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		Mandalay & Its Environment   Mandalay   Mandalay was the last kingdom of Myanmar dynasty. Mandalay is the   capital and the second largest city in the country. It is also known as a   cultural capital where visitors can study its traditional arts and crafts. It is   located in Central Myanmar, 668km north of Yangon and stands on the   east back of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Also known as Ratanabon   nepyidaw (meaning Gem City). It was built in 1857 by King Mindon. It is   also the commercial center with rail, road, river and air links to all parts of   the country. Stone carving of Buddha statues, embroidery, silk weaving   factory and gold leaf working sites are cultural spots for tourists.       Mandalay Hill       Mandalay Hill, 230 metres in elevation, commands a magnificent view of   the city and surrounding countryside. The legend has it that the Buddha,     on the visit, had made a prophecy that a great city would be founded at   the foot of this hill.       Mandalay Palace ( Mya Nan San Kyaw Golden Palace)       The whole palace complex was destroyed by fire during the War. The  palace walls, the four gates and the moat stand today as evidence of the  majestic palace city. A number of palace buildings have been  reconstructed  within the premises.        During the Konebaung dynasty, Mandalay was the last capital of  Myanmar Kings.It was found in 1857 by King Mindon. In 1859, King Mindon  dethroned his brother Bagan King and ruled the kindom of Amarapura  nearby town south of Mandalay.The King Mindon himself had a desire to  move his throne to Mandalay. So,consulted with learned elergy and  laymen, he shifted his kingdom to Mandalay and founded the city and   Palace. The old parts of the former palace at Amarapura(Aung Nan Thar San) were carried to Mandalay and reused in the   construction of Mya Nan San Kyaw new palace, regarded as auspicious things.       King Mindon had built Royal Palace on the model of Brahmin Buddhist cosomology to represent the centre of the world. The   Royal palace formed an perfect square, with the outer walls facing the four cardinal directions and the (12) gates three on   each side. The immense wall measure (8)meters height and (3) meters thick at the bottom,tapering to (1.5)meters thick at the   top. It was made by baked-brick. Each of the four sides extend (2)Km. The surrounding moat is (700) meters wide and over   (3)meters deep. There were (3) gates to enter to the palace. Each of the gate was topped by a Pyathat or wooden   pavilion.Smaller Pyathats Stood at each corner and between the large ones.       King Mindon passed away in 1878, his son Thibaw become a king of country. King Thibaw built some more buildings. So,   there were (114) buildings on the palace ground. All the buildings were situated on the platform of Royal Palace ground.This   platform is (1004) ft long from east to west and (574) ft long from north to south.The Palace is facing east. Most of the   buildings were made of teak wood except a few buildings. And most of the pillers were gilded with gold leaves.They were   beautifully made by traditional woodens, architectural designs Golden Palace. During the time of King Thibaw, some buildings   were built by foreign architects and their styles and designs were as like as an Italian design.       We can divide into two parts on the Palace platform Eastern Royal buildings and Wastern Royal buildings. The   buildings on the eastern side and on both sides of glass Palace Hall and Glass Palace Halls itself were Eastern Royal buildings.   They were totally numbered 32 and important state affairs and domestic royal affairs were functioned at these Eastern royal   buildings. The buildings on the western side of central glass palace were called Western Royal buildings. They were totally   numbered 82, including the apartments of the queen and princess.       About some significant halls and important buildings in brief are as follows-   Myay Nan Pyathat was the main centre of the Royal Palace. In this building, King and Chief Queen received homage from   princes and others.This ceremony was usually held (3) times a year.The Lion Throne was in the centre of this building.       The Zetawumn Pyathat or Hall of Victory was connected to the Myay Nan Pyathat. In this room, conferences and   importantmeetings were held with the Hamsa Throne.       The Byedaik building was situated at the north of the victory Hall. It was where the Ministers with direct access to the king   met in the conference.       And then we can see the Watch-Tower, which made of teak wood. It had a circular brick base with a spiral stair case and    seven-tiere roof. From this tower,King and Chief Queen enjoyed the city view at night not only during the Thadingyut candle    light Festival, but also the daily scenic beauty. On the top of the tower,there was always a watch man to watch fire and   enemy.       The Glass Palace, Hman Nan Zaung was situated not only in the centre of the Palace city but also the universal. This  building was the largest and highly decorated because this was the permanent apartment of the King. The little wooden  houses can be seen on the roof of the main palace. It seems to be the houses of archer. Actually these were small houses  for servants to watch ill omen birds not to rest on that roof.       The Southern Hall used when offering were made to the monks and when listening to their preaching. In the Northern  Hall the king sat upon the Peacock Throne to review his troops and as spectator at formal sports competitions.       The Royal couple sat upon the lion throne in the west building. On this throne, King and Chief Queens and court women. The  western Royal Buildings were for queens and princesses. There were six rows and lived in four kinds of queens. They were  known as Nan-Ya Queens (four chief queens) Asaung-Ya Queens and Tan Layar Ma Ya Queens.       Just looking at the royal Buildings of Mya Nan San Kyaw Royal Palace, you can imagine that how majestic and splendid it  was during ancient Myanmar Kings.       During the second world war, the Palace was destroyed by fire. But the present condition, the whole palace has been  rebuilt in its original style. The period of rebuilt was 1989 to 1995.        Eventhrough the actual building at the Mandalay palace is not original one by visiting the Palace site we can imagine the  grander of the ancient time.       Shwenandaw Monastery       The beautifully built monastery was originally inside the palace  compound.        Shwenandaw monastery, originally it was one of the palaces of king  Mindon and chief queen Sakya Devi that was built at north of the Royal  Palace. King Thibaw moved this golden monastery to the present site in  order to offer the monks as a monastery in 1879. In order to construct in a  traditional style. King Thibaw, caused it to offer the monks as a pinnacle,  spires, vane, sikhara and other fine decorations. Around these, there are  wood-carving of 10 great Jatakas made with great artistic details.   Mahamyatmuni Pagoda is one of the most venerated spots and famous Buddha Image in Myanmar as well as abroard. The grand Buddha image covered a 2 inches layer of gold as a result, its’ other name “The soft-gold Buddha image” Washing the face of a Buddha image ceremony has been handed down the centuries performed upon Mahamyatmuni. Other things worthy seeing at the temple are antique objects of bronze images of Hindu gods in the Cambodia style. There are 6 images. Erawan (India’s triple headed elephant, 2 gatekeepers, 3 lions.       Mahalawkamarazein or Kuthodaw Pagoda       King Mindon built this pagoda in 1968, surrounding it with 729 marble  stabs inscribed with the Tipitaka Text (The Three Baskets of the Buddhist  Pali Cannon). It is often called the “World’s biggest Book”.       It is located on a spacious land at  the foot of Mandalay hill in  Mandalay, it was one of the 7 monuments founded by king Mindon. The  stone-slabes were systematically set in row by row and composed in  beautiful ground-plan encircle to the centre-  pagoda.       Atu-ma-shi Monastery       Not too for from the Kuthodaw Pagoda is the Atu-ma-shi monastery (the  Incomparable Monastery), built in 1878 by King Mindon, and partially   destroyed by fire in 1890. It was however, rebuilt in 1996.       Kyauktawgyi Pagoda       Kyauktawgyi Pagoda (the pagoda of the Great Marble Image), also built by King Mindon, Stands at the foot of Mandalay Hill,  built in 1865, the Pagoda is so called because it houses a large image of the Buddha sculpted from a single block of beautiful  Sagyin marble.       Zay-Cho Market       “Zay-Cho market” is well-known for its’ cheaper-price as well as the   nuiance of the dealers, the new Zay-Cho market is composed of 8   buildings in rows, all 4 storey- buildings, except of B complex since, its’   basis is a six-storey-building.        Other attractions are  . Sandamuni Pagoda  . Eindawaya Pagoda  . Shwe In Bin Monstery   . Mandalay Museum and Library  . Silk weaving Cottage Industry        Amarapura   It is one of ancient cities. There are many historic buildings and     monuments just like Mahagandayon monadtic compound,  Taungthaman   Lake and U Bein Bridge, Kyauktawgyi pagoda, the striking handicraft of   silk weaving industries. Suprisingly, the  romantic sun-set on the bridge   over the Taungthaman lake, Mahagandayon monastic compound,     Taungmingyi pagoda, an  avenue of Meze trees, Mahawizaramthi   kyauk-Pathodawghi pagoda.       Situated about 11km south of Mandalay. It was the capital of Konboung   Dynasty during the reign of King Bodawpaya when he moved its capital   to Amarapura in 1783. It is noted for its unique teakwood bridge, 1.2km   long, known as U Bein Bridge  across the Taungthaman Lake.          U Bein Brdge       The mayor of Inn-wa (once the slaughter) and his clerk Maung Bein intentionally  erected a bridge of wood over over the Taungthaman lake with the material from old  palace. It is one of the major visiting points and the best place for photograph taking  and sunset appreciation.       The most remarkable point of that bridge is that no iron nail was used the bridge is  something like in right-angle to be the head of an arrow. It is the longest wooden  bridge in Asia, may be over the world, is known as U Bein Bridge on Taungthaman  still lure the heart of visitors.       Kyauktawgyi (The Great Noble Bouder) is situated at Taungthaman village. The image was venerated at Inn-wa capital.  That image was firstly resided in front of Bonkyaw monastic complex between 2 Taungthaman villages. To shelter the Buddha i image, a shrine was constructed in smilar ground-plan. Henery Yele C.Grant portrayed the temple of Kyauktawgyi.The temple  is set on a square ground-plan.        • Places of interest are       • Nagayon Pagoda       • Mahagandayone Monastery       • Cotton and Silk Weaving Cottage Industry         In-wa (Ava)       In-wa is the capital of ancient Kingdom existed dating to 400 years,  known as the Kingdom of In-wa during the second Myanmar Empire. It is a   pleasant place to see around the environs of it by riding a pony cart. The   highlights are the learning Inwa Tower, Menu Oak Kyaung, the   ancient Maha Aung Myay Bonzan Monastery decorated with   Stucco and bricks, seeing panoramic view of Ayeyarwaddy River ,   Sagaing Bridge spanning the Ayeyarwaddy river and Lacquerware   Industry.       Inna-wa is seemed to be an Island city of a city with water-ways in its  kingdom then similar to “Venice of Italy”. The city-plan, is the most beautiful  ground plan in Myanmar, may be in Asian region. The city is built in square, like rectangle pattern with some projections. It was  oriented for the city-plans of Ayuthia ( madern Thailand ), Amarapura and Mandalay.       Maha Aungmyaybonzan Monastery       The next visiting site is called Maha Aungmyaybonzan monastery known as brick monastery of Menu. Its architecture is in  simulation of wooden monasteries with multiple roofs and a prayer-hall of seven-tiered superstructure. In design and  decoration, the brick monastery is an imitation of wooden architecture. The prayer-hall or Kyaung-U. Phathat is crowned by a  seven-tiered spire and represented to the royalty while the main hall or Saungma is topped zatawun Hall. The grand brick  monastery with its admirable architecture and fine stucco-carving is still sharing the breath-taking beauty. This monastery is  completedly erected of find teak-woods and in the traditional monastic architecture known as Bagaya Monastery. The floor is  lifted by large teak-posts and corridor with balustrades then crowned by spiral roofs. The decoration of flora design and  fauna forms, especially peacock and leograph figures are richly carved most of the parts of the building beautiful.       Another visiting site at Inn-wa is called Kedah fort. Because of inconvenient track through the country houses and apart  from other visiting points, this site is not commonly enjoyed. Kedah fort at Inn-wa, Servant fort at Mandalay were in traid  position once a elephant kedah at Inn-wa was scientlfically transformed to be an important for, Inn-wa fort enclosed by double  brick walls and water within.       Mahazeyapata Bridge       It is Mahazeyapata Bridge in Pali Language and meaning that enroute enriched with great victory covered from the  Hanthawaddy gate on the southern face of Inn-wa city wall to the other end at Tada-U township with a length of about 1 mile  with leograph figures and a large gostel on both ends. That bridge is still serving the convenience and useful purposes for the  way-farers.       Iron alms-bowl industry       The sweet beating sound arising the curiosity and looking around pausing underyhe peaceful shady trees of century-old on  both sides. It is come from one of the traditional cottage industries, iron alms-bowl. To be frank, few people could keep that  tradional work. It is the harmonious combination of black-smith, and lacquerware work, thus, 2 in 1 industry.       Watch Tower       There is the Nan-myint or look out (Watch Tower), a squre campanile of fine masony, this is the only monument of palace  buildings at ancient Inn-wa. The top most of that tower could be accessed through the three steps of stair. It is, still, the major   visiting site.       Mingun       A 46 minute boat trip up of the Ayeyarwaddy River from Mandalay.   Mingun, Located about 11km upriver from Mandalay on the western   banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River, is a town well-known for its 90 ton   Mingun Bell, the largest ringing Bell in the world, a mammoth unfinished   Mingun Pagoda, Settawya Pagoda, and Mya Thein Tan Pagoda.       Mingun is acturally a small village in our country side. The monuments,  remarkable events, beauty and many things in Mingun have it famed   equally to those ancient cities Mandalay, Innwa, Amarapura and so on.       Home for Aged       It is located the frontier of the river bank. The earliest one of its kind in Myanmar, Daw Oo Zun built 3 huts in roddy-leaves  near the large leographs. Home for aged at Mingun is the best refugee-place for ages and offer the maximum convience and  security in their dying period.        Mingun Bell       The gigantic bell is the largest of its kind in Myanmar and the 3rd largest bell all over the world. The greatness, sweer sound and relevant are so impressive that will share every visitor a beautiful history and scenery.       Pahtodawgyi or The Great Stupa       Assuming an immense brick-pile, it is, in fact, one of the 4 greats and was mostly  taken  care to be noblest workmanship by king Bodawpaya. One could now climb up to its summit.       The two Colossal Leographs       Among the lion figures in Myanmar, the colossal leographs at Mingun are the  largest in size of its kind. The ruins of two colossal leographs, one ninety-five feet in  height, stand between it ( the Great Stupa ) and the  river.          Myatheindan Pagoda       Myatheindan Pagoda at Mingun is something interesting in its unique architectural    formation. Athe Myatheindan pagoda of Myanmar and Borobudur Temple of   Indonesia are really look in their concept and architecture formation. The seven   concentric  terraces, from which centre there rises a cylindrical body with a vulted   sanctum and crowned by a stupa on top.       Settawya       It is, actually, preferred a pair of Buddha footprints carved on white marble-slabs, inside   a temple crowed by a stupa which is graciously done in hollow structure of the base and   beautifully decorated in fine stucco-carving on the crenulated parapet  with mythical   figures.         Sagaing       Once an ancient capital, Sagaing lies 21km South West of Mandalay,  beside the Ayeyarwaddy River. Sagaing is a famous meditation center for   Buddhists all over the country and Sagaing Hill is known as religious   retreat. Sagaing Hills are dotted with pagodas and there are over 500   monasteries, a retreat for some 6000 monks and nuns. Soon U Ponya   Shin Pagoda, Kaung Hmudaw Pagoda (a copy of the Mahaceti Pagoda   in Sri Lanka), and Ywahtaung (home of the Silversmith’s guilds) are   places worth visiting.       Kaunghmudaw Pagoda       Rajamanicula Pagoda, also known as the Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, which was  built by King Thalun in Nyaungyan Era.       Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo)       Just one and half hour drive from Mandalay. Over 1000 meters above  sea- level. Pyin-Oo-Lwin is a popular hill-station about 69km away from  Mandalay. It is well-known for its colonial-style houses which dated from  the 1900s with large compound and pine trees, eucalyptus and silver-  oak  abound in town. Delightfully cool and pleasant the whole year  round, the  175 hectare National Kawdawgyi Garden, Chinese Temple Pwe Kauk and Anisakan Waterfalls, Goktiek Rail Bridge  and Peik Chin Myaung Caves are  places of interest.       It was normally known as ‘Manmyo’, it means ‘The town of May’, was  named after the British officer Colnel May, who built Maymyo just after  the  British occupied Mandalay.Pyin Oo Lwin has an area about 763.74  sq. miles.Pyin Oo Lwin is 1160km above sea level, about 42 miles  to the Northeast of Mandalay. You can visit to Pyin Oo Lwin either by road or rail. It is about 2 hours drive from Mandalay.  Pyin Oo Lwin is famous for its five names.They are Maymyo, Pyin Oo Lwin, the land of Cheeries, the city of flowers and the  mountain ladder city. When you visit, you will see some colonial buildings  in their former structure and beauty, eg. Governor’ House, Summer House, Flag House etc. Thiri-Myang called Canda.Craing, in the form of Victorian architecture, Nan-  Myaing hotel, Gandamarmyaing hotel, Hindu temple, Mosque Chinese temple.In the centre of the town, there is a clock  tower,  the landmark of Pyin Oo Lwin, much was also built in colonial times. Just besides it, is the central market, where you will see many kinds of fresh vegetables, flowers and fruits.Also in the centre of the town there are some souvenir shops selling wood carvings, antiques and pappets.       Pyin Oo Lwin is soil rich paradise and due to its climate, we can get fresh vegetableslikecabbages, cauliflowers, tomatoes  and mustuard leaves and seasonal fruits like strawberries, avocados, peaches, damsons and plums. Beautiful flowers like  roses, dahlias, daises and blue bells. Roads and streets are lined up with cherry, chestnuts and pine trees.Also around the  city area are valuable woods such as Teak, Pyinkadoe, Thityar, In and Padauk. The Common fauna are deer, bear, tiger,  boars, snakes and various kinds of beautiful birds.       National Kandawgyi Garden       The National Kandawgyi Garden in Pyin-Oo-Lwin have been opened with the aim of enabling to enjoy rest and relaxation,  giving education, conducting research and promoting ecotourism industry in April, 2001.       Previously it was Maymyo Botanical Garden which was opened in 1917. It has 436.96 acres, 366.96 acres of land area  and  70 acre of water area.       There were 482 species and 12127 trees. And also 67 species of exotic hand wood, 3577 trees, 75 species of bamboo  and 133 species of orchid. There are also have species of birds.       Purcell Clock-tower       Among the clock-tower in Myanmar, the oldest one is that of Purcell  Clock-tower in Pyin-Oo-Lwin, next to Zaycho Clock tower at Mandalay.  The clock-tower is the land-mark of Pyin-Oo-Lwin and one of the major  attrations for the visitors. The large dial-face is set at the cardial point  each  about 65-67 feet elevation.       Market       Market is a community and information centre Food-stuffs and items  could be purchased at the new market. But, the regional products just-like  the woolen sweater, jam and preserve, fruits and flowers, country-wines  and tea-leaf are the commonest souvenirs for the visitors.       Pwe-kauk water-fall       Pwe-kauk or B.E water-fall is the oldest one and the closest fall from Pyin-Oo-  Lwin. The nature was such a beautiful scenery and the envrons were so  tranquil  in imaginative phenomenon covered with beautiful wild-flowers,  cultivated  plantations and gardens in fantastic beauty.       Wetwun or Peikchinmyaung waterfall and cave       Through, this area is beautifully composed of many caves with amazing    stalactites and stalagmites. Now, the great cave of Mahanandamu is located    just at the entrance of Peikchinmyaung, the long cave is filled with so many    Buddha images and pagodas in various sizes and position at every     corner,(about 300).       The noticeable fact of the cave is that the crystal clear water inside the cave,     cold in summer, warm in winter to cure the skin-diseases, eye ailments.       Maha Ahnt-htoo-kanthar Sutaungpyae Buddha       This Buddha image is the nearest one but the most famous and venerable image. The Grand  Buddha of white marble resides one a bejeweled throne in the grand-tample, located on the hillock.       Mogok       Mogok, known as gem city, is some 115km north-east of Mandalay.  Myanmar rubies, sapphires and emeralds and other precious stones are  mined in Mogok area. Only Package Tours are allowed to visit Mogok with  special permission.
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