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Kuthodaw Pagoda

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monument
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Kuthodaw Pagoda (Myanmar (Burma))

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The Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay is world-renowned as the world's largest book, representing a monumental achievement of Buddhist scholarship. King Mindon commissioned its construction in 1857, coinciding with the establishment of the new capital at the foot of Mandalay Hill. The central gilded pagoda is surrounded by 729 smaller white shrines, each housing a marble slab inscribed on both sides with religious texts. These slabs contain the complete Tripitaka, the canon of Theravada Buddhism, which was meticulously edited during the Fifth Buddhist Council in 1871. Each of the 729 marble slabs stands 153 centimeters tall and 107 centimeters wide, with the original inscriptions filled with gold leaf. The complex is architecturally aligned in a precise grid, creating a visually striking geometric pattern that symbolizes spiritual order. Since 2013, this collection of marble slabs has been inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, highlighting its global significance for the preservation of sacred texts.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C212428313130303030292623
Rain mm11271532443338303397

📋 Practical info

🚪
Visiting
Kuthodaw Pagoda is an active Buddhist stupa and a public monument that can be visited for a small entrance fee. The entire grounds with the marble slabs are freely accessible and can be viewed.
🕒
Typical hours
The pagoda is typically open daily from about 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It is advisable to come early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds.
📷
Photography
Photography is allowed throughout the pagoda grounds, including of the marble slabs. In the inner shrines, photography may be restricted.
⏱️
Time needed
Allow at least one to two hours to see the 729 marble slabs and the stupa. For a thorough exploration, plan for more time.
➕
Combine with
Combine your visit with Mandalay Hill and the nearby Sandamuni Pagoda. These places offer an excellent complement to the spiritual experience.
🧭
Getting there
Kuthodaw Pagoda is located at the foot of Mandalay Hill in central Mandalay. It is easily accessible by taxi, bicycle, or on foot.
💡
Insider tip
Wear respectful clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes before entering the grounds. Take your time to read the inscriptions on the marble slabs.

Geography

Coordinates
22.00440, 96.11270

Facts

  • Construction of the pagoda began in 1857, alongside the Mandalay Palace.
  • There are exactly 729 stone slabs, each housed in its own mini-stupa.
  • Each marble slab is precisely 153 cm high and 13 cm thick.
  • The engraving process took nearly eight years, concluding in 1868.
  • The Fifth Buddhist Council was held at this site in 1871 by King Mindon.
  • In 2013, the collection was officially added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Shwenandaw MonasteryShwenandaw Monastery<1 km · NEExplore →
Mandalay PalaceMandalay Palace2 km · SExplore →
Mahamuni Buddha TempleMahamuni Buddha Temple4 km · SExplore →
Amarapura Historical CityAmarapura Historical City6 km · SExplore →
Hsinbyume PagodaHsinbyume Pagoda11 km · SExplore →
Ayeyarwady Dolphin Protected AreaAyeyarwady Dolphin Protected Area13 km · SExplore →
SagaingSagaing14 km · SExplore →
Tagaung Taung Nickel MineTagaung Taung Nickel Mine21 km · SWExplore →

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Sights in the town Kuthodaw Pagoda (10)

Sandar Mu Ni Pagoda📍 landmark

This pagoda is famous for its hundreds of marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings and its large golden Buddha statue.

Kuthodaw Pagoda📍 landmark

Known as the "World's Largest Book," this stupa houses 729 marble slabs containing the entire Tipitaka canon.

Mandalay Hill🌿 nature

A 240-meter hill offering panoramic views of Mandalay, topped with the glittering Sutaungpyei Pagoda.

Sima donated by King Mindone🏺 historical

An ancient Buddhist ordination hall (Sima) constructed from brick, donated by the Burmese King Mindon.

စေတီ🏺 historical

This archaeological site encompasses the remains of a historical zedi at the base of Mandalay Hill.

မြနန္ဒာကန်တော်ကြီး🏺 historical

A royal lake at the base of Mandalay Hill, formerly part of the ceremonial gardens of the Konbaung dynasty.

satudithar⛪ religious

A community alms hall where free meals are traditionally served to pilgrims from all directions.

မန္တလေးတောင်ခြေ-တပ်ဦး ကမ္မဌာန်းကျောင်း⛪ religious

A serene meditation retreat at the foot of Mandalay Hill, offering a quiet space for Buddhist practice.

အောင်မြေမန္တလာနိုင်ငံ့ဝန်ထမ်းအိမ်ရာ ဓမ္မာရုံ⛪ religious

A community hall for Buddhist lectures and ceremonies, featuring traditional Burmese motifs.

U Than Tin📍 landmark

A local attraction located in the historic religious district at the base of Mandalay Hill.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is Kuthodaw Pagoda famous for?
It is known as the largest book in the world, consisting of hundreds of stone tablets.
Where is the pagoda located?
It is located at the foot of Mandalay Hill in the city of Mandalay.
Is entry free?
Yes, entry to the site is generally free for visitors.
How long does a visit take?
About 30 to 45 minutes are enough to see the site and the tablets.
Is it very crowded there?
It is usually quieter than other tourist places in Mandalay.
Kuthodaw Pagoda: where is it located?
Kuthodaw Pagoda is located in Myanmar (Burma).
Kuthodaw Pagoda: what is there to see?
Highlights include Sandar Mu Ni Pagoda, Kuthodaw Pagoda, Mandalay Hill.
Kuthodaw Pagoda: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
Kuthodaw Pagoda: why is it worth visiting?
The Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay is world-renowned as the world's largest book, representing a monumental achievement of Buddhist scholarship.
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Nearby cities

Pakokku — Kuthodaw Pagoda (Myanmar (Burma))
Pakokku
A bustling city on the Irrawaddy River, known for its trade in tobacco and cotton.
Magway — Kuthodaw Pagoda (Myanmar (Burma))
Magway
The capital of the Magway Region, known for the production of edible oil and sesame.

History & landmarks

Kyauk Ka Lat Pagoda — Kuthodaw Pagoda (Myanmar (Burma))
Kyauk Ka Lat Pagoda
A tiny golden pagoda spectacularly built on top of a narrow, steep limestone spire.

More places

Amarapura Historical City — Kuthodaw Pagoda (Myanmar (Burma))
Amarapura Historical City
A former capital of Myanmar, known for its silk weaving and the famous teakwood U Bein Bridge.
Shwenandaw Monastery — Kuthodaw Pagoda (Myanmar (Burma))
Shwenandaw Monastery
A historic Buddhist monastery in Mandalay, famous for its exquisite teak wood carvings and traditional architecture.
Yadanabon Zoological Gardens — Kuthodaw Pagoda (Myanmar (Burma))
Yadanabon Zoological Gardens
A well-known zoo at the foot of Mandalay Hill, playing an important role in the breeding of endemic Burmese animal species.
Mandalay Palace — Kuthodaw Pagoda (Myanmar (Burma))
Mandalay Palace
The last royal palace of the Burmese monarchy, built as a walled fortress with a wide moat in the center of Mandalay.
Mandalay Palace Moat Park — Kuthodaw Pagoda (Myanmar (Burma))
Mandalay Palace Moat Park
An expansive recreational area surrounding the wide, water-filled moat of the historic Mandalay Royal Palace.
Mahamuni Buddha Temple — Kuthodaw Pagoda (Myanmar (Burma))
Mahamuni Buddha Temple
One of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Myanmar, housing a highly venerated Buddha statue.
Ayeyarwady Dolphin Protected Area — Kuthodaw Pagoda (Myanmar (Burma))
Ayeyarwady Dolphin Protected Area
A stretch of river north of Mandalay dedicated to the protection of the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, known for their cooperation with local f…
Inwa Ruins — Kuthodaw Pagoda (Myanmar (Burma))
Inwa Ruins
The remnants of the ancient imperial capital that was the center of successive Burmese kingdoms from the 14th to the 19th centuries.