THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 465

Shwebo makes a good base for exploring the ruins of the ancient Pyu city of Hanlin , 20km
to the southeast, and it's possible to do a day-trip to the potteries in Kyaukmyaung from
here. The town is also a useful stop if you want to travel between Kyaukmyaung and Bagan
withoutstoppinginMandalay,withtransportontoMonywaandPakokku.Youmayseesigns
ofthe2012 earthquake ,whichregistered6.8ontheRichterscale,althoughShweboescaped
without major damage.
Shwe Taza Paya
Shwe Taza Paya Rd • Daily 5am-7pm • Free
Just off the main road to Mandalay, an alluring array of golden spires punctuates the skyline
- these belong to Shwe Taza Paya , Shewbo's most important religious complex. The main
shrine can be reached along a dim covered corridor populated with thanaka vendors sawing
at sandalwood logs and customers daubing samples on their cheeks.
Established in the eleventh century, the paya is main treasure is a small golden Buddha
statue inthemainhall,whichissaidtoemitraysoflightfromitsheadandisparadedaround
Shwebo to hasten the rains each year around the Waso (July) full moon. Keep an eye out for
the nat shrine on the southern side of the paya , where you can see Shwebo's council of nine
guardian nats , offerings piled in front of each one.
Shwebon Yadana
Alaungpaya St • Daily 8am-5pm • K2000
After King Alaungpaya founded the Konbaung dynasty in 1752, he set about building a new
palace in his humble home town. He ruled from Shwebon Yadana until his death in 1760,
whereupon his successor moved the capital to Sagaing .
The original palace buildings were destroyed by the British after the annexation of Upper
Burma, and the area was used as a prison until 1994 (the colonial-era courthouse still stands