Without an H

Photography from south-east Asia by Jon Sanwell

Evening at Shwedagon Paya

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Sometimes a city’s best-known, iconic sights can be a little underwhelming, but this is certainly not true of Shwedagon Paya, the golden Buddhist pagoda that towers over much of Yangon. It’s a beautiful, calming place that somehow manages to be both a major tourist attraction and an active religious site without any jarring awkwardness between these two seemingly incompatible roles.

These pictures were taken on a cloudy late afternoon and early evening in October last year.

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4 Responses to “Evening at Shwedagon Paya”

  2. Alison and Don's avatar
    Alison and Don

    Wonderful photos Jon. I loved Shwedagon, I was completely in awe. I’d waited about 40 years to get there and it did not disappoint.
    Alison

    Reply
  4. bluebrightly's avatar
    bluebrightly

    How I’d love to see this temple! I’m pleased to read what you say about it functioning well as tourist attraction and spiritual home or gathering place. Beautiful photographs! Thank you!

    Reply

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