5 Famous & Ancient Myanmar Temples Architectures
1. Shwedagon Pagoda
Location: Yangon, Myanmar
Construction Date: Estimated around the 6th century
Visiting Hours: 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily
Shwedagon Pagoda is one of Myanmar’s most iconic landmarks, often regarded as one of the most impressive temples in Southeast Asia. It stands at a height of 99 meters, making it one of the tallest structures in Myanmar. The pagoda is said to enshrine relics of the Buddha, including strands of hair and other sacred items. The golden stupa at its summit is covered in over 8,000 solid gold slabs, and its dome is decorated with thousands of diamonds, including a 76-carat diamond at the top.
2. Ananda Temple
Location: Bagan, Myanmar
Construction Date: 1090 AD
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
The Ananda Temple is one of the finest examples of early Bagan architecture and one of the most well-preserved monuments in the Bagan Archaeological Zone. It was built by King Kyanzittha and is renowned for its graceful design, featuring a large central dome, four massive Buddha statues, and a high level of craftsmanship in its carvings.
3. Shwezigon Pagoda
Location: Nyaung U, Bagan, Myanmar
Construction Date: 1059-1090 AD
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Shwezigon Pagoda is one of Bagan’s oldest and most revered temples. Its construction was initiated by King Anawrahta and completed by his son King Kyansittha. The temple’s large, bell-shaped golden stupa is said to enshrine relics of the Buddha, including a tooth relic.
4. Thatbyinnyu Temple
Location: Bagan, Myanmar
Construction Date: 1144 AD
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Thatbyinnyu Temple is the tallest temple in Bagan, rising to 61 meters. Built during the reign of King Alaungsithu, the temple was constructed as a symbol of the power and grandeur of his reign. The temple’s name, which means “Omnipresent,” is a reference to its towering height and the all-encompassing Buddhist principles it symbolizes.
5. Sulamani Temple
Location: Bagan, Myanmar
Construction Date: 1183 AD
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
The Sulamani Temple is another jewel of Bagan’s temple complex. Built by King Narapatisithu, Sulamani is known for its impressive architecture, which blends both early and late Bagan architectural styles. The temple’s design includes a grand central stupa surrounded by smaller shrines, all built with high-quality red brick.