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Sagaing
Around 1315 AD, Sagain has been a caplital of an independent Shan Kingdom after the fall of Bagan. But it period was short, Thado Minbya (the founder's grandson, in 1364), moved his capital across the river to Inwa. An ancient city of Sagain is situated on the west bank of Ayeyarwaddy River and 21 kilometres southwest (50 minutes drive) from Mandalay. You will see the hilltops of Sagain Hill when you across the Inwa Bridge (U Bein Bridge). Sagaing Hills, a bunch of low-lying hills, are best known as a religious retreat and a center of Buddhist studies and meditation. Today, Saggaing is regarded as an important religious place with numerous temples, monasteries and nunneries for monks, rest houses for nuns and laymen. Most of local Buddhism visit Sagaing for the purpose of religious retreat and meditation. And you can also enjoy the pleasant scenery of Ayeyawaddy River the line vane of Myanmar. Most spectacular is the sunset, seen from a hill-top Son Oo Ponnyashin pagoda, offering a beautiful panoramic view.
Where to Visit?
Sagaing Vicinity
Kaunghmudaw Pagoda
Kaunghmudaw Pagoda situated about 10 km from Sagain, an enormous dome-shaped (46 meters/ 151 feet) and built by King Thalun in 1636. Kaunghmudaw means "work of great merit", progresses 46 meters in the shape of a perfect hemisphere and was modeled after the Mahaceti (Great Stupa) in Sri Lanka. Also known as Rajamanisula, the pagoda was built to commemorate Inwa's establishment as the royal capital of Myanmar. Around the foundation 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.
Sagaing Hills
The Sagain Hills are religious retreat and scattered around with pagodas. There have 6000 monks, nuns who lived at 500 monasteries and nunneries on a green hillside overlooking the Ayeyarwaddy River. The hill is not only abode for pagoda but also many of seminaries, edifice for Myanmar people. The most impressive Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda was constructed in 1312 at top of Sagain Hills. The view of Sagaing from Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin and its approach is amazingly.
Amarapura
Amarapura situated about 11 km south of Mandalay and one of third Myanmar Empire. It was the capital of Konbaung Dynasty during the reign of King Bodawpaya when he moved its capital to Amarapura in 1783. Amarapura was a square city with a moat surrounding the brick walls. There were 12 gates, three on each side. Amarapura is encircling with water of Taung-Thaman Inn, so, when tide of water can be reach the city courtyard by boats and even ships. In Amarapura you will see the lifestyle of a typical monastery and the daily lives of the monks as they line up during their lunch. . Amarapura is significant for some of the Myanmar high-grade silver smiths, silk and cotton weaving. There are several places of interest in this ancient city which are Maha Gandayon Monastery, The Path Hto Dawgyi Pagoda, 1.2 km long teak bridge (U Bein Bridge), Nagayon Pagoda, Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda, Bagaya Monastery and Silk Weaving.
Maha Gandeyon Monastery
This monastery is 150 year old and one of the largest monasteries with thousands of monks and novices in Amarapura. It is become the religious atmosphere of city due to 1,200 monks and novices present in he monastery. It is glorious sight to witness of over 1200 monks and novices having their meals with comprehensiveness quiet at a large refectory habitise over two hundred years. Visitors are welcome to witness and Monks regularly have their lunch at 10:30 am as the last meals of the days.
The Path Hto Dawgyi Pagoda
Path Hto Dawgyi Pagoda, it was built by King Bagyidaw (King Bodawpaya) in 1819 (1861) at outside the city wall. The pagoda was built in Bell-shaped and stand above five terraces which are covered with Jataka reliefs. The lower terraces have Marble Slabs describing about scenes from Jataka. Also the history about constructing pagoda can be seen in an Inscription stone within the temple boundaries together with Large Bronze bell.
U Bein Bridge
U Bein Bridge is very popular tourist site in Mandalay. U Bein is a reference of the donor of U Bein whois the clerk of the Mayor of Amarapura; he is a brother in law of King Bagyidaw. The bridge is the logest (1.2 km) teak bridge in the world near to Amarapura and across by the Taung-tha-man lake. However bits collapse in some portions, it was withstood by the storms and flood over one and half centuries. It is favourabel for one can see sunsetor sunrise along U Bein Bridge with local boat, which is also very popular scene among famous photographer.
Innwa (Ava)
Innwa, also called as Yadana Pura, is located about 20 km from southwest of Mandalay. On the way to Sagain, you will pass the Inwa Bridge, across the Ayeyarwaddy river there is a road branching east ward to Innwa. The first founder is King Thado Minbya as a capital in 1364. Root stock of Inwa is Ayeyarwaddy and Myint Nge Rivers. Howere, the king excavates the canal to connect the Myint Nge and Myint Tha Rivers, so it is cutting of the capital as an isle and safe from enemy onset. As successive kings ruled the war with King Raza Darit of Bago for many years, the Shan chief Thohan Bwa took the advantage and overran the capital. Gradually the kingdom grew weaker and finally it became a vassal to the Taungoo Empire. Later kings shifted the capital from Inwa back and forth many times until King Bayint Naung's son King Nyaung Yan re-established his capital at Inwa in 1596 A.D. One of the interesting things, you can take sightseeing with hore cart. Inwa is full with silences and pacific view, and also you can see nipa juice palm, paddy fields and the ancients temples are the present of scenic.
Menu Oak Kyaung (Brick Monastery)
Menu Oak Kyaunk, also know as Maha Aungmyay Bonzan Monastery, refers to the name of Nanmadaw Menu who is the wife of King Bagyidaw and built in 1818. It is same style like as common teak monastery with tall, stucco-decorated building. But its stone work promised for longer duration’s existnace than others similar wooden monasteries. There’s a statue of Buddha in the center of Monastery with mosaic glass trimmed pedestral. “Oak Kyaung” was meaned for its stone work construction.The visitors can study the great deal of Myanmar traditional engineering technique and architecture.
Mingun
Mingun is located 11 km from Mandalay, on the west bank of Ayeyarwaddy River. The City is very interesting in historically and archaeologically. There is lovely boat flowing for one and half hour for up streaming and on the way back 45 minutes down streaming. Mingun temple is 50 meters high, on the top of temple there you can see 360 degree around of the Mingun village and can feel very nice warmest & softly zephyr. Actually, Mingun was not a royal capital, it is a prominent wit own right and there have so many interesting sights. Mingun is the one of the most favourite destinations from Mandalay on day outings.Interesting place are Mya Thein Tan Pagoda, white washes and rival design of Pagoda, Mingun Bell, one of the world biggest ringing bell (90 tons), Mingun Pagoda, probably the biggest pagoda if it had finalized construction. After visit to Mingun back to Mandalay by boat and on the way back you will see different view on the Ayeyarwaddy River, Settawya Pagoda and Sinbyume Pagoda which is 45 minutes boat along the river can view some of the villager life on the river banks. There’s so much pleasant with plenty of things to see along river.
Mingun Pahtodawgyi
Mingun Pahtodawgyi is built by King Bodawphaya in 1820; it is known as the world's largest unfinished pagoda. After 15 years under constructed, the king died before completed of pagodas. The heighr of pagoda was stopped at 54 meters. If completed, the pagoda will be the largest pagoda in the world with 175 meters. Nowadays, one can see a yawning crack from upper terrace deep down to base foundations due to earthquake in Mingun. Two fanciful lions beside of the river bank are at the height of 95 ft with 9ft width eyes.
Mingun Bell
King Bodawpaya dedicated a gigantic bronze bell near the Mingun Pagoda on the west bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Regarding with the dimensions given in the records, the external diameter of the width is 5m with a height of 3.7m with weighing in 55,555 viss (90 ton). The thickness of the Bell varies between 6 inches and 12 inchesIt is the world's largest working bell in the world. The Kremlin bell in Moscow is actually bigger but it is cracked and therefore it is ignorable. In 1838, Mingun Bell toppled of its masterpieces "Tazaung" or Pagoda Pavillion during the earthquake. But, now's aday, it was already built by new tazaung with by thick and strong iron poles.
Hsinbyume or Myatheindan Pagoda
This pagoda is built by Bagyidaw – a grandson of Bodawpaya in 1816; the pagoda was constructed in memory of his chief queen, the Hsinbyume princess. The pagoda was damaged during 1838 by earthquake and King Mindon renovated in 1874.The pagodas has peculiarity architecture with seven terraces with undulating rails - representing the seven mountain ranges around Mount Meru - lead up the stupa, and all the way along are niches in which mythical monsters such as Nats, orgres and Nagas (mythical serpents) stand as sentries.
Monywa
Monywa lies on the eastern bank of the Chindwin River, the second largest city in Sagaing Division and 136 km north of Mandalay. The ancient name of Monywa is Thalawady. Regarding with customs tale, Myanmar king fell in love with a cake seller at Monywa and elected wife as an official. It is originally name as Mon-thema-ywa (woman cake seller village). Monywa has been the central office of Lower Chindwin region. It is about 136 km to the west of Mandalay, the commercial center of the Chindwin dale or northwestern of Myanmar.
Where to Visit?
Thanboddhay Paya
This Paya compound is sutiatued in Monywa, 500000 Buddha Images are there and 136km northwest of Mandalay. Arlain Nga Sint or the Five Stages Sprial Tower is existed inside of Pagoda. And there have a small-sized museum with 9,000 Buddha Statue are inside, adjacent with reclining image of the Buddha.
Bodhi Tataung
Bodhi Tataung temple is situated compound of Monywa. Meaning of Bodhi Tataung is one thousand of Bo Tree. The complex has several temples and monasteries housing monks,which is a good place for medition. There have over one thousand of Buddha-images are persist underneath of Bo trees shade. On the mountain incline, you can see a large reclining statue of Buddha and nipa juice tree like as paraded are delightful.
Phowintaung
Phowintaung situated Sagain Division, Monywa Township, and 14 miles from the other side of Nyaung Pin Gyi shore (Big Bohtree shore). Phowintaung compound consist 947 small and large richly decorated caves. It is carved into a sandstone outcrop and contains numerous carved Buddha statues and mural paintings of geometric designs and Jataka stories. The statues and paintings have been dated to between the 14th and 18th centuries.
Shwebataung Paya
Proceed from Pho Win Taung is Shwebatuang Paya, on the western part of Chindwin River. It's surrounding with sandstone and filled with be evident Buddha statue. You can see 13th /18th century on wall paintings inside walls of this cave.
Kyaukka
Kyaukka, is about 10 miles to the east of Monywa, second only to Bagan as a center for the Myanmar lacquer-ware cottage industry. It is only a few hours drive you will arrive to Twintaung Hill, it type is an extinct volcano. Beginning of this town is like crater but now it is a beautiful lake. The green and lush views from the area of Crater Lake is besiege with amazingly. Other sightseeing is Kyaukka Shwe Guni Pagoda, Shwe Ba Taung, Twin Hills, Ledi Kyaungtaik, and Shwe Thalyaung.
Magway
Magway Region is the larget of Myanmar's seven divisions; it is bordered by Sagain Region to the north, Mandalay Region to the east, Bago Region to the south, Rakhine State and Chin State to the west. It takes be long 08 hours from Yangon by Car. You can see some fossils of the early over 400 million years in Magway Region. An ancient city of the Pyu, Peikthano is located in Taungdwingyi Township about 2,000 years old. Magway is middle of Myanmar. Sightseeing Palace are: Magway Mya Thalon Pagoda, Bogyoke Aung San Museum, and Taung Twin Gyi Museum.
ShweBo
Shwe Bo is lies 50 miles north of Mandalay on the motor and railroad to Myitkyina. The founder of Konebaung Dynasty and native town of Shwebo is U Aungzeya. There have a stone monument of his dead body is buried. The Pyu culture dating back to the second century A.D. flourished at Hanlin, the ruins of which can still be seen, a few miles south of Shwebo. During the reign of successive kings of this dynasty, the capital had been postponed to various towns in central Myanmar. Hence the place and other royal parks, lakes, moats and watch tower have been neglected, rawest, ravaged and ruined in the last two centuries.
Kyaukmyung
Kyaukmyung is also know as for ceramic pottery village, and situated 17 miles from Shwebo. About 500 years ago, they exerted for pots and tother earthenware receptors for potentials and tableware. They assured that more good taste, more pomand and feel betterment when cooking with earthenwares. Now's aday, we use steels pots, aluminium pots but most of villager at hamlet still use earthenware pots.
Other Interesting Places
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