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Sule Pagoda
The guide was updated:In the heart of Yangon and located on a busy street lies the Sule Pagoda. Supposedly built 2000 years ago, legend has it that the the golden tower holds a strand of Buddah's hair. Visitors have to take off their shoes and pay a small admission fee to enter.
Useful Information
- Address: Maha Bandula Road, Yangon
Digital Travel Guide Download
Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
*this will be downloaded as a PDF.Price
€4,95
This will be at the top of everyone’s list in Yangon. The pagoda can be seen from quite a long way away, since it is set on the top of a hill. The pagoda remains one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world, but is very much part of contemporary life in Yangon. It is open from dawn, and Buddhists will go to the pagoda from early morning to late evening. It is very high and has a crown of gold. On the crown you can find 5,448 diamonds, 2,317 rubies and the top of the crown boasts a 76 carat diamond. In total there are nearly 80,000 precious stones and 3,154 gold bells here.
This is a living, practicing site, so the visitor should know some of the basic rules of visiting a Buddhist temple in Myanmar:
You will be asked to take off your shoes and socks. Dress with respect: no shorts (although this is less of a problem in Myanmar than Thailand).
Walk around the Pagoda in a clockwise direction, which is starting from the left side and going round to the right. This applies to all Buddhist sites.
If you want to sit down, make sure your feet are not pointing towards any images or figures of The Buddha, and especially, keep the bottom of your feet tucked inside, towards yourself. Have a look at the way the local people sit, and copy them. Most sit cross legged.
Try not to pat children on the head.
Try to make your picture taking the least intrusive as possible. The Buddhist people who come here are worshipping, and may not want to be the centre of a photo.
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Kan Daw Gyi Lake
Kan Daw Gyi Lake is close to the city centre and to Shewadagon Pagoda, so it is an ideal place to relax and get away from the traffic and crowds. At Set Yon Road, in the east end of the park, there are plenty of lakeside cafés and restaurants.
Also in the vicinity is Karaweik Palace, which is a very large gold coloured structure in the shape of a boat - or is it a pagoda? The ‘Palace’ has a restaurant, and around the corner is the Kandawyi Palace Hotel.
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Botataung Pagoda
This pagoda was rebuilt after being destroyed in a World War II bombing. It was constructed at the same time as the Sule and Shewedagon Pagodas. What is unusual is that you can walk inside and look at relics in showcases.
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Inya Lake
This is the larger of the two lakes in Yangon, which lies further away from the centre. There are some very good hotels at the lake, or nearby, so it can be a more relaxing place to stay than the city hotels. As with Kandawgyi Lake, there are plenty of vantage points to take in the views and enjoy the gardens. There is an amusement park near Kabaraye Pagoda Road.
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Gems Museum
Myanmar is famous for its gems, so anyone interested in the history behind the gem industry will find this a good place to start. The main source of these gems was from the mines in the northeast, near Mandalay. Rubies, sapphires and jade were mined from these sites. Private companies as well as state run enterprises exhibit on three floors.
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Yangon Yoga House
Meet up with the yoga community at the Yangon Yoga House. Here you can practice meditation, sports and exchange experiences with others. A must for any aspiring Yogi.
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Sule Pagoda
In the heart of Yangon and located on a busy street lies the Sule Pagoda. Supposedly built 2000 years ago, legend has it that the the golden tower holds a strand of Buddah's hair. Visitors have to take off their shoes and pay a small admission fee to enter.
Read more
Zoological Garden
In Yangon you can find the oldest and largest zoo of Burma. The great collection of local wild animals makes it a popular destination for weekend travelers and locals alike. Next to the animal park, the area hosts the Natural History Museum, an Aquarium and you can join animals shows throughout the day.
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National Museum
Built in 1952 the Yangon National Museum holds 14 halls filled with ancient treasures, art and memorabilia. While wandering the four story building you can learn about the countries history, the evolution of the language as well as cultural and religious developments.
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Mahabandoola Garden
As you stroll through Mahabandoola Garden you can take in all the beautiful sights of the city on the way. The City Hall , the High Court, the Independence Monument Obelisk as well as the Rowe & Co department store are located in the area. Don't forget to bring your camera, the park is a great backdrop for holiday pictures.
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