The town was formerly known as Hanthawaddy and is one of the most abundant archaeological sites in Myanmar. For tourists, it’s a popular day trip option from Yangon, although people can easily spend more than a day in Bago. Cruises on Irrawaddy are famous in Bago, especially the multiple days’ slow boat trips to Bagan and Mandalay.
If you are new to Bago and do not know which places to visit, you can come to the places below!
Snake Temple
Yadana Labamuni Hsu-Taungpye Paya or Hmwe Paya is a Buddhist temple located in Bago in Mandalay region in Myanmar. It is popularly known as the Snake Pagoda, due to plenty of giant pythons that inhabit the premises of the temple. These snakes are considered sacred and taken care of by monks who feed them milk.
These harmless pythons coiled around Buddha statues attract a large number of curious visitors traveling to Bago and Mandalay. The temple was established in 1974. A group of monks noticed a few pythons and fed them, which started the tradition of sheltering snakes here. People donate money which is used for the maintenance as well as to nurture these giants.
Shwemawdaw Paya
Shwemawdaw Paya is a vast ancient Buddhist temple located in the city of Bago in Myanmar. This 10th-century temple is known for its massive golden stupa, which makes it the tallest pagoda in the country at 114 meters high. It is also famous for its rich history and traditional Burmese Mon architecture and is one of the most visited attractions in the city.
Shwemawdaw, also called the Golden temple, was built in 985 by the Mon dynasty to enshrine two hairs of the Buddha, which were handed over to the Mons by two Indian merchants. The massive stupa suffered significant damages due to earthquakes, and the present version is the one constructed in 1930. It is one of the sacred places for the locals, and tourists are expected to dress respectfully, covering knees and shoulders. No shoes and socks are allowed inside.
Shwegugale Paya
Shwegugale Paya is one of the oldest temples in Bago in Myanmar dedicated to Nat spirits. This 12th-century pagoda built by King Byinnya Yan consists of a circular stupa, and the complex is home to more than 60 images of Buddha.
Mount Kyaiktiyo (the Golden Rock)
The Golden Rock pagoda (Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda) is the first destination of what places to visit in Bago. Kyaikhtiyo is one of the most famous monuments of Myanmar and one of the few natural masterpieces. The sacred Golden Rock is lying wanderously on another rock through 2,000 years. The rock is close to the edge of the mountain, at the first glance, we will have the feeling that just by pushing hands, the rock can fall down at any time. At the top, there is a tower about 7.3 m high. Golden Rock is famous for its incredible tottering, the contact area of the mountain is only 78 cm2. Burmese mythology explains this strange composition by the story of the Buddha, according to the legend, the stupa on the stone is the Buddha’s hairpiece.
Many people believe that the temple was built during the Buddha’s lifetime, over 2,500 years ago. The pagoda located on the top of Mount Kyaikhtiyo, 1,000 meters above sea level and more than 200 kilometers from Yangon. The Golden Rock pagoda has many statues placed around the corner, especially some Buddha statues are inlaid with thousands of precious stones, hundreds of diamonds and gold bell.
In addition to religious beliefs and unique architecture, beautiful views from the top of the mountain also attract visitors coming to visit this pagoda.
According to holidify.com, asiaopentours.net
