Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is Home to a 66-Meter Long Reclining Buddha

Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda in Yangon is home to a 66-meter-long reclining Buddha. It’s a massive structure of its kind – the largest one I’ve seen in Myanmar and Southeast Asia. It is worth noting that this statue was built entirely from donations.

Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda
Tourist attractions in Yangon (Myanmar).

The temple doesn’t really look like a conventional Buddhist temple. It doesn’t even resemble a pagoda. Without the sacred statue, it looks like an enormous shed or warehouse.

Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda Sightseeing in Yangon (Myanmar)
Sightseeing in Yangon (Myanmar)

As soon as you enter, the gigantic face of Buddha greets you.

Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is Home to a 66-Meter Long  Reclining Buddha (Yangon, Myanmar).
Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is Home to a 66-Meter Long Reclining Buddha (Yangon, Myanmar).

The statue is 16 meters high, so you have to look up to admire the shiny figure.

Sightseeing in Yangon (Myanmar)
Sightseeing in Yangon (Myanmar)

Buddha’s right arm supports his head.

Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is Home to a 66-Meter Long  Reclining Buddha (Yangon, Myanmar).
Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is Home to a 66-Meter Long Reclining Buddha (Yangon, Myanmar).

If you notice, the reclining Buddha is embellished with bold, captivating colors! His face and body are super white. His lips are red, and his eye shadows are blue.

Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is Home to a 66-Meter Long Reclining Buddha
Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is Home to a 66-Meter Long Reclining Buddha (Yangon, Myanmar).

The golden robe covers his body.

Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is Home to a 66-Meter Long  Reclining Buddha (Yangon, Myanmar).
ChaukHtatGyi Pagoda is Home to a 66-Meter Long Reclining Buddha (Yangon, Myanmar).

And his fingernails are painted red.

ChaukHtatGyi Pagoda is Home to a 66-Meter Long  Reclining Buddha (Yangon, Myanmar).
ChaukHtatGyi Pagoda is Home to a 66-Meter Long Reclining Buddha (Yangon, Myanmar).

And the soles of his feet are red and embellished with 108 sections with images representing the propitious attributes of the Holy Deity.

Buddhist temples Yangon
Buddhist temples in Yangon (Myanmar).

Don’t forget to read the descriptions on display if you want to know the meaning of these symbols.

Pagoda Temples in Yangon
Things to do in Yangon

As you walk around, you will also find a mural showing Buddha’s life.

murals on the life of buddha
The mural on the life of Buddha.

There are also interesting displays of cultural symbols.

Burmese cultural symbols
Tourist attractions in Yangon (Myanmar).

At the back of the statue, you will see more tiny statues. The good thing is that they have descriptions that you can read.

Tourist attractions in Yangon (Myanmar).
Tourist attractions in Yangon (Myanmar).

Surrounding the reclining statue are a number of small shrines. Each chapel is named after the days of the week. I was told that devotees go to the shrine based on the day they were born.

Reclining buddha
A small replica of the reclining Buddha.

Below the huge statue is a space for worship and a makeshift altar where devotees can leave their offerings.

Buddha statue
Tourist attractions in Yangon (Myanmar).

There are monasteries surrounding the pagoda. If you have time to go around, you might be able to see monks studying Buddhist scriptures.

Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda is open daily from 6:00 in the morning to 8:00 in the evening.

Related Post: All the Things I did in Yangon

Cheap Stay in Old Yangon

I stayed in two places: a hotel and a hostel. Hotel G Yangon has views of the city you’ll love if you book the right room! It’s close to Sule Pagoda, a downtown market, and a train station. Backpacker Bed and Breakfast is your budget-friendly hostel near Sule Pagoda in the old district. Their rooftop is a good place to chill in the afternoon and eat breakfast.

KeepCalmAndWander

A wanderer. A frustrated photographer. Hiker. Lover. Half extrovert, half introvert. Solo traveler.

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