North of Yangon (Bago)

Bago:
Formerly known as Pegu is an ancient capital of 15th century Mon Kingdom. It is situated 80 km from Yangon; just a two-hour drive across the countryside. Bago was once flourished as the greatest seaport and reached its zenith as the second Myanmar Empire established by King Bayintnaung. Ancient pagodas in Bago will also be magnificent scenes to the tourists.

Shwe-Tha-Lyaung Buddha Image:
Shwe Tha Lyaung Buddha image (reclining Buddha), 55 meters long, which have located in Bago, built by king Magadipa in 994 AD. The Shwetha-lyaung Buddha was allowed to deteriorate and was then restored in several times during its existence before the destruction of Bago in 1757. The town was so completely ravaged that the huge Buddha was totally lost and overgrown by jungle. It was not found until the 1880s British era. Rediscovered the image when digging in a large earth mound for filled to be used in the construction of the railway line.

Kyaik Pun pagoda:
Kyaik Pun Pagoda was donated by king Damazedi in 1476, which is famous gigantic Buddha images facing the four cardinal points seated back to back around the square pillars. They are seated back to back against a massive brick pillar. 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.

The other famous pagodas and places in Bago are Shwemawdaw Pagoda (higher than the Shwedagon in Yangon), Hinthagone Pagoda, Mahazedi (Great Stupa), Kanbawzathadi Palace & Museum and Maha Kalyani Sima.