Myanmar is a Buddhist country with many precious heritages as well as ancient pagodas, temples. With a breathtaking beauty, Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is really a highlight in Yangon city. Travelers will be unlooked-for its Buddhist architecture and especially the giant Reclining Buddha, which is one of the greatest and most gorgeous in South East Asia.

Lying on Shwe Gon Taing Road, Tamwe Township,Yangon, The Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is well-known for its huge statue of Reclining Buddha. It was built 1907 by Sir Hpo Thar. However, because of the devastation due to climate in a long time, it was broken and rebuilt to this structure in 1966 with the entire cost got from the people’s donations. Its architecture is quite solid, covered by an iron structure with corrugated iron sheets roof of six layers. Therefore, its general name is the six-tiered pagodas.

The most outstanding feature of Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is the Reclining Buddha in a reclining posture. However, from afar it seems to be in the seated posture. This symbol is a common image in the temples and holy places around South East Asia such as Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, and so on. However, the scale of The Buddha in Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is really impressive and scarce. The huge statue had a length of 195 feet (59.28m) and a height of 100 feet (30.4m) with a halo round the head. But the rebuilt in 1973 extended its length to 216 feet (65.85m) and changed the visage facing to the north. The image is protected in an open sided steel and corrugated iron structure with the white skin, the bright red lips, pink toenail and tranquil mystery countenance in the light-filled space. When looking The Buddha, travelers can feel their morale very serene. Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda with The reclining Buddha really brings the experience about the spiritual meaning for tourists. Moreover, the monasteries in the vicinity around this pagoda are the place that six hundred monks who study Buddhist Scriptures from the senior and qualified monks live. Travelers who is Buddhist devotees should not be missed the opportunities to experience profound lessons of Buddhism in here.

There are some notes for visitors while strolling around the pagoda and surrounding areas.  You should combine visiting to the Chaukhtatgyi Paya with the Shwedagon Paya or the Ngahtatgyi Paya because they are nearby. The Myanmar people as well as monks always welcome visitors. However, not bother prayer or eating times is the need to remember. When meeting older monks, please bowing slightly as the tradition in here, not point soles of feet or fingers towards monks or Buddha statues, sitting with feet tucked behind, hats off in the monastery grounds, taking off your shoes in the pagoda and speaking softly. Especially, women’s touching monks is the taboo. When travelers want to take photos, please ask the curator or monks before. There are some closed buildings without permission. Finally, every contribution is always welcomed but it should be put in the donation boxes.

As well as other pagodas, temples and holy places of Myanmar, Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is really an impressive destination attracting tourist around the world by not only the breathtaking beauty but also the sacred Buddhist cultural experiences and the serenity of the soul