Mandalay
Mandalay is situated about 600 kilometers north
of Yangon on the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is Myanmar's second largest
city. Located in the Mandalay Division, it is the Capital.
Mandalay is one of the largest cities in the country. It is also
the major trading and communications center in northern and
central Myanmar and is linked by rail with other large Myanmar
cities. Mandalay is surrounded by its ancient neighboring cities
as Mingun, Sagaing, Innwa (Ava), and Amarapura.
Sightseeing in Mandalay
Mahar Myat Muni Buddha Image
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The Mahar Myat Muni
Buddha Image is the most revered Buddha
image in Mandalay. It is also known as the
Phaya Gyi. It is the most ancient Buddha
image in Myanmar. It was cast in the
life-span of Lord Buddha in the seated
posture of relaxed deportment. The 4m
high-seated image is cast in bronze and
weigh 6.5 tons, which it's crown is
decorated with diamonds, rubies, and
sapphires. Mahar Myat Muni Buddha Image was
being cast in front of the Buddha himself it
can say Mahar Myat Muni Buddha Image is the
portrait of Buddha and the face is most
revered. Since Myanmar Buddhists are so
devout countless thousands of devotees apply
gold leaf to gain merit, the image has
completely covered with 15 cm thick gold and
original shape is distorted. |
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Atumashi Monastery
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The
Atumashi Kyaung, or Incomparable Monastery
(Maha Atulawaiyan Kyaungdawgyi) , was originally built in 1857
by King Mindon (1853-1879), who had founded his new capital of
Upper Burma at Mandalay just a few years earlier in 1855. It was
one of the King’s last great religious construction project. The
original Atumashi burned down in 1890 and it was rebuilt
according to the original plans in 1996 by the Myanmar
archaeological department with the use of convict labor. |
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Kuthodaw Pagoda
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The Kuthodaw Pagoda or Maha Lawka Marazein Paya
is often called the world’s largest book. It is a large walled
complex situated at the base of the southeast stairway to
Mandalay Hill and was built by King Mindon at the same time he
was constructing the Royal Palace. Its central stupa is modeled
on the Shwezigon at Nyaung U near Bagan. |
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Mandalay Hill
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Every one who arrived in Mandalay,
usually goes to Mandalay Hill,
the landmark of Mandalay, which overlooks the city. Just outside
the North of downtown, Mandalay Hill which syummit is 230 m above
the surrounding plain is the natural watch-tower for the
visitors to watch sunrise or sunset over the city plains. At the bottom in front of the southwest entrance are the two
immense statue of Lions guard the holy hill. |
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Mandalay Palace
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Mandalay palace was the first palace to be built in Mandalay, by
King Mindon when he shifted his capital from Amarapura in 1861,
to fulfill an old prophecy. The site was chosen with the
auspicious omen and astronomical calculations.The beautiful palace with many other buildings were
destroyed by fire and it has been reconstructed in
brick masonry from photographic records, plans and drawings. |
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Shwenandaw Monastery
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The
Shwenandaw monastery is the most significant of
Mandalay’s historic buildings, since this ‘Golden
Palace Monastery’ remains the sole major survivor of
the former wooden Royal Palace built by King Mindon
in the mid-nineteenth century. The Shwenandaw is a
wonderfully fragile yet grand example of 19th
century Myanmar teak architecture and also a
significant masterpiece of the wood-carver’s art.
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Around Mandalay
Amarapura
Founded
by King Bodawpaya in 1783 as his new
capital. Amarapura means City of Immortality. Amarapura was the
capital city of Myanmar, during the Konbaung Dynasty.
Amarapura is famous for the Silk Weaving Industry. Most of the
Myanmar people are very proud to attend the cultural ceremonies
with Achiek Longyi, mainly produced from Amarapura.
U Bein Bridge
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U
Bein Bridge is about three quarter of a mile, crossing the
Taung-tha-man Inn (lake). It is one of the most attractive spot
for tourists. It is the longest teak bridge in the world and is
about two centuries old. |
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Inwa
Inwa was formerly known as Yadana Pura. Inwa lies
south of Mandalay and can from there in only 30 minutes of drive
be attained. This old king city was long time capital of
the Kingdom of Ava.The king palace at that time does not
exist any longer, however still the Nanmyint awake tower. From
27 meters height of bird perspective one can examine the range
of the historical place. Numerous pagodas, temple and
monasteries outlasted however Inwas' eventful past. The
monastery Maha Aung Myay Bon Zan built with brick and stucco is
particularly interesting. It was established to 1818 by the
queen Me Nu for the royal abbot at that time U Po.
Sagaing
Sagaing is known as a meditation
centre. Myanmars all over the country would visit Sagaing for
the purpose of religious retreat.
Sagaing Hill
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 Buddhist 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
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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 modeled 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. |
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Mingun
Located
on the western bank of the river Ayeyarwaddy, approximately 7
miles north of Mandalay. It is reached by ferryboats across the
river and takes 1 hour for up-river and 40 minutes for
down-river. It is famous for many Buddhist shrines, monasteries,
meditation centres and monuments of historical and cultural
importance. It
is reached by ferryboats across the river and takes 1 hour for
up-river and 40 minutes for down-river. The journey takes 45
minutes.
Mingun Paya (Pahtodawgyi)
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It is one of the famous buildings in the
world. King Bodawpaya built Mingun Pahtodawgyi aiming to
worship from Shwebo in the distance where he has ascended the
throne. The pagoda was left unfinished. Two enormous prominent
statues of lions in Mingun, one of the tourist atttractions is
at the east stairway of Pahtodawgyi which faces the Ayeyawaddy
river.From here, you can also enjoy natural scenic beauty of
Ayeyawady river and green and pleasant Minwun hill. If this
pagoda been completed, then it would have been the largest
monument. This unfinished structure was badly damaged with
cracks by the earthquake of 1838 but it is still the largest
brick base in the world. |
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Mingun Bell
King Bodawpaya dedicated a big bronze bell
near the Mingun Paya at Mingun on the west bank of the Ayeyawaddy River, facing Mandalay. The Bell was made of bronze;
but it is said that Buddhist devotees inserted gold, silver
ornaments and jewellery into the bronze. It is the world's biggest ringing bell.
Myatheindan Pagoda
Built by King Bagyidaw in 1816, three years
before he succeeded Bodawpaya as king, the pagoda was
constructed in memory of his senior wife the Hsinbyume princess.
It is built as a representation of the Sulamani Pagoda which,
according, to the Buddhist plan of the cosmos, stands atop Mount
Meru. The seven wavy terraces around the pagoda represent the
seven mountain ranges around Mount Meru. This pagoda was badly
damaged in 1838 by a quake but King Mindon restored it in 1874.
Pyin Oo Lwin
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Over 1000 metres above sea-level,
Pyin Oo Lwin is a popular hill station about 69km
away from Mandalay. It is well known for its
colonial style houses with large compound and pine
trees, eucalyptus and silver-oak abound in town.
Delightfully cool and pleasant the whole year round.
Interesting places to visit in Pyin Oo Lwin are
Botanical Garden, Pwe Kauk Fall and Peik Chin Myaung. |
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Monywa
Monywa is a city in central Myanmar and situated on the eastern
bank of the Chindwin Rive, Mandalay Division. It lies 136 km
north-west of Mandalay along the Mandalay-Budalin branch railway
line. Monywa serves as a major trade center for India and Burma
through Kalay Myo road and Chindwin river.
Thanboddhay Pagoda
If
you are travelling to Monwya by car you should stop about 20
kilometres before you reach the town to visit 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 inside the pagoda: 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.
Bodhi Tahtaung and Po Khaung Taung
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From
Thanboddhay Pagoda you can go by car about five miles along a
good branch road to Po Khaung Taung, a small range of hills in
the Monwya area. There you will see more unusual sights not
found in other parts of Myanmar.
First you should stop for a while in the fast growing forest of
one thousand Bodhi trees (Ficus religiosa); this Bo or pipal
tree is sacred to all Buddhists because Gaudama Buddha attained
Enlightenment while meditating under this tree.
Each
tree has a large Buddha image underneath, and many Buddhist come
to pay obseisance there. It is a pleasant, peaceful place,
filled with the song of birds, in a protected environment where
nature and men are in perfect harmony.
Just beyond Bodhi Tahtaung, a short stroll towards the east will
bring you to the Po Khaung Taung, a range of hills where you can
see one of the largest reclining Buddha images in the world. It was
only built in 1991 and up to now there is still no roof or
shelter to protect it from the elements. This huge image has a hollow cave-like structure inside and you
can walk from the head to the feet. You will then see inside
9,000 one foot high metal images of the Buddha and his disciples
in various postures. There are also representations of some of
the important events in the life of the Buddha.
If you are interested in Buddha footprints you can study the 108
auspicious symbols which are depicted on the soles of this huge
image. |
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