Attractions in Bago


BAGO

Founded in 573 AD by Thamala and Wimala, two Mon brothers of noble birth, as an outpost of the Mon Thaton Kingdom. The site, which was then on the Gulf of Martaban, had already been earmarked as the location of a great city by Gautama, the historic Buddha.

HINTHA GON PAYA

This shrine has good views over Bago from the roofed platform on the hilltop. According to legend, this point rose from the sea when the hintha, a mythical bird, landed here.

KANBAWZA THADI PALACE & MUSEUM

The palace was home to King Bayinnaung from 1553 to 1599 and covered 204 acres. Bayinnaung, the brother-in-law of a Taungoo king, moved to Bago after conquering an older Mon principality called Oktha-myo. A small octagonal-shaped museum displays Mon, Siamese and Bagan-style Buddhas.

KYAIK PUN PAYA

Built in 1476 by King Dhammazedi, it consists of four 30 meters high sitting Buddhas placed back-t o-back around a huge, square pillar.

MAHA KALYANI SIMA

Dhammazedi, the famous alchemist king and son of Queen Shinsawpu originally constructed this ‘Sacred Hall of Ordination’ in 1476. It was the first of 397 similar simas he built around the country.

MAHAZEDI PAYA

Originally constructed in 1560 AD by King Bayinnaung, it was destroyed during the 1757 sack of Bago and the reconstruction was only completed in 1982. Stairways lead up the outside of the stupa, and from the top there are fine views over the surrounding area.

SHWEGOGLE PAYA

The monument dates from 1494, in the reign of King Byinnya Yan. Inside re 64-seated Buddha figures.

SHWEMAWDAW PAYA

This is one of the most venerated pagodas in Myanmar. The temple has a 1000-year history and was originally built by 2 merchants, Taphussa and Bhalita, to house some hair relics of the Buddha.

SHWETHAL YAUNG BUDDHA

A huge reclining Buddha with a sign on the platform in front of the image giving the measurements of each body part. It is reputed to be one of the most lifelike of all reclining Buddhas. The Burmese say the image represents Buddha in his 'relaxing' mode.