Buddhist Temples & Pagodas in Myanmar
Posted By Agencies, 2020
"Pagodas in Myanmar stand as timeless symbols of faith and culture that is rising gracefully across the landscape with golden spires and sacred history."
Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon
The Shewdagon Pagoda is by far the most famed and most photographed pagoda in Burma, and with good reason! Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, the local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago then renovated several times until its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 metres tall and is guilded with gold leaf, surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. Unlike some of the other solely Buddhist religious sites, Shwedagon also has spiritual meaning to the locals, and it is as much a Burmese pilgrimage site as it is a tourist attraction.
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Golden Rock, Kyaikhtiyo
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, located in Kyaikto Township of Mon State, is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site that attracts nearly 5,000 visitors daily from Myanmar and around the world, including China, India, America, and Britain. The pagoda sits atop the famous Golden Rock; a massive granite boulder covered with gold leaves applied by male devotees. According to legend, this remarkable rock balances precariously on a strand of Buddha’s hair, which is believed to make it one of the oldest Buddhist stupas in the world. The pagoda, originally built between the 6th and 10th centuries, stands about 7.3 meters (24 feet) tall and draws pilgrims for its spiritual significance and unique history.
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Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan
Among the many awe-inspiring temples in Bagan, the Shwezigon Pagoda stands out as a true spiritual landmark. Revered as the religious heart of the ancient city, it attracts countless pilgrims who come to pay homage and admire its golden grandeur. The pagoda was commissioned by King Anawrahta, the founder of the Bagan Empire, after his sacred white elephant — said to be carrying relics of the Buddha — knelt on this very site. This symbolic act was seen as a divine sign, prompting the construction of the temple.
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Some of the thousands of Buddha statues inside the Pindaya Caves
Although not a traditional pagoda, the Pindaya Caves in Shan State offer a unique and captivating spiritual experience. Nestled high on a limestone cliff overlooking the town of Pindaya, the caves are a labyrinth of chambers that house over 8,000 Buddha statues — and the number continues to grow. These figures, donated by individuals and organizations from across the globe, range widely in size, style, and material, creating a rich and eclectic display of Buddhist devotion and artistic expression. The visual effect is both overwhelming and awe-inspiring, as golden forms of the Buddha seem to fill every crevice of the cavern walls.
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Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mandalay
Located at the foot of Mandalay Hill, the Kuthodaw Pagoda is famously known as the “world’s largest book.” At the heart of the complex stands a majestic golden stupa, surrounded by 729 small white shrines known as kyauksa gu, or stone inscription caves. Each shrine houses a marble slab engraved with a portion of the sacred Buddhist scriptures. Collectively, these inscriptions form the entire Tipitaka — the foundational texts of Theravada Buddhism — making the pagoda a remarkable spiritual and literary treasure.
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Kuthodaw Pagoda, Mandalay
Kuthodaw Pagoda, located at the foot of Mandalay Hill in Mandalay, Myanmar, is a remarkable and historic Buddhist temple complex best known as the “world’s largest book.” This name comes from its unique feature: 729 small white stupas, each housing a marble slab engraved with part of the Tipitaka—the complete collection of sacred Buddhist scriptures in the Theravada tradition.
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Ananda Temple, Bagan
Bagan is home to countless magnificent temples, each holding its own charm and historical value. Among them, the Shwezigon Pagoda stands out as a spiritual and architectural gem. Often regarded as the religious heart of Bagan, it draws both locals and pilgrims alike who come to pay their respects and admire its golden beauty. The pagoda was built under the rule of King Anawrahta, one of the key figures in introducing Theravāda Buddhism to Myanmar. According to legend, his sacred white elephant, carrying holy relics of the Buddha, knelt at this very spot — a divine sign that led to the temple’s construction.