The Shwedagon Pagoda is extremely valuable
The magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda dominates the Yangon skyline like a brilliant light in the sky. This 112m (367ft) golden, gilded stupa lies atop Singuttara Hill and can be viewed from everywhere in the city.
Myanmar's most important holy site holds four sacred relics, the most notable of which are eight strands of hair from the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Guatama. The monarch of Dagon (previous name for Yangon and Rangoon) would build the pagoda and enshrine the artifacts within it on these eight hairs.
Shwedagon, which is approximately 2,600 years old, is not only the world's oldest pagoda but also the most costly. The central stupa alone is coated with almost 20,000 bars of gold, which is especially visible at night when dazzling lights highlight its glittering spires.
Yangon's enormous pagoda is symbolic of Myanmar and draws pilgrims from all around the country. Tourists are awestruck by this massive, gold-plated building in the heart of the historic city. When you go, you'll see why it's so valuable. The pagoda's façade is covered in more than 60 tonnes of gold. And if you gaze up at the top of the main stupa, which reaches into the sky, you'll notice a massive diamond sitting inside the hti. On top of the pagoda is a genuine 75 carat (or 15 gram) almost perfect diamond. Not to mention the countless more that adorn the monuments and pavilions.
