Day: July 7, 2016

The largest city in Myanmar is Yangon (formerly Rangoon). This is an interesting city with a mix of colonial architecture, modern high-rises and many gilded Buddhist pagodas.

Shwedagon Paya is one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites. This 325 ft. zedi is adorned with 27 meteric tons of gold leaf, along with thousands of diamonds and other kinds of gems. It is believed that it enshrines eight hairs of the Gautama Buddha and other relics of three former Buddhas. Four entrance stairways lead to the main terrace. The hill upon which this stupa sits is 167 ft. above sea level and the entire complex stretches for 46 hectares, Visitors approach the main terrace along four covered walkways each of them flanked by a pair of 9m tall chinthe (a lion-like creature). If you prefer not to climb you can use the elevators found at the northern, eastern and southern entrances. The…