The Shwe Dagon (pronounced "Shway Dagon'') Pagoda, is the most venerable, the finest, and the most universally visited of all places of worship in Indo-China. It is the only Pagoda which is credited with containing actual relics, not only of Caudama, but of the three Bhuddas who preceded him. It attracts countless pilgrims, not only from all parts of Burma, but from Siam, China, Korea, and Ceylon. The panorama is taken from the platform, which is 900 feet long by 685 feet wide. Here are hundreds of images of Buddha, large and small, sitting, standing and reclining, white and black, some of alabaster, others of clay, or of wood. Interspersed among these are multitudes of bells of all sizes. These the worshiper strikes as he passes with the deer's antlers that lie beside them, to call attention to his acts of piety. The platform is never deserted, night or day, and constitutes one of the most interesting sights in the world. The central Pagoda rises to a height of 375 feet, a little higher than St. Paul's Cathedral.

Source: Urban Eclipse Catalog - February 1905