Bago City is the capital city of the Bago Region of Myanmar, located 91 kilometers north of Yangon. It is a picturesque city with several attractions. Here, we’ll look at Shwemawdaw Paya, the Shwethalyaung Buddha, the Kyaik Pun Pagoda, and the Kambazathadi Golden Palace.
Shwemawdaw Paya
Shwemawdaw Payo, or Golden God Temple, is a huge stupa in Bago City, Myanmar. It is 114 metres high and often referred to as the country’s tallest pagoda. However, it’s not the tallest in Myanmar, and its height is not necessarily comparable with the Shwedagon Pagoda.
Shwemawdaw Payo is an enormous gold pagoda in Bago City. It is one of the tallest pagodas in the world, and is surrounded by a beautiful garden. It is also home to Buddha relics and the Golden God festival, which is held every year during the Burmese month of Tago.
There are many things to do in Bago City. Bago City is 84 km from Yangon, which will take about two hours to drive. Historically, Bago City was a port city founded by two Mon princes in 825. Nearby is the Htaukkyant War Cemetery, which is home to the graves of over 27,000 allied soldiers. It is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Shwethalyaung Buddha
A visit to the Shwethalyaung Buddha temple in Bago City, Myanmar is a must for any traveler to Myanmar. This temple features a large golden Buddha and is located in a stunning location. It is the most photographed temple in Myanmar, and it is also a popular tourist spot.
The Shwethalyaung Buddha is a large reclining Buddha that is estimated to be over 125 years old. It was buried under layers of vegetation and was rediscovered in 1881 by British workmen who were building a railway line through the area. The Buddha’s reclining posture is now covered by a wooden pavilion, but before this, the Buddha’s original location was hidden by a dense jungle.
There are many ways to enjoy the Shwethalyaung Buddha in Bago City, Myanmar. It is the second largest lying Buddha and is over 55 meters tall. It is considered one of the most accurate representations of Buddha in existence. The Buddha has geoffnetted eyes and lightly squished hair. The shwethalyaung Buddha is a great place to experience Buddhist history and culture.
Kyaik Pun Pagoda
There are many things to do in Bago City Myanmar, and one of them is to visit the Kyaik Pun Pagoda. This ancient Buddhist temple has four massive Buddha statues, and is a popular spiritual destination among both locals and visitors. The pagoda is open for 12 hours a day, starting at 6 am and closing at 6 pm. Getting to the temple requires buying an entrance ticket, which costs 10 US dollars. You can also visit the Bago archeological zone, which has several historical sites. If you’re interested in taking pictures, you’ll also need to bring 3 US dollars with you for camera gear. It’s best to have a total of 13 US dollars in cash, since there are other historical sites and attractions you’ll want to see as well.
Another must-see in Bago City is the old reclining Buddha, which is one of the most revered locations in the city. Technically called the Shwethalyaung Buddha, this Buddha is more than 1,000 years old. It was built in honor of a queen who brought Buddhism to the heathens, and is more than 55 meters long. The reclining Buddha was so revered that a special building was built around it, which is now home to a replica of the original.
Kambazathadi Golden Palace
Kambazathadi Golden Palace, one of the most popular attractions in Bago City, is an important historical site for tourists visiting Myanmar. Built in the 16th century, this palace is a reconstruction of a palace that was destroyed by fire in 1599. During construction, 167 original teak pillars were discovered, as well as over two thousand Buddha statues. Today, many of the original parts of the palace are on display in Bago. The palace is made up of many buildings, including residential apartments, halls for public events, and a throne hall. The iconic building is the Bhammayarthana Throne Hall, which was built to house the King’s private living quarters.
The palace itself is open nine to five, except national holidays. The entrance fee to the palace and archeological zone is about 10,000 Kyats per person.
Kyaly Khat Wai Monastery
If you’re looking for something a little different in Bago City, then try visiting the Kyaly Khat Wai Monastery. While this Buddhist monastery has no particularly impressive history or architecture, it is filled with interesting events every day. Visiting at 11am is especially fascinating, as this is when the monks start their day. During lunch, they eat the main meal, so you’ll probably want to stick around for the whole meal. It’s not the most dramatic experience, but it is quite interesting to witness as almost 500 monks begin their day.
The Kyaly Khat Wai Monastern is the largest reclining Buddha in the world, which is why it’s one of the best places to visit while in Bago. The city of Bago is also home to one of the world’s largest reclining Buddhas, which stands at 27 meters high. They guard the entrance to the city and greet visitors coming from all directions. Another site worth mentioning is the Kya Khat Wine Monastery, which is home to over 1,000 monks. It’s not uncommon to see monks line up for their last meal on a daily basis, and there are also many other interesting places to visit, such as the Kyaly Khat Wai Monastrian Village.
Another place to visit in Bago City is the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, the tallest pagoda in Myanmar at 55 metres. You’ll also be able to see the Four Giant Buddha Images. And while you’re in Bago City, don’t miss out on the excavation site of the Golden Rock, where King Bayinnaung used to live. Whether you’re looking for ancient statues or beautiful gardens, Bago City has something for everyone.
Mya Tha Lyaung Reclining Buddha
When you are in Bago City, you cannot miss the Mya Tha Lyaung Reclining Buddha. It is part of the Shwethalyaung Buddha and Kanbawzathadi Palace. It is located only 1.8 kilometers from the railway station. It is best visited between November and mid-March.
Mya Tha Lyaung Reclining Buddha is a large outdoor statue of Buddha, which was completed in 2001 by the local residents. It is 82 metres long, making it one of the largest Buddha statues in Myanmar. It is free to visit and is an important religious site in the town.
Another place to visit in Bago City is Shwethalyaung Buddha, which is located 500 meters to the north. It is over a thousand years old and is one of the world’s largest reclining Buddhas. It depicts Lord Buddha in the final stages of life, as he is about to enter Nirvana.
Winga Baw Elephant Camp
Located just 60 km north of Yangon, Winga Baw Elephant Camp is a sanctuary for rescued elephants. The camp is a former timber camp where the elephants were used to carry heavy logs out of the jungle. However, the current government has stopped the timber extraction and the camp has been converted into a luxurious resort. At the camp, visitors can interact with the elephants and even feed them. A shallow stream in the camp provides the elephants with a refreshing bath.
While this is a great way to help these animals, it is important to note that elephants in Myanmar are still endangered. Poaching is a major issue, and the animals are conditioned by human contact. That’s why it’s vital to protect these animals, especially the ones living in the wild.
If you’d like to spend some time on land, you can visit the Riverview Garden, which features beautiful plants and bird species near the river. Many travelers come here to watch sunsets.
Snake Pagoda
This small Buddhist pagoda is home to a massive uncaged python, believed to be very old and holy. The uncaged snake is believed to be a symbol of protection and enlightenment. It is also believed to have been worshiped by monks for many years.
The pythons that reside inside the pagoda are cared for by the monks. Two pythons are currently living there and are fed goat meat and milk every five days. Monks also clean the snakes daily, using flower petals and the money left as an offering at the pagoda.
This pagoda is quite different from the rest of the pagodas in Bago. Its location makes it unique and stands out among the others. The snake looks sleepy and is quite different from the other pagodas in Bago. While you can enter the pagoda for free, you should give a donation to the singer of the snake.