Burma / Myanmar: Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon (Rangoon) (photo)

The golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises almost 100 m (330ft) above its setting on Singuttara Hill and is plated with 8,688 solid-gold slabs. This central stupa is surrounded by more than 100 other buildings, including smaller stupas and pavilions. The pagoda was already well established when Bagan dominated Burma in the 11th century. Queen Shinsawbu, who ruled in the 15th century, is believed to have given the pagoda its present shape. She also built the terraces and walls around the stupa. The giant stupa has a circumference at platform level of 433 m (1,420ft), with its octagonal base ringed by 64 smaller stupas.