20 Amazing Temples in Myanmar – A Myanmar Temple Guide

Discover 20 beautiful Buddhist Temples in Myanmar that should not be missed from the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon to Golden Rock and the Mahamuni Paya in Mandalay. People make pilgrimages from all over Myanmar and around the world to visit these stunning, sacred Pagodas in Myanmar.

If you’re a lover of temples, Myanmar could be your ideal travel destination. Wherever you go in Myanmar you’ll see amazing golden temples and beautiful Buddhas. At the top of every hill, you’ll find a golden stupa and a beautiful statue of the Buddha in a temple or a monastery.

The temples of Myanmar are at the centre of the community. As well as being a place of worship, they are places where people gather to socialise. Next to a Myanmar temple, there are often markets selling food and clothing. Visiting Temples in Myanmar is a major part of life for the local people and will be a major part of your visit to Myanmar.

Make sure you dress respectfully whenever you visit the pagodas in Myanmar. Wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Never point your feet towards the Buddha as this is considered to be very offensive.

Here are 20 amazing Temples in Myanmar that should not be missed.

**Myanmar is unsafe for travel at the present time due to civil unrest and armed conflict. Check with your government for the latest travel information.

“*Disclosure* – This page may contain some affiliate links. I make a small commission on sales from clicks on those links. This does not cost you any extra and helps to keep this website running. Thank you for your support!

20 Amazing Temples in Myanmar

Temples in Yangon

1. Shwedagon Pagoda – Yangon

There are amazing Buddhist temples and pagodas in Myanmar wherever you go, but the most revered is the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. I arrived at night and was awe-struck when I first saw the Shwedagon Pagoda from the rooftop of my hotel. The three golden stupas of the Shwedagon Pagoda were lit up and glowing against the dark night sky.

The three giant stupas of the Shwedagon Pagoda stand 100 metres tall and are layered with gold leaf. The atmosphere at the Shwedagon Pagoda is really special. Monks chant the Buddhist prays continuously over a loudspeaker and this ritual goes back thousands of years. You’ll see many local people praying and lots of pilgrims from all over Myanmar. Monks and Nuns come as well to experience the history and the holiness of the glittering Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred of the temples of Myanmar.

Where to stay in Yangon & more on the famous Shwedagon Pagoda

2. Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda – Yangon

Of all the Temples in Myanmar, the Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda in Yangon has the most amazing Buddha statue I’ve ever seen. It stands five stories tall and is incredibly beautiful and intricately decorated with gold and teak wood carvings. There is a monastery attached to this pagoda and I was lucky enough to meet a young monk who gave me a tour of the monastery grounds.

 3. Chauk Htat Kyi Pagoda – Yangon

Across the road is another of my favourite temples of Myanmar, the Chauk Htat Kyi Pagoda. This temple in Yangon has a stunning reclining Buddha that’s 66 meters long. The statue is quite lovely but it’s the feet of the Buddha that are the most remarkable. They are red and gold and intricately carved with sacred Buddhist symbols.

Mandalay to Bangkok in 4 Weeks – My Ultimate Myanmar Itinerary

4 . Botataung Pagoda – Yangon

The Temples of Myanmar are at the centre of the community and I loved the atmosphere at the Botataung Pagoda and its location near the river in Yangon. Like many other temples in Myanmar, there is a bustling market outside the Pagoda on weekends.

I went on a Sunday evening and there were lots of local people visiting the Pagoda and the market. I loved feeding the birds at the dock on the waterfront and watching the boats come and go, ferrying people across the Yangon River. I bought some street food and enjoyed the relaxed ambience.

5. Sule Pagoda – Yangon

The Sule Pagoda is an ancient Myanmar Temple located right in the centre of Yangon. This famous Pagoda has a golden stupa that is more than 2,600 years old and it’s an important landmark in the heart of Yangon.

The Sule Pagoda is a bit more touristy than other temples in Myanmar but still very impressive. I had a very interesting conversation with a young Myanmar man who was a guide at the temple and was approached by some young novice monks who were carrying their alms bowls and looking for donations of food and money. It’s a tradition in Myanmar that the community supports and feeds the monks.

TIP: Carry some cash in small amounts so you can donate to the temple or to the monks if you’re asked.

Temples in Bagan

6. Dhamma Ya Za Ka Pagoda – Bagan

With its stunning golden stupa glowing brightly in the sunlight, the Dhamma Ya Za Ka Pagoda is a beautiful Myanmar temple to visit. It was full of pilgrims when I was there, including a group of monks and young nuns who had come to pray.

The Dhamma Ya Za Ka Pagoda is one of more than two thousand ancient Temples of Myanmar located on the plains of Bagan and dates back to the 11^th century. There are thousands of ancient temples in Bagan and the massive scale of this UNESCO World Heritage site is truly astounding. Bagan is a destination that should not be missed.

TIP: Book a hot air balloon flight in Bagan and float above the temples at sunrise. From the air, the view is incredibly beautiful and you can truly appreciate the huge number of temples that were built on the plains of Bagan. I flew with Golden Eagle Balloons and loved every minute. It was an unforgettable experience and a highlight of my Myanmar trip!

Learn more about The Beautiful Temples of Bagan in Myanmar

7. Ananda Temple – Bagan

Another impressive Myanmar Temple is the Ananda Temple in Bagan. Dating back to the 11th century, the Ananda Temple is among my favourites in Bagan. It has impressive terraces, four standing Buddhas, and a golden Hti. On the grounds of this lovely Pagoda, I came across some young monks playing with their reflections in a pond.

8. Sulimani Temple – Bagan

The ancient Sulimani Temple sits in the middle of the plains of Bagan. This impressive Myanmar Temple was built in 1183 by royalty. There is a viewing platform next to the Sulimani Temple that’s in a perfect location to watch the hot-air balloons floating over at sunrise.

9. Shwezigon Pagoda – Bagan

The golden Shwezigon Pagoda overlooks the Irrawaddy River in Old Bagan. It’s the oldest temple in Bagan and has an impressive gold-plated Paya. You’ll get the best view of this lovely Myanmar Temple at sunset from the river bank when the stupa is lit up and is reflected perfectly in the still waters of the Irrawaddy River.

10. Lawkananda Pagoda

 Located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River in Bagan, the Lawkananda Pagoda is lit up at night and its golden reflection can be seen in the River below. Of all the temples in Myanmar, the view of the Lawkananda Temple at sunset from the river bank is the most memorable.

11. Golden Rock – Mount Kyaiktiyo

The Golden Rock Pagoda is unique among the Temples of Myanmar. It’s a major pilgrimage site and people travel from around the country to pray here. At the top of Mount Kyaiktiyo, the Golden Rock Pagoda is built around a huge rock covered in gold leaf. The rock balances precariously on the side of the mountain and it’s said, a strand of the Buddha’s hair stops the rock from rolling down into the valley.

Golden Rock is one of the most unique of Myanmar’s Temples and visiting the Golden Rock Pagoda was one of my favourite experiences. The rollercoaster ride up the mountain in the back of a turbo-powered pickup truck full of pilgrims is an experience in itself.

The view from the top of Mount Kyaiktiyo is stunning and the atmosphere is vibrant, especially at night. There are shelters behind Golden Rock where the pilgrims gather with their families to eat, sleep and enjoy the special occasion. There is no transport up or down the mountain after dark. I stayed in a hotel at the top of the mountain so I could experience the atmosphere and see the sunrise and sunset from Golden Rock.  

Read more about my Pilgrimage to Golden Rock

12. Pindaya Cave Temple – Kalaw

 The most surprising of the Temples of Myanmar is the cave temple at Pindaya. Halfway up a cliff face, there’s a cave filled to the brim with golden statues of the Buddha. Every nook & cranny has a statue and it’s a truly extraordinary sight. To get to the cave there’s a steep staircase to climb and a lift to the cave entrance.

Pindaya is around 50km from Kalaw (1 hour by car) and about 75 km from Inle Lake (1.5 hours by car). I visited on a day trip and hired a taxi for the day from Inle Lake.

13. Sadan Cave Temple – Hpa-An

Of the many cave temples in Myanmar, Sadan Cave near Hpa-An is the most impressive. The cave is huge! Inside the cave, you’ll find the temple with a golden stupa, a reclining Buddha, gold monk statues and intricate wall carvings. After wandering through the cave barefoot for about 15 minutes you come to a secret lagoon. A small boat with an oarsman will row you across the lagoon back to the entrance of the cave. Sadan Cave is about 30km southeast of Hpa-An in Mon State.

Learn more Hpa-An Travel Tips & Where to Stay in Hpa-An

14. Kawgun Cave – Hpa-An

Kawgun Cave is one of the most remarkable of Myanmar’s ancient Temples. It’s known as the “Cave of the ten thousand Buddhas” and can be found near Hpa-An. The cave walls are covered in crumbling artwork that dates back to the 10^th century AD. It’s a sacred place for the ethnic Mon People of Myanmar and is truly amazing to visit.

Temples in Mandalay

15. Mandalay Hill 

At the top of Mandalay Hill is another Myanmar Temple that’s lovely to visit at sunset. A covered staircase leads to the Temple at the top of the hill and a platform with a beautiful view of the mountains and the city of Mandalay. Friendly Monks from the nearby monastery come here to chat with tourists and practice their English. Talking to a monk is a great way to find out more about the fascinating culture of Myanmar.

16. Kuthodaw Pagoda – Mandalay

At the base of Mandalay Hill is another fascinating Myanmar Temple, the Kuthodaw Pagoda. It houses the world’s largest book, an ancient manuscript consisting of 1,460 stone tablets inscribed with Buddhist texts. The tablets are held in 729 white stupas set around a central golden pagoda. 

17. Ponnya Shin Temple – Mandalay

Like many Temples in Myanmar, the beautiful Ponya Shin Temple is located at the top of a hill and has a lovely view. This Myanmar Temple has a viewing platform covered in brightly coloured tiles and below the temple, the hillside is dotted with golden stupas.

The Irrawaddy River flows past Sagaing Hill and snakes away into the distance. Myanmar people love to visit the temple to pray and socialize and it was very busy when I was there. Also enjoying the view, were a large number of monks, taking photos like other tourists.

18. U Min Thonze Temple – Mandalay

Nearby is the U Min Thonze Temple, another interesting Buddhist Pagoda with a beautiful view from the hilltop. An artificial cave built into the side of Sagaing Hil near Mandalay, the U Minh Thonze temple has 45 golden Buddha images in a semi-circular row. There are 30 entrances to the narrow Temple.

Mandalay Highlights – More Fascinating Things to Do in Mandalay

19. Mahamuni Pagoda – Mandalay

Southwest of Mandalay is the Mahamuni Pagoda, one of the most important of the many Temples in Myanmar. It’s Mandalay’s most famous Pagoda and is central to the community in Mandalay. A large lake outside the pagoda reflects the beautiful golden spires and inside the Temple is the Mahamuni Buddha, one of the most highly revered Buddha images in Myanmar.

The Mahamuni Pagoda is a major pilgrimage site, comparable to other famous Temples in Myanmar like the Shwedagon Pagoda and Golden Rock in importance.

20. Hsinbyume Pagoda – Mingun, Mandalay

The beautiful and distinctive Hsinbyume Pagoda is a Myanmar Temple that is often seen on Instagram. Of all the Pagodas in Myanmar, it’s unusual in that it is completely white. The Hsinbyume Pagoda is located near the ruined Mingun Pahtodawgyi. A visit to this unique Myanmar Temple is a lovely day trip from Mandalay. To get there catch a river ferry to Mingun from the Mandalay wharf.

Myanmar Video – A visual journey

See more highlights of my visit to beautiful Myanmar in this video…

Travel essentials:

#1. A Travel Guide for Myanmar is really useful to help you plan your trip. I rarely travel without a trusted Lonely Planet Guide.

#2. Travel Insurance is essential for any overseas trip. I use Travel Insurance that covers me for overseas medical, lost baggage, and other expenses and I can concentrate on enjoying my trip without worrying about something going wrong.

More Travel Tips & Itineraries

The Beautiful Temples of Bagan in Myanmar

4 Weeks Mandalay to Bangkok: My Ultimate Myanmar Itinerary

3 x Weeks in Myanmar: Mandalay to Yangon

11 x Days: Myanmar Highlights

Useful Advice for Solo Travel in Myanmar

Is Lempuyang Temple worth visiting in Bali?

21 Beautiful Temples of Indonesia

in it! If you enjoyed this post why not save it for later?

Sharing is caring!