A library building on the body of a 65-metre-long crocodile with its mouth open: this unusual structure gives Myawaddy a clear cultural landmark. The Myikyaungon Temple is also known as the Crocodile Temple. For your travel plans, it offers a specific point of interest beyond the general category of temples: the architectural form itself is the focus.

The Myikyaungon Temple and its crocodile forms

The Myikyaungon Temple also features a turquoise-painted concrete crocodile in a pool. This detail differs from the long crocodile shape on which the library building stands: one is the unusual combination of a structure and a crocodile form, while the other is a painted concrete figure in a pool. Its length and open mouth define the first feature; the material, colour and position in the pool draw attention to the other. Both features give the temple a distinctive visual character without referring to the same object. If you are considering Myawaddy for its striking architecture, you can assess the temple through two specific forms, not just its name.

A Rattan Buddha in the Shwe Muay Wan Pagoda

The Shwe Muay Wan Pagoda offers another cultural facet: it houses a seated Buddha image made of woven rattan. The material distinguishes this image both from the temple’s crocodile form and from its painted concrete object. The shift from crocodile architecture to a seated rattan representation moves the focus from building form to image and material. If you choose cultural sites mainly for their architecture or visual art, you can match your interests to these specific features.

An afternoon market among wooden shops

A description last edited on 21 October 2025 mentions an afternoon market in Myawaddy. It places the market in a long, narrow lane between rows of wooden shops and describes local people buying fruit, vegetables, fish, spices and clothing. The range of goods gives it a different emphasis from the religious buildings: the focus is on local trade and the specific layout of the lane. It can occasionally get crowded; how busy it is may vary. The passage and the goods answer different questions: how is the market laid out, and what is traded there?

A cultural focus for your stay

Those interested in architecture will notice the Myikyaungon Temple’s unusual crocodile form; visitors who want to focus on images will find a seated Buddha image made of rattan in the Shwe Muay Wan Pagoda. The market offers a different emphasis: goods and a narrow lane take centre stage. This lets you discover the kind of culture that matters to you when choosing a destination, without limiting your stay to a single point of interest.

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