Global Treasures: Shwedagon Pagoda

Television Director: Ullman, Frank

Producer: Scarson, Peter O.

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Catalogue Number: GTR-DVD-1190

UPC: 879061007897

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Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

For several centuries, one of the world's greatest and most splendid sights has towered above the streets of Yangon. A total of four stairways that point toward the four cardinal points lead into Burma's national sanctuary, the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda.

From the top of the hill, there's a 60,000-square-metre-high terrace with an amazing number of smaller stupas that surround the tallest central stupa. As with the three other stairways, the southern entrance area of the Shwedagon Pagoda has its own temple that is dedicated to the Buddha, Konagamana.

According to tradition, the Mon queen Shinsawbu was the first leader to have her body weight represented by gold which was duly donated to the improvement of the pagoda. Even though the sanctuary received only around 45 kilograms of gold, it was enough to decorate the entire pagoda.

The main golden stupa rises 98 metres into the sky, its spire crowned by a golden ball that is decorated with over 4000 diamonds.

Due to extensive renovation at the end of the 20th century, this fascinating temple shines out once again in all of its ancient splendor.