The stupa was intended to house a massive set of holy relics, including a tooth of the Buddha gifted by the Emperor of China.
The 1839 earthquake left the structure with significant structural cracks that act as evidence of the area's seismic history.
It is built entirely of red brick, which remains the largest pile of brick construction in the world.
The associated Mingun Bell weighs approximately 90 tons and was the largest functional bell in the world for over a century.
King Bodawpaya abandoned the project because court astrologers prophesied that the completion of the stupa would result in the king's death.
Mingun Pahtodawgyi is a massive, unfinished brick stupa commissioned by King Bodawpaya in 1790. If completed, it would have stood 150 meters tall, making it the largest in the world. Construction halted in 1819 upon the king's death, leaving behind a 50-meter tall base. The structure sustained severe damage during the 1839 earthquake, which created deep vertical fissures throughout the masonry. It sits on the west bank of the Irrawaddy River in the Sagaing Region. The site features a colossal staircase leading to the summit platform, which offers panoramic views of the river. The complex contains the Mingun Bell, one of the largest ringing bells in the world, cast for the stupa. A pair of giant, headless leogryphs (chinthe) guard the riverfront entrance to the complex.
From the river bank looking upward to capture the immense scale of the brick facade against the sky.
Walk the entire perimeter to appreciate the scale of the base and the extent of the earthquake damage.
Climb the stairway on the south side to reach the upper platform for an unobstructed view of the Irrawaddy River.
Carry plenty of water as there is no shade available on the upper levels of the structure.
Do not attempt to climb the exterior walls directly; use the designated, reinforced staircase only.
Visitors must remove shoes and socks before stepping onto the temple platform; modest dress covering shoulders and knees is mandatory.
