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 Mandalay-
The second largest city in the heart of
Myanmar and accessible by every means of
transport. It was the last founded city of
Burmese kings dating back to 1860. The
palace walls and its moat can still be seen.
Mandalay is known to be the city of Myanmar
craftsmanship. Stone carving, tapestry, wood
carving, marionette making, bronze casting
and gold leaf making can be studied there.
What to
See
Mandalay Hill : 230 meters in elevation,
commends a magnificent view of the city.
Mandalay Palace : With its brick walls,
gates and the moats still stand today as
evidence of the majestics Palace City.
 Shwenandaw Monastery : A magnificent
building dating back to 1879.
Mahamuni Pagoda : Built by king Bodawpaya in
1784, to house the much-revered gold
encrusted Buddha Image brought from Rakhine.
Kuthodaw Pagoda : Built in 1868, where there
is the world Biggest Book in 729 marble
slabs with the Buddha's Teachings inscribed
on them.
Other attractions : Atu-ma-shi monastery
(the incomparable monastery) built in 1878,
Kyauktawgyi Pagoda (the Pagodas of the Great
marble Image, Sandamuni Pagoda, Eindawya
Pagoda, Shwe in Bin Monastery, Mandalay
Museum, Zegyo Market and Silk weaving
cottage industry, worksite for gold leaf are
among other places worth visiting. Beyond
Mandalay
Amarapura
In Amarapura to the south of Mandalay, the famous Mahaghandayon monastery is worth visiting preferably in the morning. U Bein bridge which is the longest bridge built with the teak wood
across the Taung-tha-man lake can be seen nearby.
 Inn-Wa (AVA)
It is another ancient capital, known as the
kingdom of Inn-wa during the second Myanmar
Empire. Now it is "a small town with some
interesting sights to visit such as Nanmyint
Watch Tower, Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery,
Bagaya Monastery and Lacquerware industry.
Sagaing
21km south west of Mandalay, an old capital
Sagaing lies beside the Ayeyarwaddy River.
The Sagaing hills are dotted with Pagodas
and surrounded with monasteries and
nunneries. Some places to visit are Soon-U-Ponya-
Shin Pagoda, Kaung Hmudaw Pagoda, Ywahtaung
(home of theSilversmiths' guilds). Mingun
Located about 11km upriver from Mandalay on
the western banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River.
Well known for its 90 tons Mingun bell which
is the largest ringing bell in the world.
Unfinished Mingun Pagoda, Settawya Pagoda
and Hsinbume Pagoda are places to visit.
 Pyin-Oo-Lwin (Maymyo)
Summer capital of Myanmar with Botanical
Garden, Pwegauk waterfull and Peikchin
Myaung Cave.
Monywa
It is about 136 km by road to the west of
Mandalay. A city of commercial centre of the
Chindwin valley, well known for its rich
agricultural products, which helped, develop
trade with India border. Sights to visit
are:
 Thanbudday Pagoda built in 1929 with
471 small encircling Pagodas and 512028
Buddha Images. Bodhi-ta-htaung (one thousand
Botree) Ledi Kyaungteik monastery where
Buddhist scriptures are inscribed on 806
stone slabs and Kyauka village known for its
own style of lacquerware. Mogok
Known as Gems city is about 115 km north
east of Mandalay. Only package tours with
special permission are allowed to visit Mogok.
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