Shwesandaw Pagoda
Bagan city is famous for its ancient yet magnificent temples. Among thousands of constructions to visit, you can narrow down your list to a few relic spots, one of which is the Shwesandaw Pagoda. Only few hundred meters South East of old Bagan, the route to Shwesandaw can be taken by bike for exploring or by horse carriage for romantic experience. Being one of the tallest temples in
Tourists can easily feel the sacredness of Shewesandaw pagoda, which looks like an Egyptian pyramid with 4 sides, 5 distinct floors and a stupa (a bell-shaped tower) situated at the top. The temple was built by King Anawrahta in 1057 to house a Sarira (a sacred Buddhist relic) - one of the Buddha's 8 hair strands that had been procured from India more than a thousand years before. One of the special attributes of the Shwesandaw pagoda is that it has 4 terraces that allow for access to 5 different floors, giving visitors the opportunity to discover the temple itself or observe the nearby religious spots from different vantage points. To help tourists and prayers safely reach the balcony on one of the higher floors, a concrete and safe iron tube has been installed on the right side of the stairs which remain too narrow for safe access. Designed with these special sets of stairs leading up to the top, the temple is suitable for those who are interested in climbing and conquering.
Shwesandaw Pagoda
If you walk around the temple, you will have a chance to discover the nearby ancient village and capture those images of women wearing necklaces according with their age. In addition, there are hot air balloons rising up at the break of dawn is like a “specialty” of Bagan, a natural touch for the beauty of this ancient city. It is highly recommended to come here early in the morning because this is one of the most beautiful sightseeing spots in Bagan. Shwesandaw is also the best place for tourists to enjoy the break of dawn or experience sunset moment after a long day of exploring Bagan. Shwedagon Pagoda is not only a spot chosen to explore architectural magnificence but also a place to immense yourself in the most scenic photos in compared with other temples in the area.
Stairs in Pagoda
Shwesandaw Pagoda is located in the center of Bagan. You can travel by planes or trains from Yangon or Mandalay to Bagan. Taking a boat tour on the Irrawaddy River is another interesting route to Shwesandaw that you should definitely try out. The weather in Bagan is hot all year round with no rainy season, so you can basically visit Shwesandaw Pagoda at any time. However, the most highly suggested months are from November to February. You should spend at least 3 hours to half a day to fully discover the temple, conquer the terraces to enjoy the panoramic view from above and capture those scenic yet vivid photos of the nearby area.
