Pyay: Pagodas, Traditions and Pyu Culture

Pyay combines religious architecture in the city with distinctive cultural sites in the surrounding area. The five terraces of Shwesandaw Pagoda, the annual removal of a tooth relic and the ancient Pyu city of Sri Ksetra each offer a very different focus. Shwe Daung is also home to a seated Buddha image wearing gold-rimmed glasses. When looking for a holiday rental, it is therefore helpful to distinguish first between Pyay’s buildings and traditions and the named destinations outside the city.

Pagodas: Architecture and Buddha Images

Shwesandaw Pagoda is in Pyay and has five terraces. A cylindrical stupa stands on it, topped by a jewelled umbrella known as an Hti. The terraces and cylindrical structure present contrasting forms: a stepped complex and the round structure of the stupa. Those interested in religious architecture can use these details to identify different elements of the same pagoda.

Hse-htat-gyi Paya lies east of Shwesandaw Pagoda. The name Shetatgyi means “ten storeys” and refers to the great height of the seated Buddha figure in the paya. The name thus points to a different architectural focus from the terraces and stupa of Shwesandaw Pagoda: here, the figure takes centre stage. The architecture and Buddha image offer two different ways to explore Pyay’s religious buildings.

The Tooth Relic and Its Two Rhythms

The tooth relic adds a recurring calendar connection to the architecture. Every year, during Dazaungmone in the Myanmar calendar—given as November to December—it is taken from its chamber in Shwesandaw Pagoda. Every three years, the relic is carried through Pyay in a ceremonial procession. The removal and the procession therefore follow different rhythms: an annual connection to Dazaungmone and a procession every three years. If you plan to visit Pyay specifically for the procession, check the date before travelling.

Sri Ksetra and Shwe Daung

Nearby is Sri Ksetra, also known as Thayekhittara. The ancient Pyu city is about five miles southeast of Pyay in the Bago Region and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its location and history provide a different focus from the pagodas in Pyay. The site offers a connection to the ancient Pyu city, while the buildings within Pyay are shaped by their own architectural forms and religious traditions.

Another named cultural site lies south of Pyay: Shwe Myatman Stupa is in Shwe Daung, about 14 km away. It features a seated Buddha image wearing gold-rimmed glasses. This specific detail of the image contrasts with the terraced design of Shwesandaw Pagoda and the historical context of Sri Ksetra. The different subjects—the ancient city, pagoda architecture and Buddha image—can help you decide what you would most like to focus on during your trip.

Choose a Location to Match Your Interests

When choosing a holiday rental, it is worth distinguishing the places in Pyay from the named destinations in the surrounding area. If you are mainly interested in Shwesandaw Pagoda, Hse-htat-gyi Paya and the tooth relic tradition, the focus is on buildings and religious history in Pyay. If Sri Ksetra or Shwe Myatman Stupa interests you, you can also visit destinations in different locations, each with its own cultural focus.

Sri Ksetra is about five miles southeast, and Shwe Daung about 14 km south. These directions clarify the different locations without combining them into a single site.

Discover more destinations: Bago, Shwedaung, Pyinbongyi.

For the broader travel overview: Bago Region.