Swe Taw Myat Pagoda, Yangon

Swe Taw Myat Pagoda, also known as the "Buddha tooth relic pagoda," is one of Yangon's newer places of worship. Funded by donations from Burmese people and Buddhists worldwide, it was built to house a sacred Buddha tooth relic. This relic, believed to be one of Gautama Buddha's teeth, was brought from China in 1994 and enshrined in the pagoda for 45 days. Today, an ivory copy of the relic remains enshrined in Swe Taw Myat.

The pagoda's design is inspired by the ancient Ananda pagoda in Bagan, which dates back to the late 11th century. It features a symmetrical structure with four entrance portals, each flanked by white and gold Chinthe statues, mythological lion-like creatures often seen guarding Burmese temples. The central part of the pagoda has several tiers, each smaller than the one below, topped with a gold-painted spire.

What sets Swe Taw Myat apart is that the tooth relic can be viewed by the public, unlike most relics which are usually hidden. Inside the large hall, supported by gold-painted columns, the relic is displayed in a small glass case, surrounded by Buddha images and topped with a ceremonial umbrella.

The pagoda is situated on a small hill called Dhammapala in Mayangone township, just south of Yangon airport. Visitors can reach it easily by taxi, which costs around 5,000 Kyat from downtown Yangon.