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. Picture taken 28FEB99.
**DIGITAL IMAGE**