Myanmar: Bago – Reclining Buddhas in Bago
Besides having the biggest pagoda in Myanmar, Bago also has one of the world’s biggest reclining Buddhas. The Shwethalyaung Buddha is 55 meters/180 feet long and amazingly was built in 994 AD! Interestingly, it was lost in 1757 when the city was sacked during the war but then later rediscovered during the British colonial time under the jungle cover in 1880. The Buddha has amazing detail, especially on his feet and pillow. Just outside tech temple, lies another buddha – Mya Tha Lyaung Reclining Buddha. This one is new, completed in 2002 and is actually bigger then the more sacred brother mentioned above. The detailing is much cheaper here and it’s outside, exposed to the elements.
