Myanmar - Burma - Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, as it is believed to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas of the present kalpa. These relics include the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇāgamana, a piece of the robe of Kassapa, and eight strands of hair from the head of Gautama

According to tradition the pagoda is 2,600 years old, making Shwedagon the oldest pagoda in the world. Historians though generally date it to the 6th - 10th centuries CE. The main gold-plated dome is topped by a stupa containing over 7,000 diamonds, rubies, topaz and sapphires, the whole concoction offset by a massive emerald positioned to reflect the last rays of the setting sun.

There are four entrances, each leading up a flight of steps to the platform on Singuttara Hill. A pair of giant leogryph chinthes guards each entrance. The eastern and southern approaches have vendors selling books, good luck charms, images of the Buddha, candles, gold leaf, incense sticks, prayer flags, streamers, miniature umbrellas and flowers. It is important for Burmese Buddhists to know on which day of the week they were born, as this determines their planetary post.