Bago is situated 80 km (50 miles) north-east of Yangon. Bago is well-known for its religious monuments such as 55 meter long reclining Buddha image, Shwemawdaw Pagoda and the ordination hall (Kalayani Sima) and its lively market. Bago is an extendable site who wants to see the rural life.
Shwe Tha Lyaung
Bago is also noted for the largest reclining image of Buddha, 180 feet in length and 52 feet in height. The Shwe Tha Lyaung image was built by King Migadipa in AD 994. King Bayint Naung reconstructed in AD 1555. Oak Hpo Sayadaw and Kalyani Sayadaw repaired and renovate the image and gave it a new name “Shwe Tha Lyaung” (the Golden Reclining Buddha). It is located at the west of Bago.
Kyaik Pun
The four Buddha images were placed against the sides of a massive brick pillar. This was built by King Dhammaceti in AD1475.
Though Shelterless it is kept in a fair state of preservation by devout Buddhists. It is called that Kyaik Pun Buddha images.
Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda
Among the religious monuments, the Shwe Maw Daw is one of the most venerated pagodas in Myanmar. According to the traditional mentions, the original pagoda was built by two merchant brothers and they enshrined two sacred hairs bestowed upon them by Buddha during his life-time. King Thamala and Wimala raised the height to 81 and 88 feet respectively in AD 825 and 840. Successive King Contributed towards its renovation and enlargement. When Bodawphaya replaced a new hti (umbrella) in AD 1796, it attained to a height of 297 feet. The height of it is now 375 feed.