C. The World's Most Prominent Stupas and Pagodas
　　In order for readers to have a better understanding of the oldest, the tallest or the largest stupa or pagoda of the world, the following is an introduction of the different types of stupas and pagodas.
（A）Inverted Alms-Bowl Stupa
　　The earliest stupa was in the shape of an inverted alms-bowl or a mound of earth to preserve the original appearance of the stupa as an actual sepulcher.

Eastern Gate of Sanci's Stupa No.1 / Madhya Pradesh, India

 

Mahathupa Ruwanveliseya Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Shwedagon Pagoda Yangon, Myanmar

1. The World's Oldest Stupa
　　The oldest stupas extant in the world are the beautifully-preserved stupas of Sanci, built between the 3rd and the 1st centuries BCE. The most outstanding features of the Sanci Stupas are their exquisite bas-reliefs that adorned the gates, the railings and the stupas themselves. Built in the shape of an inverted alms-bowl, this type of stupa became the basis for constructing future stupas and pagodas of other types.
2. The Largest Stupa in Sri Lanka
　　Built around the 1st century BCE, Mahathupa Ruwanveliseya or the Great Stupa of Anuradhapura is the largest and most magnificent stupa in Sri Lanka. With its white exterior, the stupa rises to a height of approximately 91.5 meters and contains the relics of the Buddha.
3. The Tallest Pagoda in Myanmar
　　The golden Shwedagon Pagoda, 112 meters high, is not only the largest golden pagoda in Myanmar, but also the country's most famous landmark. Gold, silver and precious jewels adorned the pagoda's steeple and body.
4. The Tallest Stupa in Nepal
　　Built around the 5th century CE, the 60-meter tall Svayambhu Stupa is Nepal's tallest stupa, and the most well-known landmark of its capital, Katmandu, standing out like a giant amongst a sea of buildings and houses.

（B）Multi-Storey Pagoda
　　The multi-storey or tower-style pagoda is the most commonly seen Buddhist pagoda in China. Its construction is derived from the Chinese architectural style.
1. The World's Tallest Wooden Pagoda
　　Built in 1056, Fogong Monastery's Sakya Pagoda in Yingxian, Shanxi, China is the world's tallest wooden pagoda at the height of 67.3 meters. It is also known as the Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian.
2. China's Oldest Glazed-Brick Pagoda
　　As the skill of glazing began to flourish during the Song dynasty (960 – 1279), the Youguo Monastery Pagoda in Kaifeng, Henan was rebuilt in 1094. It is the oldest glazed-brick pagoda extant in China. Since the exterior walls of the pagoda's body were inlaid with glazed dark brown bricks that looked like iron from afar, it is also known as the “Iron Pagoda of Youguo Monastery.”
3. Japan's Oldest Wooden Pagoda
　　Built in the 7th century CE, the Five-Storey Pagoda of Horyuji in Nara is the oldest wooden pagoda extant in Japan. As the pagoda tapered elegantly upward, each eave of the five-storey building became proportionately smaller, creating a visual effect of a giant bird making its descend from the sky high above.

Svayambhu Stupa / Katmandu, Nepal	Sakya Pagoda of Fogong Monastery / Yingxian County, Shanxi Province, China	Youguo Monastery Pagoda / Kaifeng City, Henan Province, China	Five-Storey Pagoda of Horyuji / Nara, Japan