Shwedagon Pagoda — Attraction in Yangon

This was my first visit to Myanmar (Burma) on a business trip in 3rd week of July. Very humbling experience and one cannot miss this massive Pagoda from a distance of 5 kms .

Travel Notes : However would like to share few things if you are looking to visit the place , so you are well accounted . My hotel was already pre-booked at Park Royal , Yangon. @ Rs 8200 per day/ $ 120/per day approx including breakfast. The e-VISA was about $70 for business . Tourist VISA is about $50 per person per entry. You can also go for VISA on arrival though might take a longer time when you arrive there because of long que. Rest I just exchanged a $100 bill at the airport to get about 1,50,000 KYAT . The flight was from Bangalore - Bangkok -Yangon - AIR ASIA - Journey time of 9 hrs . Avoid flying this airline , as it is an airway loot. Most of the flight attendants ask to pay in cash Thai Bhat and even water you have to purchase. Extremely rude to passengers. Very unlike when you fly in in domestic Air Asia circuits. If you are travelling from India - Fly through Kolkata - Indigo and Air India have daily flights to Yangon and it is just Two hours and is way much cheaper and faster.

The Taxi from Airport to the Hotel was about 20,000 KYAT which is about 20kms. Most of the TAXIS are 2nd/3rd hand Toyota, Mazda, KIA, Hyundai and Suzuki Petrol Automatic. And yes most of them use iPhone. Very well behaved and helpful. The roads are amazingly clean and well laid with lots of greenery. No Garbages to see.

Food - Lunch and Dinner vary between 5000 KYAT to 15000 KYAT and Burmese food is a delight with their various ranges and simplicity. A beer is about 3500 KYAT with the local Brands and 5000 KYAT with the foreign brands.

Most of the tourist places are within 5 -10 kms range , and would not take more than 5000 KYAT. Yes , at this Pagoda the entrance fee for a foreigner is 10,000 KYAT. If you are looking for a holiday at this place , will definitely recommend that. There is a lot to discover this place and the monuments. At Shwedagon Pagoda , Yangon, Myanmar - this 2,500 years old Shwedagon Pagoda, which enshrines strands of Buddha's hair and other holy relics. Located west of the Royal Lake on 114 -acre Singuttara Hill in Yangon, this Pagoda is the most sacred and impressive Buddhist site for the people of the Union of Myanmar.

From a humble beginning of 8.2 meters, the Shwedagon Pagoda today stands close to 110 meters. Shwedagon Pagoda 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 is clearly one of the wonders of the religious world. Shwedagon Pagoda is a repository of the best in Myanmar heritage – architecture, sculpture and arts.

The Shwedagon Pagoda consists hundreds colorful temples, stupas, and statues that reflects the architectural era spanning almost a 2,500 years. To understand this monumental work of art and architecture, visitors will experience an insider's view of this magnificent symbol of Buddhism to the lives of the Myanmar people.

Shwedagon Pagoda forms the focus of religious as well as community activities – the bustling of devotees and monks washing the statues, offering flowers, worshiping, and meditating. Shwedagon Pagoda is administered by the Board of Trustees of...

A few years ago, for some unknown karma, I suddenly wanted to visit Myanmar. I packed and went on my first solo trip to Myanmar. There were two extraordinary incidents happened: first one was that I was sitting in a pavilion when a monk approached me and gave me a wooden prayer mala (beads). He could not speak English but he gestured to me “be happy”. A year later I gave the mala to my late sister in law (a Buddhist) to be cremated together with her body. I believed that this mala could protect her in her next life.

The Shwedagon Pagoda, (aka Great Golden Mountain Stupa) situated on Singuttara Hill in Myanmar, is the most sacred Buddhist stupa in Myanmar and one of the most important religious monuments in the world. The enormous property comprises a total area of 46.3 hectares. According to legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda was constructed more than 2,600 years ago. The Shwedagon is believed to preserve the body relics of the historical Buddha, Gautama including eight strands of hair from the head of Gautama Buddha, a piece of the robe believed to have belonged to Kassapa Buddha, a water filter attributed to Konagamana Buddha.

The Shwedagon Pagoda stands approximately 99 meters (326 feet) tall and is covered in real gold. The top of the pagoda is adorned with a large 72-carat diamond. The crown is tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. The temple needs to be renovated every 4 or 5 years. Royals and locals have donated gold to the Shwedagon, and in return they gain merit in this life and in future lives.

Shwedagon Pagoda is a religious site for numerous activities and festivals for the Burmese people. Shwedagon Pagoda is also a cultural symbol and a source of pride for the people of Myanmar.

There are four covered monumental stairways leading from the four cardinal directions from the base of Singuttara Hillup to the main stupa. The main golden iconic stupa is located on the fourth, uppermost terrace/platform, surrounded by numerous pavilions and shrines. Buddhist circumambulate the hill and its stupa in a clockwise direction (four directions) beginning at the eastern, southern, western, northern direction respectively. A pair of leogryphs guarding the entrance to the walkway leading up to Shwedagon Pagoda.

You can pour water on buddhist statues based on your birthday. Pouring water on the statues will give you good luck with love, family and finance.

Here are some tips for visitors: Cost of shoe storage donation: 100 Kyats (foreigners only) admission fees for foreigners 20000 kyats. Opening Hours: The Shwedagon Pagoda is open seven days a week from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Carry sufficient water and sunscreen on a hot day. Go on early morning or evening and avoid midday otherwise you may get your feet burnt! There are only washrooms outside the Pagoda. If you don’t want to pay extra money to those who offer to take photos for you,...

The Shwedagon Pagoda is without a doubt the most iconic and sacred site in all of Myanmar. Towering majestically over Yangon, this golden stupa is not only a religious monument but a symbol of the nation’s spiritual heart and cultural pride.

From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere is deeply moving. The pagoda glows with a brilliant golden hue, especially breathtaking at sunrise or sunset when the light dances across its gilded surface. Believed to enshrine relics of four Buddhas, including strands of Gautama Buddha’s hair, the site holds immense spiritual significance for Buddhist devotees.

The complex itself is vast and filled with richly decorated shrines, prayer halls, and smaller stupas. Every detail—from the ornate carvings to the flickering candlelight —reflects centuries of devotion and artistry. The soft chanting of monks, the scent of incense, and the sight of locals and pilgrims in prayer create an atmosphere of deep peace and reverence.

Shwedagon is not just a place to visit—it’s an experience to absorb. Whether you're there for spiritual reasons, cultural exploration, or simply to admire its architectural splendor, the pagoda leaves a lasting impression. It is a must-see landmark that captures the soul of Myanmar.

The Shwedagon Pagoda is located on Singuttara Hill in Dagon Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Towering over the city, it can be seen from many vantage points, especially near Kandawgyi Lake. To reach the Shwedagon Pagoda, tourists can take taxis or buses from downtown Yangon, such as Line 8 or Line 11. While buses stop nearby, the easiest and most convenient option is by taxi, which typically takes about 15–20 minutes.

There are four main entrances: South, West, North, and East. The southern entrance is wheelchair accessible and includes an elevator. International tourists are required to pay an entrance fee of approximately 10,000 Kyat. Opening hours: Daily from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Things to know before visiting: Visitors must dress appropriately, wear long pants or a skirt that covers the knees and a shirt with sleeves that covers the shoulders. Avoid tight or revealing clothing. Shoes and socks must be removed before entering.

Best time to visit: Early morning or evening—to enjoy the cool air and stunning light, especially during sunset when the golden pagoda gleams against the sky. It’s customary to walk clockwise around the pagoda, refrain from loud conversation, and avoid pointing your feet at sacred objects. There is a tourist service center, and inside the museum, you'll find displays of religious antiques and historical...