If you like visiting many religious sites whilst traveling you could not be in a more perfect place than Bago. Bago has an abundance of religious sights for you to visit such as Shwemawdaw Paya. This stupa looks stunning in the misty haze of midday and glistens in the evening sun. It stands out tall and proud and the 376 ft. structure really towers over the city giving it its presence.

This religious site is definitely not one to be missed especially during Bago’s annual pagoda festival during the months between March and April. The much-awaited arrival of the new Hanthawaddy International Airport which is set to arrive in 2022. This will provide much easier access to Bago allowing you a better journey to Bago. Until this time you can still access Bago from Yangon and enjoy the bliss of treasure-filled Buddhist temples. The Buddhist temple Shwethalyaung was built in the 10^th century and provides a little history for you to learn about Bago. After the destruction of Bago in 1757, this monument was overgrown by jungle and not rediscovered until 1881. This place is well worth a visit when coming to Bago.

You can also visit Hintha Gon Paya a Buddhist stupa which is located just behind Shwethalyaung so you can visit both together in one trip. One of the great places you can visit north of Shwemawdaw Paya is Kanbawzathadi. This palace has 20 gates and incorporated is some of the most stunning and beautiful architecture that you could see on your visit to Bago. Overall, Bago is a place that you can really endeavor some Buddhist places of worship and have an insight into a different way of life and historical explores. Whilst traveling around the city you will be able to hire a taxi which will take you anywhere you would like the city.

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Viewpoint near the Snake Monastery, Bago, MYANMAR

Naung Daw Gyi Mya The Lyaung, Bago, Myanmar

Key Attractions

see the surroundings

Shwetharlyaung Pagoda

Shwetharlyaung Pagoda is a reclining Buddha in the west side of Bago (Pegu), Burma (Myanmar). The Buddha, which has a length of 55 m (180 ft) and a height of 16 m (52 ft), is the second largest Buddha in the world, after the 74 m reclining Buddha in Dawei (Tavoy). The Buddha is believed to have been built in 994, during the reign of Mon King Migadepa. It was lost in 1757 when Bago (Pegu) was pillaged.

Shwemawdaw Pagoda

Shwemawdaw Pagoda often referred to as the Golden God Temple. At 375 feet in height, the Shwemawdaw holds the record for the tallest pagoda in the country although the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is usually credited as the tallest pagoda in Myanmar (at 98 meters – approximately 321.5 ft). Shwemawdaw pagoda, Shwedagon Pagoda and Kyaik Htee Yoe Pagoda are three famous Mon Pagodas. Shwemawdaw Pagoda annual festival take place during the Burmese month of Tagu.

Kyaik Pun Pagoda

Kyaik Pun Pagoda in Mon Kyaik (Buddha) and Pon (Four). Kyaik Pun Pagoda is the home to the Four Seated Buddha shrine, a 90 ft (27 m) statue depicting the four Buddha namely Kakkusana, Konagamana, Kassapa, and Gotama seated in four positions, sitting back to back to four directions. The Four Seated Buddha was built by King Migadepa of Bago in the 7th Century AD (tradition) and renovated by King Dhammaceti in the 15th century AD. Kanbawzathadi Palace built for King Bayinnaung in 1556, consisted of 76 apartments and halls. It was burned down in 1599. It was reconstructed in 1990 and finished in 1992.

Kya Khat Wai

Kya Khat Wai monastery which is one of the three large monastery in Myanmar. This monastery is famous known for being a premier school of Buddhism, undergraduate, master and doctor of Dhamma sermon.

Kanbawzathadi Palace

Kanbawzathadi Palace is in Bago, was built by King Bayinnaung in 1556. It was burned down in 1599 but it war reconstructed in 1990 and finished in 1992. The first Hantharwaddy was shifted to new place and the king rebuilt the new palace to the south of the Shwemawdaw Pagoda and named Kanbawzathardi in 1556. It is one of the most attractions in Bago. It has brick foundations and plinths of the old palace, many teak pillars some with inscriptions and 1800 lime-stone Buddha images. The ruins of city wall with 20 gates are still in existence. Great Audience Hall (the Lion Throne Room) and Bee Throne Hall were reconstructed.