Bago was formerly known as Pegu. It is just 80 km (50 miles) north of Yangon. It is just about an hour drive from Yangon. Bago is accessible easily from Yangon. Mandalay. Pyay and other cities.

 

Bago is one of the richest archaeological sites in Myanmar. Apparently Mons were the first to settle at this site. Two Mon brothers Thamala and Wimala from Thaton. first founded the city about 825 A.D. In 13th century A.D. 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. Bago was made the capital of the Mon Kingdom and it came to be known as Hansavati (Hanthawaddy). It was also the seaport of ancient Mon kings. Then it became the Second Myanmar Empire founded by King Bayinnaung.

TRAVEL TIPS

  • Accessible by car. Only about 2 hours drive from Yangon.
  • There are also express buses carrying passengers everyday. Click to see the map of this destination

Click here to see the Map of Bago

 

Interesting Places

 

SHWE-THA-LYAUNG RECLINING BUDDHA

Built by the Mon in 994 this big Buddha was restored several times but was overgrown by the jungle after the total destruction of Bago by the Burmans in 1757. The 55 meter long and 16 meter high reclining Buddha is well known in Bago. It was rediscovered in 1880 and restored again several times to bring it to this condition. This 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 Myanmar people say that the image represents Buddha in a ‘relaxing’ mode.
 
Measurements of the reclining Buddha Image
Height at the shoulder is 52.5 feet (16m). Extent of the face is 22.5feet (6.9m). Lengthwise dimension of the throat is 7.5 feet (2.3m). Length of the upper torso is 47.5 feet (14.5m). Length of the ear is 15 feet (4.6m). Length of the eyebrows is 7.5 feet (2.3m). Width of the mouth is 7.5 feet (2.3m). Width of each eye is 3.5feet (1.1m). Bridge of the nose is 7.5 feet (2.3m). Length of the sole of the foot is 25.5 feet (7.8m). Dimension of the palm lengthwise is 22 feet (6.7m). Height of the big toe is 6 feet (1.8m).
 

TRAVEL TIPS

Opening Hours – 4am to 9pm
Opening days –  Daily
Admission Fees – US$ 2

 

SHWEMAWDAW PAGODA

The Shwemawdaw or ‘Great Golden God Pagoda’ of Bago has been growing for more than 1000 years. The Shwemawdaw Pagoda whose spire can be seen behind this impressive entrance portal. was originally built by the Mon to a height to 23 meters in the 8th century and was rebuilt higher several times until it finally reached its present 114 meter stature in 1954. The pagoda was originally built by 2 merchants. Taphussa and Bhalita. to house some hair relics of the Buddha. Originally built to a height of 23 meters. it has over the centuries become the tallest of the Burmese pagodas. As with other pagodas. this growth in size occurred during numerous reconstruction periods. usually following great earthquakes. The most recent quake. in 1930. nearly leveled the ancient structure and it was not until 1952 that it again dominated the Bago skyline. Legends say that enshrined beneath the towering pagoda are the hairs and teeth of the Buddha. Because of these relics. Shwemawdaw is visited by throngs of Buddhist pilgrims during all hours of the day and night.
 

TRAVEL TIPS

 
Opening Hours – 4am to 9pm
Opening days –  Daily
Admission Fees – US$ 2

 

KYAIK PUN BUDDHA IMAGES

Kyaik Pun Pagoda is in the form of four gigantic Buddha images all in sitting posture facing the four cardinal points of the compass. They are seated back to back against a massive brick pillar. This unusual and impressive pagoda is only a few hundred feet off the Yangon-Bago road. It was built by King Dhamma Zedi in 1476 A.D. They are kept in a fair state of preservation. Kyaik Pun pagoda is situated amidst the lush rugged countryside strewn with a large number of ancient ruins many of which are under repair. According to a legend four mon sisters were connected with the construction of the images. It was said that if one of them marry. one of the Buddha would collapse.

 

TRAVEL TIPS

Opening Hours – 4am to 9pm
Opening days –  Daily
Admission Fees – US$ 2

 

MAHAZEDI

There are many other famous pagodas in Bago. like the Mahazedi (the Great Stupa) built by King Bayinnaung in 1560 A.D.. and Hinthakone Pagoda. which you should see.

 

It is known that the pagoda enshrines a tooth-relic brought from Sri Lanka. Tradition has it that Hinthakone is the hill where the two sacred mythical ducks called Hintha (Hamsa) alighted. when only the very top of the hill was above the ocean.

 

The name Hantha-wadi or Hamsavati by which Bago and her kingdom were known. originated from this name.
 

TRAVEL TIPS

Opening Hours – 4am to 9pm
Opening days –  Daily
Admission Fees – US$ 2

 

MYA THAR LYAUNG BUDDHA IMAGE

Mya-thar-lyaung buddha image is located next to the famous Shwe-thar-lyaung buddha image. It is another giant reclining Buddha image.

HINTHARGONE PAGODA

Just behind the Shwemawdaw Pagoda. It has good views over Bago from the hilltop. Believed to be the tiny-spot of legendary source. that hillock is decorated with small shrine and the symbolic figure of the female Hansa bird perching on the back of the male one.
 

TRAVEL TIPS

Opening Hours – 4am to 9pm daily
Opening days – Daily
Admission Fees – US$2 per person

KANBAWZA THADI PALACE

Kanbawza Thadi. the famous palace of King Bayinnaung (1551-1581 A.D.) is being extensively excavated and some buildings are being rebuilt. King Bayinnaung was the founder of the Second Myanmar Empire. which stretched from the borders of India to parts of Thailand and Laos. In 1566 A.D. he built a new capital city called Hanthawadi on what is now Bago. To the south of the Shwe-Maw-Daw Pagoda he built a grand palace. which he named Kanbawza Thadi.

Excavations at the palace site were started on 25th April 1990. The Archaeological Department has up to now excavated six mounds. which revealed the brick foundations and plinths of the old palace. Many teak pillars. some with inscriptions were also found. The Settaw Saung. one of the main rooms of the palace has been reconstructed and the work is 90 percent finished. Also the main Audience Hall(the Lion Throne Room) is being rebuilt. The palace site transferred to the Archaeology Department comprises of 9.662 acres. The reconstructed 16th century palace of Hanthawadi and the whole palace site will become a main tourist attraction in the near future.

 

TRAVEL TIPS

Opening Hours – 9am to 5pm daily
Opening days – Daily
Admission Fees – US$4 per person
 

 

SHWEGUGALE

This zedi dates back to 1494 and the reign of King Byinnya Yan. while it looks fairly modern. It features a dark gu (tunnel) with 64 seated Buddha images inside.

 

KALYARNI SIMA

The essential building for Buddhist Order is no doubt that of Sima or Ordination Hall. It is one of the Simas built by King Dhammazeddi in 15 century. The remarkable fact is that it was erected in the form of Kalyarni Sima at Sri-Lanka and 10 lithic inscriptions of its’ vicinity recount a detailed intercourse of Myanmar and Sri-Lanka in religious affairs.

 

TRAVEL TIPS

Opening Hours – 9am to 5pm daily
Opening days – Daily
Admission Fees – US$4 per person