Gubyaukgyi Temple

(Wetkyi-inn) Gubyaukgyi Wetkyi-inn is close to Wetkyi-in village. from which the name of the temple was derived. This 13th-century ‘cave temple’ has an Indian-style spire like the Mahabodhi Pagoda in Bagan. It is interesting for the fine frescoes of scenes from the jatakas. There is another temple of the same name in Myinkaba. and to distinguish between theses two. this monument is sometimes called ‘Wetkyi-in Gubyaukgyi’.

Gubyaukgyi temple with a spire resembling the Mahabodhi Temple at Buddha Gaya in India. The Gubyaukgyi is noted for its wall paintings. depicting scenes from the previous lives of the Buddha. The ceiling of this temple is full of wall paintings and the halls have enough lights to view these clearly. There is a Buddha Image in the first hallway and with the marvelous paintings of the Man-Nat at the back of the image. The main entrance of the temple is large and the paintings of the halls can be seen very clearly. Located on the northern and southern side of the temple. are the twenty eight Buddha images. The walls are full of carvings in many different ways. Tourists can have a great chance in viewing the ancient carvings. paintings and more.

The tunnel was built in the late thirteenth century. It was named after King Kyansittha (1084-1113). This “tunnel” is a low. unpretentious brick structure with long. dark corridors in its interior. Small partitions as rooms can be found in this tunnel. Very little light can reach the inner part of the tunnel. So the tunnel is dark and cool. This tunnel has paintings on some of the interior walls. The paintings include the description of Buddha’s images. Monks’ portraits. parrots and trees. An interesting feature of the paintings is the portrayal of Mongol soldiers. with arrow and arch. a memento of the Mongol invasion of Myanmar. But the paintings and portrays are just sketches not real paintings. During the invasion of the Mongols. it is assumed that. the tunnel was apparently used as a residence by monks and nuns in the Bagan period.