MANDALAY

The culture city, Mandalay was founded by King Mindon in 1857. It was the last dynasty of Myanmar. The city stands on the east bank of Ayeyarwaddy river and 682 km north of Yangon. King Thipaw was the last king of original Myanmar, fail the war in 1885, over a century old the palace site, city wall, moat, main gates, monuments and congregation halls are the witness of the Golden Age of the people of that era.

 

Mandalay Hill

Mandalay Hill which rises over 230 m above the surrounding countryside has over 1700 steps to climb to the top. From here one can have a complete panoramic view of the city.

 

Maha Muni Pagoda

Built by King Bodawpaya in 1784 enshrining the famous Maha Muni Buddha image brought from Rakhine State. The early morning ritual of washing the face of the Buddha image draws a large crowd of devotees every day.

 

Shwe Nandaw Kyaung

The most famous for its intricate woodcarvings This monastery is fragile reminder of the old Mandalay Palace.

 

Kuthodaw Pagoda

King Mindon built this Pagoda in 1868, surrounding it with 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Tipitaka text (the Three Baskets of the Buddhist Pali canon). It is often called the "World's Biggest Book".

 

Atu-ma-shi Monastery

Not too far from the Kuthodaw Pagoda is the Atu-ma-shi Monastery (the Incomparable Monastery), built in 1878 by King Mindon, and partially destroyed by fire in 1890. It was however, rebuilt in 1996.

 

Mandalay Palace

The palace of the last Burmese King, the whole magnificent palace complex was destroyed by fire during the Second World War. The finely built palace walls and the beautiful surrounding moat are still worth seeing. Within the palace compound is a museum and a scale model of the palace.

 

Zegyo Market

Zegyo Market is the centre of trade for all people of upper Myanmar with a fascinating collection of stalls selling every sort of Myanmar-ware.

 

PYIN OO LWIN (MAYMYO)

Pyin Oo Lwin, a hill station over 1100 m above the sea level, is 69 km to the east of Mandalay. It is a resort where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery and cool highland temperatures. Pyin Oo Lwin's 142-hectare National Kandawgyi Garden and Pwekauk Water falls are worth visiting.