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MANDALAY
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In
Mandalay, you come closest to the real Myanmar of old. The second largest city of Myanmar,
with a population of 700,000, here lies the cultural heart of Myanmar where the most
refined arts, traditions of dance, music and drama live on. Mandalay is also known for its
fine gold and silver crafts, wood and marble carving, silk thread weaving and ancient
tapestry.
The last capital of the
Myanmar kingdom, Mandalay not only offers wonderful sights to behold, but also has a
number of nearby attractions, most historical and fascinating, all within a 3.2 kilometre
radius - from cool hill resorts to nostalgic market places, from an ancient palace to a
river ride up the famous "Road to Mandalay", the Ayeyarwady River, or a ride in
unique trishaws or horse-drawn carts.
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Mandalay |
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.
See
Mandalay Map |
Mandalay Hill |
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.
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Kuthodaw 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. |
Mandalay Palace |
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. |
Shwe Nandaw Kyaung |
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. |
U Pein's Bridge |
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.
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U Min Thonze Pagoda |
lnwa
What is impressive about this historical capital is its fine
Myanmar masonry, art and architecture, especially the outstanding Maha Aung Mye Bonzan
Monastery. |
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. |
Mingun Bell |
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. |
Botanical
Garden |
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