Shwedagon Pagoda receives record number of tourists

YANGON - The number of tourists visiting the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda was higher in 2013 than any previous year according to statistics released by the pagoda’s board of trustees.

A total of 400,852 tourists visited Yangon’s famous landmark in 2013, compared to over 271,000 visitors in 2012.

"The number of tourist arrivals increased last year. I think the number of tourists will equal the number of local visitors in the near future," said Win Kyaing, head of the board of trustee.

The number of French tourist arrivals has increased last year while the number of Chinese tourist arrivals has become lower than previous years.

The pagoda’s board of trustees has collected over US$ 204,000 and 1.5 million in foreign currencies as donations from tourists since 2008.

Tourists from over 50 countries visit the Shwedagon Pagoda, which receives over 1,000 visitors daily.

source: Eleven Myanmar

http://elevenmyanmar.com/tourism/4666-shwedagon-pagoda-receives-record-number-of-tourists