Ancient Capital of Myanmar – Bago / Pegu
Bago is one of the historical town you cannot missed when you travel to Yangon Myanmar. Bago also known as Pegu (old name), just 2 hours drive from Yangon city. A day trip is highly recommended for anyone who wish to learn about this ancient capital city of Myanmar. As the facilities in Bago is still very poor, you are still advised to stay in Yangon and do a day trip.
There are 4 important historical sites in Bago and one of them is Kyaik Pun Pagoda also known as the 4 seated Buddha. The 4 seated Buddhas seated in four angles, sitting back to back to four directions. It was a rainy afternoon but 4 seated Buddhas still can be seen clearly from afar.
We were welcomed by a bunch of brown dogs lazing around on the hallway on the way up the pagoda temple. They look gentle and don’t get too bothered by the noisy tourists.
Bago archeological zone ticket
Show your Bago archeological zone ticket 10,000 kyatt (USD 10.00) at the entrance. The small table at my left, lady in pink will ask you to show ticket and give a stamp on your ticket. Bago archeological zone ticket is a ticket for 4 sites around in Bago.
The Thai Tourists
When you visit Myanmar, you notice huge tourists group coming from Thailand for religion purposes. Over here in Kyaik Pun Pagoda you will witness the Thais admired their devotion to Buddhism. Flowers and incense sticks can be seen offered generously to the 4 Seated Buddhas.
Myanmar & Thai Love Hate Relationships
About some history for Thai and Myanmar relationship, one of the most famous King of Myanmar, King Bayintnaung who founded the Second Burmese Empire invaded Ayutthaya Thai and has strong historical connection with Thailand because King Bayintnaung also kidnapped the Thai Princess and brought her back to Bago/Pegu and stayed in Kanbawzathadi Palace. Nowadays Thai tourists love to visit Bago as they wanted to pay respect to their Thai Princess regarded as a heroine who sacrificed herself for her homeland.
4 Buddhas with Slightly Different Look
The 4 Buddhas look slightly different and with different expression, pay extra attention to their lips. All has its own unique shape.
As Tall as 6 Floor Houses
The 4 seated Buddha look very big when you go near, it is as high as 6 floor houses. It was originally built by King Migadippa of Bago in the 7th Century AD.
Best Picture Shot
The best picture shot you can take is from a corner catching two Buddha at a time. The space near the 4 Seated Buddha aren’t that spacious.
Affection of bells in Myanmar
You are able to see the affection of bells in Myanmar, especially in the temple pagoda. Dozens of little bells hanging around in the temple complex. Smaller bells usually hang together and a huge bell would stand alone.
Owls in Myanmar – “Zee Kwet”
At the entrance, there are souvenirs that you can buy back. Many woodcraft souvenirs can be found and I have chosen a pair of owls. Owls in Myanmar meant to bring in good luck, just like the Japanese maneki neko, the cat. Owl in Myanmar are called Zee Kwet in Burmese and usually in pair, male and female. People place the owls outside the house to protect the family.
The lady with Thanaka painted face is wrapping the pair of owls for me to bring back. (below picture)
Thanaka Powder
Thanaka is the yellow powder applied in most Burmese ladies and children’s faces. It is said the natural ingredient from the barks of the tree have the chilling effect for hot and humid weather.
Final thoughts :
Half an hour is good enough to explore the 4 Seated Buddhas – Kyaik Pun Pagoda. All 4 Buddhas look slightly different with different expression, pay extra attention to their lips.
Like the rest of temple complexes in Myanmar, the attire is no sleeveless, no shoes, no socks and knee-length pant and skirts.
Other attractions in Bago :
- Mya Tha Lyaung Reclining Buddha – Outdoor
- Bago Reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha (Indoor)
- Bago Golden God Temple : Shwemawdaw Pagoda – Myanmar Tallest Pagoda
- Bago Monk School – Kya Kha Wain Kyaung Monastery
- The Golden Palace in Bago – Kanbawzathadi Palace
- White Elephant in Hsin Hpyu Daw Park Yangon
- Taukkyan War Cemetery
- Road Trip from Yangon to Bago – 14 Things to observe
19 comments
The 4 seated Buddha and the affection of bells in the Myanmar temple pagoda sound glorious. I need to put this on my list of places to visit.
Dear Kita,
This is one of the must visit site in Bago city. It huge and grand.
That place looks so amazing! thanks to you, Myanmar has just shot to the top of my travel bucket list.
I always enjoy reading your posts and seeing your beautiful photos. This inspires me to travel so much 🙂
this is one of the places i would love to visit when I visit home(Philippines)
Dear Anne,
Yes, Myanmar is near to Philippines so you may want to do a detour before heading home. 🙂
the place looks interesting! I would love to see with my own eyes as you recommend it!
Dear Lyosha,
Yes, experience it yourself is the best to discover this place.
What a beautiful place. Your photographs are amazing and I love all of those tidbits of history!
Dear Vegan Zebra,
Glad you like those pictures. It is hard to shoot pictures with the 4 seated buddha as they are quite huge and sitting back to back. The best angle is taking two at a corner.
I am always into discovering new places and these photos are awesome! I’d love to visit.
Wow this place is so beautiful! I’m sure the pictures do not do it justice:) How amazing to see it in person! Hopefully I can visit here someday!
Dear Shar,
It is really awesome to see it yourself.
Looks like you had an amazing time, despite some rain. Lovely photos
Dear Chelsea,
The rain stopped when we were at the temple of 4 seated Buddha. The floor was wet and we have to walk on barefoot, that was the uncomfortable part for me. Not really use to walk in barefooted outdoor. 🙂
wow, this would be an amazing place to visit! hope i can go there one day
Omg what a neat place to explore! I would love to visit one day!
This is a stunning place to visit! I’ve not yet been to Myanmar, but I appreciate the tips; they’ll come in handy when I do visit.
Dear Lisa,
Myanmar is not as developed as other countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand and Vietnam. However, it has plenty of temple pagodas and friendly people in this beautiful country.