The Allied War Memorial Cemetery is situated 32km north of Yangon, on the road to Bago.
| Place | Price |
|---|---|
| Bago Zone Fee Includes : Shwethalyaung Buddha, Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Kanbawzathadi Palace, KyaiKPun pagoda... |
US$10 |
| Snake Pagoda | Donation |
About Bago
Bago or Pegu is an ancient capital city of Burma (called Myanmar nowadays) located 80 kilometers Northeast of Yangon, near Bago River. Burmese believe that two princesses coming from Thaton founded Bago in 573 CE. This city was also known as Pegu during the Colonial era.
The Famous legend of Bago
According to an interesting legend, Lord Buddha has predicted, (after seeing two birds sitting atop one another on a rock protruding to the sea) that a country following Buddhist philosophy will prosper in the place where Bago City stands at present.
How to get to Bago?
By car- It takes around 1 ½ hours to 2 hours to get there from Yangon.
By bus– It takes 3 hours to get there from Yangon.
By train- It takes 2 hours to get there from Yangon.
How to get around Bago?
The easiest way to get around the city is to rent a taxi for the day.
Famous Buddhist Stupas and temples in Bago
Hintha Gon Paya
Location- it’s located behind Shwemawdaw Paya on a hill overlooking the city.
Profile – You can get a breathtaking view of Bago city from where the Hintha Gon Paya stands.
The Hintha Gon Paya was built by a Burmese monk called U Kanti, who is also known for designing Mandalay Hill. You can see a statue of a bird at the top of the hill. This is symbolic of the birds in the Burmese legend about Lord Buddha’s prediction concerning Bago city.
Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha
Location- Bago city
A reclining Buddha statue resembling Buddha on the day of Nirvana. It is surrounded with decorative glass panels showcasing the life events of the Buddha and guardian nats (spirits).
Length and height-55 meters tall and 15 meters long.
The Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha was built by King Mingadippa in 994 AD.
The Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha was discovered among the forests of Myanmar by an English railway contractor in 1881 when the British ruled the country.
Maha Kalyani Sima
The Maha Kalyani Sima is a Sacred hall of ordination
Location- This is located near the train station of Bago.
A Buddhist Sima consisting of 10 tablets of Pali and Mon inscriptions, a beautiful marble covered interior and 28 Buddha images. The Maha Kalyani Sima was built by King Dhammazedi in 1479. This was destroyed in 1599 by Portuguese adventurer, Philip De Brito and by numerous other man-made and natural disasters many times in the past before being finally renovated to its present state.
Shwegugale Paya
Location- Located to the south of Shwemawdaw Paya
The Shwegugale Paya is a unique cylindrical structure. Inside the Pagoda there are 64 Buddha statues.
Shwe Nyaunbin Shrine
Location- Under a popular Banyan tree, several kilometers away from Yangon, on the route to Bago.
Burmese people believe that the Banyan tree shading Shwe Nyaunbin Shrine is haunted by nats (spirits) and that these spirits take care of vehicles and their passengers.
Shwemawdaw Paya
Location- Near the Railway station of Bago
Length - 114 meters
The Shwemawdaw Paya was built during the Mon Dynasty. The stupa was destroyed in 1930 by a massive earthquake and it was rebuilt during 1952-1954.
The remaining artifacts of the previous stupa are on display.
Kyaik Pun Paya
Location- It is situated just 1.5 km away from Bago
Profile- Four Buddha statues seated back to back.
Height- 30m
The Kyaik Pun Paya was built by King Dhammazedi in 1470.
According to Burmese legends, four Mon sisters have helped build the statues. If one of them were to marry, one of the statues would be destroyed. In fact in 1930 one of the statues did actually collapse due to an earthquake. The Statue was renovated later on.
Kanbawzathadi Palace
Location- The Kanbawzathadi Palace is situated to the North of Shwemawdaw Paya. A must see palace in Bago.
Length- The Kanbawzathadi Palace covers 82 hectares and has 20 gates
Architecture- Beautiful Mon style architecture
King Bayinnaung resided at the palace from 1553 to 1599.
Other interesting places in Bago
Kanbawzathadi Museum
Location- This is situated to the North of Shwemawdaw Paya
The Kanbawzathadi Museum is Octagonal in shape.
Weighting scales made of bronze, weapons, Buddha statues of `Bagn, Siamese and Mon style and parts of an authentic teak wall.
Bago Market
Even if you are not going to buy anything, a walk through the market is recommended. Fresh fruits, vegetables, spices and other local products are sold here.
