After climbing hundreds of stairs, we arrived at Shwedagon Pagoda – which you’ll get to see in the video. This pagoda is visible throughout most of the city of Yangon, in Myanmar. At night it’s lit up and shines like a jewel in the sky. There are many rooftop bars and restaurants where you can view it from.
We were fortunate enough to encounter this Buddhist ceremony going on in one of the side temples, of which there are many, at Shwedagon Pagoda. This is definitely not a fifteen minute temple stop. You’ll want to leave yourself a full morning, or afternoon, to visit Shwedagon Pagoda.
If you’re there in April, usually the hottest month of the year, definitely plan to visit in the morning or evening. There is not much cover from the sun once you’re up top and it can be brutal. Alternately, you can bring an umbrella to protect you from the sum. One of the many vendors that reside on the step up to the Pagoda probably even sells them. You can certainly pick up all sorts of other knick-knacks and souvenirs on your trek up.
I don’t know which Buddhist sect this is, or whether it’s a daily or weekly, or special event ritual. If you have solid information about this, please leave it in the comments and I’ll update the info here.
Myanmar is a fascinating country, despite their political issues (2018). We went to 3 cities, Mandalay, Bagan and Yangon on a 30-day visa and the trip was well paced, though some could do it faster. We also spent extra time in Mandalay for the Thingyan water festival (we have another short for that).
Of course, Myanmar is not appropriate to visit now (2021) with the military coup. Hopefully the situation will resolve for the best and tourism will once again be viable so you can explore this beautiful and interesting country.
FAQ
The Shwedagon Pagoda, also known as the Great Dagon Pagoda, is a Buddhist temple and major pilgrimage site located in Yangon, Myanmar. It is said to be over 650 years old and is considered to be the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is covered in gold leaf and adorned with precious gems, including diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. It also features dozens of smaller stupas, or pagodas, and statues of the Buddha. Many smaller temples reside along the path leading to the main pagoda
The best time to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda is early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as the crowds are usually smaller and the lighting is better for photographs. It’s also cooler and more comfortable time to visit. Additionally, the pagoda is illuminated at night, providing a different viewing experience. The lighted Pagoda can be seen all over the city.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is a sacred site for Buddhists and is believed to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas making it one of the most important religious sites in the country. It is also an important cultural and historical site, representing the religious and cultural heritage of Myanmar.
Visitors should dress modestly and remove shoes before entering certain temple areas. It is also important to be respectful of the religious significance of the site, and to be mindful of any local customs or traditions. Photography may be restricted in certain areas, and some areas may be off-limits to visitors.
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