Shwedagon Pagoda

This is the most important paya in Myanmar. Every Burmese hopes to visit this place once in his life. It's a big place, and in the center is the big bell shaped paya covered with 60 tons of gold and more then 5000 diamonds. There's magic in the air. You need a full day to visit the pagoda. If you're interested in Buddhism (sure you are ! ) it's best to hire a guide. The entrance to the pagoda is 5 US$ pp for tourists (11/98). A guide will cost the same. Take a licensed guide for the safety of the people. You can get there by foot from the downtown area (30 min walk), otherwise take a taxi for 1 US$.