Taungbyon was historically important under the Bagan kingdom, when it was part of a series of forts along the Irrawaddy river and may have been a royal domain.

[1]: 231 Taungbyon is located about 10 km north of Mandalay, on the east bank of the Shweta chaung (stream).

According to Elizabeth Moore, the geographical location of these features likely indicates that this whole system of forts was meant to monitor the river.

The others mainly proliferated beginning in the mid-1980s and are considered "additional" instead of traditional because they are dedicated to other nats not related to the Taungbyon brothers' legend.

[3]: 71  The Sudaungbyi pagoda is attributed to Anawrahta and draws large numbers of visitors from throughout the surrounding region.