FOR RELEASE WITH FEATURE BC-MYANMAR-PAGODA - Residents stroll and meet around the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar's capital. The Shwedagon Pagoda, heart and soul of devoutly Buddhist Myanmar and one of the forgotten wonders of the world, is getting a facelift that will pile another ton of gold onto its glittering central stupa. The breathtaking 2,500-year-old pagoda is already decorated with 2.3 tons of gold and encrusted with over 5,000 diamonds, 2,000 rubies as well as sapphires and other precious stones.

PDN/TAN