek into these small shops located at its base: Internet cafés, mobile phones, money exchange service and fortune-telling, etc. It is possible to find pretty much anything there! Getting inside Sule Pagoda and you may be entertained by the choreographed ballet of sweepers cleaning the temple’s floors and the funfair-like Buddhas coiffed with electric lights as well!
Botataung Pagoda
Botataung Pagoda- source: internet
Even though you might be sick of pagodas by then, for a slightly different experience of Yangon’s temples, it is highly recommended to head to Botataung Pagoda, Yangon’s riverside religious complex. Coming there, you will be allowed to see the entrails of the stupa to enjoy one of the holiest shrines in Myanmar, which is supposed to boast relics of the Buddha’s hair. If you want to lose yourself in a maze-like structure that will deliver you from one room crammed with golden treasures to another, before unexpectedly taking you back to your starting point, it is also well worth stepping inside Botataung!
Walk up to the jetty next to the Pagoda to make the most of your trip to the Botataung area. This is the best place to catch a closer glimpse of the river daily life and the colorful fishermen’s boats even though Yangon’s downtown riverfront is generally not much of a sight.
Ngahtatgyi Paya- source: internet
Featuring plenty religious sites beyond the Big 3, all having something unique to offer, Yangon can satisfy even travelers who are a hardcore temple addict and want to experience more Buddhaliciousness.
Two of popular favorites are Ngahtatgyi Paya, which is home to a 5-storey Sitting Buddha and Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses a 16 meter high and 65 meter long Reclining Buddha (bigger than Wat Pho in Thailand, as the Burmese say).
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