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MANDALAY
The Centre of Myanmar Culture
Mandalay, the last capital of the Myanmar Kings, is located in Central Myanmar, 668 km north of Yangon. Also known as Ratanabon-nepyidaw (meaning Gem City), it was built in 1857 by King Mindon. Today, it is the second largest city boasting its rich cultural heritage. It is also the commercial centre with rail, road, river and air links to all parts of the country.
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Mandalay Hill
Mandalay Hill, 230 metres in elevation, commands a magnificent view of the city and surrounding countryside. The legend has it that the Buddha, on his visit, had made a prophecy that a great city would be founded at the foot of this hill. |
Mandalay Palace
The whole palace complex was destroyed by fire during the War. The palace walls, the four gates and the moat still stand today as evidence of the majestic Palace City. A number of palace buildings have been reconstructed within the premises. |
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Shwenandaw Monastery
This beautifully built monastery was originally inside the palace compound. King Thibaw had it moved to its present site east of the palace in 1879 after his father's death.
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Mahamuni Pagoda
King Bodawpaya built this Pagoda in 1784 to house the Mahamuni Buddha Image brought from Rakhine State. Being the most revered Pagoda in Mandalay, the early morning ritual of washing the face of the Buddha's image, draws a daily crowd of devotees.
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Kuthodaw Pagoda
King Mindon built this Pagoda in 1868, Surrounding it 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".
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Atu-ma-shi Monastery
Not too far from the Kuthodaw Pagoda is the Atu-ma-shi Monastery ( the Incomparable Monastery), built in 1878 by King Mindon, and partially destroyed by fire in 1890. It was however, rebuilt in 1996.
Kyauktawgyi Pagoda
Kyauktawgyi Pagoda (the Pagoda of the Great Marble Image), also built by King Mindon, stands at the foot of Mandalay Hill. Built in 1865, the Pagoda is so called because it houses a large image of the Buddha sculpted from a single block of beautiful sagyin marble. Other attractions are Sandamuni Pagoda, Einddawaya Pagoda, Shwe In Bin Monastery, Mandalay Museum and Library, Zegyo Market and Silk Weaving Cottage Industry.
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Mandalay's Surroundings
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Amarapura
Some 11 km south of Mandalay is the town of Amarapura. It was the capital of Konbaung Dynasty during the reign of King Bodawpaya when he moved its capital to Amarapura in 1783. Places of interest are Pahtodawgyi Pagoda, U Bein Bridge across the Taungthaman Lake, Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, Nagayon Pagoda, Mahagandayone Monastery and Cotton and Silk Weaving Cottage Industry.
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In-wa (Ava)
In-wa is another ancient capital, known as the Kingdom of In-Wa during the Second Myanmar Empire.
Today In-wa is a small town south of Amarapura. The sites to see in In-wa include Nanmyint Watch Tower, Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, Bagaya Monastery, Lacquerware Industry and In-wa Bridge spanning the Ayeyarwaddy River.
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Sagaing
Once an ancient capital, Sagaing lies 21 km south west of Mandalay, beside the Ayeyarwaddy River. The Sagaing Hills are dotted with pagodas and there are over 500 monasteries. a retreat for some 6000 monks and nuns. Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, Kaung Hmudaw Pagoda ( a copy of the Mahaceti Pagoda in Sri Lanka ), and Ywahtaung ( home of the silversmith' guilds) are places worth visiting.
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Mingun
Mingun, located about 11 km upriver from Mandalay on the western banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River, is a 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.
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Pyin - Oo - Lwin ( Maymyo )
Over 1000 metres above sea - level, Pyin Oo Lwin is a popular hill - station about 69 km
away from Mandalay. It is well - known for its colonial - style houses with large compound and pine trees, eucalyptus and silver - oak abound in town. Delightfully cool and pleasant the whole year round, the 175 hectare National Kandawgyi Gardens, Pwe Kauk and Anisakan Waterfalls, Goteik Viaduct and Peik Chin Myaung Caves are places of interest.
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Monywa
About 136 km to the west of Mandalay is Monywa, the commercial centre of Chindwin Valley. Sites to see in Monywa are
Than-bok-de Pagoda with over 500,000 Buddha Images, Bodhi-ta-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
lacquerware.
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