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Mandalay
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The last capital of the Third Myanmar Empire, Mandalay is situated in central
Myanmar 692 km (430 miles) due north of Yangon.
Mandalay
was founded in 1857 by King Mindon. In
1857 Mandalay was set up in an empty area, because, according to an
ancient prophecy, in that exact place a town would come into existence
on occasion of the 2,400th jubilee of Buddhism. King
Mindon decided to fulfill the prophecy and so in 1857 transferred his
capital a modest 12 km from Amarapura to the South. At
that time a transfer of the capital not only meant leaving an old
town and erecting a new town in a different place. As all secular
buildings of that time, including the royal palaces, were built from
wood, a transfer of the capital meant the complete dismantling of the
houses of the old settlement, which then were loaded on carts and the
backs of elephants to be reconstructed at the place chosen for
the new town. |
The
Palace |
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Photo:
Mya Win The Palace
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It is the largest
city after Yangon
and is both a bustling commercial centre and a repository of ancient
culture. With the remains of the old Royal City and with many old
monasteries, Mandalay is a showcase for Myanmar art and architecture of
the 19th century. It is also noted for woodcarvings, silverware,
tapestries, silkcloth, and other traditional craft products.
Myanansankyaw Golden Palace, Mandalay Hill (over 274 metres or over 900
ft) with a fine panoramic view of the city, Shwenandaw, and Atu-ma-shi
Monasteries, Mahamuni Pagoda, Kuthodaw Pagoda
or the 'The world's largest book' (the Royal Bounty) with
729 marble slabs on which are inscribed the entire Buddhist cannons, the
Atumashi Kyaung with the traditional Myanmar monastic construction,
Shwekyimyin Pagoda, Eindawya Pagoda and Kyauktawgyi Pagoda are some of
the tourist attractions in Mandalay. |
| Mandalay presents
fabulous scenes that are typical of their own. Mandalay
is smack in central Myanmar, and enjoys a bad reputation for its sultry
weather and dusty atmosphere. This generalization is a bit too
harsh; Mandalay and its environs possess a lot of water bodies and
wooded areas, all ready to enlighten the severity of its weather.
May and June are the hottest months. Rains usually come in July,
lasting up to September. It rains most in July and August.
you could enjoy cold weather from early November onwards. The cold
period is November, December and January, the last two being the coldest
months. The dry season, the open one, starts towards the end of
October, great for outings and touring. From then on, festivities
seemingly endless. |
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Around Mandalay
Sagaing
Sagaing lies 21 km south-west of Mandalay on the opposite bank of the Ayeyarwaddy
River. The Sagaing Hills are noted as a religious retreat and has over
400 monasteries and nunneries. About 10 km from Sagaing is the Kaunghmudaw,
an enormous dome-shaped pagoda built by King Thalun in 1636. At the nearby
village of Ywataung, one can see silversmiths making silverware by traditional
methods.
Amarapura
Situated about 11 km south of Mandalay, Amarapura is one of the capitals of
the Third Myanmar Empire. A 1208 metres (3967 ft - a total of 1086 timber
posts) long and 3 metres (10 ft) high (above the lakebed) wooden bridge called U
Pein Bridge which is built by Alderman U Pein spans Taungthaman Lake, and at
its farther end is Kyauktawgyi Pagoda.
Inn-wa (Ava)
Inn-wa, built in 1634, is another ancient capital, and for a time, Myanmar
was known to early travellers as Inn-wa. It is noted for the Maha Aung Mye
Bonzan (Ok Kyaung), one of the few monasteries built in brick.
Mingun
Located about 11 km upriver on the western bank of the Ayeyarwaddy
River, Mingun has a gigantic unfinished pagoda, 50 metres high, overlooking
the river, and the 90 tons Mingun Bell, the largest ringing bell in the world.
Monywa
About 136 km to the west of Mandalay is Monywa, the commercial centre of the
northwest. Bodhi-ta-htaung (one thousand Bo trees), Thanbokde Pagada,
Po-win taung Hills and Kyaukka village are some of the interesting places to
visit.
Pyin-Oo-Lwin (Maymyo)
The principal hill station and summer retreat of the colonial period:
Pyin-Oo-Lwin is 67 km away from Mandalay. It is over 1000 metres above sea
level and has a pleasantly cool weather all year round. The 142 hectare
Botanical Garden, Pwekauk Waterfalls, and Chinese Temple are places worth
visiting. Nearby are Peik-chin-hmyaung Cave and Gokteik Rail Bridge.
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