/countries/show/myanmar/1.rss en-us If you’re planning a trip to Yangon, Myanmar’s former capital, a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda is most likely already on your itinerary. But if you happen to arrive in the city without yet having heard of the ancient and highly important Buddhist temple, the enormous gleaming gold pagoda atop Singuttara Hill in central Yangon is hard to miss. Visible from all parts of the city, Shwedagon Pagoda’s massive gold-covered stupa dominates the skyline, but is even more magnificent up close. Once at Shwedagon you’ll find there is much more to the temple than its immense stupa, which is surrounded by many smaller gold spires and shrines. A leisurely stroll amidst Shwedagon Pagoda’s shining spires is the best way to appreciate the Pagoda’s beauty. To the Burmese people, Shwedagon is the most sacred Buddhist site in Myanmar (previously known as Burma), housing significant religious relics including eight strands of The Buddha’s hair. But when exactly Shwedagon Pagoda was built has been heavily debated. Some stories place Shwedagon at 2,500 years old, although modern archaeologists believe it was constructed sometime between the 6th and 10th centuries. Over time, Shwedagon has been damaged by earthquakes, war, foreign occupation and pillagers, but rebuilt again and again by devotees. Today, Shwedagon Pagoda stands proudly over Yangon at 98 metres high, and is covered in pure gold donated by monarchs and Buddhist devotees. Over many years, worshipers have left behind offerings of precious gems and jewellery which have been used to adorn Shwedagon’s stupa. Presently, the pagoda bears 5,448 diamonds, 2,317 rubies, and thousands of gold and silver bells, sapphires and other gemstones—and is topped with a massive 76-carat diamond. Visitors can view close-up photos of these peculiar decorations—which are too high up to be seen with the naked eye—in a museum display inside the temple. Several entrances lead up to the pagoda, and as per Buddhist custom, all visitors must remove their shoes when stepping inside. Once inside Shwedagon’s walls, hundreds of smaller gold spires, shrines, and statues surround the towering main stupa, making for a great glistening maze to wander—which is customary to do in a clockwise direction. With nearly every surface decorated, there is plenty to take in inside the pagoda: statues of animals and The Buddha, ornate bells large and small, intricately carved spires, not to mention getting lost among the monks and pilgrims wandering and kneeling at the shrines on the cool, tiled floors of the complex. As approximately 89 percent of Burmese are Buddhists, making a visit to Shwedagon at some point during your lifetime is highly important for many of the local population. Even if you’re not Buddhist, it’s easy to spend a few hours exploring Shwedagon Pagoda, and quietly absorbing its peacefulness. Throughout the day, the changing light transforms the temple’s appearance, and many who visit during the day return to snap photos at night as well, when lit candles around the Pagoda add yet another layer of shining magnificence to Shwedagon. Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:15:41 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/shwedagon-pagoda http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/shwedagon-pagoda Riding a bicycle on an earthen path near the majestic Irrawaddy River, you might find yourself maneuvering around a herd of zebu oxen, stopping to watch men climb soaring palm trees to collect juice for liquor, or riding directly to your appointment for a hot air balloon tour and champagne breakfast. No matter what brings you to Bagan region of Myanmar, the two guaranteed highlights of your trip will be unabashed exploration of countless ancient pagodas and temples, and spectacular sunset views of temple spotted countryside. It's a fulfilling destination for travelers who thirst for 'terra incognita'. There's enough tourist-friendly framework in the region to be accessible, but it's anything but a spoiled tourist haven. Bagan is a grassy plain scattered with brick pagodas, or stupas, located in central Myanmar about 400 miles from the former capital Yangon. It offers a mixture of history, archaeology, architecture and vistas that are unmatched in Southeast Asia. The Temples of Bagan were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, erecting some 10,000 towering pagodas and monasteries during that time. Once a major Buddhist center and thriving city, Kublai Khan's forces plowed through and took over, ending 200 years of unique artistic and spiritual activity. The region itself seems as if it's hardly changed over the passing centuries. Still, with the help of invading armies and earthquakes, time has reduced the number of original structures to a fraction. For travelers who care about purity in preservation, some "restoration" efforts will prove maddening. Myanmar's military government has earned ire from archaeologists for clumsy, inauthentic renovation of some structures, which is a big reason the United Nations won't list Bagan as a Word Heritage site. Of the roughly 2,500 weathered, gilded pagodas that are left, three stand out the most. At 17 stories, Thatbyinnyu is the tallest pagoda. One of the oldest and best preserved is Ananda, with four tall Buddha statues standing at each corner. Shwezigon, the holiest site, is famous for its gilded, bell-shaped stupa and Buddha relics. The most remarkable way to take in the beehive-shaped tops of these endless rust-hued edifices is from on high. Take a day trip to Mount Popa and climb to the top not only to learn about the religious customs at the shrine there, but to soak up the overwhelming scenery of the Bagan Temples from above. The steps of Shwesandaw Paya, the "Sunset Pagoda", are steep but worth the climb for a seamless view of the golden-red stupas and temples punctuating the dry landscape. To get an even loftier view of the countryside, there are also hot air balloon rides at sunrise. These offer an inimitable view of the Bagan plain and a champagne breakfast for around $200. Not all worthy exploration in Bagan takes place above - an underground monastery where monks have been meditating for more than eight centuries welcomes curious travelers too. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:44:13 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/bagan http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/bagan