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Mandalay
 Mandalay
was the last capital of Myanmar Kings and it still has great
importance as a cultural center in Myanmar (Burma).
Surrounding with ancient capitals like Inwa, Amarapura,
picturesque Mingun and Sagaing Hill are waiting you in the
land we called central Myanmar (Burma). The unique way of
Gold Leaf making in Myanmar and local people apply these
gold to Great Mahar Muni Pagoda in Mandalay will greets you
How pious Myanmar people are?
importance as a cultural center. Historically, it is the
most Myanmar of the country’s large cities, a place where
you’ll come close to the ‘heart’ of Myanmar. Mandalay still
has cultural and religious significance and its Buddhist
monasteries are among the most important in the country-
about 60% of all the monks in Myanmar reside in the Mandalay
area.
The city of Mandalay took its name from the "Mandalay Hill"
which is situated to the north-east of the town. The
classical name of the city is Ratanapura, which is commonly
shortened to Ratnapun (pronounced Yadanabon). It is a city
that understandably hugs its past, even to a great extent,
lives in the past, and reluctantly and certainly not very
enthusiastically, accepts the irrevocably lost status of the
first city of Myanmar. On the day King Thibaw was forced to
surrender to the British Colonialist, old Mandalay wept and,
more or less died. Even today, there are some octogenarians
and nonagenarians, who knew King Mindon and Thibaw, who
worked in the palace in some capacity or the other and where
eyes were filled with tears when they think of the city that
was.
Mandalay and anything’s of interest in it date from the
middle of the 19th century, and unlike Bagan which is ten
centuries old. If you want to hear the best Myanmar spoken,
it is to Mandalay that you have to turn. In addition it is
the home and guardian of the best traditions of Myanmar
music and dance.
Mandalay might, and certainly does, think of its departed
glories and its prestige lost in a heart-broken way, but it
is proud of being the fountainhead of Myanmar's spiritual
life, Mandalay probably would not be so vibrant without its
Buddhism, its thousands of Buddhist priests - - the
yellow-clad members of the Buddhist clergy – its monasteries
and its famous pagodas. Yangon may be many things, but
Mandalay is Myanmar's heart of traditional culture.
Mandalay, which is roughly 66 square kilometers in area, and
with a population of 880,000 is second only to Yangon in
size and importance and about 622 kilometers due north of
Yangon.
The only surviving example of this type of architecture,
with magnificent wood-carving embellishing the whole
structure was destroyed and lost forever, creating a
definite and painful void. Mandalay lost a little of its
soul and certainly a good bit of its glory, a monument of
historical value and, certainly, a star tourist attraction
when the palace was bombed out.
The city which crowds round the famous Mandalay Palace
grounds and forts caters for the entomologist and the
student of manners in a way that, surprises even the most
sophisticated travelers.
You will see Mandalay as a near-perfect geometrical pattern,
and its streets cutting at right angles – physically, a
well-laid-out city. The long and broad streets running
east-west are, curiously enough alphabetically named and the
roads running from north to south are named numerically as
in the American system. Mandalay does not have the first
tempo of Yangon, and life is more leisurely, but its quiet
ways add a quality of peace to its enchantment. Towards the
east, there are the blue Shan hills which give the city a
physical dignity and to the west there is Myanmar’s life
stream, the mighty Irrawaddy flowing by.
Interesting Places in Mandalay: Mandalay palace, Mandalay
Hill, Shwe Nandaw Monastery, Atumashi Monastery, Kuthodaw
pagoda, Mahamuni pagoda, Gold leaf making, wood carving,
marble stone carving, bronze making and tapestry.
Amarapura
Amarapura is on the road to Sagaing about 7 miles south of Mandalay
and is now usually called by the local people as Taungmyo,
the southern city in contradiction to Mandalay which is to
the north of it.
Unlike Mandalay, where the old walls of the royal city the
moat are still in existence in addition to indications to
show where the palace wall, the four-corner pagodas, the
watch tower and the treasury had stood, Amarapura has now
nothing to show except the tombs of two Myanmar Kings,
Bodawpaya and Bagyidaw.The city was founded in 1783 by King
Bodawpaya moving the capital from Ava to Amarapura. It lost
its importance when the capital was shifted to Mandalay. The
first British Embassy to Burma led by Captain Symes came to
Amarapura in 1795.
It is the centre of silk-weaving industry, and practically
every house has a loom. The Katha villages are famous for
weaving of Acheit-Htameins, the intricately patterned
open-skirt worn by the Burmese ladies on ceremonial and
state occasions.
Behind the town is a chain of lakes bordered by
exceptionally fine trees. Here you’ll see U Pein’s Bridge
named after the town mayor of the time when the bridge was
built. It is the oldest bridge in Burma and has stood the
ravages of nature and the encroachment of men for about two
and a half centuries. Credit is due to the imagination of
the bridge builder and to the strength of World famous teak
wood. It is really worthwhile experience to walk over it.
Kyauktawgyi, Pathodawgyi, Shwekyet Yet and Shwekyet kya are
some of the famous pagodas that can be seen in Amarapura.
Interesting places in Amarapura:
Pahto-daw-gyi (or) Mahavizaya-ranthi Pagoda, Naga-yon
Pagoda, Mahaganda-yon Monastery, Lake Taungthaman, U Bein
Bridge, Kyauk-taw-gyi Pagoda
Mingun
 In the village on the right bank of the Irrawaddy and
roughly about seven miles north of Mandalay, which can be
reached by a ferry boat or Sampan (country boat) is the
world’s largest bell. Previously, Moscow had a bigger bell
but that had been melted down and ever since Mingun Bell has
become the largest ringing bell in the world.
Cast in 1970 at the instance of Bodawpaya, it was meant to
go with the uncompleted Mingun Pagoda. The bell is 12 feet
high. One can crouch and crawl under and then stand erect in
the hollow of the bell inside, the diameter of the outer lip
is 16 feet 3 inches and the weight of this giant is 90 tons.
It fell off in the earthquake of 1838 but has been
remounted. The love for bells in Myanmar is somewhat
remarkable. Every large pagoda has a number of them in all
sizes hanging around the skirts of the pagoda. Most of them
have long Pali inscriptions recording the praises of the
Lord and the aspirations of the donor.
Interesting places in Mingun:
Pon-daw-hpaya Pagoda, Set-taw-ya Pagoda, Mantara-gyi Pagoda,
Mingun Pagoda, Mingun bell, Hsin-byu-me Pagoda
Maymyo
 Maymyo named after Colonel May of the 5th Bengal Infantry Regiment
in 1886 is also called Pyin-Oo-Lwin. It is
delightfullyperched at the head of a valley. It is a
wonderful hill station that serves as an escape from the
unpleasant tropical summer sun. Previously, it was a summer
resort for the British Rajas in Burma and although it has
lost its prominence as a summer capital, it still retains
its colors with its beautiful natural surrounding.
Maymyo, with about 20 square miles in area, is hedged by low
hills. The eucalyptus, silver oak and pine lend magnificence
to the scenic grandeur and on the slopes of the hills are
the coffee, strawberry and pineapple plantations. Cabbage,
cauliflower and all kinds of fruits are in abundant supply,
while Maymyo flowers, especially chrysanthemum, are flown to
places all over Burma for floral offering at the pagodas.
The journey from Mandalay to Maymyo along an excellent
42-mile road is a refreshing experience. The landscapes
never fail to hold everyone in rapturous spell. It is one of
the most enchanting sights seen anywhere in the world.
Maymyo’s Botanical Gardens, covering a rolling area of 350
acres (taking within their gambit the spur of a hill, which
gives them a nature bestowed setting are a major attraction)
is worth visiting. A visit to Anisakan and Pwe Kauk
waterfalls is worthwhile.
A tourist visiting Mandalay can stay in Maymyo for a night
stop, where he would find a cool night similar to that of
the temperate European countries.
Interesting places in Maymyo: Kandawgyi, Anisa-kan Falls,
Pwe Kauk Falls, Beit-shin-maung cave, silk warm farm.
MaymyoThe cave is near Wetwun village 12 miles east of
the town and it is three miles south of the village, easily
accessible by car. The cave is at the entrance to the Peik
Chin Myaung ravine, with many beautiful springs. When the
rocks in the cave began to form, the place was under
seawater. As lime piled up, the hillock took formation.
Geologists estimate that it could be between 230 million and
310 million years old. The cave is called Peik Chin Myaung (Peik
Chin Plants Ravine) as plenty of Peik Chin plants used to
grow there, letting no light inside. This Great Cave of rock
was formed out of a fault. As water seeped and dropped from
rocks and limestone, there appeared stalactites and others
in the shape of chandeliers. On entering the cave you see
springs flowing from different directions. The water at some
places is as deep as five feet. Water seeps from the walls
of the rock; and is clean and cool. It is said that this
water cures eye ailments and itching. So, pilgrims take this
spring water home in bottles. The Great Cave covers an area
about 48 acres. Once inside the cave, you shiver with cold
what with the springs and small waterfalls. The Buddha-to-be's
life story up to His Enlightenment is featured at
appropriate places. There are also Buddha images and pagodas
in corners and niches.
Hsipaw
 Hsipaw used to be the administrative centre of the former
state of Hsipaw, which bad for long played an important role
in Myanmar history. One of the nine former Shan States,
Hsipaw’s jurisdiction used to stretch all the way to Pyin oo
Lwin. The nine former states have since been integrated into
a single Shan State.
Power in the former Shan states was in the hands of the
Sawbwas (Shan chieftains or princes) who resided in
haws (palaces).
The haw in Hsipaw is one of the few remaining haws that
are still well-preserved. It was originally built in 1924 by
the then crown prince, Saw Onhkya, who had just returned
from his studies at Oxford. He had a European style mansion
built, including a pagoda for private worship that was in
the style of a western pavilion.
He also established for the first time in Hsipaw schools for
girls, a bazaar and round-the-clock electricity.
The haw is now the home of the nephew of the last sawbwa
of Hsipaw who, like the other Shan sawbwa had lived in an
even older haw that had been built before the turn of the
century in a neighboring compound, but this was destroyed by
bombing during World War II. Today, four families still work
on the agricultural land that the couple own, which
stretches a few acres along the Namby River.
Hsipaw is also known for the annual Sha Festival that
takes place every year in spring. The week-long festival
begins on the sixth waxing day of the full moon in March.
The religious festival is steeped in history. According to
Sao Oo Kya, the nephew of the last sawbwa, the festival
revolves around the worship of four sacred Buddha images
that are centuries old.
The four Buddha images enshrined in the inner sanctum of the
Bawgyo pagoda are locked up. Once a year, only during the
Shan Festival, they are brought out for display to enable
the faithful to worship and gild with gold leaves.
When the sawbwas reigned, the festival was also the only
time of the year when gambling was allowed. Thus the event
was a riotous affair. Apart from its religious significance,
it was also a great social gathering as ethnic minorities
from all over Myanmar would converge, bringing along their
specialties to trade. The celebrations continue for nearly
week.
8 km south west of the town, off Mandalay-Lashio road, is
the Shan –style Bawgyo pagoda. On a hill to the left,
 just
as you enter the city limits of Hsipaw from Bawgyo, is the
overgrown and ruined mausoleum of the sawbwa of Hsipaw.
Hsipaw’s large central market is best in the morning,
when Shan and other tribal people from nearby villages come
to trade. The Dokhtawady river (also called the Myitnge
river), just east of the market is cool and clear.
In Hsipaw, you can visit looms for weaving shoulder Shan
bags, several small cheroot factories, popcorn factory and
watch the sunset from Five Buddha Hill or Nine Buddha Hill.
Hsipaw is also known as a nice trekking town and you can
explore to nearby villages, waterfall and half day boat trip
along the river.
Magnificent Gokteik VIADUCT
 Leaving Maymyo behind by train, you will pass cultivated
patches of cabbage and strawberries which soon open out to
broad valleys dotted with hamlets. Perched on isolated hills
are with the occasional white-washed pagoda. Then hazy Shan
mountains loom in the distance on the approach of Wetwun
train station.
Excited passengers would scramble on and off the train,
lugging with them mountains of cargo, such as vegetables,
fruit or rice. Vendors, carrying baskets of snacks on their
heads, rushed from window to window, tempting passengers
with their wares.
The next part of the trip would see the train passing over
the Gokteik Viaduct, one of the major highlights of the
entire rail journey. The magnificent steel bridge was
visible from afar, spanning a 300 meter-deep gorge. The
train is slowly chugging up the mountains towards the
bridge. You could see clearly the mountain and tunnel
opening through which the train would pass immediately after
the viaduct.
The huge steel viaduct was built by Maryland & Pennsylvania
Steel Co Ltd from U.S.A in 1903. It is the oldest and
longest modern railway bridge in Myanmar and get off at the
station before the bridge to get the best view.
Inwa(AVA)
Inwa, located only a few miles the south of Amarapura, was
for centuries the most important royal capital in Myanmar.
Inwa was founded at the confluence of the Myitnge and
Ayeyarwady rivers, and surrounded on all sides by water due
to the many canals. To enter the ancient royal city, you
still have to take a ferry across the Myitnge River; waiting
on the other side are horses and carriages to bear visitors
around the widely
scattered ruins. Some sections of the former city wall still
survive. Interesting places in Inwa (AVA):
Nanmyin, Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery, Bagaya Monastery,
Lawka Tharapu Pagoda
Sagaing
Once you cross the Inwa Bridge, you see the hilltops, each
crested with a pagoda, the banners proclaiming the Buddha's
teaching, the refuge from all ills and tribulations where
over 600 monasteries for monks and nuns are located for
Buddhistic studies and meditation. The Padamyazedi dates
from 1300 while the U min Thonze or thirty caves pagoda has
many Buddha images in a crescent shaped colonnade. Mural
paintings can be seen in the Tilawkaguru cave temple, which
was built around 1672. At the nearby village of Ywahtaung
you can see silver workers producing bowls and other silver
items by traditional methods. The most impressive Soon Oo
Pon Nya Shin Pagoda nearby was constructed in 1312. The view
of Sagaing from Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin and its approach is
marvelous.
KAUNGHMUDAW PAGODA
This huge pagoda is 10 km beyond the town of Sagaing.
The enormous dome rises 46 m (151 feet) in the shape of a
perfect hemisphere and was modelled after the Mahaceti
Pagoda in Ceylon. Also known as Rajamanisula, the pagoda was
built to commemorate Inwa's establishment as the royal
capital of Myanmar. Around the base of the pagoda are stone
pillars, each of which is 1.5 m high. The details of the
pagoda's construction are recorded on them.
Monywa
 The
name Monywa comes from "Mon" meaning "cake or snack food"
and "Ywa" which is the Myanmar word for village. There is a
legend which says that in the old days a Myanmar king fell
in love with a seller of cakes from this town and made her
his queen. The original name some say, is Mon- thema- ywa or
" Village of the woman cake seller". There has been a big
village at Monywa from the Bagan Period. The classical name
for Monywa is Thalawadi. The chronicles mention that Monywa
was one of the places where King Alaungphayar encamped for
the night on his campaign to Manipur in 1758. During the
Myanmar kings' time Monywa remained just a big village as
the administrative centre for the region was at Ahlon. It
was only a year after the Annexation of 1886 that Monywa
became the Headquarters of the Lower Chindwin District. In
the last few years with the legalizing of the border trade
with India, Monywa has grown into a bustling trading centre,
second only to Mandalay in the Upper Myanmar region.
Attractions
THANBODDHAY PAGODA
 This most unusual Buddhist temple complex on 37 acres of
land which is part of the Mohnyin Forest Monastery retreat.
The pagoda was started on 20th June 1939 and completed on
2nd March 1952. It was the brain-child of the famous Mohnyin
Sayadaw whose life-like effigy can be seen nearby. There are
many different Buddha images, row upon row in ascending
tiers in niches along the walls: the total number is 582,
257, an amazing figure. Unlike most of the pagodas in
Myanmar, the entrance is not guarded by Chinthes, the
mythical lions, but by statues of a pair of magnificant
white elephants which are sacred and auspicious in Buddhist
symbolism. Thanboddhay is the only pagoda with this unique
shape in the whole country. The square temple base (each
side about 166 feet) which worshippers can enter is topped
by receding terraces, with myriads of small stupas (864 in
number) surrounding the central golden chedi, 132 feet in
height.
PHO WIN HILL
The hills have probably been occupied since the dawn of
human habitation in Myanmar; to the south - west lies the
Pon Daung Pon Nya mountain range, where the fossilized
remains of Pontaung Mon's may have lived 30 million years
ago - were found. The caves themselves contain Buddhist
statues and murals dating to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Most exhibit the Inwa style, though some may date as for
back as the 14th to16th centuries. A covered stairway climbs
a hill to the main cave shrine, but there are dozens of
large and small caves in the area filled with old Buddha
images. There are over 400,000 images in these and other
nearby caves. Shwe Ba Hill, just beyond Pho Win Hill,
features unique pavilions cut from the surrounding sandstone
and filled with plain Buddha images.
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Around Mandalay
