Meng Huan Shwedagon Pagoda

Anonymous user

5.0/5

Outstanding

I climbed Leiya Rang Mountain at 5 PM. The 108 steps were flanked by golden dragons cascading down the slope, and I arrived at the pagoda just in time for sunset. The 76-meter-high Meng Huan Golden Pagoda is gilded, and the setting sun cast a golden glow, enhancing its shimmering quality. Walking clockwise around the prayer wheel along the prayer corridor, the wind chimes on the pagoda's roof jingled in the breeze, a sound that could be heard throughout half of Mangshi. Standing on the viewing platform for a 360° panoramic view was truly exhilarating—below me stretched the terraced houses of the Dai ethnic minority in the Mangshi plain, while in the distance, mountain mists clung to the border. Turning my head, I could even frame the pure white Meng Huan Silver Pagoda across the valley; the gold and silver pagodas facing each other across the valley created a much more photogenic scene than photographing just one pagoda alone. The 7 PM lighting was a hidden climax, transforming the entire pagoda from golden to a warm orange, as if someone had lit a fire inside it. Looking back on the way down, the golden pagoda floated in the night, instantly capturing the slow-paced, borderland spirit of Mangshi. A word of caution: the towers are extremely reflective during the day, so be sure to go in the evening; you need to take off your shoes before entering the main hall, and wearing sandals is the easiest way; allow 2 hours for visiting both the Gold and Silver Towers.