Burmese Days: Yangon - Shwedagon

We started our journey in Yangon (or Rangun), the former capital of Myanmar until 2006, with a visit to the largest and most important pagoda in Burma: the Shwedagon Pagoda. It goes back to the 13th century and possibly earlier to around 500 BC and is said to contain a relic of eight hairs of Buddha. It is a very impressive sight dominating the city. Many layers of gold leaf have been added to its body - supposedly 60 tons of gold cover its surface. At the moment it is in the process of being regilded; therefore it was covered in bamboo scaffolding.

The Shwedagon Pagoda

On a Tuesday afternoon it was crowded with locals, who visited not only to pray and worship Buddha but also to have a family outing or a picnic. Every Burmese should visit the Shwedagon at least once in his lifetime.