Myanmar

Shwenandaw Kyaung Temple

A grand example of 19th century Burmese teak architecture, and the most significant of Mandalay's historic buildings.

The Shwenandaw Kyaung Temple, or Shwe-Kyaung-pyi as it is known to the Burmese, is the most significant of Mandalay's historic buildings, due to the fact that it is the sole remaining structure of... »

Cultures and Civilizations , Architectural Oddities, Curious Places of Worship | Edited by TrevorShawnElia and Rachel

Mudon, Myanmar

Win Sein Taw Ya

The world's largest reclining Buddha, the Giant Buddha of Mudon

Win Sein Taw Ya is the largest reclining Buddha in the world, and at 30 meters high and 180 meters in length can be seen for miles. Located opposite of the Buddhist shrine of Kyauktalon Taung, the... »

Strange Statues, Curious Places of Worship, Giant Buddhas | Edited by Burmats and Rachel

Danu Reserved Forest, Myanmar

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda

Golden rock defies gravity, brings pilgrims from across Myanmar

Perched dangerously on the edge of a cliff, pilgrims have been visiting the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda for centuries to meditate and give offerings to the Buddha. Whether this worship keeps the boulder from... »

Natural Wonders, Curious Places of Worship | Edited by serflac, atimian and others

Popa Reserved Forest, Myanmar

Mount Popa

Myanmar's Mount Olympus atop a 2,500-foot volcanic plug

Established and maintained by a hermit in the early 20th century, the Mount Popa shrine and monastery precariously sits 2,500 feet off the ground on a massive volcanic formation in central... »

Natural Wonders, Geological Oddities, Rites and Rituals, Curious Places of Worship | Edited by serflac and atimian

Mandalay, Myanmar

Thanboddhay Pagoda

Luxurious devotion and 500,000 images of Buddha in Myanmar

On the average cathedral tour of Europe, tourists quietly take in the immense stained glass, the high vaulted ceilings and somber atmosphere. The average pagoda tour on the other hand is the... »

Curious Places of Worship, Giant Buddhas | Edited by serflac, atimian and others

Mandalay, Myanmar

The Mingun Pagoda and Bell

Gigantic unfinished stupa and the world's 2nd largest bell

Nice pile of bricks you've got here. The Mingun Pahtodawgyi is a nice pile of bricks indeed and holds the record for being the biggest pile of bricks in the world. Intended to be a 500 foot... »

Curious Places of Worship, Incredible Ruins | Edited by serflac and atimian

Rangoon, Myanmar

Insein Prison

Prison notorious for its inhumane conditions and torture tactics has been used to hold Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi

In a kind of morbid irony, Insein Prison is pronounced as "Insane Prison," a fitting name for a penitentiary notorious around the world for its inhumane conditions and torture tactics implemented... »

Memento Mori | Edited by Nicholas Jackson

Paleik, Myanmar

Snake Pagoda of Myanmar

These serpents are considered holy and pampered accordingly

Officially called Yadana Labamuni Hsu-taungpye Paya, this Myanmar pagoda is generally known by another name: Hmwe Paya, or the "Snake Pagoda." This out-of-the-way pagoda near Mandalay is... »

Curious Places of Worship | Edited by lieblink, mrobscurity and 2 others