Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple

Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple lies on Shwegondaing Road in Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar, and houses one of the city's largest reclining Buddha images, about 65 metres long. The image is sheltered in a tall, open-sided metal hall, and visitors walk along its length at floor level, which gives a close view of the face, hands and feet. The face has finely painted features, with glass eyes and long lashes, and the soles of the feet are decorated with panels depicting symbols of the Buddha's marks. The present image dates from the twentieth century and replaced an earlier damaged one. Beside the hall stands a working monastery, and visitors can often see monks at prayer or students in study, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. Entry is free, although donations are welcome, and visitors must remove shoes and socks at the entrance and dress modestly. A visit takes about 30 to 45 minutes. The site is peaceful compared with Shwedagon and receives fewer tour groups, so the atmosphere is calm for most of the day. Good photo angles include the view from the feet looking toward the face, which shows the full scale, and the side view from the raised platforms. Light is best in the morning, and the hall can feel stuffy at midday. The temple is located about ten minutes' walk from the western side of Kandawgyi Lake and close to Ngahtatgyi Pagoda, so many visitors combine the two. A taxi from downtown costs about 2,500 to 4,500 MMK. Visitors should avoid pointing feet at the image, keep voices low near worshippers, and ask before photographing monks. Weekends and Buddhist holidays bring more local families.