Mandalay

Mandalay Myanmar’s second city and the last capital before British rule, is an intriguing mix of ancient and modern, with a distinctly Chinese flavor. The old-style elegance of the past remains in its shrines and monasteries, and the workshops of traditional crafts are the best in the country. The main city spreads out in a southerly direction from the Fort and Palace, the latter of which has just been fully restored and is open to visitors. Other unique attractions include 'the world's biggest book'– 729 marble slabs on which are inscribed the Tripitaka, a Buddhist doctrine, around the central stupa at Kuthodaw Pagoda.

 

Nearby Inwa offers a glimpse into Myanmar’s ancient splendor as it was the longest-serving capital in Myanmar's history. A boat ride up the Ayeyarwaddy River allows you to discover Mingun. What could have been the biggest temple in the world remains incomplete, abandoned by its donor king. Anyway, the Mingun bronze bell that weighs 90 tons nearby is indeed the largest hanging bell in the world.

 

The Mahar Myat Muni is the most revered and ancient Buddha image in Myanmar. It was cast in the lifespan of Lord Buddha in the seated posture of relaxed deportment symbolic of his conquest of Mara. The 4-meter (13-foot) high, seated image is cast in bronze and weighs 6.5 tons. The crown is decorated with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Since Myanmar Buddhists are so devout, countless thousands of devotees have applied gold leaf (up to 15cm or 6 inches thick!) to gain merit.

 

The Kuthodaw Pagoda or Maha Lawka Marazein Paya is a large walled complex situated at the base of the southeast stairway to Mandalay Hill. The pagoda’s height is 57m (188 feet). Each shrine contains a marble slab, inscribed on both sides with the Pali script text of a portion of the Tipitaka, Theravada Buddhism’s sacred texts. Taken together, they contain the entire text of the Tipitaka and thus form “the world’s largest book.”

 

The Sandamuni Pagoda is located to the southeast of Mandalay Hill and bears a resemblance to the nearby Kuthodaw Pagoda because of the large number of slender whitewashed ancillary stupas on the grounds. The pagoda complex was erected on the location of King Mindon's provisional palace, which he used until his permanent Royal Palace was completed in the center of the Royal City, now Mandalay Fort.

 

The Mandalay Palace is the first palace constructed in Mandalay, by King Mindon when he shifted his capital from Amarapura in 1861, to fulfill an old prophecy. The site was chosen with the auspicious omen and astronomical calculations. The magnificent palace was built of teak wood on raised brick plinth, gilded with gold and vermilion. All the architectural works were superbly planned and executed to minute details. The artistic workmanship and handicrafts depicting the glory of the golden age of the days gone by is still amazing and awe-inspiring, and the beholder will be spellbound with wonder.

 

The Mandalay Hill is Mandalay’s most prominent landmark and overlooks the city. It is 230 m (755 feet) above the surrounding plain and is the natural watchtower for the visitors to admire sunrises or sunsets over the city plains. At the bottom in front of the southwest entrance are the two immense statues of lions guarding the Holy Hill. You can pay homage to prominent pagodas along the stairway of Mandalay Hill. Or visit the shops of Myanmar for traditional handmade toys. If you reach the top of the hill, you can pay homage to Su Taung Pyi Pagoda. Moreover, you can view the elegant craftsmanship with two snakes raising the hoods up.

 

The Shwenandaw monastery is the most significant of Mandalay’s historic buildings, since this ‘Golden Palace Monastery’ remains the sole major survivor of the former wooden Royal Palace built by King Mindon in the mid-19th century. The Shwenandaw is a wonderfully fragile yet grand example of 19th-century Myanmar teak architecture and also a significant masterpiece of the wood-carver’s art.

 

The Atumashi Kyaung, or Incomparable Monastery was originally built in 1857 by King Mindon, who had founded his new capital of Upper Burma at Mandalay just a few years earlier. It was one of the King’s last great religious construction projects. The original Atumashi is a magnificent wooden structure with considerable exterior stucco set on a high platform reached by a formal ceremonial staircase. It is a huge grandiose structure surrounded by five graduated rectangular terraces and is considered one of Southeast Asia’s most magnificent buildings.

 

The Shwe In Bin Monastery, built in traditional Burmese fashion, is one of the few buildings that has survived the test of time. Constructed in 1895 by Chinese merchants, the monastery consists of many impressive woodcarvings and also contains a number of admirable works of art. Thirty-five monks live in the monastery complex, which is held up by the classical teak foundation that is often seen throughout the country but rarely in as good condition as at this illuminating site.