Nyaung-U, Bagan, Mandalay Region · 21.1961°, 94.8940°
The prototype of the Burmese stupa — the gilded bell whose form Shwedagon and a thousand others follow — built by Anawrahta, unifier of Burma and champion of Theravada. Crucially, he installed images of the 37 nats (spirits) here, absorbing the old animism into the new faith: the compact that still defines Burmese religion.
The site chose itself: a white elephant bearing the frontal-bone relic was set loose, and where it knelt the stupa rose — 'Shwezigon', golden hill of victory sand, where relic, kingship and the tamed nats met.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Pagan