Laykyun SekkyaAbout Laykyun Sekkya
Laykyun Sekkya is a very large standing Buddha statue located on Khatakan Taung hill near the town of Monywa in Myanmar’s Sagaing Region. It is known for its exceptional height and for being among the tallest standing Buddha images in the world.
The statue forms part of a broader religious complex with access paths up the hill and nearby pagodas and devotional structures. The scale of the monument makes it a dominant visual feature in the local landscape and a destination for pilgrims and tourists.
Construction of the monument and its associated complex took place in recent decades as part of local religious and cultural projects; it is one of a number of large modern Buddhist statues built in Myanmar since the late 20th century. The site has been developed to accommodate visitors and religious activities.
The statue sits on a hill just outside Monywa, in the Sagaing administrative region of central-western Myanmar, within easy driving distance of the town. The surrounding area is a mix of low hills and agricultural land.
- Scale ranking: Recognised as one of the tallest standing Buddha statues globally and frequently listed in comparisons of large Buddhist monuments.
- Site context: The statue stands on a hillside near Monywa and is visible from surrounding areas, forming part of a larger religious site in the Sagaing region.
Best Time to Visit Laykyun Sekkya
Best visited during Myanmar's cool, dry season (November-February) to avoid extreme heat and dust.
Weather & Climate near Laykyun Sekkya
Laykyun Sekkya's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 13°C to 39°C. Moderate rainfall (752 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 13° - 29° | 21° | 1 mm | clear | 39% | 0.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 10.8h |
| February | Ideal | 16° - 32° | 24° | 2 mm | clear | 31% | 0.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.3h |
| March | Excellent | 19° - 37° | 28° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 31% | 1.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 24° - 39° | 31° | 24 mm | mostly sunny | 37% | 1.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.6h |
| May | Very Good | 25° - 37° | 32° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 47% | 1.4 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.1h |
| June | Good | 25° - 34° | 32° | 116 mm | overcast | 58% | 1.7 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.4h |
| July | Good | 26° - 34° | 32° | 66 mm | overcast | 61% | 1.6 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.2h |
| August | Good | 25° - 33° | 31° | 117 mm | overcast | 62% | 1.4 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.8h |
| September | Good | 24° - 33° | 30° | 150 mm | overcast | 61% | 0.9 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Very Good | 23° - 32° | 28° | 115 mm | partly cloudy | 60% | 0.6 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.5h |
| November | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 25° | 41 mm | mostly sunny | 48% | 0.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 10.9h |
| December | Ideal | 15° - 28° | 21° | 5 mm | clear | 44% | 0.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.7h |
How to Get to Laykyun Sekkya
Monywa is the nearest sizable town; it is reached by bus or private car from Mandalay (approximately 5-6 hours by road). From Monywa town center, Laykyun Sekkya is a short taxi or motorbike-taxi ride (around 10-20 minutes). Local tour operators in Monywa can arrange transport and local guides.
Roads near the hill are rough in places; a motorbike or car with good ground clearance is useful for the final approach.
Tips for Visiting Laykyun Sekkya
- Climb the steps around the base for different vantage points-the statue's scale changes dramatically when viewed from the foot of the hill versus from the road.
- Dress conservatively and expect basic facilities; bring water and sun protection-the compound has limited shade.
- Combine a visit with Monywa's other attractions (Thanboddhay Pagoda, Ruby Mines) to make a full day of the town's surprising number of monumental Buddhist sites.