After 9 months on the road, we’ve seen some pretty amazing stuff. So the fact that we were completely stunned by Shwedagon, in my humble opinion, speaks volumes. There’s more going on at Shwedagon than mere architectural splendor, however.

More Than Meets The Eye

Away from the stunning, gold-covered elegance of the main compound lies a small, peaceful shrine under the shade of a beautiful bodhi tree. Legend has it that this robust specimen is a clipping from the very tree the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath in Bodgaya, India.

When we stumbled upon the place, there wasn’t much happening there. Just a few people milling around, the sound of the wind rattling the chimes at the top of the nearby gold-covered pagoda, and some birds who probably have no idea they’re loitering near such a famous tree.