Myanmar: Shwedagon Pagoda
Yangon is home to the gold-plated Shwedagon Pagoda, which dominates the city
from its hilltop site. Legend has it that the original stupa was built to
enshrine eight of Buddha's hairs. Today's mighty monument was built in the
18th century and is surrounded by an incredible assortment of statues,
temples, shrines, images and pavilions. The Shwedagon was called 'a
beautiful winking wonder' by Kipling and it truly is a magical place.
Although there are several points of interest in Yangon, the towering Shwedagon
Pagoda stands above them all. Situated at the top of Singuttara Hill, that overlooks
all of Yangon, this glittering temple is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful und famous
structures in Asia. Its 100-meter spire is sheathed in 13000 gold plates
and crowned with more than 5000 diamonds and other precious stones. The Shwedagon
Pagoda is the holiest of Buddhist sites in Myanmar.
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