DESTINATION

MANDALAY

MANDALAY is second capital of Myanmar. It is situated about 600 Kilometers north of Yangon on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy river. Today it is a major trading and communication center in the northern and central Myanmar which link east to China and west to India through the boarder.
Mandalay was founded in 1857 as the capital by King Mindon and remained the capital of the Konbaung, Myanmar’s last dynasty. The Mandalay palace boasts finely built palace walls and a beautiful moat surrounding the fortress. Moreover, Mandalay is not only an important city for Burmese culture, but the principle centre for Buddhism studies in Myanmar. Mandalay;s monasteries and Pagoda are of great religious significance to all Myanmar…

Recommended tour highlights are The world’s largest book known as Kuthodaw Pagoda
( 729 pieces of stone inscription on marble slabs of Buddhist bible, Mandalay palace, Mahamuni Pagoda (4 meters high seated image , 6.5tons cast in Bronze), Royal palace built by King Mindon in the mid-ninteenth century; an example of 19th centry teak architecture and also a significant master piece of the wood-carver’s art, the last seat of Myanmar King.

Mandalay Hill; 230 meters in elevation and commands a magnificent view of the city surrounding country side. As a legend goes , Buddha on his visit , made a prophecy that a great city would be founded at the foot of the hill many years later,


Atumashi monestry ; the Buddhist monastery , beautifully decorated with white and golden paints. Golden Palace monestry ; most significant of historic building, Amarapura situated about 11 km south of Mandalay , an ancient capital of the Konbaung Dynasty. Places of interest include the Patodawgyi pagoda,
 

U Bein Bridge was constructed in 1849 , longest teak bridge in the world across the Taung-tha-man lake and Mahar Gandayone Monestry where we can see the daily meal serving of thousand of monks …Ava ( Inwa), lies 20 km south west of Mandalay , founded by the Shan King Thadominbya in 1364 it remained the royal capital for almost 5 centuries. Visitors cross the river on a ferry and ride around the site of Ava in a horse-drawn pony cart. Hightlights in Paya and the workshop making lacquer armbowls for monks.Next day tour from Mandalay to Sagaing ; the ancient capital of Sagaing lies 21 km southwest of Mandalay on the west bank of the Ayeyarwaddy river.
 Sagaing hills offer famous religious retreats where monks and nuns go for study and meditation in over 400 monasteries. Kaung Hmudaw Pagoda; about 10km from Sagaing, it is an enormous dome-shape pagoda, built by King Thalun in 1636,

Umin Thonse ( 30 caves) has many Buddha images in a crescent shaped colonnade, Mural painting can be seen in the Tilawkaguru cave temple , built in 1672.
Mingun is 11km upriver from Mandalay on the western bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. It’s noted for the Mingun Padoda, a huge unfinished pagoda, Myatheindan Pagoda was built by King Bagyidaw in 1816 , three years before he succeeded Bodawpaya as a King. It was built as a representation of the Sulamani Pagoda , according to the Buddhist plan of the cosmos stands atop Mount Meru and was damaged by 1838 earth quake and

Mingun Bell a gigantic 90 tons bronze bell- the largest uncracked ringing bell in the world. The 45 minutes boat trip to Mingun is a very pleasant way to see the life along the river.Monywa about 140 km to the west of Mandalay is a commercial centre of the Chindwin valley, Bodhi-ta-taung pagoda ( one thousand Bayan trees) a 300 foot long reclining Buddha, Kyauka Shweguni pagoda and lacquer village. Thanbodhyi pagoda( with over 500,000 Buddha images) and Shwe Ba Hill and the famous caves of Po Win Daung across the river are majour attraction, Monywa is about a 3 hour drive from Mandalay.

Pyin Oo Lwin (formely May Myo); A pretty little hill resort with flowers ,1070 m above sea levels, 67 km east of Mandalay , was established by the British as a cool retreat from the heat of the central Myanmar plains. The Botinical garden and the Pyin Oo Lwin Market are popular site. Excursion to Pwe Kauk falls, Peik Chin Myaung cave, and a ride of a horse-drawn stagecoach through the town Pyin Oo Lwin is an leisure tour trip. Hiking trips to the near by Anisakan falls can be arranged.