Golden Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Burma

Welcome. Thanks for coming to my blog.

The focus is Burma and the posting is dedicated to the Shwedagon Pagoda ရွှေတိဂုံ ဘုရာ also called Shwedagon Paya in Yangon. Glorious and completely over the top, I was stunned by its beauty at sunset and touched by the devotion of the people. I hope you will be too when you see the photos.

Gleaming in gold and decorated with diamonds, it is a spectacular work of Burmese temple architecture and is the holiest Buddhist shrine in Myanmar.

Legend has it that the Shwedagon Pagoda is 2,500 years old, but archaeologists estimate it was first built sometime between the 6th and 10th centuries (i.e. during the Bagan period).

This first photo is one of the 4 entrances to Shwedagon Pagoda. Next time Inlay Lake and it's local markets. See you then. Alan





















A close up from the same spot






















Beautiful pillars just inside the
southern entrance






















The Pagoda is 112 metres high
















You can see that part of it is being repaired






















Gold everywhere which gleams
in the golden sunlight of late
afternoon






















There are shrines as you walk
around the main stupa. Buddhists walk
in a clockwise direction (as do Hindus).
To do this is auspicious and perhaps
comes from the direction the planets rotate
around the sun. You are in harmony
with the energy of the universe






















Packed tightly together






















Golden and gleaming Buddha
















The large platform/terrace that supports the
great stupa contains a variety of other stupas,
prayer halls, sculptures and shrines






















Daniela with Magnolia, a Burmese
friend who showed us so much kindness






















A number of the shrines are
associated with eight "days"
(Wednesday is divided into
morning and afternoon),
based on one's day of birth.
Each has an associated planet,
direction and animal sign






















It is very important for Burmese
buddhists to know which day of the
week they are born, so they
know which shrine they should
pray at
















A rather different building. Does anyone know
what it is? A water tank comes to mind but that
can't be right!
















The gold seen on the stupa is made of genuine
gold plates, covering the brick structure and
attached by traditional rivets






















One of the many shrines
surrounding the main stupa






















The Buddha inside in shadow
and light






















Awesome!
















Myanmar people all over the country, as well
as monarchs in its history, have donated gold
to the pagoda to maintain it. The practice
continues to this day after being started in the
15th century by the Mon Queen Shin Sawbu,
who gave her weight in gold (she wasn't very
heavy, only 40 kg!)
















Gorgeous colours and lines






















All shapes and sizes!
















A cluster of prayer halls






















Talk about being in your face!






















Fabulous pavilion with images
of the Buddha
















Which way to look first!






















Bathed in gold
















The Pagoda Terrace is one of the most
amazing sights I have seen
















Bathing the Baby Buddha of your birth day
is very auspicious






















A male monk talking to two female
nuns






















It is the ambition of every
Burmese monk to visit
Shwedagon, the holiest Pagoda
in Burma






















Devotion
















Cleaning






















I love this photo






















Workers
















A forest of stupas!






















Steps for refurbishing the main
stupa. Even they seem gold!
















The crown (or umbrella) of the main stupa is
tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies.
The very top, the diamond bud is tipped with
a 76 carat (15 g) diamond.............
















More shrines and........






















...........more devotion

Guangzhou, old, new & traditional

Hello, thanks for coming to my blog. This is the last blog of Guangzhou. The photos I have chosen show different faces of the city. Like most cities it has its modern. its old and its poorer areas, and the buildings that reflect the religious and cultural traditions of the people.

This photo was taken from the window of my room in the hotel. The hotel was very close to the East railway station.

I hope you enjoy seeing the many sides of Guangzhou


I am going to the UK for 2 weeks from 7 November. I will post my next blog as soon as I can after I get back.

Look forward to seeing you then.

Alan















A close up of a rooftop from the same view.






















A close up of shiny and golden!
















China Mayor's Plaza Hotel is at the centre of
the commercial business district of Tianhe.















You often see this shot in the tourist ads but
they don't include the unfinished building on the
far right! The photos also always show
a bright sunny day. UnfortunatelyI didn't get
one!


















The tallest building here is the Jianguo hotel
where I stayed. It is in the East part of the city
but it is easy to get around. The Metro station
is 3 minutes walk. It is new, reliable and easy
to navigate.
















This and the next several photos are of two
temples that I visited. The first one is the
"Six Banyan Trees and Flower Pagoda Temple"
A peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle
of the city. This is a shot of the Daxiong-Baodian
Hall, the main hall of the temple.
















This is inside the Daxiong-Baodian Hall.
The three copper Buddhist statues
placed here are examples of the biggest
and most ancient Buddhist statues in
Guangdong. The middle one is Sakyamuni,
to the left, the Amitabha and to the right, the
Apothecary Buddha. They stand for present,
past and future.
















Six Banyan Trees and Flower Pagoda Temple
is one of the four most important temple
complexes in Guangzhou. The original Temple
was built in 537.






















This is the Flower Pagoda.
Buddhist relics are placed here.
Its roofs curve upwards and look
like dark red flower petals. The
tip of the Pagoda is like stamens,
while the whole structure looks
like a huge stigma high in the air.
















Beautifully shaped entrance
















This street is near the temple and the shops
sell religious items. Everything you need for
your visit to the temple.
















This is part of the walk through old Guangzou
from the Banyan Tree Temple to the second
temple I visited which was...........















.....Guangxiao Temple, also known as the
Temple of Bright Filial Piety. The original site is
said to be 1500 years old and to pre-date
Guangzhou itself. The present temple
dates from the Qing Dynasty
















This statue of Buddha greets you shortly
after you enter the temple.




















Fearsome chaps also greet you. I think I
prefer the Buddha!
















Baby Pagoda






















And now for something
completely different. Beijing
Liu is the Oxford Street of
Guangzhou.






















At night it is brightly lit and
full of people. A "Temple" to all
the famous Western brand
names.
















Along the middle of Beijing Liu are the
remains of an ancient road from the Quing
Dynasty discovered in July 2002.
You can see the road in this photo.
















McDonalds, Shiseido, Lancome, HCBC. The
world and his wife has come to Guangzhou!

















I don't know what this building is but it is right
at the top end (opposite end from the river)
looking straight down Beijing Liu. Very grand.














In the west of the city there is Shamian Island
For several hundred years this tiny spit of
land was the only place in all of China where
Europeans could establish settlements.
















So the architecture is European. It is also a
peaceful place to visit and have a stroll.
















Some of the buildings could do with a facelift,
though they maintain their charm.
















This is a German restaurant on Shamian.

















Our Lady of Lourdes cathedral
















We've now moved to the final part of the blog
and to the Guangzhou TV and Sightseeing
Tower. It is just about finished. It should be
completed by the end of this year (2009) in
time for the 2010 Asian Games. It is a finer
example of a hyperboloid structure.
















There is an interesting contrast between the
new Tower and the Chigang Pagoda that
falls in its shadow. It was built 400 years
ago and according the article in the link the
Pagoda was in bad need of restoration in the
1920s and was then restored. It needs it again!
A lovely building but unfortunately left to
fall in disrepair.















As has this building, which is close to the Pagoda.
There are obvious signs of habitation, though
looking at the building perhaps there shouldn't be....
















Just behind is this hotel, The Regal Riviera
Hotel. Grand and perhaps a little ostentatious?






















The tower and the hotel