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Mandalay
A brief introduction of Mandalay (Yadanabon), the
Myanmar Monarchs’ Last Capital and a city of regal
identity, famous pagodas, religious edifices, and
the enchanting city of ancient Bagan where visitors will
find not only Myanmar art and culture and handicrafts
but also the scenic beauty of Upper Myanmar and
Shan State.
Mandalay (Yadanabon)
Mandalay (Yadanabon), the last capital of Myanmar
Kingdom, is in Central Myanmar, 688 km due north
of Yangon. It is the Largest city after Yangon and is
the place where one will come closest to real Myanmar.
Now it is also a gatway to Upper Myanmar.
The Royal City came into being only in 1859 when "King
Mindon" established it as new centre for the
teaching of Buddhism. The King also made Mandalay as his
capital, moving it from nearby Amarapura to the
newly-built Royal Palace at the foot of the Mandalay
Hill.
Being rich in monasteries and pagodas, it is still
accepted as the arts and cultural heart-land of Myanmar.
For lovers of arts and crafts, Mandalay represents the
largest repository of Myanmar arts and crafts. Skilledcrafts-men make world famous genuine tapestry called "Shwe
Chi Htoe" (Golden Weaving), beautiful articles
of ivory, wood, marble and stone, silverware and bronze
statues according to the time-honoured traditions of
their fore-fathers.
How to get there
It takes about one hour and thirty minutes by air from
Yangon.There are daily flights during the tourist
season from October to May. The new International
Airport project of Mandalay is already constructed.
Express
trains are running which take about 14 hours.
Yangon-Mandalay highway is over 700 km and overland
travellers
are advised to break journey at Taungoo (280 km) or at
Meiktila (540 km) where there are hotels for overnight
stay. The government and private express buses are also
running everyday.
Visitors are advised to check with Tourist Information
Services for flight / train / express bus schedules.
Places Of Attraction In Mandalay Areas
Mandalay Hill
The hill has for long been a holy mount and legend has
it that Buddha on His visit had prophesied that a great
city would be founded at its foot. Mandalay Hill, 230
metres in elevation, commands a magnificent view of the
city andsurrounding countryside. At present, it has already
finished the construction of motor-car road to reach
hill-top easily.
Mandalay Palace
The whole magnificent palace complex was destroyed by
the fire duringthe World War II. However, the finely built palace
walls, the city gates with
their crowning wooden pavillions and the surrounding
moat still present an
impressive scene of the Mandalay Palace "Mya-nan-san-kyaw
Shwenandaw",
the model of the Mandalay Palace, Nanmyint-saung,
Cultural Museum and
Pyi-gyi-mon Floating Restaurant in the moat are located
inside the Palace
grounds.
Shwenandaw Monastery
Famous for its intricate wood-carvings, this monastery
is a fragile reminder
of the old Mandalay Palace. Actually, it was built
inside Mandalay Palace but it
was moved to this place by King Thibaw in 1880.
Maha Muni Pagoda
The Image is said to have been cast in the life-time of
Gautama Buddha
and that Buddha embraced It 7 times thereby bringing It
to life. Consequently,
devout Buddhists hold It to be alive and refer to It as
the Maha Muni Sacred
Living Image. Revered as the holiest pagoda in Mandalay,
It was built by King
Bodawpaya in 1784. The Image in sitting posture is 12
feet and 7 inches (3.8 Metres) high. This pagoda
enshrines the famous Maha Muni Buddha Image brought from
Rakhine State also called the Rakhine Buddha
Image. The early morning ritual of washing the Face of
Buddha Image draws a large crowd of devotees everyday.
And the Image is also considered as the greatest, next
to Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar. A visit to Mandalay
is incomplete without a visit to the Maha Muni Pagoda
Image.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
Built by King Mindon in 1857, this pagoda modeled on the
Shwe Zigon at NyaungU, is surrounded by
729 upright stone slabs on which are inscribed the
entire Buddhist Scriptures as edited and approved by the
5th Buddhist Synod. It is popularly known as "the
Worlds Biggest Book" for its stone scriptures.
Kyauktawgyi Pagoda
Near the southern approach to Mandalay Hill stands the
Kyauktawgyi Pagoda Image that was built by King Mindon
in 1853-78. The Image was carved out
of a huge single block of marble stone. The statues of
80 Arahats (the Great Disciples of the Buddha) are
around the Image, 20 on each side. The carving of the
Image was completed in 1865.
Buddha's Replica Tooth Relic Pagoda (Mandalay) One of
the Buddha's Sacred Replica Tooth Relic was enshrined in
the Buddha's Replica Tooth Relic
Pagoda (Mandalay) on Maha Dhammayanthi Hill in Amarapura
Township. The pagoda was being built with cash donations
contributed by the people of Myanmar
and Buddhist donors of entire world under the
supervision of the Myanmar government.
The Myanmar government authorities and donors hoisted
Buddha's Replica Tooth Relic Pagoda Mandalay's Shwe
Htidaw (sacred golden umbrella),
Hngetmyatnadaw (sacred bird perch vane) and Seinphudaw
(sacred diamond bud) on 13th, December, 1996.
Atumashi Kyaung
The " Atumashi Kyaung " (which literally means the
inimitable monastery) is also one of the worth seeing
place. Actually, it was ruined by fire in 1890 and
partly survived. It was indeed an inimitable one in its
heyday. The reconstruction project started by the
government on 2nd May, 1995. It is decorated with white
and
golden paints completed in June, 1996.
Mandalay’s Surrounding
Moreover such places as the Eindawya Pagoda, the Setkya
Thiha Pagoda, the old Watch Tower, King Mindon's
Tomb, etc. should also be visited.
Sagaing
Sagaing lies 21 km South-West of Mandalay on the west
bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is also an ancient
capital
of 'Sagaing Dynasty'. The Sagaing Hills are known as a
religious retreat where over 400 monasteries for monks
and nuns
are located for Buddhistic studies and meditation. About
10 km from Sagaing is the Kaung-hmu-daw, an enormous
domeshaped
pagoda, built by King Thalun in 1636 on the model of the
Maha-Ceti Pagoda of Sri Lanka.There is also Ywataung
village known for its silver-smiths.
Amarapura
Situated about 11 km south of Mandalay, Amarapura is an
ancient capital of the Konbaung Dynasty. The Patodawgyi
Pagoda, and silk weaving industries
are places of interest to visit.
Patodawgyi Pagoda
The Patodawgyi Pagoda is situated South-West of Mandalay
on the west bank of Ayeyarwaddy River. The Pagoda was
built by King Bagyidaw in 1820. The
lower terraces have marble slabs illustrating scenes
from the Jataka. A marvellous fine view over the
surrounding country-side and the Ayeyarwaddy river bank
can
be seen from the upper terrace. The history of the
pagoda's construction is described on inscription stone.
U Bein Bridge
The old intriguing 1208 Meters long " U Bein Bridge "
was totally constructed with teak planks by Mayor U Bein
over 2 centuries ago near Amarapura, South
of Mandalay. This bridge is the longest wooden bridge in
Myanmar. It can use to cross safely and stands as a new
style except minor reconstruction.
Innwa (Ava)
The historical capital was founded by King Thado Minbya
in 1364. There is the Maha Aungmye Bonzan monastery
which is a fine example of Myanmar
masonry, and arts and architecture.
Me Nu Brick Monastery
The beautiful brick monastery which was erected in 1818
by Nanmadaw Me Nu, the chief queen of King Bagyidaw
(1819-1837) in Innwa, had an epitome of religious
beliefs that were a part of Myanmar culture even today.
This graceful and beautiul stucco-decorated building was
also known as " Oak Kyaung ", because of the masonry
construction. The visitors can study the great deal of
Myanma traditional engineering technique and
architecture.
Mingun Pagoda
Situated about 11 km up-river from Mandalay on the
western bank of the Ayeyawady river, Mingun Pagoda is
noted for its huge unfinished pagoda which
was built by King Bodawpaya of the late 18th Century and
90-ton bell, the largest ringing bell in the world. A
45-minute boat trip to Mingun is very pleasant with
plenty
of life on the river to see.
Monywa
About 136 km to the west of Mandalay is Monywa, the
commercial centre of the Chindwin Valley. Places of
interest are the Than-bok-de pagoda adomed
with over 500,000 Buddha Images; Bodhi-tahtaung (one
thousand Bo trees); Ledi Kyaungtaik, a teaching
monastery where Buddhist Scriptures are inscribed on
806 stone slabs; and Kyaukka village known for its own
distinctive kind of lacquer-ware.
PyinOoLwin (May Myo)
Over 1,100 meters in elevation, it is located 67 km to
the east of Mandalay. It enjoys cool and pleasant
weather the whole year round. Places to visit include
the National Royal Garden (Formerly Botanical Garden)
(142-hectare), the National Landmarks Garden, the
Chinese Temple, Pwe-kauk Water-falls, Peik-chinmyaung cave and Gok-hteik rail bridge (a viaduct). PyinOoLwin
is most favourite and ideal place for visitors during
the summer. Now the National Royal Garden andthe National Landmarks Garden are celebrating (yearly
special ceremonies) from mid-December to mid-January
every year. It is one of the most pleasant scenic spots not only in
Myanmar but also in South-East Asia perhaps.
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