Destination

Monywa

Situated some 136 km north of Mandalay, Monywa is the centre of the Chindwin Valley. Being the second largest river of Myanmar, Chindwin is important for trading in the area. History has it that Monywa was founded in the Bagan era (1044-1287) and it was formerly called "Thalarwady". It is noted for its unusual temples. One of the most famous is Thanboddhay Temple, which resembles Indonesia's Borobudur because of similarities in its architectural design. It was built between 1939 and 1952 by Moenyin Sayadaw enshrines 512028 status Some grottos are built since Bagan Period but wall painting are still in good condition. You can also visit the amazing place of 1000 Boddhi Trees (kind of Banyan tree) under each of which was built a Buddha image. Four kilometers past Thanboddhay is 90 meters long reclining Buddha image on top of a hill.

A very small museum, inside of which are 9000 Buddha images, attached with the reclining image. Another highlight of Monywa is the Crater Lake of Twin Hills. According to geologists, it was the crater of an extinct volcano some five million years ago. But another version said that it was the effect of a meteorite, and rainfall subsequently filled the crater to form a lake. There is now an algae processing plant there. Po Win Taung / Shwe ba Taung are on the West Bank of Chindwin River. There, temples and caves are curved out of volcanic rocks and inside walls of some caves are decorated with 13th century / 18th century mural paintings. The water way from Monywa to Bagan by boat is only four and a half hour trip. But you will find it very short, as the landscape of both riversides is more than just picturesque. You will also see the confluence of Chindwin and Ayeyarwaddy rivers on the way. You will be ravished by the scenery of mighty Ayeyarwaddy River and its river bank.