Bago
Country: Myanmar
Region: Asia
Period: 14th-16th c.CE
Location: 17.336667°N, 96.479722°E
Description
Pegu (modern-day Bago, Myanmar) was the capital of the Hanthawaddy Kingdom and later a prominent city in the Toungoo dynasty. Situated along the Sittaung River, Pegu was a major cultural, religious, and political hub in Southeast Asia during the 14th to 16th centuries. Known for its strategic location, the city boasted significant trade routes and impressive architecture, including temples and royal structures that reflected the grandeur of the Hanthawaddy kings.
Modern Remains
Today, Pegu (Bago) is a small but significant city in Myanmar, with notable remnants of its royal and religious past. The Shwemawdaw Pagoda, one of the tallest and most revered pagodas in Myanmar, dates back to the Hanthawaddy era. Other key sites include the Kyaikpun Pagoda, with its four large Buddha statues, and the Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha, one of the largest of its kind in Myanmar. While many buildings have deteriorated over time, these sites remain symbols of Pegu's former glory.