Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Yangon

A day’s sight-seeing in Yangon, including the stunning Shwe Dagon Pagoda. The monk on the left hand side of the stupa gives some idea of scale! Burma is a Buddhist country and this is the holiest site, with relics of the last four Buddhas. It is said to be the oldest pagoda in the world at 2,600 years old. It stands on a hill above the River Irrawaddy and can be seen from miles around. It is made of gold plates and the top is encrusted with rubies and diamonds.

The base of the stupa is octagonal and the eight “corners” each have a shrine for a day of the week (Wednesday is split into morning and afternoon). Burmese astrology is based on the day of the week on which you were born. I was born on Saturday which makes me a dragon (curiously in Chinese astrology which is based on the year in which you were born, I am also a dragon).

It’s also been a site of protest, firstly against British rule before independence in 1948, and more recently against the rule of “the generals”. On the day I was there, it was crowded with local families out for a picnic.

There are a few extra photos here.