Sule Pagoda is located in the center of Yangon which is at the Junction of Sule Pagoda Road and Mahabandola Road in Kyauktada Township. The pagoda was used to know in Burmese as the “Kyaik Athok Zedi” which is located at the heart of the commercial distinct downtown area. Around that area, there are many colonial buildings such as the Supreme Court Building, Yangon City Hall and many more. This area is the only area that you can still find many ancient colonial buildings and most foreigners come and visit there just to admire the colonial atmosphere. There also have some walking tours arranged by some organizations or travel agent.

This pagoda is listed on the “Yangon City Heritage List” and it is believed to enshrine a strand of hair relic of the Gautama Buddha. It was constructed in early 2600 years ago during the time of the Buddha was alive. According to the history of the pagoda, it was named after the Sule Nat (spirit), known as “Sularata”, that lived at the spot where the pagoda now stands. Various explanations have been made for the name in the history of the pagoda. In 1988 uprising and 2007 Saffron Revolution, the pagoda was the gathering point for the pro-democracy protestors.

Structure of the Sule Pagoda