Myawaddy: Crocodile Temple and Afternoon Market

Myawaddy can be explored through two distinct cultural features: unusual temple architecture and an afternoon market with a narrow lane between wooden shops. At Myikyaungon Temple, also called Crocodile Temple, a library building stands on the body of a 65-meter-long crocodile with its mouth open. Shwe Muay Wan Pagoda houses a seated Buddha image made of woven rattan. The market complements these temple details with trade in goods and its own distinctive layout.

Temple Architecture and Religious Images

Myikyaungon Temple combines a library building and an animal form in an unusual way: the library stands on the body of a 65-meter-long crocodile depicted with its mouth open. The crocodile is not merely a detail of the building, but its distinctive supporting form. For architecture enthusiasts, the appeal lies in this combination of a building and an animal depiction, not just in the name Crocodile Temple. Its length conveys the scale of the motif, while the open mouth defines its design.

Another crocodile motif can be found in a pond at the temple: a turquoise-painted concrete figure. Unlike the long crocodile supporting the library, this is a separate depiction. The same animal motif thus appears in two different forms here: as the building’s supporting form and as a painted concrete figure. The color, material, and relationship to the library building offer specific points of interest for anyone interested in architecture and unusual depictions.

Shwe Muay Wan Pagoda offers a different focus. It houses a seated Buddha image made of woven rattan. Its pose and material set this motif apart from the crocodile forms at Myikyaungon Temple: rather than an animal depiction and its connection to a building, the focus is on a Buddha figure. Those interested in religious art can compare Myawaddy’s cultural motifs through these differences—unusual temple design on the one hand, a seated image and its woven surface on the other.

The Afternoon Market in Myawaddy

The afternoon market runs through a long, narrow lane between rows of wooden shops. The lane and the rows of shops give the market a clear spatial form. While individual architectural and artistic details stand out at the temples, the market can be experienced through its continuous trading space and the goods on offer.

Locals buy fruit, vegetables, fish, spices, and clothing there. This range of goods brings food, spices, and clothing together to give a concrete picture of local trade. It can get crowded at times; the number of people varies. For travelers interested in market life, both the goods and the narrow lane, along with the changing crowds, are part of the picture of the afternoon market.

Cultural Experiences for Planning Your Trip

When looking for a vacation rental in Myawaddy, this cultural focus can be a personal starting point. Consider whether temple architecture and religious depictions or goods and market activity better match your travel interests. If you’re planning a trip as a family, these different motifs can prompt a conversation about what you’re all curious to explore.

Discover more destinations: Myitkyina, Loi-kaw.

Go to the broader travel overview: Kayin State.