One of the major sights in Yangon Myanmar (aka Burma) is the impressive Shwe Dagon Pagoda.
This gleaming golden complex is a feast for the eyes, whether you’re a Buddhist or not. Here’s an overview of visiting the Shwe Dagon Pagoda in Yangon.
You have three options to get there depending on how much time you have.
- Walk: It’s a fair distance outside the main city centre of Yangon, but if you have the time, it’s an option. Yangon is not the easiest city to navigate around but once you get on Shwe Dagon Pagoda Road, just keep walking north. Once that road ends, you’re on U Htaung Bo Road, in behind which you will see the massive Shwe Dagon Pagoda and from there, it’s a fair few kilometres.
- Local Bus: You can get bus number 204 from Shwe Dagon Pagoda Road opposite Yangon General Hospital. The bus will most likely be crowded and make sure you head north rather than south.
- Taxi: This will cost you around 2,500 Kyat ($2.5 US) and is by far the easiest option.
What is the dress code for visiting the Shwe Dagon Pagoda? Well, don’t turn up in a bikini, but however you dress, you will be given a sarong to wear if you’re in shorts (no extra cost for this) or a short skirt. Shoes off at the entrance obviously.
Once inside the Pagoda, you will take a lift up two floors where you can then go out onto the balcony bridge and marvel at the statues, stupas, architecture and rich colors within. Golden and gleaming, a bit of a “Buddhist Disneyland” if you will. Imagine a theme park of Buddhas. Photography and videos are completely permitted but obviously don’t film people praying etc. – give them respect.
Get the best of both worlds by visiting the Shwe Dagon Pagoda when day turns to night.
Top photo credit: shwedarling. com
Jonny Blair is a self confessed traveling nomad who founded and blogs at Don’t Stop Living. He sees every day as an adventure. Since leaving behind his home town of Bangor in Northern Ireland ten years ago he has traveled to all seven continents, working his way through various jobs and funding it all with hard work and an appetite for travel. Don’t Stop Living, a lifestyle of travel’ contains over 1,000 stories and tips from his journeys round the globe. He wants to show others how easy it is to travel the world, give them some ideas and encourage them to do the same but most of all he aims to constantly live a lifestyle of travel. He is currently based in Hong Kong and on Twitter @jonnyblair.
