Shwezigon Pagoda

A gigantic stupa.

This one and the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon are the most famous in the country, although not the tallest, that’s the Shwemawdaw in Bago or Pegu. For many Myanmar (Burmese) people this impressive Buddhist Shrine is the reason for a pilgrimage to Bagan.

The stupa is only the center of the platform; at the whole precinct are smaller ones and zayat of different periods. This is a 'growing' structure as with other temples in the country donations are pouring in day by day by pious earners of Bagan Myanmar merit, donations are used for renovation and add on structures. There are around 30,000 donated copper plates covering the pagoda they have been donated by visitors.  Long time ago a thief took them away and no wonders when the people tell those figures ended up in Italy the center of thiefdom in Europe. The shrine was gilded in 1983-84. Only the lower part is the originally constructed from the 11th century. Another reason why so many people visit the platform is because a popular Nat shrine is also in the precinct, King Anawrahta had placed 37 Nat figures on the lower terraces, after the statues were moved to a small hall which can be visited, it is a very important for pilgrims, but the statues are not the originals.

Several earthquakes shacked the structure they did nothing bad to the lower part but the upper part had to be restored by King Bayinnaung (1551-81). During the reign of Anawrahta the lower terraces were built and under Kyanzittha the work was completed the work, he also had a palace built close by.

The huge pagoda is one of the pronounced classical buildings.

The monument was built from 1084 to 1112. These stupas have all typical canonical elements.  Also its proportions and character of the decoration are attributable to the classical pagodas which are massive, heavy proportions characteristic. 

Other Buddhist Shrines

This is a venerated pilgrim destination and is the only one which is covered from top to bottom with gold leaf. The height is about 50 m and when the  sun is glowing the golden bell it dominates the flat land.

• Bupaya Pagoda
• How to build a temple
• Lokananda ( Lawkananda ) Pagoda
• Mural Painting & Wall Art
• Manuha Temple
• Nanpaya Temple
• Old Bagan Arts
• People of Bagan
• Seddana Pagoda
• Shwezigon Pagoda