6 Reasons to Visit the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon

Planning a visit to Yangon in Myanmar? One of the top tourist attractions is the Shwedagon Pagoda. We would highly recommend visiting the Shwedagon Pagoda. After visiting we have put together this guide to assist you in making the most of your visit.

(Editor Update 2021)

A visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar is a must-see for every tourist that plans to visit Myanmar.  Set aside the afternoon and ensure that you don’t leave before sunset as the evening becomes cooler and the sun’s rays shimmer on the Pagoda as it sets. It is a magical time of the day to visit.

You can book an evening tour to the Shwedagon Pagoda here

Travelling Around Myanmar?

 

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Travelling to Mandalay our guide on what you can do in Mandalay can be read here.

Where is Burma? (now known as Myanmar)

Myanmar is located in South East Asia.  It borders China to the North, Thailand and Laos to the East and India and Bangladesh to the West.

Pro-Tip

There are four approaches to the Shwedagon Pagoda – South, West, North and East.  It is highly recommended to remember which entry you came through as this is where you are required to take your shoes off to store them in the cupboards provided, and, of course, you will need your shoes when you depart.  There are carpets and mats around the terraces for you to walk on as the tiles can become extremely hot during the day.

Shwedagon Pagoda Facts

• it is the most sacred pagoda in Myanmar
• it is the oldest in the world approx 2,600 years
• official name Shwedagon Zedi Daw
• also known as the Golden Pagoda and Great Dragon Pagoda
• contains the relics of 4 previous Buddhas
• built on the highest hill in Yangon – Singutta Hill which stands at 51m high – council regulations stipulate that no building in Yangon can be built taller than 127m above sea level which allows the Pagoda to be a prominent site in the city
• it stands at 112m tall
  

  1.  Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon

  

   

  The story began over 2,500 years ago when two brothers Tapussa and Bhallika, merchants from Myanmar visited Prince Siddhartha in India and gave him a gift of honey cakes.  In return, the Buddha gave them 8 hairs from his head for the brothers to enshrine them in their native town which is now Yangon.  When the brothers arrived in Yangon they gave the Buddha’s hairs to the King who erected the pagoda and enshrined the hairs together with the relics of three previous Buddhas.  The Pagoda stands 100 metres tall.

   

  2.  Visit the Museum at the Shwedagon Pagoda

  

   

  The Museum is a three-storey building in the northwest sector of the grounds.  The top floor is dedicated to religious items donated over the years.

  3.  King Tharyarwady’s Bell at the Shwedagon Pagoda

  

  The bell was cast and donated in 1841AD during the reign of King Tharyarwady and given the title of Maha Tithaddha Gandha.  It weighs 42,000 kilos with a height of 2.6 metres and a diameter of 3.34 metres.

  4.  Reclining Buddha at the Shwedagon Pagoda

  

   

  The Reclining Buddha indicates the end of life and the approach of nirvana.

  5.  Watch the washing of the Buddha at the Shwedagon Pagoda

  

  We visited the complex on a Tuesday and we witnessed the bathing of the Buddha. Around the stupa, you will come across corners of the days of the week.  It is considered good luck and good karma if you wash the Buddha at the corner of your day of birth.

  6.  Enjoy wandering around the grounds of the Shwedagon Pagoda

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Essential Information For Visiting the Shwedagon Pagoda 

  Entrance Fees

  The entrance fee for foreigners is Kyat 10,000 or US$8, (2021)  and there are many guides in the area who will tell you more of the pagoda’s history. For more information, go to the official website.

  How To Get There

  The easiest way to get to the Shwedagon Pagoda from downtown is by taxi (K2500), although buses (K200) also serve the area, allow 45 minutes for the trip.

  Myanmar currency is the Burmese Kyat.

  What to wear to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda

  The Dress code to be observed by visitors when visiting Shwedagon Pagoda, visitors should dress appropriately and modestly and follow the dress code – wear trousers at least knee-length shorts or skirt; t-shirts with elbow-length sleeves are also expected and you are expected to be barefooted when entering Shwedagon Pagoda. If you are unsure as to the correct dress code, just err on the side of conservative dress and no-one will be offended.

  Is there a lift for disabled people?

  There is a lift on the North, South and East gates.

  What are the opening hours of the Shwedagon Pagoda?

  From the website of the Shwedagon Pagoda:

• Opening Hours: 04:00 – 22:00 hrs, except on the following days that Shwedagon Pagoda is open 24 hours:
  1.Waxing Day of Tabaung – the day before full moon day of the Myanmar Lunar month Tabaung (around March) and
  2.Waxing Day of Wakhaung – the day before full moon day of the Myanmar Lunar month Wakhaung (around June which is the beginning of the Buddhist Lent)
  Shwedagon Pagoda is open daily. Last admission is at 21:45 hrs.

• How many diamonds are in the Pagoda?

  There are 7,000 diamonds and many other precious gems.

  Myanmar Points of Interest

  We spent a month in Myanmar, it was not long enough.  Our recommendations for when you visit Myanmar are:

  Visit Temples of Bagan by Horse and Cart

  Bagan Hot Air Balloon Ride

  A Day in Mandalay, Myanmar

  What To Do in Yangon

   

   

  Hotels in Yangon

  For accommodation, we would recommend staying centrally in Myanmar’s capital Yangon as many of the sites are within walking distance.

  Where We Stayed in Myanmar

  Yangon, Myanmar

  Budget Accommodation at the Ocean Pearl.

  

  For Mid Range Accommodation in Yangon: Hotel Shwe Yee

  

   

  For Luxury Accommodation in Yangon: Pan Pacific Hotel

  

   

  For more accommodation options in Yangon:

  Airbnb Yangon

  Pyay, Myanmar

  We travelled by bus from Yangon to Pyay approximately 449km away.  Pyay is definitely worth a visit.

  Lucky Dragon Hotel Pyay Myanmar

  A great hotel to stay in, there is even a swimming pool which was welcomed after a long hot day of sightseeing.

  

  It is a popular hotel so if it is booked out click here for more options.

  Airbnb Pyay

  Bagan, Myanmar

  Bagan is a great destination in Myanmar.  We spent a week there visiting the temples by horse and cart and also taking a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the temples.  That was an experience, just like the hot air balloon ride we had in Cappadocia in Turkey a few months before.!  We can recommend Bagan for the best food we had in the whole of Myanmar.

  Bagan Umbra Hotel, Bagan was our choice of hotel, click below for the latest prices.

  

   

  For more hotel options in Bagan:

  Airbnb Bagan

  Mandalay, Myanmar

  We travelled from Bagan to Mandalay by riverboat, took the whole day from sunrise to sunset, slowly drifting down the Irrawaddy River, watching local life as we sailed.

  Smart Hotel Mandalay was our hotel of choice in Mandalay.  It was centrally located and had a great roof top bar overlooking the city.

  

  For more hotel options in Mandalay:

  Airbnb Mandalay

   

  Inle Lake, Myanmar

  Hotel options in and around Inle Lake.

  

  Airbnb Inle Lake

   

  Myanmar Weather

  The best time to visit Myanmar is from November to February when it is wintertime.

  The hottest time of the year when temperatures reach over 40 degrees is between March and June.

  July through to October is the wet season, although prices are lower it can be difficult to travel around the country.

  Myanmar Travel – Flight Deals

  For the latest cheap flight deals to Myanmar compare prices on Skyscanner here:

  Travelling from the USA – click here

  Travelling from the UK – click here

  Travelling from Australia – click here

  Travelling from the rest of the world – click here

   

   

  
  

   

  Travel Insurance

  We recommend that you take out travel insurance before you travel.  If you are based in Australia we can recommend 1Cover.

  If you are based outside of Australia World Nomads is our recommendation.

• Visas for Myanmar

  Do you need a visa for Myanmar?

  Pinterest

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