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Environment
Bago is
one of the richest archaeological sites in
Myanmar. Apparently Mons were the first to
settle at this site. Two Mon brothers Thamala
and Wimala from Thaton, first founded the city
about 825 A.D. In 13th century A.D. The site,
which was then on the Gulf of Martaban, had
already been earmarked as the location of a
great city by Gautama, the historic Buddha. Bago
was made the capital of the Mon Kingdom and it
came to be known as Hansavati (Hanthawaddy). It
was also the seaport of ancient Mon kings. Then
it became the Second Myanmar Empire founded by
King Bayinnaung.
Famous Places In BAGO
Shwe-tha-lyaung Reclining Buddha
Built by
the Mon in 994 this big Buddha was restored
several times but was overgrown by the jungle
after the total destruction of Bago by the
Burmans in 1757. The 55 meter long and 16 meter
high reclining Buddha is well known in Bago. It
was rediscovered in 1880 and restored again
several times to bring it to this condition.
This huge reclining Buddha with a sign on the
platform in front of the image giving the
measurements of each body part. It is reputed to
be one of the most lifelike of all reclining
Buddhas. The Myanmar people say that the image
represents Buddha in a 'relaxing' mode.
Shwemawdaw Pagoda
 The
Shwemawdaw or 'Great Golden God Pagoda' of Bago
has been growing for more than 1000 years. The
Shwemawdaw Pagoda whose spire can be seen behind
this impressive entrance portal, was originally
built by the Mon to a height to 23 meters in the
8th century and was rebuilt higher several times
until it finally reached its present 114 meter
stature in 1954. The pagoda was originally built
by 2 merchants, Taphussa and Bhalita, to house
some hair relics of the Buddha. Originally built
to a height of 23 meters, it has over the
centuries become the tallest of the Burmese
pagodas. As with other pagodas, this growth in
size occurred during numerous reconstruction
periods, usually following great earthquakes.
The most recent quake, in 1930, nearly leveled
the ancient structure and it was not until 1952
that it again dominated the Bago skyline.
Legends say that enshrined beneath the towering
pagoda are the hairs and teeth of the Buddha.
Because of these relics, Shwemawdaw is visited
by throngs of Buddhist pilgrims during all hours
of the day and night.
Kanbawza
Thadi Palace
 Kanbawza
Thadi, the famous palace of King Bayinnaung
(1551-1581 A.D.) is being extensively excavated
and some buildings are being rebuilt. King
Bayinnaung was the founder of the Second Myanmar
Empire, which stretched from the borders of
India to parts of Thailand and Laos. In 1566
A.D. he built a new capital city called
Hanthawadi on what is now Bago. To the south of
the Shwe-Maw-Daw Pagoda he built a grand palace,
which he named Kanbawza Thadi.
Excavations at the palace site were started on
25th April 1990. The Archaeological Department
has up to now excavated six mounds, which
revealed the brick foundations and plinths of
the old palace. Many teak pillars, some with
inscriptions were also found. The Settaw Saung,
one of the main rooms of the palace has been
reconstructed and the work is 90 percent
finished. Also the main Audience Hall(the Lion
Throne Room) is being rebuilt. The palace site
transferred to the Archaeology Department
comprises of 9,662 acres. The reconstructed 16th
century palace of Hanthawadi and the whole
palace site will become a main tourist
attraction in the near future.
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