Destination

Mandalay

Mandalay is 79 meter above sea level and was founded by King Mindon in 1856. It was the royal capital of the last monarchy of Myanmar. The city earned its name from Mandalay Hill, 236 meter high hill at the north-east of the palace. The city was completely destroyed in the fierce fighting of World War II, including the royal palace and so the pride and glory of Mandalay has been partially restored. It still has great importance as a cultural center. And this royal city is the heart of handicrafts and cottage industries, artistry and religion. About 60% of all the monks in Myanmar reside in the Mandalay area. It’s also said that Mandalay residents speak better Burmese than anyone in Myanmar. It is centrally located in Myanmar linked with waterway, railroads, motor-roads and domestic airline-network to the capital city, Yangon and other cities nation wide.

Mandalay Hill

Legend claims that Lord Budvdha had made a prophecy that a great city would be arisen at the foot of Mandalay hill which rises to 230 meters. Half and hour climb up the steps brings you to the panoramic view over the palace, Mandalay and pagoda studded countryside. There is an elevator at the main entrance to save your walk.

Mandalay Palace

The palace was almost completely destroyed by fire during the World War II but the remaining-palace walls, city gates and the moat can still be seen. Models or replicas of the palace were built recently.

Kyauktawgyi Pagoda

Kyauktawgyi Pagoda stands not far from the South Stairway of Mandalay Hill.The construction of pagoda commenced in 1853 and was completed in 1878. King Mindon used 10,000 men labouring for 13 days to transport it from a canal to the current site. The main point of interest here is a huge Buddha figure, carved from a single block of marble from the Sakyin quarry. The statue was dedicated in 1865, with 20 figures on each side of the image representing the Buddha’s 80 disciples.
 

Kuthodaw Pagoda

Kuthodaw Pagoda is known as ``the world’s largest book``. Its central structure, the-30 meter high Maha Lawka Masrazein Pagoda, built in 1857, was modeled on the Shwezigon Pagoda in Nyaung U, near Bagan. Building commenced in 1857, at the same time as the royal palace. Around the central stupa are 729 marble slabs on which are inscribed the entire Buddhist canon, or Tripitaka. Each slab is housed in its own individual small stupa. King Mindon convened the Fifth Synod and used a team of 2400 monks to read the whole book in a non-stop relay lasting nearly six months.

Atumashi Kyaung

Atumashi Kyaung (‘Incomparable Monastery’) was built by King Mindon in 1857, and a little to the south of the Kuthodaw Pagoda. This monastery was of traditional Myanmar monastic construction – a masonry base topped by a wooden building- but instead of the usual multi-roofed design is consisted of graduated rectangular terraces. By all accounts it was one of the most magnificent temples in all South-East Asia. Inside was famous Buddha image, clothed in the king’s silk clothing and with a huge diamond set on the forehead. The image was stolen in 1885, during the British take over of the city. In1890, the monastery caught fire. Today a huge quadrangle of colonnaded and arches walls, the main stairway and a few stucco reliefs survive. Although only a pale shadow of its original form, the ruined building is still impressive.

Shwenandaw Kyaung

Shwenandaw Kyaung (‘Golden Palace Monastery’} is of great interest not only as affine example of a traditional Myanmar wooden monastery, but as a fragile reminder of the Mandalay Palace. At one time this building was part of the place complex and was used as an apartment by King Mindon and his chief queen, and it was in this building that he died. After Mindon’s death, King Thibaw had the building dismantled and reassembled on its present site in 1880 as a monastery. King Thibaw used the building for mediation. Today, the Shwenandaw is most famous for its intricate woodcarvings. The building is covered inside and out with carved panels; unfortunately, many of the exterior panels have weathered badly and some have been prised off and removed. The carved panels inside are still in excellent condition, particularly the 10 jataka scenes taken from the Buddha’s life.

Mahamuni Pagoda

It is the landmark of Mandalay. 4m-high seated image is cast in bronze completely covered the figure in a 15cm- thick layer of gold leaf by thousands of devout Buddhists over the years. King Bo Daw paya brought the image from Rakhine State in 1784. Many devotees are present everyday visiting the pagoda. It is the must to visit while you are in Mandalay. Each morning at 4 am, Yedaw Sayadaw and his accompany wash the Mahamuni’s face and even brush its teeth – an event well worth getting up early to see.

Arts and Crafts

Myanmar arts and crafts are abundant in Mandalay and you can get some really good. There are many little shops selling gems, wood carving, stone curving, and tapestries, silk and other crafts.