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The 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.
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.
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 Bell - 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.
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.
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