Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

After breakfast, we transferred to the airport for our one hour and 20 minute charter flight back to to the domestic airport in Ulaanbaatar.

We then transferred to the International airport to meet up with our private jet for our flight to
Myanmar.
Flight time 5 hours, 10 minutes

We began our visit to Myanmar with a viewing of Yangon’s massive Shwedagon Pagoda, a dazzling structure that has dominated the city’s skyline for more than 2500 years. The Pagoda is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top of the stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds, the largest of which is a 72 carat diamond. Two giant Chinthes (mythical lion-dragon like creatures) guard the gate of the Pagoda. It is a most stunning site. We began our walk clockwise (as is dictated) around the structure. There are several area’s fronting the structure that contain smaller Buddha’s and prayer area’s for the locals. It is a bit strange to see that some of the Buddha’s have neon lights around their heads! NG has given us little pieces of gold so that we can apply gold to the Buddha like the locals do as they are worshipping.

Once again we had to remove our shoes and go barefoot throughout the site. Thankfully, NG always has people greeting us at the end of the tour with wet wipes for our feet and hands.

Today was a long travel and touring day. We are SO ready for bedtime! I did manage to squeeze in a quick swim in the pool. It’s a lovely hotel. So sad that we are only here long enough for a quick sleep. Enjoyed a leisurely dinner in our room tonight after my swim.

Sule Shangri-La Yangon

Shwedagon Pagoda
As a symbol of national identity, the Schwedagon Pagoda was the scene of much political activity during the Myanmar independence movement in the 20th century. Amazingly, the huge earthquake of 1930 caused only minor damage to the Yangon stupa. But the following year, it suffered from a disastrous fire. After a minor earthquake in 1970, the main stupa was fully refurbished.
The Schwedagon Pagoda stands on a platform covering over 5 hectares and can be seen from virtually anywhere in the city, and the citizens of Yangon literally live out their everyday lives in its shadow.There are four covered walkways that lead up to the pagoda’s platform. You must remove your shoes and socks before you climb the stairs. The steps are lined with shops selling flowers (both real and paper) for offerings, as well as Buddha images, incense, antiques and other items. Despite the vendors, the walkway is cool and quiet, which only increases the impact of bright sun and overwhelming color as you step onto the platform at the top.The platform is full of glittering, colorful stupas, but the huge main stupa is the center of attention for most pilgrims. A mat pathway has been laid around it to protect visitors’ bare feet from burning on the hot marble platform. The stupa is completely solid, every inch is covered in gold, and the upper parts are studded with diamonds totaling over 2,000 carats.Topping the stupa is the spectacular hti (spire decoration) which is gold-plated and silver-plated and studded with 1100 diamonds that total 278 carats, plus 1383 other precious stones.
At the very top of the spire is the diamond orb- a hollow gold sphere studded with 4351 diamonds totalling 1800 carats. On the very tip rests a single, 76-carat diamond.One must always walk around (circumambulate) stupas clockwise so visitors take a left from whichever entrance to the platform they’ve chosen.