Ye Le Pagoda, Buddhist pagoda on an island in Hmaw Wun Creek, Yangon, Myanmar
Ye Le Pagoda sits on a small island in Hmaw Wun Creek, where rising water partially surrounds it at high tide, creating the impression of floating. The gilded shrine rests on a stone and masonry base that keeps the structure above the water level.
This shrine was founded in the third century BCE by King Bawgasena to preserve Buddhist relics at this riverside site. It has remained a place of Buddhist devotion for over two thousand years, continuously serving the local community.
Monks and devotees gather at this riverside shrine to perform traditional Buddhist rituals with flower offerings and incense throughout the day. The community uses it as a center for devotion and spiritual practice that follows the rhythm of the seasons.
Regular boat services run from the mainland to reach the pagoda, with the crossing taking about 20 minutes across the Hmaw Wun Creek. Visitors should be prepared for wet conditions, especially during the rainy season when water levels rise significantly.
Access to the site can be challenging because tidal changes sometimes make the water too shallow for boats at low tide. This natural variation makes each visit depend on timing and the forces of the creek itself.
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