Mandalay

Mandalay is the last Kingdom of Myanmar dynasty before the British took over. For this reasons, it still has great importance as Myanmar’s cultural heart-center. It is the second largest city in Myanmar, lies in the heartland of our country and is about 690 km north of Yangon on the Ayeyarwaddy River. In Mandalay, there are many other places worth seeing such as palace, monasteries, cultural heritages. Mandalay is known nationally for it’s rich traditional cultural and spiritual splendor but also exquisite handicraft such as hand-woven embroidery in silk and cotton, the incredible process of making gold leaves wood and stone carving and bronze casting etc.

Mandalay Hill:
Mandalay Hill, 959 feet (230 meters) in height, standing to the north east of the royal palace, is a hollowed complex indeed as it is covered with Pagoda. A motorway up the hill has been recently constructed and trees have been planted all over the hill as part of the greening of the city. One magnificent view of the visit to the hill is an unforgettable “Landscape of on Eastern City” seen from above especially at sunset.

Mandalay Palace:
The palace was constructed in 1857 in Myanmar traditional architectural style. The whole palace complex was destroyed by fire during the War. The palace walls, the four gates and the moat still are stood today as evidence of the majestic Palace City. A number of palace buildings have been reconstructed within the premises.

Kyauk Taw Gyi:
Located at the southern approach to the Mandalay hill. It was built in 1865 and donated by King Mindon. There is a huge marble Image of Buddha that was carved out of a single block of Marble from the mine of Sagyine. The statue of the 80 disciples of Buddha is arranged around the Central shrine.

Shwenandaw Kyaung:
A masterpiece of woodcarving techniques, this wooden monastery is a reminder of King Mindon's sleeping apartment in his palace complex. The best known for its fine and intricate woodcarving is an outstanding example of traditional Myanmar wooden architecture.

Mahamuni Pagoda:
King Bodawpaya built this Pagoda in 1784 to enshrine the Mahamuni Buddha Image brought from Rakhine State. Being the most revered Pagoda in Mandalay, the ritual of washing the face of the Buddha's image in the early morning draws a daily crowd of devotees.

Kuthodaw Pagoda:
King Mindon built this Pagoda in 1868. Pagoda is surrounded with 729 marble-slabs inscribed with the Tipitaka text (the Three Baskets of the Buddhist Pali canon). It is often called the "World's Biggest Book".

Atumashi Kyaung:
The ruins of Atumashi Kyaung, built by King Mindon in 1857, stand a little south of Kuthodaw Paya. It was one of the most magnificent temples in all South-East Asia. In 1890 the monastery caught fire and, together with its contents, which included four complete sets of the Tripitaka in teak boxes, was completely gutted. Today a huge quadrangle of colonnaded and arched walls, the main stairway and a few fine stucco relieves and the stumps of teak pillars that once supported the roof.

Around Mandalay
Tagaung (relics of a Pyu civilization):
Situates 200 km up river north of Mandalay. Tagaung was considered by many to be the first capital of the ancient Pyu civilization, which in turn founded the cities of Hanlin, Beikthano, Thayaykhetera(Sri Khestra) and from that Pyu civilization continuing into the Bagan dynasty. However, the late Professor Luce, believed that the Myanmar culture began with Kyaukse, a town a few miles south of Mandalay, a belief echoed by many other historians, so that the role of Tagaung in Myanmar’s culture faded into mythology. Since 1904, excavation had been carried out in Tagaung, with no relics found to be earlier than the 11th century. Other historians and writers had believed firmly that Tagaung have a longer history than so far proven, and recent diggings have shown them to be correct. Since 1990, many evidences had been discovered on the antiquity and culture of this forgotten city. Tagaung still exit as a big village and can be reached by river way from Mandalay.

Sagaing:
There are certainly plenty of stupas here, and those scattered over the Sagaing hills – which rise on the western bank of the Ayeyarwady, just north of the modern town – provide a very picturesque spectacle from across the river. Sagaing became capital of around 1315, after the fall of Bagan had thrown central Myanmar into chaos. Its period of importance was short, for in 1364 the founder’s grandson, Thado Minbya, moved his capital across the river to Inwa. For four brief years, from 1760 to 1764, Sagaing was once again the capital, but its historic importance is comparatively minor. Today, it’s mostly known as a religious center that supports dozens of Buddhist monasteries and nunneries as well as a major monastic hospital. During the full moon of Tazaungmon (October/November), devotees from Mandalay and beyond flock to Sagaing to offer robes. Kyaswa Kyaung offers an annual ‘foreign yogis retreat’ (in the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition) each January.

Sagaing Hill:
The hill itself has a number of zedis and kyaungs, some of which are comparatively recent. Padamya Zedi dates from 1300, while UminThounzeh (30-Caves), contains 45 Buddha images in a crescent-shaped colonnade. The impressive Soon U Ponya Shin Paya nearby was constructed in 1312 and reaches 29.3m high with a 7.8m hti(umbrella) above that; in front of the principal altar, large bronze frogs on wheels serve as collection boxes. The view of Sagaing from Soon U Ponya Shin and its approach are outstanding. Mural paintings can be seen in the Tilawkaguru cave temple, which was built around 1672. The Pa Ba Kyaung is typical of the many monasteries on the hillside. Sagaing also has the remains of a fort by the riverbank. The nearby village of Ywataung is renowned for its silversmiths. The village of Sagaing, at the foot of Sagaing Hill, makes an interesting visit-it’s chock-a-block with markets, shops and restaurants. Foreigners are charged an entry fee of US$3 to climb Sagaing Hill.

Monywa:
About 136 km to the west of Mandalay is Monywa, the commercial center of Chindwin Valley. Sites to see in Monywa are Thanbokde Pagoda with over 500,000 Buddha Images, Bodhita-htaung (one thousand Bo trees), Ledi Kyaungteik monastery where Buddhist scriptures are inscribed on 806 stone slabs and Kyauka Village known for its own style of lacquer ware.

Nyaunggan:
The Bronze-Age culture heritage site is located near Nyaunggan Village, Budalin Township, Sagaing Division, about 50 km from Monywa. The site is situated on a crater of a dormant volcano, which is about 4 miles northeast of the famous Twintaung. In these excavation sites human skeleton remains were found together with pots of various size and shapes, stone rings, beads, socket bronze axes and some animal bones. This is an extraordinary prehistoric culture, which was found as the missing link between Stone Age and Iron Age culture, and the first discovery of a Bronze-age Burial site in Myanmar.

Amarapura:
Another one-hour boat ride downriver (or half an hour by car) is Amarapura, with its beautiful temples and monasteries, once an ancient capital of the Konbaung Dynasty. You can still see the tombs of King Bodawpaya, located to the north of Shwezaga Pagoda, and also of King Bagyidaw, located east of Pyatthat Gyi Village. Amarapura is famous for the Silk Weaving Industry.

U Bein Bridge:
Constructed in 1849 from old planks and timber posts of dismantled houses in Sagaing and Inwa. Crossing the Taung –tha-man Inn (lake) is one of the main attractions for visitors. It is the longest teak bridge in the world; although a bit rickety in some parts, it has withstood the storms and floods for two centuries. The bridge is named after its donator Governor U Bein who was a clerk to the Mayor of Amarapura.

Mingun:
Located about 11 km upriver from Mandalay on the western banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is reached by ferryboats across the river and takes 1 hour for up-river and 40 minutes for down-river. The town well-known for its 90 ton Mingun Bell, the largest ringing bell in the world; a mammoth unfinished Mingun Pagoda: Settawya pagoda, and Hsinbyume pagoda. A boat trip to Mingun is pleasant with plenty of life on the river to see.

Mingun Pahtotawgyi:
It is one of the famous buildings in the world. Started in 1791 with over 20,000 workers toiled for twenty years on the construction of the Pa Hto Daw Gyi Pagoda, which was unfortunately abandoned due to the death of King Bodawpaya in 1819. Each side of the enormous base measures 72m, and the lowest terrace measures 140m. Stand 50m high, over looking the river. This unfinished structure was badly damaged in cracks by the earthquake of 1838 but it is still the largest unfinished monument in the world.

Pyin Oo Lwin (May Myo):
Pyin Oo Lwin is a popular hill station. A timeless colonial serenity greets you as you enter Pyin Oo Lwin, a scenic and cool highland, 1,100 meters above sea level, about 69 kilometers from Mandalay. This well-kept resort of beautiful Tudor architecture, nostalgic stagecoaches, market place, the fresh and lush bloom of colorful flowers, is worth a visit. Visit the spacious 142 hectares Botanical Garden with its cherry blossom in December and January. The garden is adorned with numerous varieties of flowers from all over the country and over 200 varieties of orchids. The garden and forest preserve offer an ideal opportunity for "light trekking".

Paik Chin Myaung water fall:
The cave is near Wetwun village 12 miles east of the town and it is three miles south of the village, easily accessible by car. A very famous place in Pyin-Oo-Lwin (May Myo). The cave is at the entrance to the Peik Chin Myaung ravine, with many beautiful springs. When the rocks in the cave began to form, the place was under seawater. On entering the cave you see springs flowing from different directions. The water at some places is as deep as five feet. Water seeps from the walls of the rock; and is clean and cool. It is said that this water cures eye ailments and itching. So, pilgrims take this spring water home in bottles. The Great Cave covers an area about 48 acres. That place should be spent for your luxurious time. Feeling the breeze and listening to the water fallen is emotionally pleasant for the supreme visitors. Paik Chin Myaung Caves is decorated with tableaux from the life of the Buddha.