Top 9 Sacred Temples in Myanmar

Located in Yangon, Shwedagon Pagoda is the largest, most beautiful, and most sacred stupa in Myanmar. Built 2500 years ago, the pagoda is renowned for preserving four precious relics for Buddhist followers: the staff of Gautama Buddha, a piece of Gautama Buddha's robe, and 8 strands of Gautama Buddha's hair, with the fourth relic having a water filter. The interior of the pagoda is intricately and delicately carved with about 8,690 extremely thin gold leaves. The entire pagoda is adorned with 5,450 diamonds of various sizes, 2,320 rubies, sapphires, and other gemstones. Over time, it has become a pilgrimage site for Myanmar Buddhists.

Legend has it that the pagoda existed before the passing of Gautama Buddha. Archaeologists suggest that it was built between the 6th and 10th centuries. Despite the ups and downs of history and natural disasters, the pagoda has been renovated and repaired several times and stands proudly on the Singuttara Hill in Yangon. If Mecca is the holy site Muslims must visit once in a lifetime, the golden Shwedagon Pagoda holds similar significance for Buddhist monks and followers. Each temple is a sacred religious structure with high religious significance, so it's advisable to dress modestly. When entering the temples, cover your shoulders and knees, remove your shoes and socks (bring a separate bag for your shoes and carry it along because Shwedagon Pagoda is vast, and going in and out through different gates, having your own shoe bag will save you time and money for storage).

Standing as the tallest pagoda in Myanmar, soaring to a height of 114m, this temple holds profound significance for the people after a millennium of history. Adorned with distinctive Buddhist architecture, including stupas, Buddha scriptures, and numerous Buddhist relics, Shwemawdaw Pagoda stands as a testament to Myanmar's rich spiritual heritage. Similar to Shwedagon, most temples in Myanmar are remarkably spacious. Before entering, visitors must remove their shoes and socks, allowing them to explore various sections without retracing steps or incurring additional shoe-check fees. Shwemawdaw Pagoda is situated in the northeastern part of Myanmar's railway station, Bago. Its name, Shwemawdaw, translates to 'Great Golden God.' The pagoda is easily visible, dominating the skyline of Bago with its 114m height. Constructed over 1000 years ago by a Mon state king, it served as a place of worship for two hairs of the Buddha bestowed upon him. Initially, the pagoda stood at about 23m. In 825, it was elevated by 25m, followed by an additional 27m in 840. The pagoda also houses two Buddha teeth relics brought in 982 and 1385.

In the subsequent years, the pagoda underwent continuous expansion. Unfortunately, a severe earthquake in 1930 toppled the entire structure, leaving only the foundation intact. Between 1952 and 1954, the pagoda underwent a comprehensive reconstruction, reaching a height of 114m and preserving its current form. The gold-tipped spire at the top makes it the tallest pagoda in Myanmar, surpassing the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon by 14m. Adhering to the distinct Buddhist architectural style, featuring stupas, Buddha scriptures, and various Buddhist relics, Shwemawdaw Paya sparkles from afar, captivating travelers at a considerable distance with its golden glow. Moreover, the interior is intricately adorned with gold details that will leave visitors in awe.

Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, also known as the Golden Rock Pagoda, was built in 574 BC and is considered one of the wonders of Southeast Asia. The temple complex rests on a massive golden rock perched atop a precarious boulder at an elevation of 1,100m, believed to be sustained by the Buddha's hair. The pagoda is adorned with numerous Buddha statues, some intricately carved from thousands of precious gems and hundreds of diamonds, along with golden bells. Its fame is attributed to its location on a giant rock balanced on the mountainside, giving the illusion of imminent descent into the abyss when viewed from a distance. The contact point of the colossal rock and the cliff measures only about 78 cm². However, this sacred rock has stood steadfast for thousands of years.

Myanmar locals attribute this resilience to the deity Tawadeintha, who used a divine boat to lift the rock and transport it to the hilltop. The boat and rope transformed into stone, positioned about 300m from the Golden Rock to prevent its fall. For those who have experienced Myanmar tours, witnessing a golden-laden rock and pagoda precariously perched atop a mountain peak is a uniquely captivating spectacle. According to legend, during the Buddha's visit to this site for preaching, he gave a strand of his hair to the monk Taik Tha. The monk concealed the hair within his own, and later presented it to the king, envisioning that the hair would be stored in a rock resembling the monk's head. Unable to find a matching rock, the king sought the help of his parents (the deities Zawgyi and Naga). These deities located the rock beneath the ocean, hoisted it up, and placed it on the Kyaikhtiyo Hill. The Buddha's hair was enshrined in the rock, and a small temple named Kyaikhtiyo was built around it.

Located in the heart of Yangon, Sule Pagoda is renowned as one of the most sacred temples in Myanmar. In the late 20th century, this Sule Pagoda was the political center of the country. Sule Pagoda features an octagonal-shaped structure that rises to the top of the tower, rich in ethnic characteristics. The interior details of the temple are intricately carved, creating a magnificent spectacle that leaves every visitor in awe. Legend has it that there were originally eight strands of hair from the Buddha, and this pagoda was fortunate to preserve one. The Buddha sent this hair as a gift to two merchants in Myanmar. Later, through serendipity, this strand of hair found its home at Sule Pagoda. The pagoda's architecture primarily consists of a larger lower octagonal shape and a smaller, sharper upper section. Not only does this pagoda have unique external architecture, but its interior is also exceptionally distinctive and lavishly adorned.

The height of this pagoda is approximately 50 meters, and the dome's roof has been gilded with gold. The architecture here is designed in an extraordinarily unique style, reflecting the culture of the Mon people. The surroundings of this pagoda are adorned with many other remarkable structures, resembling a precious crown. Here, you will find up to 10 large bells placed in various locations. Consequently, you can both explore the natural landscapes surrounding the pagoda and admire the beauty of these bells. Each bell is engraved with names and the years of worship by the local people. This place serves as a tribute to those who have made significant contributions to the pagoda.

Kuthodaw Pagoda (also known as Maha Lawka Marazein Paya) is a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Mandalay Hill in Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma) and is home to the world's largest book. Kuthodaw Pagoda was built during the reign of King Mindon. It is a complex that includes the main pagoda and many smaller surrounding stupas. What particularly attracts a large number of tourists to the pagoda is the existence of the world's largest book. This book consists of 1,460 pages created from numerous small gemstones in the caves. To read and comprehend the entire book, it is estimated to take 3,600 hours, equivalent to about 150 days if diligently done without breaks.

Kuthodaw is essentially a gilded pointed stupa with a height of 30m, built following the model of Shwezigon and Nyaung-U pagodas near Bagan. The pagoda was originally built by King Mindon to serve as the main orthodox pagoda for the new royal city. In the pagoda's courtyard, there are 729 kyauksa - stone stupas inside of which are inscribed pages of the Tripitaka or Pali Canon. These stone stupas inscribed with Buddhist scriptures have given Kuthodaw the nickname 'the largest book in the world.' If you have a Buddhist inclination or enjoy exploration, Kuthodaw Pagoda is an intriguing destination not to be missed in your Myanmar travel journey. Here, you'll be amazed not only by the unique and famous scripture collection but also by the ancient architecture of the stupas, providing a serene experience in this sacred place.

Mahamuni Temple is one of the large Buddhist temples built robustly in the 18th century, serving as the golden icon of Mandalay, the former capital of Myanmar. The temple houses a 4m tall, 6.5-ton Buddha statue covered with a 15cm thick layer of shimmering gold. According to legend, during the fourth visit of the Buddha to Arakan, the king Candrasuriya in this region requested permission to create a statue in the size of the Buddha for worship at Mahamuni Temple on Sirigutta Hill. In 1784, when King Bodawpaya conquered Arakan, he moved the Buddha statue along with war spoils and prisoners. He built a temple at the base of Mandalay Hill to preserve the sacred statue, asserting his devotion.

Inside the main hall, there is a 3.8m tall, 6.5-ton Buddha statue made of gold and adorned with gemstones. Only men are allowed to approach and apply gold leaf to the statue. Devotees and pilgrims continue to cover the Mahamuni statue with layers of gold leaf. It is believed that the thickness of the gold leaf applied to the statue reaches up to 15cm. The Mahamuni Buddha Temple also preserves six bronze statues from the Khmer kingdom, including lions, two male warriors, and a three-headed Erawan elephant. It is rumored that touching the corresponding areas on the bronze statues can cure illnesses.

The unique ancient temple, Ananda, was constructed during the reign of the great king Tilinman. Nestled amidst a land enveloped by lush greenery, Ananda Temple becomes even more mystical. Notably, Ananda Temple features an architectural style distinct from any other golden temples or pagodas in Bagan. The highlight of the temple is the four 10m tall Buddha statues facing each cardinal direction. Additionally, Ananda boasts intricately carved bas-reliefs depicting the life of the Buddha. Bagan is considered the most beautiful ancient city to visit in Myanmar with over 3000 Buddhist temples and pagodas. Ananda Temple is regarded as a masterpiece of temple architecture from the 1105 Bagan dynasty and has maintained its integrity until today.

Ananda Temple captivates with its artistry, exquisite bas-reliefs, and grandeur, leaving you astonished when visiting Myanmar. The impressive artworks carved in stone, painted on walls, ceilings, and the roof of this temple portray the life of the Buddha from birth to enlightenment and attainment of Nirvana. Particularly, the four 10m tall gold-leaf-covered Buddha statues facing the four directions are the most spectacular feature of this temple. Every January, Ananda Temple hosts a festival, considered one of the prominent temple festivals in Bagan. During the festival, villagers from all over Bagan come in traditional ox carts and camp during this period. This is also one of the most attractive times for tourists to visit Myanmar. If you plan to visit Myanmar, do not miss the opportunity to experience the spiritual life and festival customs of the people of Bagan.

Being one of the sacred temples leaving a profound impression on visitors when traveling to Myanmar, Hsinbyume Pagoda exudes distinctive and unique architecture that sets it apart from any other temple in Myanmar. Located 10 km northwest of Mandalay, Hsinbyume Pagoda uses only one color, white, to highlight the intricate and meticulous details of the scenery while expressing the purity and simplicity of the Buddha. Built on a mountain, the lower part of the temple represents the mountain, and 7 concentric bronze bells represent the legendary 7 mountain ranges in Mingun. Visitors to Hsinbyume will admire the unique architecture here along with exquisitely carved and ancient Buddha statues. Moreover, with the ideal height of the temple, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the river and vast space below from the highest point here.

Not only attracting tourists with its unique and distinctive architecture, Hsinbyume also leaves a lasting impression on visitors with the romantic love story of Prince Bagydaw and his wife Hsinbyume. Unfortunately, the queen passed away during the birth of their beloved child. Prince Bagydaw spent a very long time immersed in pain and despair. Therefore, in 1816, he ordered the construction of the Hsinbyume Pagoda for his cherished wife. In 1836, the temple was heavily damaged due to a major earthquake. It was not until 1874 that King Mindon ordered the restoration of Hsinbyume, which has been preserved intact to this day. It can be seen that not only a famous spiritual tourist destination, Hsinbyume Pagoda is also evidence of the loyalty and enduring love of the people of Myanmar for their love.

With its pyramid-shaped architecture, Dhammayangyi Temple stands as one of the largest temples in Bagan. Constructed in 1167 by King Narathu, who, after murdering his father and seizing the throne, built this temple. Typically, ancient Myanmar temples have spires, but Dhammayangyi Temple does not, as locals believe it remains unfinished due to the king's misdeeds. Constructed using only red brick, the temple lacks sturdy mortar. The unique design of Dhammayangyi Temple deviates from other ancient temples in Myanmar. Resembling a pyramid, it features six terraced tiers that rise prominently against the sky. However, the temple remains incomplete and has an intriguingly unfinished appearance.

Built in 1170 by King Narathu, notorious for his cruelty, Dhammayangyi Temple carries a dark tale. Legend has it that King Narathu killed his father and brother to usurp the throne. After ascending, he engaged in malevolent deeds and constructed this temple as an act of worship. However, three years later, he was assassinated. Despite its peculiar structure, Dhammayangyi Temple remains a significant site in Bagan's grandeur. To this day, locals ponder why King Narathu chose this 'unusual' architectural style. Notably, one entrance of the temple features two Buddha statues, personally sculpted by the king, representing his father and brother. Nevertheless, historical records suggest these are representations of Buddha Shakyamuni and Buddha Maitreya. Myanmar locals still share tales of King Narathu's harshness. He would readily amputate a worker's hand if the temple construction was imperfect, demanding bricks to be laid so precisely that not even a needle could pass through. Three years after ascending the throne, King Narathu was assassinated, and the construction of Dhammayangyi Temple remained perpetually incomplete. However, this distinctiveness draws tourists whenever they visit Myanmar.