According to Myanmar legend, it was built more than 2,500 years ago, during the time of the Buddha. It is believed to enshrine a strand of hair of the Buddha. Whether or not it has a strand of the Buddha's hair, the galleries of the pagoda are an oasis of calm from the chaotic traffic that passes around it all day long. The Sule Pagoda has been the focal point of both Yangon and Myanmar politics. It has served as a rallying point in both the 1988 uprisings and 2007 Saffron Revolution.
The Sule Pagoda incorporated the original Indian structure of the stupa. However, the local architectural forms began to change the shape of the pagoda. The dome structure, topped with a golden spire, extends into the skyline, marking the cityscape. The glitter gold covered on the roof of Sule pagoda always attracts the pedestrians.
The Sule Pagoda was made the center of Yangon by Lt. Alexander Fraser of the Bengal Engineers, who created the present street layout of Yangon soon after the British occupation in the middle of the 19th century. It is a Mon-style pagoda, octagonal in shape, with each side 24 feet long; its height is 144 feet, 9 l/2 inches. Around the pagoda are ten bronze bells of various sizes and ages with inscriptions recording their donors' names and the dates of their dedication.
Notes:
Address: Maha Bandula Road, Yangon, Myanmar
Location: Yangon downtown center. It normally takes 30 minutes to visit it
Opening Hours: From 4:00 am to 10:00 pm. Opening daily, all year around
Fee: US$3 per person for entrance fee and US$1 for shoes keeping
Highlights:
Sule Pagoda located in the middle of Yangon downtown, and it was so shine and impressive especially at night - you must see it on a pedestrian bridge near Sule Shangrila Hotel.
If you are into photography, then you might want to try out some skills over here. Just next to it, there is an Independence park where you can unwind under the trees if you need a break from the scotching sun.
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