You have 1 trip in progress. See all

Trip Planner: Asia / Myanmar / Mandalay Region / Mandalay / Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World's Largest Book

Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World's Largest Book, Mandalay

4.6

Must see · Architectural Building · Landmark

Create an itinerary including Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World's Largest Book

A magnificent gilded 57 m (188 ft) tall stupa the foot of Mandalay Hill, Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World's Largest Book features a courtyard with 729 white marble shrines, each of which contains a 1.53 m (5 ft) tall slab inscribed on both sides. Walking around these mini-temples built in 1860, you can read the entire Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. In fact, it took a team of 2,200 monks working in tandem nearly half a year to read all of the stone tablets. Enjoy the serenity of this splendid structure’s inner courtyard, with many Buddha images and flowers. Dress respectfully, making sure not to wear shorts. It couldn't be easier to arrange your visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World's Largest Book and many more Mandalay attractions: make an itinerary online using Klarna Trips Mandalay trip itinerary planner.

Improve this listing »

Create a full itinerary - for free!

Tours to Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World's Largest Book

FROM $65 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing Mandalay Fullday Sightseeing

4.9

Duration: 10 hours

Tours from $65 ›

FROM $53 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing Mandalay Half-Day Sightseeing

4.7

Duration: 5 hours

Tours from $53 ›

FROM $79 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mandalay Cultural Heritage Day Tour Mandalay Cultural Heritage Day Tour

4.8

Duration: 10 hours

Tours from $79 ›

FROM $49 BOOK WITH VIATOR The Sites and Landmarks of Mandalay The Sites and Landmarks of Mandalay

4.9

Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

Tours from $49 ›

FROM $1,000 BOOK WITH VIATOR Explore Highlights of Myanmar on a Budget Explore Highlights of Myanmar on a Budget

5.0

Duration: 12 days

Tours from $1,000 ›

FROM $60 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mandalay Full-Day Tour Mandalay Full-Day Tour

5.0

Duration: 10 hours

Tours from $60 ›

FROM $160 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mandalay Full Day Sightseeing Mandalay Full Day Sightseeing

Duration: 1 day

Tours from $160 ›

FROM $310 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Guided Mandalay 3 Days 2 Nights Trip Private Guided Mandalay 3 Days 2 Nights Trip

Duration: 3 days

Tours from $310 ›

FROM $58 BOOK WITH VIATOR Dee toke water fall and Mandalay sightseeing Dee toke water fall and Mandalay sightseeing

Duration: 8 hours

Tours from $58 ›

FROM $103 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mandalay: Full Day Mandalay Culture Tour Mandalay: Full Day Mandalay Culture Tour

Duration: 10 hours

Tours from $103 ›

FROM $45 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Full-Day Mandalay Heritage Charter Car Tour Private Full-Day Mandalay Heritage Charter Car Tour

Duration: 10 hours

Tours from $45 ›

FROM $45 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mandalay Half-Day Tour Mandalay Half-Day Tour

Duration: 5 hours

Tours from $45 ›

Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World's Largest Book reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating

1,690 reviews

Google

4.6

By ABSureshB

A heritage site with 729 small pagodas surrounding a Big Pagoda. inscriptions on white marble placed in each pagoda. historically and spiritually important place with the worlds largest book.. see it.... more

A heritage site with 729 small pagodas surrounding a Big Pagoda. inscriptions on white marble placed in each pagoda. historically and spiritually important place with the worlds largest book.. see it.... more »
By LlubluSoleil

We always come here for a walk and this is always beautiful... Never fail to amaze me eventhough we have been here so many times. A must visit in Mandalay!

We always come here for a walk and this is always beautiful... Never fail to amaze me eventhough we have been here so many times. A must visit in Mandalay! more »
By bikerbabe22

This is a beautiful place to take some epic photographs, it’s a large complex of many small structures, most of them white.

This is a beautiful place to take some epic photographs, it’s a large complex of many small structures, most of them white. more »

See more on TripAdvisor ›

Google

By Fickle Travellers SG

Amazing historical landmark 👍 Its name translated literally means Royal Merit. It contains 729 tone-inscription caves, each containing a marble slab inscribed on both sides with a page of text from the entire book in Buddhist text. You will find a magnificent tree with the compounds. Truly amazing! Just remember that it's a space of prayer so you are required to dress modestly and remove your shoes. Ladies, no shorts or mini skirts! ⚠️

more less
By Joseph

Beautiful pagoda with an interesting history. The Buddhist scriptures in each of its many stupas were once etched with gold and gemstones, but the British looted this all when they came through. It is still a beautiful place. Some rows of stupas are better maintained than others. The marble floor tiles help keep one's feet cool while the sun blazes, as do some leafy trees. Women who enter can borrow a longyi for free at the entrance. There is no entrance fee for tourists.

more less
By Ho Ngoc Tin

The pagoda is under maintenance (repaint), but it's beautiful, free entrance ticket!

more less
By Happyness Karabo Raselabe

One of my favorite Pagodas around Mandalay. I’m drawn by the history behind the Tripiṭaka tablets which are also known to be the one of the world’s largest books containing729 kyauksa gu or stone-inscription caves. This place is picturesque, so make sure you to snap a few photos after appreciating the Burmese culture and learning about their history.

more less
By Ko Nyunt

Kuthotaw Pagoda is an amazing place. King Mindon had built the pagoda as part of the traditional foundations of the new royal city, Mandalay in 1857. He convened and lead the Fifth Buddhist Synod in 1871. The king wanted to leave a great work of merit by having the Tipitaka set in stone for posterity. The construction began in 1860 and the inscriptions were opened to the public on 4th May 1868. They were arranged in neat rows within three enclosures, 42 in the first, 168 in the middle and 519 in the third. One more stands at the southeast corner of the first enclosure making it 730, and this stone records how it all came into being. Thirty four brick rest houses (Zayats) stood all around except on the east side of the pagoda.

more less