Mandalay

Mandalay, the last capital of the Konbaung monarchs lies 688 km (430 miles) north of Yangon. The city was founded by King Mindon in 1857. Also known as Ratanbon nepyidaw (meaning Gem City). It is situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River in central Myanmar. Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar. Mandalay is the centre of Myanmar Art & Culture heritage. Most of the monuments there including the palace, the city walls, pagodas and monasteries were built in that year or soon after. Mandalay is the centre of communications and commerce in the upper part of the country.

The beautiful Mandalay Hill which rises to a height of 774 feet gives a good commanding view of the city. Places of interest in Mandalay are the many ancient monasteries, the 729 marble slabs of the Tripitaka at Kuthodaw Pagoda, the memorable Mahamuni Pagoda, the rebuilt Mandalay Palace which was destroyed by fire during the second World War, to name just a few.

Mandalay is surrounded by the ancient cities of Inwa(Ava), Amarapura, Sagaing, Mingun and Pyin Oo Lwin all easily visited on day trips.

Mandalay International Airport is the gateway. Mandalay is only over an hour's flight from Yangon. Yangon Airways and Air Mandalay operate daily flights. By road, it takes about 12 hours by express coaches and about 14 hours by train from Yangon. Air Mandalay also directly flight from Chaing Mai to Mandalay.

Mandalay & Environs

Amarapura

Amarapura is 7 miles (11 km) South of Mandalay, an ancient capital of the Konbaung Dynasty. Places of interest are Pahtodawgyi Pagoda, U Bein Bridge (1209 metres long) across the Taungthaman Inn, Kyauktawgyi Pagoda (the Great Image of stone), Nagayon Pagoda, Mahagandayone Monastery and cotton and silk weaving cottage Industry.

 

Sagaing

Sagaing is located on the west bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River, about 21 km South West of Mandalay. The Sagaing Hill are also known as a religious centre. It is dotted with pagoda and there are over 500 monasteries, a retreat for monks and nums Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, Kaung Hmudaw Pagoda ( a copy of the Mahazedi Pagoda in Sri Lanka), Ywahtaung Village (home of the silversmiths' guilds) and U min Thonze ( 30 caves) are places worth visiting.

Inwa(Ava)

Inwa, located about 11 miles (18km) away from Mandalay. Inwa city was built by king Thadominpaya in 1364. Highlights are Nanmyint watch Tower, Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, Bagaya Teak Wood monastery, Lacquerware Industry and the Inwa Bridge marching across the Ayeyarwaddy river.

 

Mingun

Mingun is 7 miles (11 km) up river from Mandalay on the western bank of the Ayeyarwaddy river, is a town well-known for its 90 tons Mingun Bell, the largest ringing bell in the world; a mammoth unfinished Mingun Pagoda; Myatheindan Pagoda. The 45 minutes boat trip to Mingun is a very pleasant way to see the life along the Ayeyarwaddy River.

 

Pyin Oo Lwin

Pyin Oo Lwin is located 67 km east from Mandalay, 1078 km (3539 Feet) above sea level. Also known as Maymyo, a formar British colonial summer retreat. It is a popular Hill station. It is well known for its colonial style houses with large compound and pine trees around the town. It's popular sites are Candacraig Hotel, National Kandawgyi Garden ( Botanical Garden ) and Puin Oo Lwin market. Excursion to PweKauk Water Fall, Peik Chin Myaung Cave and a ride on a horse-cart through the town.

Monywa

Monywa, on the east bank of the Chindwin river, is about 136 km to the west of Mandalay. It is about 3 hours drive from Mandalay. Sites to see in Monywa are Than-bok-de Pagoda with over 500,000 Buddha Images, Bodhi-ta-htaung (one thousand Bo trees), Reclining Buddha Image (300 feet long), Kyauka Shwe Guni Pagoda and Lacquerware village, Shwe Ba Hill and the famous cave of Po Win Daung.
 

Mogok

Mogok, Ruby Land is situated in roughly 115 km north-east of Mandalay. It is famed for its surrounding natural beauty, and for the brilliant rubies and sapphires pulled from its red earth.