Taunggyi's most prominent religious site, the Shwe Pone Pwint Pagoda sits on the hillside above the town and can be seen from much of the surrounding plateau. The name means "golden flower" in Burmese, and the gilded stupa does catch the light dramatically at sunset. A flight of covered steps leads up from the main road.
The pagoda complex is active and well-maintained, with smaller shrines, Buddha images, and bells surrounding the central stupa. But the main draw is the view from the terrace: on a clear day you can see far across the Shan Plateau, with the red rooftops of Taunggyi below and the distant hills fading into haze. Early morning, when the plateau is often still shrouded in mist, is particularly atmospheric.
Remove shoes before entering any of the temple buildings. The climb takes about 15 minutes from street level.