Shwesandaw Pagoda
Shwesandaw Pagoda
4.5
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4.5
981 reviews
Excellent
561
Very good
320
Average
84
Poor
14
Terrible
2
Jittima P
937 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
It is not allowed to climb up anymore.
There's a 2nd largest reclining buddha in Bagan.
Lots of people following to give photo service with asking money in return.
Souvenirs selling here is double priced.
There's a 2nd largest reclining buddha in Bagan.
Lots of people following to give photo service with asking money in return.
Souvenirs selling here is double priced.
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard B
Edinburgh, UK5,184 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
One of many temples or pagodas in Bagan. Well, one of about two thousand anyway. However, that said, still manages to stand out in what is an embarrassment of riches.
The Pagoda is nestled in amongst some of the most interesting temples that also sit near this ancient world masterclass. Well worth a look when you are in the archaeological site.
The Pagoda is nestled in amongst some of the most interesting temples that also sit near this ancient world masterclass. Well worth a look when you are in the archaeological site.
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris Barr
Darlington, UK808 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
Our driver brought us here for the sunset views and by the time we arrived it was getting busy.
Make sure you have your archaeological pass with you as ours got checked, the climb up is very steep with high large steps and it does get busy with people juggling for the best position and viewpoint.
Simply stunning as the sun goes down and the only place in the world where a sunset was applauded, probably some Americans were in attendance.
Well worth the visit and wish we had done the sunrise one too.
Make sure you have your archaeological pass with you as ours got checked, the climb up is very steep with high large steps and it does get busy with people juggling for the best position and viewpoint.
Simply stunning as the sun goes down and the only place in the world where a sunset was applauded, probably some Americans were in attendance.
Well worth the visit and wish we had done the sunrise one too.
Written 2 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Wandering Reviewer
Melbourne, Australia12,180 contributions
Sept 2015 • Solo
The Shwesandaw Pagoda contains a series of five terraces, topped with a cylindrical stupa, which has a bejewelled umbrella. The pagoda was built by King Anawrahta in 1057, and once contained terra cotta tiles depicting scenes from the Jataka. Enshrined within the pagoda are sacred hairs of Gautama Buddha.
This is probably the most popular place for tourists to take sunset photos. Nearly everyone goes to the fifth level but the best photos are taken at the third. The crowds are dreadful and I spent around a half hour here and left to find something better (which I did). The hawkers are in your face all the time and won't leave you alone too.
You have to take your shoes off and cover your shoulders and knees with appropriate clothing.
I got annoyed with some of the pushy people so as the sunset wasn't going to be that great, went to the opposite side and captured the photos I've added here. Very happy with myself.
I passed this pagoda in the daytime and it was still busy. It's worth a visit but there are less crowded ones and better architecture around.
This is probably the most popular place for tourists to take sunset photos. Nearly everyone goes to the fifth level but the best photos are taken at the third. The crowds are dreadful and I spent around a half hour here and left to find something better (which I did). The hawkers are in your face all the time and won't leave you alone too.
You have to take your shoes off and cover your shoulders and knees with appropriate clothing.
I got annoyed with some of the pushy people so as the sunset wasn't going to be that great, went to the opposite side and captured the photos I've added here. Very happy with myself.
I passed this pagoda in the daytime and it was still busy. It's worth a visit but there are less crowded ones and better architecture around.
Written 4 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daveozz
Kefar Sava, Israel223 contributions
July 2015 • Couples
It is by far one of the most overwhelming yet popular and crowded Pagodas in Bagan, specially towaeds sunset time as its one of the last tall pagodas you are allowed to climb on. Nevertheless, it was the only site in the old Bagan where we were asked to buy the 20$ pass ticket.
So that leads me to a golden tip: go there with your bike/car/cart, enjoy the view from outside the pagodas entrance and then head out to the nearby South Guni Pagoda (you can ask the locals for directions). This one is pretty, much less crowded and is a great spot for a panoramic view. Needless to say- it's free. Save your bucks for a good meal in one of Old Bagan's good restaurants :-)
So that leads me to a golden tip: go there with your bike/car/cart, enjoy the view from outside the pagodas entrance and then head out to the nearby South Guni Pagoda (you can ask the locals for directions). This one is pretty, much less crowded and is a great spot for a panoramic view. Needless to say- it's free. Save your bucks for a good meal in one of Old Bagan's good restaurants :-)
Written 28 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donald H
Singapore, Singapore84 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
We went here for both sunrise and sunset. Recommend come for sunrise, less tourists and enjoyed stunning view and peaceful atmosphere. We arrived there at 4:15AM and was the first arriving and climbed up to the top. Luckily for us, we can enjoy the moon, the night view and sunrise view also :-). Highly recommend.
Written 9 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam R
Warsaw, Poland129 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
Dress code is needed to get inside. Its one of the biggest temples in the area. There is a market at the entrance.
Written 23 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PlatinumDC
Severna Park, MD401 contributions
Sept 2019
Beautiful pagoda in Bagan! Unfortunately you cannot climb these pagodas any longer, but they are still impressive structures with interesting history! Highly recommend getting one of the e-scooters to cruise around to all of the Pagodas, there are countless to choose from! The further you get off the main road the more secluded the pagodas, and you can have any number of them entirely to yourself!
Written 4 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francis Martino
Hirtshals, Denmark2,025 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
It is very nice place. Not the best one but still in the top 10 in Bagan.Before when people were allowed to climb up the terrace of the pagoda, it was a great spot to view the sunset of Bagan. But nowadays, to keep the ancient monuments in good shape, the stairways have been closed down.
Written 20 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ange
Sydney, Australia30 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
This pagoda was okay but I think it would have been a much better place to visit when it was open for climbing - i think all the high reviews for this temple are based on being able to climb it for the views of sunset and sunrise. We walked around the perimeter and had a look but we did not spend too much time here. There are more interesting pagodas we found to visit.
Written 3 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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