Shwedagon Pagoda, ceremonial parade

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The image is within the World Heritage site of Shwedagon Pagoda located in Yangon, formerly Rangoon. The main pagoda is covered entirely with gold, some gold leaf but also plates of gold near the top. The top most spire is fitted with a huge diamond. Where did the gold come from? The Thai's will tell you that the Burmese stole it from them when they sacked the old Thai Capital cities of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. The Burmese say the Thais stole it from them.

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Size: 2668px × 4256px
Location: Myanmar, Burma, Yangon, Rangoon
Photo credit: © Allan Hartley / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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