Global Treasures SHWEDAGON PAGODA Shwedagon Zedi Daw Myanmar

For several centuries one of the world's greatest and most splendid sights has towered above the streets of Yangon. A total of four stairways that point toward the four cardinal points lead into Burma's national sanctuary, the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda.

From the top of the hill there's a sixty thousand square metre high terrace with an amazing number of smaller stupas that surround the tallest central stupa. As with the three other stairways the southern entrance area of the Shwedagon Pagoda has its own temple that is dedicated to the Buddha, Konagamana.

According to tradition, the Mon queen, Shin-Saw-Bu, was the first leader to have her body weight represented by gold which was duly donated to the improvement of the pagoda. Even though the sanctuary received only around forty-five kilograms of gold it was enough to decorate the entire pagoda.

The main golden Stupa rises ninety-eight metres into the sky, its spire crowned by a golden ball that is decorated with over four thousand diamonds.

Due to extensive renovation at the end of the twentieth century this fascinating temple shines out once again in all of its ancient splendour.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.