Maha Wizaya Pagoda
Maha Wizaya Pagoda
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
114 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
44
Average
28
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Vincent M
New Orleans, LA2,256 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
The Maha Wizaya pagoda complex is not quite 30 years old; it sits on Dhammarakkhita (Guardian of the Law) Hill, on the SE corner of the intersection of U Htaung Bo and Shwedagon Pagoda roads, which of course means it’s directly SE of Shwedagon itself. On a hill or not, that’s pretty stiff competition. One ought not to hold its youth against it: the Sydney Opera House is pretty new, and that’s already a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Frankly, I think Maha Wizaya is quite impressive. The architects and artists who created it put a great deal of taste and skill into their work.
The circular pagoda is in the exact center of a square plaza. There are large open-pavilion gates leading to it from the four cardinal directions (see Northern Gate, and Eastern Gate photos). And there are smaller shrines at the NE, SE, SW and NW corners, each serving a different purposes. For example, the NE holds the temple bell; the SE has a small Buddha shrine; and the SW serves a double purpose, it houses the gong and serves as an elegant pigeonnier. Well, OK, I’m not really sure whether the architects intended it to be a pigeonnier. But that’s certainly what the local pigeons intend it to be (see NE Bell, SE Shrine, and SW Gong photos). There were some quite jolly sweeping women on the plaza, trying to keep it spiffy, but given the pigeons, that’ll be a job that’s never done for good (see A Womans Work… photo).
The pagoda is topped by a huge golden stupa, and there are smaller stupas on two levels below it (see Central Stupa photo). The pagoda has eight very elegant doorways, four directly opposite the gates, and the other four direction opposite the gong, bell, etc. (see Eastern Doorway, and W SW and S Doorways photos). As the latter photo shows, they’re currently doing some work on the NW side of the stupa.
I refrain from photographs when told to do so, for whatever reason, and was advised no photographing inside the great pagoda. Pity. There is a large outer circular hall inside, lined with hundreds—probably thousands—of buddhas on the exterior side of the ring. The interior side has some marvelous religious art, including carved panels. Even nicer, when you go further inside, you enter a circular clearing inside a grove of trees—the trees are all three-dimensional artworks of course. A panoply of delightful creatures is floating on the sky-blue dome of this inner chamber, and in the very center is an image of the pagoda that was a gift to the temple form the King and Queen of Nepal. Much of the artwork could be described as creative modernistic folk art: exuberant and joyful. (You can see this on quite a few of the other photographs for this attraction; apparently as usual some visitors work on the false premise that “no cameras” means “cell phones are OK.”)
The best way to get up to the Maha Wizaya is from the east side of Shwedagon Pagoda Road. A broad stairwell will lead you between two “lakes” (I’d call them pools) and past two guardians to the western gate (see Southern Lake photo). On the south side of U Htaung Road a driveway goes up the hill from the eastbound lanes, so taxis can drop you off at the eastern gate. If you’re on foot, on the Shwedagon side of the road, the easiest safe way to get up to Maha Wizaya is a bit counter-intuitive. You walk west to the main intersection and then back NE on the narrow Ar Zar Ni Road. In 50 or 60 meters, you’ll see a pedestrian bridge that takes you over U Htaung and directly to the northern Gate of Maya Wizaya. This is not one of the top block-buster must-sees in Rangoon, but what it lacks in history, it rather makes up for in youthful exuberiance, and it really is a splendid design. If you could move this beauty to the top of a hill in, say, Sydney or San Francisco, it would be the talk of the town.
The circular pagoda is in the exact center of a square plaza. There are large open-pavilion gates leading to it from the four cardinal directions (see Northern Gate, and Eastern Gate photos). And there are smaller shrines at the NE, SE, SW and NW corners, each serving a different purposes. For example, the NE holds the temple bell; the SE has a small Buddha shrine; and the SW serves a double purpose, it houses the gong and serves as an elegant pigeonnier. Well, OK, I’m not really sure whether the architects intended it to be a pigeonnier. But that’s certainly what the local pigeons intend it to be (see NE Bell, SE Shrine, and SW Gong photos). There were some quite jolly sweeping women on the plaza, trying to keep it spiffy, but given the pigeons, that’ll be a job that’s never done for good (see A Womans Work… photo).
The pagoda is topped by a huge golden stupa, and there are smaller stupas on two levels below it (see Central Stupa photo). The pagoda has eight very elegant doorways, four directly opposite the gates, and the other four direction opposite the gong, bell, etc. (see Eastern Doorway, and W SW and S Doorways photos). As the latter photo shows, they’re currently doing some work on the NW side of the stupa.
I refrain from photographs when told to do so, for whatever reason, and was advised no photographing inside the great pagoda. Pity. There is a large outer circular hall inside, lined with hundreds—probably thousands—of buddhas on the exterior side of the ring. The interior side has some marvelous religious art, including carved panels. Even nicer, when you go further inside, you enter a circular clearing inside a grove of trees—the trees are all three-dimensional artworks of course. A panoply of delightful creatures is floating on the sky-blue dome of this inner chamber, and in the very center is an image of the pagoda that was a gift to the temple form the King and Queen of Nepal. Much of the artwork could be described as creative modernistic folk art: exuberant and joyful. (You can see this on quite a few of the other photographs for this attraction; apparently as usual some visitors work on the false premise that “no cameras” means “cell phones are OK.”)
The best way to get up to the Maha Wizaya is from the east side of Shwedagon Pagoda Road. A broad stairwell will lead you between two “lakes” (I’d call them pools) and past two guardians to the western gate (see Southern Lake photo). On the south side of U Htaung Road a driveway goes up the hill from the eastbound lanes, so taxis can drop you off at the eastern gate. If you’re on foot, on the Shwedagon side of the road, the easiest safe way to get up to Maha Wizaya is a bit counter-intuitive. You walk west to the main intersection and then back NE on the narrow Ar Zar Ni Road. In 50 or 60 meters, you’ll see a pedestrian bridge that takes you over U Htaung and directly to the northern Gate of Maya Wizaya. This is not one of the top block-buster must-sees in Rangoon, but what it lacks in history, it rather makes up for in youthful exuberiance, and it really is a splendid design. If you could move this beauty to the top of a hill in, say, Sydney or San Francisco, it would be the talk of the town.
Written February 27, 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.
devina1991
Bengaluru, India642 contributions
Nov 2019
If you explore swedagon pagoda in all the four directions, you will find this beautiful pagoda near the south entrance. The entry is free unlike the swedagon pagoda,the heat of the day did not stop me from exploring this beautiful pagoda which has a beautiful entrance leading to it.You will be at a total loss if you leave without exploring the other pagodas surrounding the swedagon pagoda. I would recommend exploring by foot is the best thing to do even when the heat of the day is getting to you
Written November 24, 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.
caddyandbellA
Perth, Australia5,647 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
This is only a small temple when you have just visited Shwedagon temple but its right across the road via a walk bridge and free to enter so why not.You must take your shoes off as entering all Pagodas and it is quite beautiful but on a small scale.Central room is beautifully decorated and not many tourist seem to go here so again,why not give it a try when you are in the area?
Written March 29, 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.
Mike W
Canberra, Australia107 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
A nice, quiet pagoda a few minutes walk south of Shwedagon. Cross a small lake with fish and turtles and climb a few stairs to get there. There's no entrance fee, however I read in a local magazine that they get next to no donations due to a lack of foreign tourists so do the right thing and hand over some small notes, They got quite excited when I handed them some cash.
The pagoda itself is very nice with an impressive central chamber inside. I recommend you come here in the late afternoon then walk across to Shwedagon for the sunset. You can walk back there afterwards to see it lit up, with Shwedagon also lit up in the distance. There were plenty of taxis out the front.
The pagoda itself is very nice with an impressive central chamber inside. I recommend you come here in the late afternoon then walk across to Shwedagon for the sunset. You can walk back there afterwards to see it lit up, with Shwedagon also lit up in the distance. There were plenty of taxis out the front.
Written April 15, 2014
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.
biljanalab
Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia639 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
i love this pagoda , it was very nice and beautiful. it was raining day so doesnt have a lot of people inside, not even outside. i love it ,
Written July 7, 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.
Sarah b
Lytham St Anne's, UK2,322 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We came here on our way to Shwedegon pagoda . It is an interesting pagoda to visit with murals depicting natural scenes. It is obviously still in good use for prayer and meditation and study groups which is good to see it hadn't gone down the route of money making like some of the larger temples. Remember that the whole complex is part if the pagoda we got into trouble by putting on our shoes too early when leaving the temple. Nonetheless it makes an interesting half hour.
Written May 4, 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.
theirreverentkitchen
Seattle, WA67 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
We almost gave this pagoda a pass, but we were glad that we didn't. It's close to Shwedagon, but doing both in the same day might be a bit much. It's smaller and quieter than Shwedagon so it's easier to move about. The ceiling murals at each entranceway are not to be missed and the large wooden panels around the central area are worth the time. Not really a must-do, but still a nice addition to an itinerary.
Written November 13, 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.
diamond_voyage
50 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
The Maha Wizaya Pagoda in Yangon is a very elegant structure on top of a small hill. Among the very colorful murals in the central dome are depictions of the Buddha meditating under a Bodhi tree.
Written July 24, 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.
Aye Y
65 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
Not must visit
Only if you free with spare time
Nice to visit this Pagoda
In
Myanmar visiting
Pagodas
Is national sport....
Enjoy the race. ..
Only if you free with spare time
Nice to visit this Pagoda
In
Myanmar visiting
Pagodas
Is national sport....
Enjoy the race. ..
Written March 18, 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.
SOH KIEN PENG
Singapore, Singapore9,283 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
The pagoda is located at the south entrance of Shwedagon Pagoda. Early morning, I strolled my way to Shwedagon Pagoda from my hostel at Chinatown. Along the way, I discovered Sein Yaung Chi Pagoda with the glossy glass stupa. Almost reaching the south entrance of Shwedagon Pagoda, I saw this temple on top of a hill. I told myself that I would visit the temple when I came out from Shwedagon Pagoda.
But I did not realize that I exited Shwedagon temple from the northern entrance and lost my way. I subsequently visited Kandawgyi Lake and walked a big round back to visit the People's Park and this Maha Wizaya Pagoda.
By the time I visited this pagoda it was almost 2 pm and the floor outside this temple was hot like oven and I was not supposed to wear any footwear. I immediately rushed my way into the temple and was greeted by a cool naval blue environment. The ceiling was also painted blue and a sense of calmness, peace and serenity pervaded the air.
The interior design of this temple differs from the many temples I visited in Mandalay, Bagan and Yangon where the gold color triumphed and reigned. It was surprised to see naval blue as the color extending from the roof to the walls that were studded with pictures of Buddha and her fables. It appears aquatically cool.
Do not miss this temple when you are in Yangon and when you visit Shwedagon Pagoda.
But I did not realize that I exited Shwedagon temple from the northern entrance and lost my way. I subsequently visited Kandawgyi Lake and walked a big round back to visit the People's Park and this Maha Wizaya Pagoda.
By the time I visited this pagoda it was almost 2 pm and the floor outside this temple was hot like oven and I was not supposed to wear any footwear. I immediately rushed my way into the temple and was greeted by a cool naval blue environment. The ceiling was also painted blue and a sense of calmness, peace and serenity pervaded the air.
The interior design of this temple differs from the many temples I visited in Mandalay, Bagan and Yangon where the gold color triumphed and reigned. It was surprised to see naval blue as the color extending from the roof to the walls that were studded with pictures of Buddha and her fables. It appears aquatically cool.
Do not miss this temple when you are in Yangon and when you visit Shwedagon Pagoda.
Written March 14, 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.
ท่านใดต้องการมาเที่ยว พม่า โดยเช่ารถ ที่พม่า ติดต่อ น้องสามได้นะค๊ะไลน์🆔 เค้า kyengtung
Written March 20, 2019
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