The Home of Golden Pagodas

Myanmar is well-known worldwide for thousands of pagodas, especially those which are gold inlaid and have gigantic statues of the Buddha. 
It takes  about two hours by air from Ho Chi Minh City to Yangon, the ancient capital of Myanmar. The city is home to many Buddhist relics, including the most famous golden pagoda of Shwedagon that was built 2,000 years ago. The pagoda was inlaid with 60tons of gold with a 76 carat-diamond on the top where eight strands of the Buddha’s hair are preserved. It also boasts huge statues of lions, Naga dragons and about 1,000 Buddha statues, one different from the other with soulful faces. Visiting the pagoda, tourists have a chance to participate in the ritual of “Bathing the Buddha” to pray for luck and peace. In this city, tourists will see delegations of monks  going to beg for alms on Yangon’s streets in the early morning.

On the way to visit the Golden Rock Pagoda, about 185km from Yangon, tourists should not miss the Kyaik Pun Pagoda which is the only one without any towers. It has four famous statues of Buddha in the posture of sitting against a pillar and facing in four directions. There, visitors often pray to the statue who faces the direction of their homeland.


Since the embargo lifted in 2011, Myanmar has developed in many fields, including tourism. 


The country  is famous for sacred and mysterious pagodas and temples and gold inlaid pagodas.


Yangon is the former capital of Myanmar with many Buddhist relics. 


Shwethalyaung Buddha, the world's second largest reclining statue with 55m in length and 16m in height. 


The feet of the reclining Budda is decorated with 108 intricate auspicious lines. 


In Myanmar, about 85% of population follow Hinayana. 

The Golden Rock Pagoda is located at the altitude of 1,100m.


Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most sacred pagodas in Myanmar.


Kyaik Pun is famous for four statues of Buddha in the posture of sitting against a pillar.


The Naga dragon at the Shwedagon Pagoda.


Myanmar people are always aware of keeping pagodas clean.


Royal costumes in Myanmar.


A Kayan woman wears many rings on her neck. 


Tourists buy natural germstones in Myanmar.

When arriving in Kyaikhtiyo, tourists are taken to the mountain with the Goden Rock by special car. It is surely an unforgettable experience for any tourists when staying overnight at the pagoda to enjoy fresh and cool air in a serene and sacred space.
                                                                                                                                   By Dang Kim Phuong


top