The Shwesandaw Pagoda in Pyay can be recognized by a clear sequence of architectural details: five terraces, a cylindrical stupa, and a jewel-encrusted umbrella, or hti, on top. It is also associated with a tooth relic and two distinct rhythms during the year. Together, these cultural features can help guide you when choosing Pyay as a destination for a stay focused on history and religion.
Pagoda Architecture in Pyay
The five terraces and cylindrical stupa form the distinctive structure of the Shwesandaw Pagoda. The jewel-encrusted hti stands on top of the stupa. This makes it possible to distinguish several specific elements in one structure: the stepped terraces, the rounded structure, and the umbrella at its peak. If you are interested in architecture, you can focus on this sequence rather than seeing the pagoda only as a single landmark.
East of the Shwesandaw Pagoda, the Hse-htat-gyi Paya is located in Pyay. The name Shetatgyi means “ten stories” and refers to the great height of the seated Buddha figure there. The meaning of the name and the figure offer a distinct way of appreciating this structure: the focus here is not on a sequence of terraces, but on the height of the seated figure to which the name refers.
Tooth Relic: Annual Removal and Procession
Another distinctive feature of the Shwesandaw Pagoda is the tooth relic, which is taken from its chamber in the pagoda. This happens every year in the month of Dazaungmone in the Myanmar calendar, given as November–December. The ceremonial procession through Pyay is a separate event: it takes place every three years. The annual removal and the triennial procession are therefore two distinct details about occasions and frequency.
This distinction may be important when planning your trip. If you would like to time your stay to coincide with one of the events, check the specific date in advance. Dazaungmone is given for the annual removal; the procession is described as recurring every three years. This makes it clear which of the two events is relevant to your planned dates, without conflating their different schedules.
Ancient Pyu City and a Nearby Stupa
About five miles southeast of Pyay, in the Bago Region, lies Sri Ksetra, also known as Thayekhittara. The ancient Pyu city is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers a different historical focus from the pagoda architecture in Pyay: here, the emphasis is on an ancient Pyu city, also known by the name Thayekhittara. Its approximate distance and direction help you locate Sri Ksetra in the area around Pyay.
Another nearby destination lies south of Pyay: the Shwe Myatman Stupa is in Shwe Daung, about 14 km away. It features a seated Buddha image wearing gold-rimmed glasses. This striking detail sets the site apart thematically from both the ancient Pyu city of Sri Ksetra and the terraces and hti of the Shwesandaw Pagoda described above. The three destinations thus offer different cultural points of interest, while representing different kinds of attractions.
Choose the Cultural Focus for Your Stay
When choosing a vacation rental, it helps to be precise about your destination: the Shwesandaw Pagoda and Hse-htat-gyi Paya are in Pyay, while Sri Ksetra and Shwe Daung are in the surrounding area. So first consider whether your focus is on the structures and relic ritual in Pyay, or whether you would also like to visit the ancient Pyu city or the stupa with the glasses motif. This can help you connect your search for accommodation in Pyay with the cultural subjects that matter most to you.
Discover more destinations: Shwedaung, Bago, Pyinbongyi.
Return to the main travel overview: Bago Division.
