When I arrived by night in the city of Yangon, I couldn’t help but look in wonder at the glimmering Shwedagon Pagoda, lighting up the darkened sky with it’s golden splendor. Perched high up on a hill, it dominates the city’s skyline and is a visible icon from nearly every corner of Yangon.
There are some places in this world that can have an immediate effect on you, and seeing Shwedagon Pagoda up close in person is one of them. Enveloped by the scent of incense, the hum of monks chanting a prayer, the chiming of bells being moved by the breeze, I felt completely uplifted and relaxed with no sense of urgency to do anything but just be — to exist, breathe, and take it all in.
Even though I’m not Buddhist, I left feeling changed and a bit more calm and connected with the world. Shwedagon Pagoda is the holiest of Buddhist temples in Myanmar. Take a peek at the photos below to see why it’s such a sacred site and why you should add it to your bucket list.
My trip to Myanmar was part of a campaign created and sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airways in partnership with iambassador. As always, thoughts, opinions, and enthusiasm for travel are entirely my own.
This place is so spiritual and magical. We spent so much time here, day and night. Both had such a different feel. We loved it. Definitely one of our highlights for Myanmar.