Shwedagon Pagoda

Towering over Rangoon’s skyline from Singuttara Hill, the 99 metre tall, gold leaf encrusted Shwedagon Pagoda is Burma’s most sacred landmark. Said to enshrine a sacred relic of Buddha, 8 of his hairs, it is suitable opulent – as well as being covered in gold its crown encrusted with diamonds and rubies. A pagoda has stood on this spot for hundreds of years but has been rebuilt on a number of occasions – the current incarnation is from the 17^th century. The pagoda is at its most glorious at dawn or dusk when the sun picks out the plentiful gold and jewels.