Gawdawpalin Temple

This is the only pagoda I returned to after a week in Bagan. Don't know why, but perhaps it is because most of the Buddhists inside smile, and if they do not, their looks are rather mild. Not one of them is lecturing. Moreover, you are not distracted, as the inner walls have mostly been whitewashed, reminding me of monasteries in Europe. Even though the images are gilded or painted in gold, they seemed to keep a modest profile. There are not many pilgrims and tourists. The surroundings are green and quiet. Construction of the temple was completed in 1227 when devout king Htilominlo ruled. It was beautifully restored after the 1975 earthquake. From far away, it almost resembles a Gothic church. #thingstodo#familytravel