Top Temples & Pagodas in Yangon

Popularly referred to as the "golden pagoda", Shwedagon Pagoda is Burma's most important Buddhist pilgrimage site and Yangon's most famous landmark. The massive structure is 99 meters high, and is plated with gold and has a diamond studded spire atop. This must-visit site is less than ten minutes away from popular Yangon hotels, such as Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon, and is within easy reach for any tourist. Creating a mystique atmosphere once the night sets in in Yangon, and the spotlights illuminate the Pagoda, Shwedagon Pagoda's main stupa is believed to enshrine sacred relics of Gautama Buddha as well as three previous Buddhas.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the pagoda was built during the 6th century, while historical records indicate that it was built by the Mon. Although the pagoda has been renovated and enlarged many times since then, it is the oldest standing pagoda in Burma. The legend behind the construction of the pagoda is a quaint little tale. Two brothers from present day Yangon – then, Okkalapa – had met Gautama Buddha in India. The Buddha had given the two brothers eight of His hairs and had asked them to enshrine the hairs in the same place as the relics of three previous Buddhas are buried. Upon the return of the brothers, the King was also informed of this request, and the entire country was searching for this sacred location for years and years to no avail. Finally, a spirit by the name of Nat had helped them to locate the hill, where Shwedagon pagoda now stands in all its glory.

Tourists can visit the temple daily between 6am and 10pm. As is required with all religious venues, modest clothing is a must, and footwear and headgear must be removed before entering the premises. There is an entrance fee to the pagoda, and a guide can be hired at the entrance if you seek a guided tour.

The 40m tall golden pagoda located in Southern Yangon is important not only for its religious significance of enshrining a sacred hair relic of Buddha but also for its unique architecture, where the stupa is hollow, allowing people to walk through it. The visitors to the main stupa can follow a walkway of mosaic glass walls that serve as a viewing chamber to the ancient relics that are enshrined within the stupa.

This shrine, too, is believed to be built by the Mon people about 2500 years ago. The legend of Botataung is related to that of Shwedagon Pagoda. Once the two brothers brought the eight sacred hair relics to Yangon from India, it is at Botataung that the sacred relics were enshrined. Once the location of Shwedagon Pagoda was discovered, all but one of the sacred relics were moved from Botataung Pagoda to Shwedagon.

Botataung Pagoda, for all its glory, has not escaped wear and tear resulting from years of existence. The pagoda was destroyed during the Second World War when a bombing mission for the nearby docks made this a casualty of war. Once the war was over, however, the rebuilding of the pagoda took place, following the original design.
The pagoda is open to tourists from 6am to 10pm. There is an entrance fee for the premises and a separate camera fee as well. As is with all shrines, modest clothing, and removal of footwear is expected at Botataung, too.

Well known for the pagoda’s astounding 65m long reclining Buddha image, Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is located North of Kadawgyi Lake. The original statue was completed in 1907, but through the years its state was declining. It is then that the restoration process of the statue began, in 1966. During the restoration, about 5m were added to the image. A key feature of restoration was that the entire process was paid for with donations from Buddhists and foreign tourists, whose names are now inscribed on the beams of the building.

The reclining statue of Buddha is adorned in a golden robe and is decorated with expressive colours: a white face, red lips, blue eye shadow and red finger nails. The soles of the feet of the statue are segmented into 108, coloured red and gold, and illustrate the 108 auspicious characteristics of the Buddha.

The Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is open to tourists from 6am to 8pm. There is an entrance fee to the pagoda, which is used for the upkeep of temple grounds, maintenance of the Buddha statue and for the education of monks of Ashay Tawya monastery which is located in close proximity.