The most extraordinary temples in Myanmar for your references

To be regarded as the “Temples land”, sure that Myanmar will treat you well if you need “heritage and culture” in your system. From the forgotten temples located in the heart of Bagan to the most popular pagodas in Yangon, here are the most unbelievable temples and pagodas to visit on your Myanmar trip.

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is surely the most popular destination for both locals and travelers. This over 2,500-year-old temple is one of the holiest relics in the country, as it apparently enshrines strands of Buddha’s hair. The base of the stupa is made of bricks covered with gold plates. Above the base are terraces that only monks and other males can access. Next is the bell-shaped part of the stupa. Above that is the turban, then the inverted alms-bowl, inverted and upright lotus petals, the banana bud and then the umbrella crown.

Shwesandaw Pagoda, Bagan

Sitting in the heart of the heritage land Bagan, Shwesandaw Pagoda looks really alike to an Egypt pyramid. Made up of five terraces, the Shwesandaw Pagoda stands at almost 100 meters tall and is one of these most memorable Buddhist pagodas here. This is also a temple that attracts a lot of visitors every day. According to legend, Shwesandaw was built by King Anawrahta in 1057 to house the eight strands of the Buddha. Standing on the top of the temple, travelers will have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular sunset and sunrise view of Bagan.

Sule Pagoda, Yangon

Sule Pagoda is located not far from the center of historic Yangon, at the junction of Sule Pagoda Road and Mahabandoola Road. According to legend, this sacred temple has a really long history, with the age of about 2500-year-old, and also be where one of the 8 Buddha’s hairs retained. It is the first structure attracting visitor eyes when approaching the city, with the pointed shimmers shine sparkly under the sunlight at day and light up fabulously at night. The interior details of Sule Pagoda are really impressive with elaborately carved details that are able to keep surprising visitors.

Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun

Hsinbyume Pagoda looks like a “snow-white” beauty lying on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. The pagoda is totally painted in white and is modeled on the physical description of the Buddhist mythological mountain, Mount Meru. It was built in 1816 during the reign of King Bagyidaw of the Konbaung dynasty. The pagoda’s architectural style is very different from other pagodas in Burma. The base of the structure shaped like circular terraces is a representation of the seven mountain ranges surrounding Mount Meru, the center of the universe in Buddhist cosmology. And believe or not, your Instagram will be treated very well as no pagoda is more photogenic than this pagoda.

Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U

The Shwezigon Pagoda is one of the oldest and most impressive monuments of Bagan. Most noticeable is the huge gold-plated pagoda glimmering in the sun. The design of the Shwezigon Pagoda has been copied many times across Burma over the centuries. Located on the outskirts of Nyaung-U, it was constructed during the reign of King Anawrahta, who was also the founder of the Bagan Empire. The pagoda was completed, however, by his son, King Kyanzittha. The main stupa is 49 meters tall and 49 meters wide at its base with four smaller additional stupas around the pagoda’s edges.