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modern centre of Buddhism and Myanmar arts, the old royal city of Mandalay, 670km
north of Yangon, is also the home of traditional artisans - including wood and
stone carvers, silversmiths and weavers - and for the production of gold leaf.
The former capital, prior to British rule, and the second largest city in the
country, it takes its name from the nearby 240-metre Mandalay Hill, and is rich
in monasteries and pagodas.
 Shwe
Nandaw Kyaung Temple Grounds - Within the grounds is the sole remaining building
of the once sumptuous moated palace. King Mindun's former apartment, built mainly
of teak, is decorated with beautifully carved panels and a photograph of the Atumashi
Kyaung Monastery, destroyed by fire in 1890.
Mahamuni
Pagoda - The 'Great Pagoda' houses the revered Mahumuni image. The image was
brought from Rakhine in 1784, and is thickly covered in gold leaf from years of
worship by devout Buddhists.
Fort
Mandalay - Formerly the grounds of the ancient royal palace, surrounded by
a wall and a ditch, it now serves as a military garrison. Visitors require a special
permit to enter the Fort.
Eindawya
Pagoda - Built in 1847 and covered in gold leaf.
Shwekyimyint
Pagoda - Contains the original Buddha image consecrated by Prince Minshinzaw
during the Bagan period.
Mandalay
Hill - Stairways lead up to temples and a panoramic view.
Shweyattaw
Buddha - Close to the hill. The statue's outstretched finger points towards
the city.
Pyin
Oo Lwin - The former British hill station of Maymyo, 67 km east of Mandalay,
stands about 1,000 meters above sea level. Though the town was damaged during
World War II, several of the old English houses were spared. This is also the
centre for Myanmar's small but burgeoning new coffee industry Mandalay's
abandoned cities
There are several abandoned former capitals around
Mandalay.
Amarapura
- Some 11km south of Mandalay. It became the capital of the Konbaung Dynasty in
1783 during the reign of King Bodawpaya. Places of interest are Pahtodawgyi Pagoda,
U Bein Bridge across the Taungthaman Lake, Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, Nagayon Pagoda,
Mahagandayone Monastery and cotton and silkweaving cottage industries.
Inwa
(Ava) - Known as the Kingdom of Inwa during the Second Myanmar Empire,
today it is a small town south of Amarapura. The sights to see in In-wa include
Nanmyint Watch Tower, Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, Bagaya Monastery, the lacquerware
factory and Inwa Bridge spanning the Ayeyarwad River.
Sagaing
- Once an ancient capital, Sagaing lies 21km south west of the Ayeyarwad River.
The Sagaing Hills are dotted with pagodas and there are over 500 monasteries,
a retreat for some 6000 monks and nuns. Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, Kaung Hmudaw
Pagoda (a copy of the Mahaceti Pagoda in Sri Lanka), and Ywahtaung village (home
of the silversmiths' guild) are places worth visiting.
Mingun - A delightful
river trip from Mandalay is required to get to this marvelous unfinished temple.
Famous for the 90-ton Mingun Bell, supposedly the largest hung bell in the world,
it was cast in 1790 on the orders of King Bodawpaya, who wished for it to be installed
at the top of his planned giant 150 metre-high pagoda. Due to the king's death
in 1819, however, the pagoda was never completed.
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