Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Shwedagon Pagoda rises from Singuttara Hill in Yangon, Myanmar, a 99-meter gilded stupa that dominates the city skyline, with origins traditionally dated to 2,600 years ago. The main stupa is covered in gold plates and topped by a diamond-encrusted umbrella crown, or hti, set with 5,448 diamonds including a 76-carat stone at its tip. Four covered stairways, oriented to the cardinal points, ascend the hill to a marble-paved terrace surrounding the central spire. Visitors must remove shoes before entering the platform, open from 4 AM to 10 PM. is just one of many options in Yangon. Major attractions worth considering include Chaukhtatgyi Paya (Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple), Sule Pagoda (Sule Paya), and Bago.