The golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises almost 100 m (330ft) above its setting on Singuttara Hill and is plated with 8;688 solid-gold slabs. This central stupa is surrounded by more than 100 other buildings; including smaller stupas and pavilions.

The pagoda was already well established when Bagan dominated Burma in the 11th century. Queen Shinsawbu; who ruled in the 15th century; is believed to have given the pagoda its present shape. She also built the terraces and walls around the stupa.

The giant stupa has a circumference at platform level of 433 m (1;420ft); with its octagonal base ringed by 64 smaller stupas.