Start here · Essential guide
Exploring the Buddhist Sites of Myanmar
An overview of Theravada pilgrimage in Myanmar, from Yangon and Bagan to Mandalay and Kyaiktiyo, with notes on etiquette and checking current travel advice.
Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia
Myanmar
Shwedagon, Bagan and the Theravada heritage of Myanmar.
Discovering the Hidden Temples of Myanmar: A Buddhist Pilgrimage
Mrauk U, the Sagaing Hills and Monywa are quieter Buddhist sites in Myanmar. Learn what they are known for and why access must be checked before any plan.
The Ancient City of Pagan: A Buddhist Pilgrimage Site in Myanmar
Pagan, now usually called Bagan, was a royal capital with thousands of temples. Read about its kingdom era, earthquake damage, UNESCO listing and visiting etiquette.
The History and Significance of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon
A careful account of the Shwedagon Pagoda's history, its rebuildings, gilding and relic traditions, separating what legend says from what the record supports.
The Mystique of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar
How pilgrims walk clockwise around the Shwedagon platform and honour their birth-day at the planetary posts, pouring water over the Buddha image and its guardian animal.
The Mystique of the Shwezigon Pagoda in Myanmar
The Shwezigon Pagoda near Bagan is linked by tradition to King Anawrahta and the nats. Read about its origins, its form and how it is used by worshippers today.
Unveiling the Mystique of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar
The Shwedagon at dusk, on full-moon days and during festivals: the offerings people bring, how visitors can join in quietly, and what to wear and avoid.
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Borobudur and Java The great Mahayana monument of Java and its neighbours. Cambodia and Angkor Angkor and the living Buddhist temples of Cambodia. Sri Lanka The Theravada heritage of the island. Southeast Asia Overview Planning and comparing pilgrimage across the region, including Thailand. Vietnam and Laos Pagodas and wats from Hanoi to Luang Prabang. Thailand Temples Bangkok’s royal temples and the wats of northern Thailand. Angkor and Khmer Buddhism Angkor’s temples and Cambodia’s living Buddhist tradition. Shwedagon and Burmese Practice Yangon’s great pagoda and Buddhist life in Myanmar. Laos and the Mekong Lao wats and the riverside temples of the Mekong. Sri Lanka Sacred Cities Kandy, Anuradhapura and the other great pilgrimage places of Sri Lanka.