Mandalay
Myanmar’s last royal capital MANDALAY is located in Central Myanmar, 668 km.north of Yangon. It is regarded as the centre of Myanmar culture and Buddhist learning. About 60% of all the Buddhist monks in Myanmar reside in Mandalay area. Although it was known as Ratanabon, meaning “ a heap of jewels ”, the city got its name from nearby Mandalay Hill. King Mindon, the last ruler of Konboung Dynasty, founded the city in 1857. Today it is the second largest city boasting its cultural heritage. It is also the commercial centre with rail, road, river and air links to all parts of the country
SIGHTSEEING IN MANDALAY
Mandalay Hill
Mandalay Hill, 230 metres in elevation brings you a magnificient view of the city of Mandalay and surrrounding countryside. One can have a view of the old palace, the
Ayeyar- waddy River and the hazy blue outline of the Shan hills. The legend had it that the Buddha had made a prophecy that a great city would be founded at the foot of this hill.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
( The World’s Biggest Book )
Kuthodaw Pagoda modelled after Shwezigon at Bagan was built by King Mindon in 1857. There are, in the Pagoda complex, 729 marble slabs on which are inscribed the entire Tripitaka Text or the Buddhist canon. It has been estimated that, reading for eight hours a day, one person will take 450 days to read the complete text. And thus, it is sometimes called--the world’s biggest book.
Atu-ma-shi-Monastery
Not far from the Kuthodaw Pagoda is the Atu-ma-shi-Monestery ( the incomparable Monastery ), built in 1878 by King Mindon and which was partially destroyed by fire in 1890. This monastery was described by the European visitors as one of the most beautiful building of all of South East Asia. It was rebuilt in 1996.
Mahamuni Pagoda
The most important religious structure in Mandalay is the Mahamuni “ great sage ” Pagoda.This pagoda was originally built in 1784 by King Bodawpaya. The Mahamuni Buddha image is 3.8 metres high and coated with layers of gold leaf ( 15 cm thick ). It had been brought from Maruk-U in Rakhine State.Being the most revered Pagoda in Mandalay, the early morning ritual of washing the face of the Buddha’s image is an event wellworth to see.
Mandalay Palace
Mandalay Palace was far more than just royal living quarters----it was really a walled city within Mandalay. The palace walls, the 4 gates and the moat still stand today as evidence. The whole palace complex was destroyed by fire during the Second World War. A number of palace buildings have been reconstructed within the compound.
Other Attractions
Other places of interests are SHWENANDAW Monastery, KYAUK TAW GYI Pagoda, ZEGYO Market and U BEIN Bridge.
Around Mandalay
Amarapura
Situated 11 km. south of Mandalay, Amarapura is often reffered to as Taung-Myo ( Southern City ). It was the capital of Konbaung Dynasty during the reign of King Bodawpaya when he moved its capital to Amarapura in 1783. Places of interests are Pahtodawgyi-the well preserved pagoda; U Bein’s Bridge-the 1.2 km. long footbridge made of teak and cottage industry of cotton and silk weaving.
In-Wa ( Ava )
In-Wa or Ava 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 site to see at In-Wa include--Nan-myint Watch Tower, AungmyeBonzan Monastery, Lacquerware Industry and In-Wa Bridge spanning the Ayeyarwaddy River.
Sagaing
Sagaing lies 21 km. south-west of Mandalay situated on the Ayeyarwaddy River. The Sagaing Hills are dotted with pagodas and there are over 500 monasteries, a retreat for 6000 monks and nuns. Kaung Hmudaw Pagoda ( a copy of Mahaceti Pagoda in Sri Lanka ) and Ywahtaung Village ( Silver Smith’s quarters ) are places worth visiting.
Mingun
Mingun, situated about 11km. upriver from Mandalay on the western banks of 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 and Hsinbyume pagoda.
Pyin-Oo-Lwin ( Maymyo )
Over 1000 metres above sea-level, Pyin-Oo-Lwin formerly Maymyo 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 siler-oak abound in town. Delightfully cool and pleasant the whole year round, the 175 hectre Botanical Garden, Ani-sakan Waterfall, Goteik Viaduct and Peik Chin Myaung Caves are places of interest.
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, Boolhi-ta-htaung ( one thousand Bo trees ) and Kyauka Village known for its own style of lacquerware.
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