King Bodawpaya decided to build the world’s biggest pagoda at Mingun. He started construction in 1790. His pagoda was about one-third finished in 1819, when King Bodawpaya died. At that point, construction stopped. The base of the pagoda, or paya, is 240 feet by 460 feet. The one-third completed height is 150 feet. The base still stands there but not like it was when King Bodawpaya was building it. A massive earthquake in 1838 split the monument and a 2012 earthquake worsened its condition.

King Bodawpaya must have liked “big” things because he also planned to have the world’s biggest bell. He had it cast in 1808. It’s about 12 feet high and 16 feet across. The bell was moved to its location at the height of the rainy season by digging a canal to its location from the river. Buddhists use the bell for sharing: having done a good deed, marriage, for the intention of Buddha, etc.

1. You can see the one-third finished pagoda from quite a distance down the Irrawaddy River. Initially, the pagoda and bell were the only things in Mingun. But eventually, where there are tourists, there are vendors and some infrastructure to go with it.

2. This is a much closer look at the Mingun Paya. It had entrances on all four sides.

3. Here’s the marble info slab at the Mingun bell.

4. Vicky gave the bell a good ringing while we were there. It has a substantial ring to it.

5. I mentioned Mingun’s infrastructure, which of course included Taxi service.