DAY 1 (8/9): EVENING MAGIC OF THE GOLDEN SHWEDAGON PAGODA, Yangon, Myanmar, 2017.12.23

After sunset, the Shwedagon Pagoda transformed into a mysterious world of flickering candles and shimmering golden ornaments.  We stayed at the open space in front of the Photo Gallery for a little while after dusk.  We then wandered around the central stupa, where people were lighting up candles around the stupa base.  We saw a constant flow of people arriving at the main terrace from one of its four main stairways.  It seemed there were actually more visitors at compound after dark.  At the compound, some people were worshipping and chanting, while others were chatting and taking photographs of themselves with the glittering background of the pagoda.  At the end of our visit, we decided to walk down one of the grand covered stairways to descend the Singuttara Hill.

The view of the central stupa from the Photo Gallery was gorgeous no matter what time of the day it was.

At the northwest open space in front of the Photo Gallery, worshippers gathered to offer incenses, candles and other religious items in prayers.

At the nearby prayer hall, the large Buddha in golden robes looked peaceful under the soft lighting.

The golden prayer halls and chapels looked even more surreal in the evening.

The locals enjoyed posing for photographs at some of the golden worship halls.

At the base of the central stupa, the continuous ring of candles appeared like a stream of sparking fire flickering in the wind.

Just as daytime, the planetary posts were still one of the popular worshipping spots.

The covered stairway, or zaungdans, are often occupied by merchants selling all kinds of religious items from flowers to different kinds of offerings.

After sunset, the main terrace around the central stupa is still adequately lit up.

From the north gate, the central pagoda stood perfectly at the terminus of the perspective axis.

Some visitors preferred to stay away from the busy actions surrounding the central stupa.

At the outer perimeter of the worship terrace, the sacred Bodhi tree was highlighted with flood lights.

Colourful electronic lights are commonly used to create the halo ring for each Buddha statue.

Statues of the Buddha were everywhere in the ompound.

After the candles were lighted up, many people came to the ring of candles to pray and worship.

Some monks were meditating inside the small Buddhist shrines.

Same as worshipping in daytime, pilgrims came up to the planetary post and clean the altar with water.

After the visit, we took the covered stairway at the east gate to walk down the hill.

The east stairway is flanked both sides by shops selling souvenirs and religious items.

Back to the main east gate, we picked up our shoes and looked for a taxi to return to Downtown Yangon.

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Blog posts on Myanmar 2017:

Day 1: Yangon, Myanmar
DAY 1: INTRODUCTION OF A SHORT BURMESE CHRISTMAS VACATION
DAY 1: WALK TO 999 SHAN NOODLE HOUSE
DAY 1: SULE PAGODA
DAY 1: COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
DAY 1: BUSTLING STREET LIFE
DAY 1: GOLDEN WORLD OF SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A PLACE FOR PEOPLE, Shwedagon Pagoda
DAY 1: EVENING MAGIC OF THE GOLDEN SHWEDAGON PAGODA
DAY 1: A FESTIVE NIGHT

Day 2: Bagan
DAY 2: SHWEZIGON PAGODA, Nyaung-U
DAY 2: HTILOMINLO AND UPALI THEIN
DAY 2: ANANDA PAHTO
DAY 2: SUNSET AT OLD BAGAN
DAY 2: SILENT NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U

Day 3: Bagan
DAY 3: MAGICAL SUNRISE, Old Bagan
DAY 3: NYAUNG-U MARKET, Nyaung-U
DAY 3: SULAMANI TEMPLE
DAY 3: DHAMMAYANGYI TEMPLE
DAY 3: THATBYINNYU TEMPLE
DAY 3: NAPAYA, MANUHA AND GUBYAUKGYI, Myinkaba
DAY 3: SUNSET No. 2, Old Bagan
DAY 3: FINAL NIGHT IN NYAUNG-U

Day 4: Farewell Myanmar
DAY 4: FAREWELL BAGAN FAREWELL MYANMAR