Named for ‘omniscience’, Bagan’s highest temple is built of two white-coloured boxy storeys, each with three diminishing terraces rimmed with spires and leading to a gold-tipped sikhara, 207ft in height. Its monumental size and looming height make it a classic example of Bagan’s middle period. Built in 1144 by Alaungsithu, its terraces are encircled by indentations for 539 Jataka.
Plaques were never added, leading some scholars to surmise that the monument was never consecrated. Visitors are barred from climbing Thatbyinnyu’s inner passages. There are some original murals near the west entrance.
A couple of hundred yards south you can climb up on the southeastern corner of the old city wall. The small ‘tally zedi (stupa)’ just northeast of Thatbyinnyu Pahto was built using one brick for every 10,000 used in constructing the main temple.
