ENCHANTING MANDALAY - 2 Days

Morning pick up and start our sightseeing from Mahamuni Buddha, the 2nd most sacred Buddhist’s site in Myanmar. The whole image, except, the face is covered with thick layers of gold foils; a token of the devotees’ intense faith to Buddha. Continue to visit Golden Palace Monastery, a delicately carved wooden building where we will learn the excellent wood arts, especially Ten Great Jataka scenes of Buddha remain well preserved. King Mindon, father of the last Myanmar King Thibaw, breathed his last in this building after prolonged illness. Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung is famous because it is only palace building which left from the World War II destruction in which the Royal Palace was burnt down in Marh 1945. Next is to go Kuthodaw Pagoda located very close to Mandalay Hill. The pagoda consists of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures and recorded in UNESCO world heritage lists. Later we’ll drive up to 230 meters high Mandalay Hill where we can see a scenic view of the city, Mandalay palace complex, the moat, the Shan Mountain range and the Ayeyarwaddy River. Lunch is served at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit to the gold-leaf workshop and one of the tapestry workshops; Aung Nan in Mandalay. We’ll then continue to Amarapura; a royal capital founded before Mandalay and Mahagandayon monastery which is one of the most prominent monasteries where nearly a thousand monks live and study. We can have a look at weaving cottages before going to the world’s longest wooden U Bein Bridge which is originally built in 1851. Take a leisurely walk over the bridge and enjoy the panoramic view of Taungthaman Lake and the stunning sunset view. Refreshment at the lakeside before heading back to the hotel.

Mandalay is considered the seat of Myanmar culture! Mandalay is the last Myanmar King’s capital. It’s nice to visit a few days in Mandalay including all significant temples and pagodas as well as some cultural sights. A day escape from hectic and humid Mandalay is recommended to go to Mandalay’s neighbor cities such as Mingun, Sagaing and Ava. Starting with a relaxing boat trip over the Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun which is a home for unique pagodas and a popular riverside village. We’ll see the world biggest ringing bell, the Mingun Pathodawgyi built in 1790 during King Bodawpaya’s time who died in 1819, Hsinbyume Pagoda and two huge brick lions lying at Ayeyarwaddy River front. A village walk under the shade and we can walk in some art galleries in Mingun village. Around lunch time we’ll be back to the boat and down-stream in the direction of Sagaing. Enjoy the floating lunch on the boat and also the stunning view of Sagaing Hills studded with white and gold washed pagodas. It’s breathtakingly beautiful and one of the world’s best picturesque views once commented by our guests. Finally, our boat disembarks at the small river in Ava; the ancient King City. Explore the city by plodding horse cart is a great charm and there have some treasure places we will not miss to see such as Bagaya Kyaung; 1834 teak monastery supported on 267 teak posts, Nanmyin ‘leaning tower of Inwa’ and Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery built in 1822 which is a rare survivor from the Ava era. At the end of the day, we’ll take a small ferry ride back to Mandalay side and transfer to hotel by car.