There are many pagodas you can visit in Yangon but Shwedagon pagoda should definitely be at the top of the list. The Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar. Though most historians believe the pagoda was built between the 6th and 10th centuries, according to the local legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda was built more than 2,600 years ago, which means it is the oldest Buddhist stupa in the world.
It was quite impressive strolling around the compound, among the lit candles and praying visitors, a mixture of spirituality with invasions of the modern world (in the form of mobiles and selfies). The Shwedagon Pagoda compound is huge and you can take a leisurely walk among the many stupas, and statues that reflect its history of almost 2,500 years. The Shwedagon Pagoda itself is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top of the stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds; the largest of which is a 72 carat diamond. It was the first time somebody asked us to take a selfie with them and soon enough we understood selfies with tourists are a hit among the locals.
I visited Yangon twice a few years ago and have seen monks in pink robes walking around town. Who would have thought there’s a Girls Nunnery that you can actually visit? Oh boy I need to do more research before visiting next time. 😀
We would have never found this nunnery if it wasn’t for our guide. You can always visit Yangon for the third time 😉