The golden spire
Slim above the roundabout.
Jason Eppink — CC BY 2.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yangonite — CC BY 3.0
Sule Pagoda is a golden Buddhist stupa in the heart of Yangon, set in a big roundabout where the city's streets meet, which makes it the centre point of town. It is among the most photographed sights in Yangon, its fine gold spire rising above traffic and shops, and it is on the city's heritage list. One visit can combine it with the colonial buildings nearby. Legend says it was built before Shwedagon in the time of the Buddha, making it over 2,600 years old, though this cannot be shown historically. The legend also tells of an old spirit living on this spot who revealed the site of Shwedagon. It is believed to hold a strand of the Buddha's hair. Its form developed from the early Indian mound into the familiar Burmese style. From the roundabout you see a slim golden octagon rising between two small towers with tiered roofs, above a row of small shops and offices with white fronts. It glows at night above the traffic and never looks better. Old buildings surround it, including the white Yangon City Hall with its tiered roofs, and old mosques and churches are nearby. Shwedagon is about 3 km away in a straight line, and Pansodan Street a few steps off. Entry is from four sides across the roundabout, so watch for cars when crossing. Take off your shoes at the entrance, dress modestly and walk clockwise. The UK Foreign Office does not name Yangon among the areas it warns against, but it calls the situation in Myanmar volatile, so read the current advice before you plan.
Slim above the roundabout.
Above the traffic.
The white City Hall.
Sule Pagoda Road, central Yangon, Myanmar
Half an hour is enough, and pair it with a walk in the centre.
Use the crossings around the roundabout and watch for cars, as traffic is heavy.
