Kakku Pagodas, Buddhist temple complex in Taunggyi District, Myanmar.
The Kakku Pagodas consist of around 2,478 individual stupas arranged in geometric rows across the Shan State landscape. Each structure features stucco reliefs and decorative elements, many of which retain their original colors and house Buddha images inside.
The central pagoda dates to the 12th century during the reign of King Alaungsithu, while most surrounding stupas were built in the 17th and 18th centuries. The site grew gradually in religious importance over the centuries, becoming a major spiritual center in Shan State.
The Pa-Oh people, who maintain this sacred site, gather here during the Tabaung month for a nine-day celebration featuring traditional dances and food offerings. The complex holds deep spiritual meaning in their community and reflects their connection to Buddhist practice.
Visitors must arrange a local Pa-Oh guide through the Taunggyi tourism office to enter the site and explore the grounds. Sturdy shoes are recommended since you will walk on uneven terrain, and early morning or late afternoon visits offer the most comfortable conditions.
The site was developed with careful attention to the natural landscape, with stupas positioned to follow the contours of the hillside in a way that becomes apparent only when walking through the full complex. Many visitors miss this deliberate spatial planning that creates subtle visual rhythms across the entire area.
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