Gawdawpalin Temple is located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River in the south west corner of Old Bagan. At 55 metres high, Gawdawpalin Temple is the second tallest pagoda in Bagan and arguably the most visually stunning of Bagan’s temples particularly when it is lit up at night.
About Gawdawpalin Temple
Construction of Gawdawpalin Temple spanned the reign of two Kings, Sithu II (1174-1211) and Htilominlo (1211-1234). The temple was almost destroyed by an earthquake in 1975, approximately 750 years after it was completed, and required extensive repair work to stabilise the structure. An estimated 40% of the original stucco mouldings remain.
Gawdawpalin Temple, BaganThe Gawdawpalin Temple basically consists of two cubes, topped by a square tower and conical spire with a umbrella hti ornament on the top of the spire. The Gawdawpalin Temple is often referred to as being similar in style to more famous Thatbyinnyu Temple built about 50 years. These two temples are similar enough to stand out both unique amongst the wide variety of styles of temples in Bagan. The ground floor of the temple has three terraces and wide corridor inside which wraps around the central core of the structure. The second floor of the temple is about half the size of the ground floor and has four terraces. Stupas have been constructed on the corners of the upper and lower terraces each higher than the one before leading up to the base of the spire. The primary shrine of the Gawdawpalin Temple is on the second floor, which was a first for temples in Bagan which mostly have the main shrine on the ground floor.
Location of Gawdawpalin Temple
- Gawdawpalin Temple is 12.4 km by road from Bagan Railway Station.
Travel to Gawdawpalin Temple
Gawdawpalin Temple is located in Bagan. Follow the links below for information about travel to Bagan:
- Travel from Inle Lake to Bagan
- Travel from Mandalay to Bagan
- Travel from Yangon to Bagan