Kyauktawgyi Buddha Temple

Kyauktawgyi Buddha Temple is a Buddhist temple on Mindhamma Hill in Yangon featuring a large marble Buddha statue as its central focal point. White and gold Chinthe guardians flank the top of the stairway, while a corridor with multi-tiered Pyatthat roofs shelters the sacred area.

The temple was constructed under Than Shwe's direction and completed in February 2002, with precise astrological calculations determining the Buddha image placement. The project reflected the religious and political priorities of the period.

The central marble Buddha draws worshippers seeking refuge and quiet moments of reflection within its sacred space. Pilgrims and visitors come to experience the spiritual life of the local community that gathers here regularly.

Visitors reach the temple most easily by taxi from central Yangon or using the Yangon Circular Railway to Insein station. The grounds are walkable and offer space for peaceful exploration of the various areas.

The central Buddha statue weighs 560 tons and was transported via a special railroad carriage and a barge along the Irrawaddy River in a remarkable feat of engineering. Few visitors realize the extraordinary effort required to place this massive sculpture in its current location.