Shwesandaw Pagoda, the Founding Pagoda of the Bagan Kingdom, Resplendent and Majestic

Visited the Shwesandaw Pagoda, the founding pagoda of the Bagan Kingdom, on a hot afternoon. It is now one of the four major pagodas in Myanmar. The scale and grandeur are truly astonishing, and even the term 'resplendent' falls short of describing its magnificence. To enter the Shwesandaw Pagoda, you need to pass through a long corridor that provides some shade, making the walk relatively comfortable. However, once you reach the pagoda grounds, you have to take off your shoes! The ground is scorching hot, and you can only stand in the shaded areas outside to admire the pagoda, or else your feet will burn! Besides the resplendent main pagoda, there are three other highlights: a statue of the Naga descending from the sky, a small puddle that reflects the pagoda, and a father and son Buddha statue. Unfortunately, the top of the pagoda was under maintenance during our visit, covered with white cloth, making it look like it was wrapped in snow, which was quite cute. The Shwesandaw Pagoda, said to be the prototype of Myanmar's pagodas, features a three-tiered square base, an octagonal platform, and a bell-shaped tower, exuding stability and solemnity. Each of the four sides has a large niche housing a 4-meter tall standing Buddha.