When I first visited the Shwedagon Temple with its golden pagoda it was claimed that the dome included over 50 tons of gold. With subsequent visits the number crept up to 70, then 80 and now 90 tons with the Myanmar government setting a goal of over 100 tons. Whatever you think of the idea of using one of the world’s most expensive commodities to complement the 4,000 gemstones already in the top of the structure the result is an awe-inspiring man-made wonder of the world.

Devout Buddhist Praying at the Shwedagon
The Dome has nearly 100 Tons of Gold

But one does have to wonder how much gold is enough in a country that has trouble keeping the lights on in its major cities.