Shwedagon Pagoda

Key Notion: notorious site for political rallies centre of Myanmar's modern history

Built: ca. 6th-10th century AD

Notorious site of politcal ralllies There golden shine of the pagodas coined the ctahcy name after which Myanmar seems to sell the best, “ The Golden Land.” Since ancient times the Shwedagon Pagoda was and still is considered as the most important religious site for Buddhists in Myanmar, next to the Temples in Bagan. According to the oral tradition records, the Shwedagon Pya is estimated to be constructed ca. 2,500 years ago. It is built on 51m tall Singtturra Hill and founded on a hexagonal shaped base, its perimeter is approximately 433 meters. With the total height of nearly 100 metres, and therefore dominating the Yangon skyline with 170 metres above sea level. The perimeter inhabitants 64 pagodas as well as numerous instances of exceptional sculpture and other arts. The broad promenade includes prayer halls and other shrines. Beyond the primary terrace level can be found several platforms accessible only to monks and other members of the male community. Over the centuries, many additions were made to the compound of the pagoda, such as dozens of shrines, assembly halls and four monumental stairways (zaungdans), which ascend Singuttara Hill from all four cardinal directions.