Mandalay

Mandalay is situated in the heart of Myanmar. It is the capital of last Myanmar Kingdom. It is on the eastern bank of Ayeyarwady river. Mandalay is the second largest city in our country. It is one of the most popular places to visit. There are many interesting places in this ancient capital. The golden palace is amazing. It is the landmark and the heart of Mandalay. The palace is surrounded by four-mile long water moats. On the Mandalay Hill, we can see the panoramic view over Mandalay city. I love cycling around the foot of the hill. You can see Kuthodaw Pagoda which is known as ” The Biggest Book in the World”. Golden Monastery, the original architecture of Mandalay Palace, Atumashi Monastery and there is a zoo near it. I never miss Mahamuni Pagoda to visit. It is the masterpiece bronze statue of Buddha. Mandalay is the hub of Myanmar culture. You can see traditional handicraft such as silk weaving, wood carving, stone carving, gold leaf making, tapestry and leather slippers industries. I love to take a boat trip across Ayeyarwady when going to Mingun. Mingun Phahtotawgyi is a giant to Mingun. Mingun Phahtotawgyi is a giant structure and there is the largest ringable bell in the world. You can visit U Bain Bridge, Sagaing hill and Monywa.

 

Some highlights:

Mandalay Hill

One thousand seven hundred steps uphill will give you a bird’s-eye view of the city, the outlying areas of the Ayeyarwady plains and the misty Shan hills- a spectacular sight! Fascinating and interesting sights along the way include colourful souvenir stalls, the Pershewar Relics, possibly the world’s only authentic bones of Buddha and the gold-plated Shweyattaw Buddha of immense size.

 

Kuthodaw Pagoda

This pagoda was built by King Mindon in 1857. Within its premises may be found what is popularly known as “The World’s Largest Book” – the complete Buddhist Scriptures inscribed on 729 upright stone slabs surrounding the pagoda.

 

 

Mandalay Palace

A golden city within a city, this was King Mindon’s centre of glory- a truly magnificent palace complex. However, it was tragically destroyed by allied bombing during World War Two. An exact replica of the old palace is now being built inside the walls. The finely built palace walls, surrounded by a moat, a delight for artists, architects, painters and photographers, is a sight to behold.

 

Shwe Nandaw Kyaung

A masterpiece of woodcarving techniques, this wooden monastery is a reminder of King Mindon’s sleeping apartment in his palace complex. Best known for its fine and intricate woodcarvings, it is an outstanding example of traditional Myanmar wooden architecture.

 

 

Golden Sights near MANDALAY

Interesting journeys to nearby attractive sights include the following destinations – the three ancient cities of Amarapura, Sagaing and Inwa, up-river Mingun and cool-country Pyin-Oo-Lwin.

 

Amarapura

An ancient capital of the Myanmar Monarchy, 11 kilometres south of Mandalay, Amarapura’s attractions include the Patodawgyi Pagoda, U Pein’s Bridge and the silk weaving industry.

 

 

Sagaing

The lure of Sagaing, 21 kilometres south west of Mandalay, on the west bank of Ayeyarwady, is the Sagaing Hills – a spiritual recluse for Buddhist studies and meditation. The Kaunghmudaw – a gigantic dome-shaped pagoda and the Ywahtaung Village – home of silver craftsman are other points of interest.

 

lnwa

What is impressive about this historical capital is its fine Myanmar masonry, art and architecture, especially the outstanding Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery.

 

 

 

Mingun

The 11-kilometre boat ride up the famous Ayeyarwady river from Mandalay to Mingun promises a pleasant adventure. Boatmen in their gliding vessels on mirror-like waters, the lively chatter of womenfolk on floating platforms with their laundry, mighty boat-pullers, smiling carefree children and bamboo homes in green fields – all these sights make it a shutterbug’s dream voyage.
At the end of this picturesque trip, you will come face to face with the “World’s Biggest Ringing Bell” – The Mingun Bell. Another principal sight is the colossal ruined base of the Mingun pagoda- an unfinished work of King Bodawpaya, which if it had been completed, would have supported the largest pagoda in the world.

 

Pyin-Oo-Lwin

A timeless colonial serenity greets you as you enter Pyin-Oo-Lwin” scenic and cool highland 1,100 metres above sea level. Little seems to have changed since Kipling’s day. 60 kilometres north-east of Mandalay, this well-kept resort of beautiful Tudor architecture, nostalgic stagecoaches, happy market place and the fresh and lush bloom of colourful flowers, is worth a visit, Seeing is believing. Visit the spacious and verdant 142 hectares Botanical Garden with its cherry blossom in December and January, and do not miss the nearby Pwekauk Waterfalls, the recently opened limestone grotto and an underground stream known as Peik-Chin Myaung.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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